Electrix Filter Factory

Operating this rack filter is simple, and a joy. Toss your manual - what you see is what you get.

Sound quality is profoundly hi-fi. It seems like there are twin 2-pole filters. In stereo 12db mode, the filters each have a channel. On 24db mode, they sum for the classic mono response.

Even though this unit does not use DSP and is analong, the filter chips are digitally controlled. (DCF?) Unfortunately, due to the era these boxes were built, this means lower-res encoder values. A frequency sweep with high resonance will reveal audible stairstepped values. Even on a LFO-driven sweep, you can still hear this. Anyone have a mod? A way to wire true knob-driven voltage control into this thing?

The steppyness isn't so much of a problem if you keep the res down, it's enarly inaudible then. However, Another quirk is that the res is so powerful, that you're into near self-oscillation well before 12-o-clock on the knob. That's lots of musically useless encoder real estate eaten up by speaker-wrecking output. Powerful? Yes, but at what cost to eardrums?

Even though there's steps in extreme settings, it's still has that transparant juicy behavior that real analog filters have. Your favorite plugin or DSP box has noting on the huge range of non-aliasing frequencies, from the sub-rumble of a nuclear submarine's engines, to the supersonic fizz of a single electron piercing your brain.

The LFOs are good enough, but I can't think how I'd use them. Envelope follower is good. Fuzz isn't very fuzzy, but with a hot imput source or another distortion stage, you can heat things up.

This unit is built like a brick factory. Whenever musical gear gets built this well, it becomes classic just because it last long enough to. Rugged metal case, big knobs with a great feel, springloaded buttons, LEDs, lots of connection options on the back, built-in power supply... nice face graphics, well space controls, useful real-time stuff... no LCD screen to much things up... this thing looks great racked or desktop.

The company seems to vanish then emerge on a semi-regulat basis. Currently, Electrix has been bought and new version of the rack effects are slated... though they look to have the same features. The Filter Factory 2 is identically spec'd. I've never had a problem. If I did, I'd shrug and buy another.

I've run this thing after my guitar, and before a big old tube amp. Sounded fantastic, and added some solid-state distorion into the sound. Bandpass/envelope follower mode made for some funky, insane autowah.

I've used it for live DJ stuff, playing a pair of Technics decks into the filter. Big club speakers reveal crazy depth to the low end. It's just great sounding, unless you're into completely honest-to-goodness Voltage Control smoothness. Ironically, you can plug a voltage control into the back.. I have no idea how that sounds, but I have a suspicion there's a chip inside which converts the voltage to ye olde MIDI, for more stairsteps.

what's to be difficult to use? It's a filterplain and simple. I didn't get the manual but i got it off the electrixpro.com. It tells the major parts of it.
I do wish the unit's envelope follower was a bit more sophisticated. Or it would be midi activated by note on. instead the cutoff is routed to the note on values.
This can be bad if you want to use the envelope to filter a midi synth. it a very minimal amount of ADSR. It is more like just A/R knob called speed which i haven't completely determinded if it is connected to the envelope follower or not (obviously i haven't read the .pdf manual all the way through)
The connection between midi note on values and cutoff is good because if you pump the resonance up,it self resonates like a mofo. if you have a midi controller you can use it as a synth. a very simple sounding sine wave synth but add some delay and there you go.

It could be a deeper sounding. The pole is i think in stereo 2 pole and 4pole filter in mono. I use it in mono with my yamaha TX81Z synth to fatten up the sound. The buzz distortion on the unit is actually kind of nice. It isn't the best but it really helps shape the sound a bit more.

seems pretty well built. i thought it was plastic before i saw it in front of me. it is actual hard medal!

haven't had a problem

i play techno,hiphop, and industrial music. i think it was good for the $100 dollars i got it for. if it were stolen i might not get a new one because i just wanted it because i saw for such a low price. I think i might spend the money sometime and get a teh Akai MFC42 or take a bank loan to afford the allen and heath or sherman filter bank for more brilliant filtering.
I love it for using as a synth and beefing up my TX81Z.I wish the filter was deeper. and it had an MIDI ADSR envelope.

