In this review, we delve into the intricate details of the Nano-Modules ST·FONT Liquid Filter, a module that challenges the conventional norms of stereo filtering and redefines the concept with its mind-boggling features. A foundation of this revelation is attributed to its roots from the core of the FONT module. Audio fanatics, prepare to be thrilled as this is more than just an ordinary audio interface.
Just when you thought that it couldn't get any better, the ST·FONT steps into the ring flaunting its dual-core stereo filtering capabilities. This feature redefines flexibility in filtering, enabling independent processing of the left and right audio channels. This flexibility is further enhanced with the inclusion of three diverse modes—Low Pass, Band Pass, and High Pass. These individual modes offer unique treatments to your audio, presenting you an extensive spectrum of sounds with distinct characteristics.
Among the striking features of this masterpiece is the consistent crossfading between filter outputs. It offers professionals a refined control over the stereo image, offering a smooth transition from one filter output to another without overwhelming the listener. This is indeed a feature that has been crafted with a deep understanding of listener psychology and aesthetics of sound.
The integrated stereo VCA raises the stakes with its innovative feature of soft clipping. This function imparts a characteristic warmth and harmonic richness to your output audios, transitioning them from clean amplification towards progressively saturated and textured sonic states. This feature serves as an entry point to the filter stage, enhancing the scent and tone of your audios before they undergo filtering.
Entailing controls for adjusting the frequency, resonance, and mode spread across channels, the ST·FONT crafts an expansive and immersive stereo field. With the 'MILD' mode, you can achieve smooth, mellow effects whilst the 'WILD' mode will facilitate intense, aggressive tones rich in distortion. This module definitely pushes the boundaries of creativity and serves as an exploration ground for your artistic instincts.
Apart from the overwhelming technical features, the ST·FONT unveils itself in a compact, skiff-friendly 14HP form factor. This attribute highlights its user-friendly orientation and delivers complex functionalities in a simple and accessible manner.
An in-depth product review from Divkid provides further insight on this technologically advanced model. This cutting-edge stereo liquid filter, the Nano-Modules ST·FONT offers a realm of possibilities to explore. Adorned with features that enrich the sonic palette, the Nano-Modules ST·FONT is equipped and ready to cater to every sound artist out there.
From classic filtering effects to the extreme limits of resonance, the Nano-Modules ST·FONT Liquid Filter opens an array of creative possibilities to boost your music production journey. Its features make it a perfect addition to the eurorack setup of seasoned professionals or budding artists in the making in the music industry.
Example Usage
To fully appreciate the stereo capabilities of the Nano-Modules ST·FONT Liquid Filter as a novice, let's explore a basic yet effective patch idea that utilizes its features. Start by setting up your ST·FONT module as the center of your sound exploration. Connect a stereo synth voice from perhaps a digital oscillator or a sample player to the stereo input of the ST·FONT. Dive into the dual-core stereo filtering by utilizing the left and right input channels, ensuring each channel gets its own unique input.
Your first step is to experiment with the filter modes. Use the Low Pass, Band Pass, and High Pass settings to hear the changes in your sound. For a beginner, starting with the Low Pass filter can give you a clearer understanding of how the module impacts different frequencies. Use the FREQ knob to sweep through different cutoff frequencies, observing how it affects each channel independently or combined, depending on your input and span settings.
Next, explore the Integrated Stereo VCA feature. Begin by setting the VCA levels to a neutral position and then gradually increase them. Notice how the built-in soft clipping adds warmth and slight distortion as you push the VCA further. This is particularly effective if your input sound feels too dry or thin.
The Stereo Span Controls are where you can start creating a lush, three-dimensional soundscape. Adjust the FREQ Span and RES Span knobs to widen the stereo field, creating dramatic sweeps where the left and right channels follow different resonant paths. This can also be coupled with the MODE Span to crossfade between filter modes, which makes for engaging dynamic changes in your stereo soundstage.
Don't forget the Dynamic Resonance Modes. If you're going for a smoother, more traditional filter sound, keep the resonance in MILD mode. This is ideal for beginners keen on preserving the musicality of their inputs. Feeling adventurous? Switch to WILD mode and let your creativity lead to intense, distorted outputs. This setting is excellent for exploring the extremes and getting a taste of the module's full potential.
