Alesis Philtre
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Philtre Resonant Filter Plus is the ModFX line's resonant filter. The user can select Low Pass, High Pass, Band Pass, Low Pass Alias, or any combination of filter types. Five different modulation waveforms can be selected, each of which can be synchronized. The "Reset Mod" button will reset the phase of the LFO, the "Steep" button switches between 4- and 6-pole filters.
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $129.00
User Reviews of the Alesis Philtre
- Submitted by Jon from Huntsville, AL (496 points) on Dec 29, 2007
- Really cool sounding modulated filter. Sounds great in feedback loops.
- Good Points: Sounds awesome... SPAZZY! great in loops... very easy to get good, glitchy noises from... I dropped it and it didn't break. The tap-tempo is useful. a bit smaller than I expected. There's a bypass option on the unit (Don't need to hook up an external switch)
- Bad Points: Reversed inputs/outputs (I thought it was broken when I couldn't get it working) the LED is reversed too... Seems a little flimsy. Alesis power supply only!
- Price Paid: US$55.00
- Purchased At: Harsh Noise Forums
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- Submitted by Iain David from United Kingdom (144 points) on Dec 7, 2007
- This pedal is my first experience of the Alesis Mod-FX range and I have to say that it's been a thoroughly positive one! The Philtre features four different Philtre types (with various ways of modulating each), and four knobs with which to tweak the tone. Pleanty of controls then, but I found this things shockingly simple to use. With a little practice it's really easy to get the Philtre to chuck out some extremely demented squelches and squeedles. The tap tempo facility is also a godsend, as a previous reviewer noted it's possible to blast-beat the tap button and get this thing to filter at super speed. Of all the different filtering patterns I don't think that there is a single one that I won't find a use for. It's worth mentioning though that this unit has a couple of rather odd little tics about it: the inputs and outputs are in rather odd positions on the back in relation to each other, and the status LED lights up when the unit is bypassed as opposed to engaged..... wierd. And maybe also a little confusing at first. I guess that's just being picky, I love this pedal.
- Good Points: - Very flexible range of sounds. - Footprint was is far smaller than I expected it to be. - Very useful in a feedback loop. - The tap tempo facility!
- Bad Points: - A couple of things seem to work the opposite way round to most pedals (ie. the staus LED). - Construction feels ever so slightly flimsy.
- Price Paid: US$0.00
- Purchased At:
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- Submitted by Aphadaphaler from Portland, OR (158 points) on Apr 2, 2007
- Great little multi mode filter. i f'n love this box!
- Good Points: Feed it back on itself with sample hold or pattern and you almost have a retarded monosynth. quiet.
- Bad Points: wall wort
- Price Paid: US$33.00
- Purchased At: novamusik.com
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- Submitted by sclr from Portland, OR (220 points) on Oct 4, 2005
- like a cheapo filterfactory. really lots of features that can be very dramatic and useful. the sample and hold and pattern setting when used with the bpm can spurt out some spastic audio. nice tricks and tons of tweaking with this thing.
- Good Points: tons of useful tweaking and some surprises that yield nice results. super hands on.
- Bad Points: plastic. sometimes clicks and pops when used in the alesis link system. easy to get into modes where you won't hear any sound, kind of like getting lost. you really have to be on your toes with this thing.
- Price Paid: US$40.00
- Purchased At: craigslist
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- Submitted by Ben from United States (250 points) on Oct 13, 2004
- Sometimes too digital sounding, but the pattern feature is very cool for generating some nice looping filter sweeps. Loaded with options. This one can keep you busy.
- Good Points: Another great ModFX pedal. Why did they stop making these?
- Bad Points: Maybe they'll come back from the dead with better construction? I'd buy a second one if they did.
- Price Paid: US$39.00
- Purchased At: MF
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- Submitted by ck3 from Portland, ME (402 points) on Sep 21, 2004
- I have only spent a few hours running a guitar through this little gem, but I think I would already refer to it as "the poor noisician's Xotic Robotalk".
- Good Points: Affordable and capable of producing various modulation patterns with different resonant filter options ... a great effect for creating trippy, rhythmic, and mechanical sounding guitar textures.
- Bad Points: Non-alesis AC adapters don't seem to fit the onboard jack, it does not appear to be built well enough for use as a stompbox, there is no way to store presets, and, most of all, it has been discontinued.
