Sherman Filterbank 2

I rated this as 5, because the Sherman is no easy beast to try to tame, as its pretty much untameable.

I have the dual rack unit, and I keep messing with it and finding new applications every freaking day.

It takes a lot of time to get to where you know what you're doing with it, but its well worth it. I have a Mutator too, and that thing is easy as pie, the Sherman just takes a while to learn.

AWESOME!!!!!!!!

I don't want to write a book, so I'm going to answer a question that I wish I would've had an answer to long ago:

Q: How does the Sherman compare to the Mutronics Mutator?

A: This isn't a valid question, Because: The sherman is more of a modular synthesizer and filter, I say synth for a reason that has to do with the LFO but you can figure the rest out on your own from there. The Sherman will absolutely SHRED anything you put into it, but is also capable of some pretty subtle phasing type effects and works AWESOME as a synth type filter for ADSR and Envelope Following purposes. As far as filter sweeps and full program material, I'll often turn to my mutator more often.

Which one would I chuck if I was on my way to a desert island and could only keep one? The Mutator would have to go, I'd keep the Sherman

However, I'd replace either one if something went wrong.

The answer is this. There is only one Rolls Royce. There is only one Bently. You can't really say that one's better than the other, this is true of the Mutator and the Sherman. To really have the absolute top notch analogue filtering options available, you have to have them both.

Sherman is the name, and its Built like a sherman tank

HG is THE MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He personally responds to email questions with lengthy, useful, in depth responses.

House, Techno, Electronic, Pop, Hip Hop, a little bit of everything, I go to a certain Music School in Boston, so I'm forced to apply myself in many different areas, the Sherman can find a home/use anywhere.

Fairly easy if you just want to experiment...can't beat the interface...tweak the knobs. Be forewarned though, if you do this, have the unit going through a limiter. This thing munches speakers and ear-drums for breakfast, no joke. I need to rewire to provide a limiter channel for it, it can be dangerous, and Hermann tells you this about every 3 pages in the manual. It's analog, so there are no patches...:) That's not why you bought it. The manual could be better....it's pretty weird, cartoon dogs and cats, strange diagrams. Funny though. -1 for goofy manual.

AMAZING. Total audio destroyer/enhancer. Makes the cheesy GM sounds on my Boss DR5 sound like a million bucks. If you're into powernoise and industrial music in the vein of Muslimgauze, 2nd Gen, Techno Animal, Hands Label and Ant-Zen label, this thing will make you cream in your pants. I wouldn't be suprised if this was the only hardware alot of these artists owned.
Definitely useful for just about any style of music, some more than others. It's a bit noisy, but if you're careful with gain and ground loops, it's really good for a dirty analog unit.

Don't know. I could probably club a baby seal with it. No patch storage, and you could easily destroy a club's PA system with it. Hard to say.

Herman G is the designer, and a very intelligent, responsive person. I don't think I would have any problem getting support for it, he's proud of his creation, and rightfully so. Herman was a member of a really good darkwave band from the 80's/90's called Poesie Noire.....much in the vein of The Cure. He's also a founder of the "New Beat" music movement. As a fan of his music, I've always been interested in the Filterbanks. This piece seems taylored with people like me in mind.

I make industrial ambient, experiment with lots of electronic styles. I get more use out of this than say, someone who makes rock music or something, but I bought this unit knowing and hoping it wouldn't be subtle. It's essentially a semi-modular analog synthesizer without the oscillators...you supply your own osc's in the form of audio input. There's a wealth of inputs and outputs, Midi In/Out and even 3 midi thrus, so it can double as a good midi-thru box. One thing I've noticed is that this unit doesn't like sharing power...I had it on the same outlet as my laptop, and it didn't function properly...I was afraid I'd broken it. I turned off my laptop, and it started functioning properly (much to the dismay of my eardrums, haha). Sherman's screaming guy icon is no joke. This unit is EXTREME. Only thing I wish it had was some onboard patch storage and better midi control. Maybe that'll be in an FB3. I have few complaints though. This is a very useful unit. If it were stolen, I'd buy another one and beat the thief to death with it, then turn it on and make harsh, squeely sounds of victory over his bloody corpse. This thing will NEVER be "lost" haha. Certainly not in a mix. :) Deduct one point for the esoteric manual and other issues. Those are just niggles, though, really.

