BaconPaul Two Filters is a new free creative dual filter plugin for macOS, Linux, and Windows with modulation sequencers for each filter.
Every year, there are countless new free plugins. Occasionally, there are some gems. For me, one of them is the BaconPaul Six Sines FM Synthesizer, inspired by the Yamaha TX81Z.
BaconPaul, the same developer and also part of the Surge Synth team, has now released Dual Filters, an exciting new free filter plugin.
BaconPaul Two Filters
Two Filters is a new creative free filter plugin for macOS, Linux, and Windows. At its core, BaconPaul Two Filters features two independent multimode filters powered by the latest Surge Team filter API.
Each filter offers a vast array of different filter types, also featured in the free Surge XT Synthesizer plugin. You can find various ladder versions, OB-Xd filters, all 15 Oberheim Xpander filters, Korg K35 filter, and many more. Yes, even comb filtering is possible.
Cutoff frequency, resonance, and morphing on each side allow you to fine-tune the filter in detail. The filter routing is very flexible and is switchable on the left side. They can run in different serial and parallel configurations.
In the same column, you can dial in feedback with two dedicated controls: feedback and dry/wet mix, giving the filters a raw character. Additionally, you can tweak the pre-gain and the post-gain, plus infuse noise for crunchy, dirty filtering effects.
Talking about filtering effects. Two Filters offers two step LFOs, one on each side that acts like a 16-step sequencer. They are fully programmable with rate and smooth controls. Steps can be drawn manually into the steps.
A random function is missing, and it would be nice to have one to generate random patterns on the fly. Once the steps are set, you can assign the sequencer to different parameters that it should modulate: cutoff, resonance, morph, feedback, and dry/wet mix.
It’s exciting that each sequencer can also modulate the opposite filter, which allows you to achieve very complex filtering patterns. The plugin is still under development, so there aren’t many presets included.
First Impression
I downloaded Dual Filters directly and experimented with it a bit. It’s definitely a no-brainer plugin that no one should miss. I hope BaconPaul will expand the plugin a bit so that it becomes more polished. Thanks a lot, BP.
BaconPaul Two Filters is available now as a free download from GitHub. It runs as a VST3 and AU plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel), Linux, and Windows.
More information here: BaconPaul (GitHub)
Oooh random is a good idea. I sort of hadn’t released it yet and it’s getting some coverage so I’m collecting ideas from the various users. Thanks for the comments!