oh i almost forgot that the beat divsion on the midi clock needs a longer division. it goes up to 1:4 when a 1:8 is definitely needs. It takes some effort with the tap function to get it in time well enough to get it on the 8. it sounds awkward with the 1:4.

if you have a background in knowledge of sound design, dead simple to use. manual is no help at all hehe. but its easy to get it working well once you get afeel for the threshold and q controls.

i use a fender am strat>boss harmonist>ibanez compressor>crybaby>filter queen>roland volume pedal>fender twin. it does add some hiss to the signal, but i usually run the compressor before it to make the s/n a bit better. i can get the expected funky envelope sounds out of this unit, as well as some interesting tremelo/vibe/phase/leslie type sounds with the lfo. i have the expression pedal and the footswitch for it and they do add to the functionality for live use. the expression controls the frequency of the filter section and the pedal does: 1effect on/off, 2envelope follower on/off 3tap tempo. i havent gotten use to the tap function yet, but i havent used it much yet either.

id use it on a gig no prob, thing seems pretty reliable, better than the roland vol pedal for sure.

this unit is out of production now and i think customer support is no more for this whole line.

i play funky/hip hop type stuf, works good for that. ive been playing about 17years. i own a fender twin marshall 1/2stack, fender strat, ibanez 540s. i wish the foot switch had a control for lfo on/off but thats the only feature it's missing really imo.

Dead simple. The manual explains how everything works clearly. There are only a handful of parameters to work with, anyway. I agree with other reviews that getting it to sync to midi clock can occasionally be a bit uneven, but the tap tempo button is big and easy to push a few times, so this problem is minimal.

I use the FilterFactory primarily to filter output from an Elektron Machinedrum and Nord Modular. The filter sweep is very clean and predictable, with a nice analog edge. The overdrive/distortion portion of the unit is very nice for adding various amounts of grind - it distorts without eliminating bottom end, and interacts very musically with the filter itself. The frequency range available is also quite good. LFO options are simple and get the job done. It's definitely much more controlled and "tame" than my other analog filters (Sherman FB2 and MAM Warp 9) but I consider that one of its strengths. I don't find the resonance all that appealing above 12 o'clock, so I don't consider this a filter for those resonant squelchy applications.

Seems solid. My only complaint is that the knobs start to show dirt after repeated use.

They're no more.

I shift among ambient/minimal techno and Aphex Twin wannabe madness. I use the FilterFactory daily. It shows off its roots as a dj-oriented piece - it's simple, consistent and effective, with an interface that readily lends itself to performance. I also own a Sherman Filterbank 2 and a MAM Warp 9. Both of those filters are by far more edgy and "nasty" than the FF, and both sound good in their own way. But the FF certainly retains its value in the face of these other units. While the Sherman can twist and mangle a sound, the FilterFactory will just filter it in a very pleasant way, and distort it nicely. And very importantly, the FilterFactory is a stereo unit - something most other analog filter units can't boast. This feature alone makes the FilterFactory stand out! It would be nice if it had an ADSR and CV inputs, but for the price and purpose, it's really not an issue. All in all, I'm glad I picked one up.

I found this little number to be rather easy to get used to. I have to say theres really not a lot to this little box.

Sound quality on this unit is really great. I like the Sherman and the MFC42 better of course.

The unit seems very dependable. I have not used it to gig with as of yet but it is really well built.

i recived this unit for free from one of my customers at the music store i manage at. so i have no complaints about this little number. i do electronic soundscapes and this unit fits in perfectly with my setup.

The unit from the front panel is quite easy to use. Each section like the distortion and the filter have separate bypass buttons, which is really handy for testing new sounds. The controls are very senstive, so that when your using it with a bandwith limited intrument (like bass or guitar) instead of a full range DJ rig, you can create settings that make you wonder if it's even turned on. The difference between useful and chaotic noise is just a small twitch of the Resonance knob.