easy and not easy !! easy because anyone can turn the knobs at random and find quickly amazing and impressive sounds... and not easy because the fb2 can be use as a really acurate filter to shape your sound. and that really not easy to master all those knobs and their functions ! useful manual but more examples could have been better.. well, experimenting oneself is the best way. but if you seek something specific, you can spend hours just for this... well, it's my fault, a professional sound engineer would probably have found out thing in a few minutes !...

great !! really great !!... some settings bring some noise, but listen to it and you can hear it breathing !... great to create scifi sounds, noises, etc. but also to improve and shape a dead bass sound, boring guitar, flat vocal, stupid samples etc... well, if you don't use your ear you can also easily kill a sound !... works well with computer based recording systems and indeed, much more with open reel...

maker is from belgium, they are really cool ! small great company !! well, the retailer was the exact contrary. i bought it at musikproduktiv and they sent me a demo product ! unbelievable ! with a half broken ac adaptor!... the belgium maker sent me a new ac adaptor for free... i give a 10 to sherman, and only a 4 to musik produktiv.

i do pop and rock and absolutely not electronic music, but fb2 is absolutely useful ! not by itself of course, but for the little musical PLUS ! this magic unit is a so called jack of all trade, great for any kind of music and style, well, except probably classical or jazz, you know... but why not use 2 fb2 for stereo improvement of a jazz or classical reconrding?... it's not 1176 or fairchild line, but the fb2 brings in its way an invisible but real and distinctive little something... in other word : got a fb2 and you'll find a way to give character to anything boring or flat... with just the unique sherman sound !...

Well, I also own a Sherman FB 1 and this one's a bit trickier to use, but still pretty easy for me. I really relate to knobs and switches and I hate menus, so this type of device feels very good to me. I can see how some folks find it harder to use, but with some fiddling around, you can learn it very quickly. No need to read manual at all.

The sonic range on this FB2 is just wild!! you can come up with about anything you want to. Its very clean and crisp sound, although you will want to watch your switches on the left-hand side very closely. If you overload the circuits you can hurt your ears and your speakers. Watch out!! Proceed with care. The FB1 is the same, but less so because it doesnt have all the toggle switches that can be a bit more confusing. Its all analog and sounds sweet as nature or like a wicked beast...its all up to you really.

This thing is a FilterTank. Very sturdy and well put together in every way. ROCK SOLID!! No need for back up, but definately worth getting another so you can hook em up in tandom for double-barrel action.

havent needed them so far.....but from the looks of this machine and they way it works, the mfr outfit (sherman) seems to have real pride in quality, so I would expect them to be quite professional.

Been playing music since I was 6 and I love all instruments, but this one has risen to the top of my favorites. If it was lost or stolen, the only thing I could replace it with is another SFB. I also own the first version and honestly, I cannot decide which one I like better. They are really quite different in several ways but either one never fails to blow me away. I have owned and used many other types of filters from Waldorf ,Electrix , Moog, etc. and nothing else comes close. This is the most inspirational electronic device I have ever come accross. It does more than help me create music, it takes me places I have never been.

first of all, i'm a guitarist, not a synth user, so i can give you a guitarists point of view. it's not easy to use. we guitarists are all plagued by the "plug and play" mentality, which just doesn't work here. it being difficult to use is not the sherman's fault, it's mine. i'm slowly figuring this thing out and i'm sure there's so much potential locked within this great unit.

fantastic. the ultimate weird-noise effects unit. there is a little noise even when the unit is off. perhaps this only plagues those of us using the unit with a guitar and amp. the sounds are extremely versatile and extremely flexible.

it's in a shockmount rack case, so unless i drop the whole thing i don't think there will be any problems. solid metal case...very little external plastic. only time will tell, but i have no fear.

no need to contact them...yet...

if you want to step outside the box as far as guitar sounds go, this is your one-way ticket to new sonic lands. i just can't say enough about how great the sherman sounds.

This will take some getting used to, even though very good sound is easy. I have used for a ouple of months now and it still seems like everyday I am opening it more.

The sound quality cannot be compared with anything in this uiverse. Sherman is the BEST.My main setup is a Korg Triton Pro and a Mackie board. I also am using an electribe and a Alesis DM5 Drum Module. EVERYTHING sound very full through a Sherman. I also use it for vocals and guitar. Everything I now do goes through the Sherman. Life would not be the same without it.

