Product: Analogue Solutions Phobos Filtered Coffee
Price Paid: N/A used
Submitted
07/24/2004
at
01:15pm
by
Joost
Ease of Use
:
7
Quite easy to use, only the precise function of the bypass & thru switches brought me back to the manual
i/o's at back of unit are less than ideal for frequent patching , but a patch panel brings relief here
Layout is ok but not fully logical; freq & res knobs are not adjacent
0-100% adjustment range of knob's is not always musically useful (e.g. LPF self-osc comes in quite suddenly in at 60-70%)
Sound Quality
:
8
Good, raw sound; MS-20 character quite well preserved i.m.o.
(I also have the original)
This unit is for lovers of the 12 db filter families;
warm, fuzzy but open sound with lots of character
Reliability
:
8
Both casing & knobs feel solid
switches small but ok
Only input connector for power adapter is a bit wacky
Customer Support
:
8
A. Sol.'s email replies are brief but swift & to the point
Overall Rating
:
8
Quite a nice unit for many electronic music styles
Can also be fitted easily into any modular system
A. Sol. deserves praise for bringing the essence of the MS-20 into a compact rack unit
A 2 rack-unit version with patch point brought out to the front would be even nicer
Product: Analogue Solutions Phobos Filtered Coffee
Price Paid: 210 (Pounds Sterling)
Submitted
07/09/2003
at
12:00am
by
Adz
Ease of Use
:
7
The Filtered Coffee needs some practice to get the sound you want, but didnt take me long to get used to the parameters. No patches - this is analogue! Nice knobs. Lots of ins and outs at the back for modular use.
Manual is clear and simple.
Sound Quality
:
9
I am using this primarily for processing samples. It would also be very good in a modular synth setup.
It is a little noisy but this is analogue, not very noticeable. The effect can be as subtle or crazy as you want, especially depending on env follower and resonance settings. At extremes it can do resonant warblings, at sublte settings smooth frequency sweeps or EQ. Sound quality is amazing. THis unit is based on MS-20 filters. Very nice sound. Puts all software filters to shame. Can do wonders for boring sounds, especially guitar and lead sounds. Really warms up 'digital' sounds.
Reliability
:
9
Bult very well.
Yes I would gig with it.
Customer Support
:
9
Tom at Analogue Solutions is a good guy, answers all emails and friendly support.
Overall Rating
:
8
Wicked unit. Would probably buy again, if lost would either replace it or get modular components to replace. I do breaks, broken-beat, drum & bass.
It has a hi-pass and a lo-pass 12dB MS-20 style filters with 2 LFO's, Envelope follower and VCA. With 15 ins and outs for audio and CV I/O. Pedal inputs also.
I love the warmness, smoothness and clarity of the sound, such a refreshment after playing with software modelled filters for so long! Envelope follower is really nice. I would like to have more external CV control of eg. Resonance and Env amount.
