Muff's Modules & More

skylab001 · Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2010 2:19 am Post subject: Is there a 5U SEM filter clone?

Just curious if there is an SEM filter clone in the 5U format. I know there are a couple of State Variable Filters which seem similar, but they don't seem to be clones, but then I've not heard them first hand though. Looking for some input as I would like to have an SEM filter in my setup.

SepticUnderground · Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2010 3:08 am Post subject:

I suppose you know about this one?

http://www.oakleysound.com/svf.htm

I have 2 of em on order so I cannot tell you yet exactly the sound of it smile

MPZ · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 7:38 pm Post subject:

honestly... why not just buy one of the patch panel SEM re-issues. A few converter cables and you get plenty more than just a filter.

Just sayin...

Ken MacBeth · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 7:42 pm Post subject:

Hi yes- I have made a replicant in my Mk1 5U series - right down to the LM301A and UA 741 opamps....avoided by many these days. The sound is pure squelch and SEM!
Maybe you could check out postings on here about the Macbeth Mk1 5U synth modules!........thanks
Ken M

kidtesla · Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 9:11 pm Post subject:

drewtoothpaste · Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 9:25 pm Post subject:

The LP - Notch - HP knob is the most important part of the SEM filter imo.

None of the SVF filters I've seen have this (apart from the SEM filter itself!)

Dr. Sketch-n-Etch · Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 10:16 pm Post subject:

megaohm · Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 10:18 pm Post subject:

russma · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 12:24 am Post subject:

I want it to be a pot. And under CV control. Please.

love

Synthbuilder · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 1:43 am Post subject:

Peake · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 1:31 pm Post subject:

Dr. Sketch-n-Etch · Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 12:46 am Post subject:

drewtoothpaste · Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 8:31 am Post subject:

Thanks Tony! I thought it was more complex than that but I have a pan/fade module and will try this.

sempervirent · Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 11:33 pm Post subject:

Years later... are there any other options?

The Oakley module self-resonates, which is not the true behavior of the SEM filter from what I understand (or hear on my reissue), though I understand that the Oakley SVF is not supposed to be a 1:1 clone.

Yes, I have the SEM reissue but I'm not sure I'll hold onto it, and the filter is really the most exciting aspect.

I'd be interested in the Macbeth SVF but it's MU and all my other stuff is 5U/MOTM.

Flux Jetson · Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 12:02 am Post subject:

I see someone says to use a SVF and use a mixer to x-fade between LPF and HPF.

The dot com Q162 is precisely "that". It will provide a "mixture" of all four modes in any amounts of all.

Also on the dot com Q107 the LPF and HPF are 12db, and the BPF and notch are 6db slopes .. isn't that like what the SEM is? So if you use the Q162 with the Q107 ... you're there. I went through this entire headache about three weeks ago. Couple of threads that address it.

I'll have my own Q107 up tomorrow, maybe I can offer a user's point of view after that.

CON: MU.

Other than that I know that Doc Etch -n- sketch has something that fills the need.

Dave Peck · Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 5:12 pm Post subject:

Or, instead of the Q162, you can use a Q111 Pan/Fade and connect the HP and LP filter outputs to the crossfader input, and now you can use control voltages to modulate the filter response from LP to notch to HP.

Synthbuilder · Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 2:17 am Post subject:

Flux Jetson · Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 4:36 am Post subject:

sempervirent · Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 1:44 pm Post subject:

I decided to sell my MIDI:CV SEM... started having second thoughts (of course) as I gave it one last tryout before boxing it up. Then I came across this comparison of the SEM vs the Andromeda:
http://www.amazona.de/index.php?page=26&file=2&article_id=3522

You can use Google Translate if you'd like but all you really need to do is click the "Download ZIP" link to the right of the audio player and listen to the files. The person who made these set up the A6 to match the SEM as closely as possible, and recorded a patch on the SEM, followed by the Andromeda. The first filter on the Andromeda is a clone of the SEM (the second filter is a clone of the Moog 904a). To my ears the Andromeda is 90% there in most patches and identical in others. And has 16 voices of polyphony.

This doesn't really answer the question about filters in modular format, but since I have an Andromeda already (which has a filter input) I have no regrets about letting the SEM go. Tony might be right about the discrete VCOs and the VCA of the SEM adding something special but I was really surprised by these demos.

Flux Jetson · Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 7:32 pm Post subject:

I almost bought an Andromeda THREE TIMES back in those days when I had my repair shop and had some money.

I've tried to convince myself it's a crappy synth ever since then. But I kinda know better than that, to be very honest about it.

I truly envy you ... Andromeda .. and an SEM ... you have an embarrassment of riches sir.

Flux Jetson · Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 7:44 pm Post subject:

I've convinced myself to attemp to get "the SEM sounds" with a dot com "Mini-modular" rig I'm halfway done setting up. Using an Amherst cab which holds 14sp of dot com (or 17sp of other 5u). Within those 14sp I can "create" a Minimoog or an SEM:

* Slew (attached outboard to QKB keyboard so it doesn't use a "space". Gonna try to convince Dr. Etch-n-Sketch to cobble-up this little toy for me. That dude is sharp!)
* Normalizer/mults
* 3 VCOs.
* VCO mixer (4ch)
* State variable VCF with mode-mixer.
* 2 EGs.
* VCA.
(14sp total)

Just missing the noise generator. So in 14sp I can get the Mini's and the SEM stuff ... H-O-P-E-F-U-L-L-Y so. In any case those modules are all part of a plan I've had for quite a while so if it doesn't work out as my "Mini-SEM-Modular" thingy there is no money wasted .. it all ends up in the Modular at some point!

Here's to hoping for the best (and just plain old having to make do!)

Hey ... can we get some demos of that Andromeda doing your own versions of SEM?

sempervirent · Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 7:58 pm Post subject:

Flux Jetson · Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 8:24 pm Post subject:

Woa! I just checked out that link you provided. Nice ... I can barely tell the difference .. if at all.

I figure the sounds that I'm looking for are more easily obtained ... this is the sound set I'm after (more of the "Miami Vice" group of tones) ...

So I'm thinking either the Arturia SEM or just finding a Matrix 1000 to go along with the Cyclone I have.