The Sherman Filterbank is extremly sturdy. It has it's very own special spot in my studio and it is one of my most cared for instruments. My Rickenbacker 360 being first of coarse

This is what sold this product for me. Sherman is really the best there is.I have emailed them a number of times and always have gotten a quick responce. They are truely backing their product and seem very happy to hear from us. Any Music Company reading this take note You should ALL be this user friendly. If every instrument company was this concerened with the people who purchased their product. Every product would be as fine as SHERMAN. I actually rate this at 20.

I cannot imagine my rig without a Sherman Filterbank. I will never be without one. Enough said

The Filterbank couldn't really be easier to use than it is considering it's modular/analog design. You do have extensive options for all kinds of external signal routing/gating/triggering/everything, but all you have to do to start is plug in to the input and go.

The first time you use the system it would be possible to plug it in fool around for a couple of minutes and be unimpressed. It is easy to just plug in, make a lot of racket, and give up. However herein lies the beauty! The range of control is so extreme for each knob that small movements can make a tremendous sonic impact. Once you start thinking about the sound coming in, the modulation sources, and work with them, the Filterbank becomes an amazing paintbrush for your sounds!

I've owned the Filterbank for one week and can now use it like the instrument it is. I can dial in fabulously rich sounds, exquisite little sonic tweaks, or radical modifications that all sound like heaven! Take some time and this will become the centerpiece for all of your electronic treatments.

The sound quality is stellar, I can't think of a better superlative. The filters blow away everything I've ever heard with the exception of ARP's/Moogs/SC/ and other older real analog systems. I would put the filter quality in the same league with a Prophet or Moog as far as my personal taste.

My favorite sound source's for the Filterbank are strong monophonic sounds with good transients. It turns my Waldorf Pulse into the synth I always wanted it to be. It works great on electric guitar as well, especially if you dial in the right amount of effect with the bypass/effect mix knob.

Unlike other reviewers I find it easy to get what I consider clean sounds if desired. For pads as an example, you can set the trigger to "sensitrig" mode, turn down the input between 3 and 5, and the only distortion generated if any is very soft and enhancing. You can further tame the FB2 by using the "limit" switch.

The distortion is some of the best I've heard, the resonance goes from a mild bell to a shrieking banshee, filter sweeps are anywhere from ethereal to gut wrenching!

Built like a tank. I agree that I'm a tiny bit skeptical of the switches. Otherwise I think you could throw it across the room with no problems.

Super friendly and personable! I've received a couple of nice emails from Mieke already who is one of the 3 or 4 employees in the company. They seem justifiably very proud of their product and it is clear that the Filterbank is a labor of love.

I have too much gear, and who cares anyway? Let's just say the filterbank is the gem of the lot. I listen to music from about every genre except classical and country. I've said enough above. If you want a tool that is guaranteed to add layers of fantastic new flavor to your existing setup, buy it immediately. Please give it some time, learn it's depth and you'll be fully rewarded.

I give this guy a 7 only because I?m not the most experienced ?modular? synth. expert. The key to operating it is experimentation. Initially I approached it as a signal processor but eventually found it to be almost like an instrument that begs to be played. Literally, when the resonance is up and the thing is self-oscillating, just turn all the knobs and start performing, you get instant squeals, swooshing and chirps.

This thing sounds absolutely awesome. The overdrive sound is worth the price alone. I have yet to hear a nicer distortion (is that an oxi-moron?). And while I love the filters on my Virus, Q and XT, and listened to the Mo-FX filters before buying, there is simply no comparison, this thing blows everything away for shear BALLS! I use it on everything, sometimes heavily sometimes just a touch mixed in. Its awesome on drum tracks if you?re into drum or filter processing a la u-Ziq, or NIN. The env. follower and LFO really make tracks ?percolate? To me, it makes the tracks sound real ?contemporary? and edgy as opposed a cheesy clean 80s syth sound. Using it as a quasi-parametric EQ, you can create a nice EQ bump making it fit really well in the mix. I?ve gotten the Sherman to really quack and sound as squelchy as a TB303 specially when running the filters in serial. The frequency range is frightening high and low, it will defiantly blow you speakers. The LFO Sooooooooooo smooth. However, an issue that has come up often about the Sherman2, is the lack of a super clean sound. By the time the input knob is up sufficiently to trigger the unit, about 4-5, you?ll get a little bit of [beautiful] grunge. There are several ways to overcome this however which I have not yet had the need to try. You can trigger the filter with CV in, audio in, or MIDI in, which bypasses the input sensing mechanisms, so theoretically you could set the input knob to its lowest, cleanest setting and trigger externally. Another is that, being a true analog device, the LFO doesn?t sync exactly to MIDI but can only re-start by the env. follower toggle, MIDI or CV. If you set the LFO speed close enough its not a big deal, after all, this is the way the original Nord Lead worked I believe. And finally, the filter can seem a little slow. It can be speeded up by setting the attack even faster with MIDI CC# and there are some hints in the manual for triggering just a hair early via CV or MIDI, but it hasn?t been a problem for me yet.
Another cool feature is the pitch tracker but I?ve had mixed results learning how to get a good sound. It will track the pitch of anything at pitch or octave lower. You need to send it a good clean signal or it just burps. Theoretically you could double bass sounds or tune KiKs etc.