The MIDI implementation leaves a lot to be desired. Rather than supporting note-on triggering, it just supports control values for accessing the current state, or reseting the current state. The control values are cool for live use, but the inability to recall programs makes it difficult to use in a live "passive" situation. DJs should ahve no problem here. It's definitely not a set it and forget it box.

The unit provides cools sounds with diffent wave forms applied to the filtered/distorted signal. I primarily use it as a envelope follower, and although it isn't really a great envelope follower, it makes great sounds regardless.

Although mechanically it's been sound, the knobs aren't really stiff, and during travel move around a bit. I have to experiment before every gig to get the sound right again.

N/A.

Fundamentally, it's a unit that delivers on what it promised: outrageous massive filter type effects. However, one of its applications, envelope follower, isn't quite as bodacious as the pure resonating filter sound. Don't think you're getting a cheap Mu-tron here. I think that the unit is primarily intended for DJ work, and it seems it would do fine in that line of work.

Another drawback is that it's a two space rack unit, and it really should only be one. They could have sacrificed some design for cost in this case. (Rack spaces cost money after all.)

this little gaffer is real easy to use, no presets no guff, lots(maybe too many) of leds and light to indicate whats engaged at all times. the midi works splendidly. i've noticed people complaining that the lfo dosen't alwais begin its cycle at the beginning of a measure, but i think its nice to have the option of starting the lfo's cycle at other spots. the manual is poor. it is seriously lacking technical information.

i'm using this unit primarily as an aux send on my board so i run drum machines, synths, the output of my spring reverb or anything else through it. i alwais use it with the mix knob all the way to effect. it is very quiet(i used to have a filter queen which was just stupidly noisy)with no signal present in the filter's input and the resonence turned down, it makes no sound. the buzz adds a bit of noise on higher settings but what do you expect? i've noticed that some people complained that the decay time on their envelope follower isn't adjustable. well mine is( the speed knob), from long loverly sweeps to quick spikey pops. the amount of resonance possible from the filterfactory is a little ridiculous, i would prefer if it went all squealy on 4 pole with the resonance at 7 oclock rather than at 4. but this is a minor quibble, it sounds very good indeed. i find putting limiter after the output makes it possible to explore highly resonant sounds without worrying so much about horrible squealies, but this is true for anything with a resonance knob. the notch filter is wonderfull, lush and phasey. i have used the filter factory , in conjunction with other effects to get soinds i've never heard before

i have gigged all over with it and carried it loose in my backpack because i am a big idiot. it hasn't failed me yet.

the folks at electrix were friendly and helpfull. although when i called about my filter queen to complain that it is a crappy sounding little piece of trash and is not a scaled down version of the filter factory, its more of a noisy imitation, they were just like,"yea, we know."

i provide sci fi spookies for silent movies at a local theater, i play in an experimental pop band, i do live mixing and manipulations for a dub band. the filter factory sees a lot of action. if it dissapeared, i would probably get another. i like it and it was cheep. my only complaint is that in a dark room the little leds are way to bright and make it hard to see what you are doing, however this is easily fixed with a little tape. along side of my tama techstar drum brain and my paia modular, it is one of the prised posessions

it took me a while to get the hang of matching the correct frequencies, but once you do its like second nature.

right now i'm using my filter factory as an effect loop on my Rane MP24z DJ mixer. I get great sound quality out of it. i does a great job giving off that warm analog feeling. but there are 3 things that i noticed. 1. whenever a loud noise is playing and i enable the filter it will make a "click" sound at the begining (which prevents me from doing a manual "slicer" effect). 2. the volume will lower when the mix level is brought down 50% when certain filters are bing used. 3. Even when the filter factory is on "bypass" you can still here a high frequency change if the knobs are turned.... but those problems aren't too hard to work around

as long as is hook up right it works perfectly... except for reciving Midi Clock, i can't get it to sync to it for some reason...

