Iron Ether Xerograph vs. Moog MF-101 LPF

[pmaraziti]

Anybody compared the two?

Cost seems to be similar if you take some fo the options of the Xeropraph in. What are the advantages of each?

 

[FreaqyFrequency]

I'ma pull relevant quotes from the main thread regarding the Xerograph.

And it's so small.....VERY interested.

i am excitedly looking forward to getting a revised model (i have a prototype right now) and making some clips...

it is small, sounds great, and doesn't have a crappy bypass or a ton of annoying hiss and noise! WIN!

john

So does it sound comparable to the Moog? Does it make the dubstep?

i think so. you'll have to judge for yourself when i get to making clips!

john

I am going to compre it to some different filters. It kind of reminds me of a Polyfusion filter... Obscure modular synth made by some ex-moog people in the 70's... Not as 'comby' as an old moog module, but deeper, and more focused.

John

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

I don't think anyone has a non-proto Xerograph yet. Mr. Pickles appeared to be the first to have one on order, and hasn't posted that he's received it yet. He did own a Moog LPF, so he can probably give a pretty accurate comparison when it arrives.

 

[kugelspot]

OK, from my understanding, they're pretty similar except, but here are the pros of each

Moog:
-More controls

Xerograph:
-Smaller
-Cheaper
-Money goes to small builder, instead of large corporation
-Made by awesome TBer

 

[Jared Lash]

Like everyone else, I haven't tried the Xerograph and have only heard clips which makes a comparison difficult.

That said, I think the comparison works out like this:

Moog LPF

Pros:
THE standard for synth like/electronica sweeps
Expression control of nearly any parameter
Can function as an envelope filter as well as sweepable LPF
fast/smooth switch
Labeled cutoff knob (not perfectly accurate but close)
Accepts CV input for use with advanced controllers
Works with other Moogerfoogers for more flexibility
Drive knob to tailor to your instrument

Cons:
Large enclosure
Very noisy - both from bad bypass and being susceptible to noise
Limited as a filter (no down sweep, only LP)
Relatively expensive

Iron Ether Xerograph

Pros
Small
True Bypass
Simpler to use
Less Expensive
Lots of modifications available*

Cons
Doesn't function as an envelope filter
Isn't as versatile or tweakable
New and therefore a bit unknown compared to the Moog

I think the clips of the Xerograph sound fantastic. And based on my uses of the Moog LPF (static LPF for dub sounds, sweeping the cutoff with an expression pedal for synth sounds) I'd MUCH rather go with Conical Johnson's design. It sounds different, but equally good compared to the Moog for synthy stuff, and even better as a Low Pass "wah" IMO.

*The Xerograph was obviously designed to be a simple LPF but it can be modded to have an envelope filter in addition to being swept with an expression pedal, a mix knob can be added, a downward sweep (I believe) a switch to control the attack/decay and more. Iron Ether is going to be very big on customization which I think is an awesome concept.

Not to mention, the Xerograph will have a bigger counterpart that has a lot of these mods already built in plus a tap tempo LFO and different waveshapes (sine, square, random) that can modulate the cutoff.

I can't recommend something I haven't tried, but I can tell you that I'm already ordering a filter from Iron Ether and I fully expect it to make me forget about the Moog altogether.

 

[dannybuoy]

The Xerograph can do envelope triggering as an optional extra. I'm tempted to get one, I would really like to hear each being used as a wah going INTO an overdrive or fuzz, as in Mark Olson's recent Freaker wah clips.

 

[pmaraziti]

Thanks gentlemen... it would be nice to see Mr Pickles comments when he gets his!

 

[shroomt]

Haven't tried it yet, but from what I've gathered and listened I think the Iron Ether Xerograph is a better deal. Space wise and simply because it gets the job done.

When I have money to buy a LPF, I will probably buy that one.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Thanks gentlemen... it would be nice to see Mr Pickles comments when he gets his!

I last heard from that Conical was adding a volume knob as an afterthought on my Xero (he did ask first, of course). This may become standard as opposed to an option. I had assumed there were a few in stock, but this isn't the case as far as I can tell. Mine will be #2 and it is currently being built. I'll post pics/clips when it gets here, I'm even more excited about reclaiming lost pedalboard space from when the LPF was on board

edit - FWIW, I don't want to be that guy who pesters the builder, so I haven't asked for a status on the build. My last conversation with Taylor was on 5/2 and I'm in no rush here. Maybe he'll chime in when he can pick his head up from soldering.

 

[Taylor Livingston]

Maybe he'll chime in when he can pick his head up from soldering.

Yep, they were ready to go out when I started thinking that the volume knob might be a necessity. I never felt the need for it, but I like to design things that work across all different setups, and without any weird hangups. After all, the whole point of this pedal was to make a foot-sweepable lowpass filter that didn't have the powering, bypass, and level issues of the Moog, so why introduce a a potential downfall in this design? As Bongo writes very well on his blog, many pedals seem to have been designed in a vacuum without regard for all the different situations in which they might be used, and this is not the path I take.

Everything was so perfectly planned out with fitting this circuit in such a small box, that adding the volume at the last minute was no easy feat.

All that said... all current non-custom orders (that includes yours Mr. Pickles) will be sent off in the next day or 2.

 

[dannybuoy]

So, will it be possible to get the envelope option as well as a volume control in the same small box?

 

[Taylor Livingston]

Yes, in fact right now I'm doing one with envelope, volume, and clean blend in the standard box (smaller knobs of course).

 

[pmaraziti]

this is becoming so tempting....

 

[Mr. Pickles]

this is becoming so tempting....

Don't fight it; just give in

 

[funkucan'ttouch]

I did! Can't wait. Went with most the options.. except the up/down option.. I don't really need that. WOO HOO

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Should be here on Thurs.

 

[bongomania]

I am excited to see the fruits of this labor!

 

[BioDriver]

Suuuuuuuuuuubscribed. Really looking forward to this comparison since I will most likely be purchasing a LPF within the next few months.

 

[bovine mind]

I will defintiely buy one of the "bigger counterpart" larger models that will include a tap tempo LFO with wave selections. That would elminitate my bulky Chopper Tremolo and MF-101.

 

[OrangeSun]

looking forward to later models / reviews / having extra money to buy one