- Price Paid: US$35.00
- Purchased At: Musician's F(r)iend
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- Submitted by gr-eh? from Detroit, MI (398 points) on Aug 9, 2004
- Great little filter, this has become a staple in my recent live sessions. Easy tweaks and great range of sound.. Extra nice w/ the 'steep' button slammed down. I don't use the tempo effects so much. I prefer it w/ an EQ or distortion after it to fatten up the sound.
- Good Points: Surprisingly good sound overall, if sometimes a bit thin.
- Bad Points: A little touchy on the input level knob. A little digital sounding.
- Price Paid: US$35.00
- Purchased At: musiciansfriend
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- Submitted by spit + smudge from Savannah, GA (214 points) on Feb 13, 2004
- Great & cheap pedal that was only 50 clams. I love how you can get very slow rate, great for those slow building up sounds. The low end on the filter really does suck but it sure can pump some highs. Once again like the flanger unit, the tap tempo super speed trick works on this unit as well. Once again, stereo inputs & outputs which prove to be very useful. I noticed that I prefer to have the steep button engaged most of the time.
- Good Points: Very fast speed, which is something I always look for in filters/flangers/phasers, etc. Lot of choices in the waveform section.
- Bad Points: Stupid name. Low end isn't very noticeable but for only 50bucks I can't complain.
- Price Paid: US$50.00
- Purchased At: ebay!
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- Submitted by K. from Sealy, TX (528 points) on Dec 17, 2003
- Third of the modfx pedals I've picked up, and fairly pleased with the results. As stated previously, not very pronounced on the low end of the spectrum, but I've been able to get some sick, piercing, frizzled highs out of it combined with the Bitrman and just a couple of other pedals. The most extreme range and versatility can be had with "type" set for high-pass, "steep" button selecting 8 pole filter, and the "modulation" switch on either sample and hold or pattern, though good results can be obtained with the triangle waveform and the envelope setting. Anything from the long sweeps mentioned to random, spastic patterns, though the fact that it's digital will probably turn off quite a few.
- Good Points: LFO modulation w/ selectable waveform, 2 or 8 pole filter, high,low, band pass, band stop selectable, stereo ins and outs
- Bad Points: digital, not as pronounced lows, though I don't see that as a problem, modlink on this unit a bit flaky
- Price Paid: US$75.00
- Purchased At: e-bay
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- Submitted by nkondi from Portland, OR (610 points) on Jun 26, 2003
- this is about the size of a regular pedal turned sideways. its a bit plasticy, but this was meant for table top/rack mount use. it has very nice rubber coated knobs to be gripped and turned which stick out pretty far, and make the very far spread controls a dream. it seems these units are geared torwards electronic musicians, which would explain the very digital sound, which is very good. so first off i plugged it into itself since it has stereo capabilities both in an out...if r2d2 made idm this is what it might have sound like. very strange blips and bleeps come from this creating a sound very distinctively its own. throw in a few pedals for good measure and it will change things up a bit naturally...but as a feedback starting point it doesnt seem to be its strong point. in the loop though is where the magic is. the philtre compared to the dod envelope fx25 isnt as bass heavy, and screeching in the highs as i would have liked, but the odd tap tempo and modulation make it worth a lot more than just another envelope filter. great rhythmic chaos can spew forth when this thing is engaged. and all the variable settings will keep you occupied for days...
- Good Points: decently priced odd sounds holds its own in a feedback loop solid construction very good sound
- Bad Points: a bit plasticy not as bassy/high screeching as the dod envelope
- Price Paid: US$97.00
- Purchased At: ebay
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- Submitted by Ernest from Phoenix, MD (12 points) on Mar 30, 2003
- Digital resonant filter - four filters: low pass, high pass, band pass and band stop. Five modulation waveforms: triangle, sample/hold, triggered, envelope, pattern. Tap tempo. Four control paramteres: frequency, rate, depth, and regeneration (resonance). Provides lots of tweakability, lots of sounds from big, long deep sweeps to triggered bursts to random stepped wahs to auto-wah to notch filter. In stereo. Compared to a Qtron - the Philtre is not as warm, but has lots more options.
- Good Points: Pros - good useable filters, lots of tweaks, weird noise potential, pseudo-arpeggiator, tap tempo, stereo. For under 0. (seen advertised for as low as plus shipping)
- Bad Points: Cons - digital, plastic box, "cute," not designed as a foot pedal, no MIDI.
- Price Paid: US$79.00
- Purchased At: warpdrivemusic.com
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