The unit is essentially two filters routed in parallel or serial or anywhere in between. The front panel includes an input level to control the amount of drive, hi boost/cut toggle, sensitivity toggle, FM knob, an ADSR which doubles a sensitivity control when the filter is set to envelop follower, frequency , amount +-, resonance knobs for each filter, low/band/high and low/band/high cancel knobs for each filter (which in combination let you create any type of filter imaginable), filter 2 to filter 1 sync select knob from unison down several fiths or octaves, filer or env. follower mode toggle, LFO speed knob, LFO amount +o- knob, LFO restart when in env. follower mode toggle, AM knob, Attk & Rels amp knobs, serial/parallel mix knob, filter +fifth toggle, filter tracking toggle, tracking low toggle, . The rear sports all sorts of modular type connections like CV, gate, as well as MIDI and audio. To see the manual and all features go to www.sheman.be

The Sherman2 is really solidly built, almost a work of art. The knobs are real rubbery and can you get a good grip but sometimes the toggles seem a little flimsy thought I?ve never had a problem since I bought it 4 months. I would definitely gig live with it.

Support is excellent. They have a bulletin board on their site and I?ve gotten immediate response from Herman who is totally cool. I only wish they?d get some patches up on their site so we can all learn.

If my Sherman2 got stolen I?d defiantly buy another. It has become ?my sound? and I couldn?t go back to starchy clean textures. I do have to say that it does have quite a learning curve, it took me a few days to get a useful sound out of it, and I?ve only scratched the surface. The bottom line is the SOUND, its unique, ballsy, grungie, just simply amazing. Like life, you get out of it, what you put into it. Feel free to email me.

This is a review of the Filterbank 2 which I just purchased.

If you understand modular synthesis, triggering, envelopes, etc. then this rating is a 10. Otherwise the controls are certainly a bit daunting, although very clearly laid out with color coding to assist. I'm not sure how this unit could be rated as difficult to use as you simply plug in signals and turn knobs and flip switches. There is no facility to save patches onboard however you can save settings in your sequencer and control patch changes that way. The manual is interesting and fun, but I would have appreciated a couple of pages of technical details as opposed to a sort of tutorial only approach.

My goodness the sounds from this unit are beautiful, hard, warm, edgy, etc. etc. I totally disagree that this unit is only harsh sounding. The sound pallet is so diverse that careful tweaking and small movements will produce some sonically gorgeous stuff. Of course there is no lack of the ability to bring down the roof or go through the floor.

I am running the unit through a Mackie 1604 with HR824 monitors and I'm getting no noise at all unless I want to make noise! It's very quiet which I didn't expect. I've only had the fb2 for a few hours and every few minutes I just have to reach over and tweak it in order to get a big smile.

I don't know about reliability of course, but it seems like one of the most ruggedly constructed units I've seen. The knobs are smooth with good tactile feedback and seem rock solid.

Haven't had the need but from all reviews I've read it seems that the Sherman folks get good marks here.

I play and listen to many different styles of music from drum n bass, to acoustic ballads to rock to you name it. I've been playing guitar, keyboards/synths, and doing lots of different vocal work for more than 25 years. Among other things I own a Nord Modular, Waldorf Pulse, and Pulsar II. I would definitely buy this unit again, and am may possibly get a second if my first impressions hold true. It's too early to say much about what I love or dislike about the unit, but the sounds seem just luscious and I certainly like the blue LED! I spent this weekend in Den Haag playing with a bunch of old modulars and this filter seems on par with them as far as sound quality and uniqueness.

I wish that the controls sent midi like my Pulse, but who cares! This thing was love at first sound.