By mastering these basic configurations and settings, you'll gain a hands-on understanding of the Nano-Modules ST·FONT Liquid Filter and its impressive ability to shape stereo sounds. This foundational knowledge will set you on a path to further explore its capabilities as you grow more comfortable and experienced with this powerful eurorack module.
To delve into the impressive stereo capabilities of the Nano-Modules ST·FONT Liquid Filter, you'll want to experiment with some intermediate techniques that really showcase its potential. Start by patching a stereo audio source into the independent filter cores for the left and right channels. Utilize the low pass, band pass, or high pass modes to tailor the frequency content of each channel. By adjusting the FREQ Span knob, you can create a wide stereo field, sweeping the frequencies separately for each channel to explore dynamic movement within the stereo spectrum.
Next, engage the integrated stereo VCA to add depth and character to your sound. With its soft clipping feature, the VCA introduces harmonic warmth and transforms simple filter sweeps into rich, textured layers. To fully appreciate this, gradually increase the input level until you notice the desired saturation. This subtle enhancement before the filtering process allows for more nuanced tonal sculpting and powerful sonic impact when pushed to heavier saturation levels.
Take advantage of the RES Span control to manipulate the resonance independently, adding another dimension to your stereo image. For a classic touch, stay in the MILD resonance mode, where subtle modulation brings out smooth and musical overtones. Alternatively, switch to the WILD mode to unleash aggressive, distorted textures that will push your creative boundaries and intensity.
Mode Span unleashes the module's ability to morph between filter types across both channels. Transitioning smoothly from low pass to high pass per channel not only changes the character of your stereo image but also introduces evolving timbres that carry the listener through an immersive auditory landscape. As you sculpt your sound with the Stereo Span Controls, bear in mind how they influence the narrative of your piece, enhancing spatial awareness and transforming static recordings into vibrant, living performances.
For a final touch, consider pairing the ST·FONT with a dynamic modulation source. By routing LFOs to the Span parameters, you can achieve automated and evolving interplay between frequency, resonance, and modes on the left and right channels. The combination of synced and free-running modulations can generate rhythmic stereo imagery or shifting sound landscapes that keep the audience engaged. With these intermediate techniques, the Nano-Modules ST·FONT Liquid Filter can become an essential tool in your eurorack system, turning simple patches into complex and captivating audio experiences.
Further Thoughts
To fully exploit the stereo capabilities of the Nano-Modules ST·FONT Liquid Filter, one must delve into its intricate design that seamlessly blends utilitarian function with sound-shaping prowess. Begin by appreciating its dual-core stereo filtering system, which allows for independent manipulation of the left and right audio channels. This twin-engine setup is not just about separation but enables a richer, more complex soundstage by applying differing filter modes—Low Pass, Band Pass, and High Pass—to each channel. This opens up a world of creative possibilities as one can simultaneously scale back bass on one channel while accentuating high-end frequencies on the other, sculpting a dynamic stereo image that evolves and breathes.
Enhance this stereo interplay with the integrated stereo VCA, a hidden gem within the ST·FONT. As you feed signals through the VCA, experiment with the soft clipping feature. By dialling up the saturation, you introduce harmonic warmth that can transition from a subtle undertone to full-bodied distortion. This ability to control amplification intensity before the filtering phase allows for greater tonal crafting, letting you shape everything from delicate ambient washes to intense, jagged textures.
The stereo span controls are where the ST·FONT truly comes alive, designed for deep immersive spatial manipulation. The FREQ, RES, and MODE Span knobs offer a tactile interface to adjust the spread of frequency, resonance, and filter mode over the stereo field. Craft a wide stereo presence by shifting the FREQ Span to create lush moving panoramas where phasing filters glide from side to side. The RES Span knob can shift the focus of resonance, building spatial tension or relaxation, depending on your sonic narrative. Toggle between MILD and WILD dynamic resonance modes for an impactful auditory experience. MILD mode is ideal for crafting classic, musical resonances that maintain a hint of their original shape, while WILD mode introduces an unpredictable and fierce energy to your patchwork, delivering bold and distorted sonics that demand attention.
Integrating the ST·FONT into your setup is an invitation to explore stereo richness unexplored territories. With dimensions making it snug for any skiff-friendly system and its intuitive layout, this module stands as a catalyst for creativity, ensuring each audio journey is not just heard—but felt, woven intricately between left and right. Unlocking its full potential requires not just an understanding of its controls, but an imaginative approach to stereo sound design that embraces the unexpected.