I think its excelent, and i'm happy i got it, even with those flaws. Its a good quality, well built, analog filter. there is no way i would pass up such a "warm" analog filter for that price, especialy when ever time you look at it you just want to play with its "smooth as silk" knobs...hehe

It can take a while to figure out the quirks of what sounds work well, but it is easy to grab the knobs and make changes. No programmable settings , but thats not why you buy- you just have to really know where the sounds you like are. My major gripe is input level- in order to get the input LED to light I have to put my guitar through a preamp (to boost it to line-level) which is normal, but I have to crank the preamp gain to 10 in order to trtigger the envelope follower- very annoying, especially since that pushes the gain close to clipping on the way out- there is no way for me to use the envelope follower without using the buzz level control to attenuate the signal.

Running a guitar through this thing it sounds really good, the buzz really adds to the richness of the filter, and is a perfect complement. There are a lot of different sounds in it from subtlew to over the top, and all of them are useful. For what it is it is great.
That said, there is a lot of subtleties that need to be mastered- from getting the proper signal into the box, to getting the controls right for each sound-- the more time I spend with it themore useful sounds I can find, but it takes time to get to know. I wish the envelope follower had some more controls- like using the speed knob to control the decay of the follower.
This thing is noisy though- although some of that probably has to do with boosting the signal so much going into that- people using keys or turntables going into might not have the same problem- for me it was so noisy that I considered not using it, but I have reconsidered because of the sounds.
Midi sync works well too, although it doesn't always start the LFO at the beginning of a measure. Still it is easy to reset the LFO where you want it.

Dont see why it should fail- although my midi LED doesn't work, and I'm not convinced that the gain stage in my unit is 100% normal, still I still use it on gigs, and don't have any problems. Midi sync works well too, although it doesn't always start the LFO at the beginning of a measure.

Emailed them regarding my questions about the gain stage and they were moderately helpful, and responded quickly. I have little issues with both pieces of electrix gear I own, nothing major but annoying, and while Electrix have been pretty good about responding to my questions, they haven't been particularly useful replies.

Doing instrumental drum n bass/ electronica, fusion, this thing works great. There are quite a few filters out now, if i lost this one I would look around before trying to replace it, especially as they are going for a lot more than I paid for it on the used market. Midi programmability would be nice, but oh well. For what it is it is useful.

It's fairly easy to use, all functions obvious on the front; the few suprises become obvious quickly (like the difference between the types of filters and how that changes the effect of each knob). Just about anyone can get to know this box in a day or two.

Using this with my guitar (strat, before or after Line6 POD) was kinda fun, especially with the rhythmic possibilities, but ultimately just gimmicky. The true test was putting my Juno 106, JV880, CZ100 and/or the output of my sampling soundcard through it. It didn't really hold up; it's very obviously an analog-like filter (rather than real analog like the Sherman Filterbank) and even then doesn't really have the depth of some of the better digital filters. It's pretty cold and sharp, and after desperately trying all sorts of different applications and settings (I really wanted to like it), I returned it to the store. Maybe someone else will make more of it.

It seemed like it was built well. I didn't have it long enough to say for sure.

I play everything from electronic psychedelic beat music (from Portishead to Aphex Twin) to acoustic folk blues, and have been playing for fifteen years or so. I was hoping this would be a good match for the filter-based electronics or even as a wah pedal alternative. I have a SE-50 for basic multi-effects and a POD for guitar stuff, and I was looking for some more extreme, specific effects. This unit should have filled the bill, but was just kinda frustrating to use. I never seemed to get a really useful sound out of it. Despite my preference for hands-on units, I would gladly use any of my filter plug-ins on the PC rather than this one. Maybe I should have tried to sell it on eBay rather than take it back- I could have made a couple bucks from people who didn't have access to the sale price. Certainly a lot of people seemed to like it- it just didn't do it for me. I guess I'll save up for a Filterbank 2.