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Moog Moogerfooger MF 101 Lowpass Filter alternative?

#70
OilcanRacer said:
looking forward to the complicated one. i guess i have always been complicated, so if there's a pedal to match i'll take it.

whats the best way to get one? p.m. thru here or wait for a website.
Click to expand...

For now, PM is best.

Kwesi said:
Hey Conical, do you know the dimensions on the complicated one now? I'd like to spring for that but I do think I have much more than 5 inches width-wise of space to fit anything.
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Not sure yet, but I do think it may end up a bit bigger than 5" wide.
 
#72
I feel a little trepidation comparing something of mine directly to another's work. Martone's things look very nice and I really don't want to step on toes or cross the line in terms of promotion, etc. I'll try to answer that matter-of-factly so there's no issue.

I have no personal experience with any Robot Factory stuff, but the Brain Freeze is an MS-20 clone, and I do know about that. The MS-20 is a 2-pole filter, whereas the Xerograph has both 2- and 4-pole modes. 2-pole filters cut high frequencies less extremely, and the resonance peak is a little wider. I'm not great at describing subjective sound differences in non-technical terms, but many people consider 2-pole filters to sound brighter, more subtle, whereas 4-pole filters are said to be fatter, deeper, and more synth-like. Stock Xerograph is lowpass only, but bandpass or highpass are available as options. Xerograph is smaller and less expensive.
 
#73
conical johnson said:
I feel a little trepidation comparing something of mine directly to another's work. Martone's things look very nice and I really don't want to step on toes or cross the line in terms of promotion, etc. I'll try to answer that matter-of-factly so there's no issue.

I have no personal experience with any Robot Factory stuff, but the Brain Freeze is an MS-20 clone, and I do know about that. The MS-20 is a 2-pole filter, whereas the Xerograph has both 2- and 4-pole modes. 2-pole filters cut high frequencies less extremely, and the resonance peak is a little wider. I'm not great at describing subjective sound differences in non-technical terms, but many people consider 2-pole filters to sound brighter, more subtle, whereas 4-pole filters are said to be fatter, deeper, and more synth-like. Stock Xerograph is lowpass only, but bandpass or highpass are available as options. Xerograph is smaller and less expensive.
Click to expand...

Just the answer I was looking for, thanks :).

Another Q: I was browsing other "Moog LPF Alternative" threads and I kept seeing people say that any good LPF would pretty much need an output knob to counter the volume loss when cutting highs. Is there any merit to that argument? Is there a particular reason why you chose not to put a output knob on the Xerograph? Finally, (probably not) how is the EXP/CV in jack set up? The jack on the Brain Freeze says insert the plug 2 clicks for CV and 3 for EXP. I'm not sure if that's a standard jack but is that how the Xerograph's will be? Thanks again.
 
#74
The Xerograph has an internal boost and limiting setup, so there's no volume loss when turning it on and no harsh peaks when you crank the resonance. In general, I don't feel there's a need to have a volume knob because it's set to be unity gain when engaged. But I offer a volume knob as a custom option for those who want it.

As an aside, the volume (drive) knob on the Moog is activated even when the effect is bypass, so it doesn't give the option to set effected volume vs. bypassed volume.

The first Xerograph units will not be compatible with CV gear. A CV-compatible version will be out a little bit later. So it works with a passive expression pedal (Moog EP-2 works well) and I also make one using the Ernie Ball volume for people who want something heavier-duty than the EP-2.
 
#75
conical johnson said:
The Xerograph has an internal boost and limiting setup, so there's no volume loss when turning it on and no harsh peaks when you crank the resonance. In general, I don't feel there's a need to have a volume knob because it's set to be unity gain when engaged. But I offer a volume knob as a custom option for those who want it.
Click to expand...

I know I personally would probably want the volume knob so that I could have a boost on occasion. My OC-2 for example, when set to 100% -1oct and no clean level sounds like it's below unity, so it would be nice to be able to make that up with the Xero.

If you don't mind a few more questions, is the volume knob you add just an external control of the gain-staging that you've already put in the pedal? What are the dimensions of the future production unit? (sorry if these were asked but I don't think they were)

BTW, this pedal sounds really well thought out. Kudos!


Edit: never mind on the dimensions, fount it;) Are jacks top or side mounted though?
 
#76
I haven't yet done one with a volume knob, but I can do it in such a way that there's both volume boost and cut available, and without altering output impedance.

Side-mounted in and out jacks, top mounted expression and power jacks.
 
#79
Sounds good to me. This seems like everything one could ask for in a low pass filter, and more than anyone could have reasonably expected! Would you describe it as having a similar sound to the moog, as it is a 2/4 pole resonant filter?
 
#80
Well... I don't know. I would say that 4-pole filters definitely sound more synthy than 2-pole filters, and that the Moog is the only other 4-pole pedal that I'm aware of. So it definitely sounds more like the Moog than it does any other pedal filters. But it's not intended to sound exactly like the Moog.
 

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