The ECF-42 is a multimode filter with a built in envelope generator. It is mainly designed to be used together with pattern devices to create pattern controlled filter and envelope effects, but it can also be triggered via MIDI, or used as a "static" filter for shaping the sound of an instrument device or a whole mix.
The Envelope Controlled Filter is best connected as an insert effect. However, unlike the other effects it is not a pure "stand-alone" device. To make the most of the ECF-42, you need either CV/Gate from an external device or MIDI notes from a sequencer track.
If you connect a device to the ECF-42 using audio inputs/outputs only, it will simply act as a filter with no velocity or envelope modulation.
Hence, all filter parameters are "static", unless you manually turn the knobs or automate them in the sequencer.
Connecting a gate signal to the Env Gate input on the back panel of the device allows you to trigger the envelope generator for the filter.
Note that the ECF-42 envelope generator is not triggered by the audio itself - the envelope parameters won't do anything unless the device receives gate signals.
By creating a sequencer track connected to the ECF-42, you can have the envelope triggered by MIDI notes on the track.
The envelope is affected by the position, length and velocity of the MIDI notes (but not by their pitch).
If you are unfamiliar with basic filter and envelope parameters, please refer to the Subtractor chapter for a description of these.
The ECF-42 filter section has the following parameters:
This is a standard envelope generator with Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release parameters. It is triggered by a gate signal connected to the Env Gate input on the back panel, or by MIDI notes on a sequencer track connected to the ECF-42. The parameters have the following functionality:
The Gate indicator lights up when the device receives a signal to the Env. Gate input on the back panel or a MIDI note from a sequencer track.
On the back panel of the ECF-42, you can find the following CV/Gate inputs:
Use this for controlling the filter frequency from another device. For smooth filter modulation, try connecting an LFO to this input.
For controlling the envelope decay parameter from another device.
Allows you to control the filter resonance from another device. Can be very effective in combination with filter frequency sweeps.
This is where you connect a gate signal (e.g. from a Matrix or Redrum device) for triggering the envelope.
This example shows how to use the ECF-42 and the Matrix to create pattern controlled filter effects. Proceed as follows:
3. Create a Subtractor Synthesizer.
An Init Patch will work fine for these examples.
5. Create a Matrix Pattern Sequencer.
If you flip the rack around, you can see that the audio out from the Subtractor is passed through the ECF-42 and then on to the Mixer. The Matrix Curve CV is connected to the ECF-42 Frequency CV parameter, and the Matrix Gate CV is connected to the ECF-42 Env Gate input.
6. Select the Track connected to the Subtractor (given that you are handling MIDI input via the sequencer) so that you can play it from your keyboard.
If you play a few notes and turn the ECF-42 filter freq knob, you should hear the sound being filtered.
7. Draw a Gate pattern in the Matrix, using mixed velocity values.
Draw only a Gate pattern, not a Curve pattern.
8. Set both the Env.Amt and Vel knobs on the ECF-42 to about "40".
9. Click the Run button on the Matrix panel.
10. While in Run mode, hold a chord down on your keyboard.
Now you should hear the envelope (controlling the filter) being triggered with every gate step.
By increasing the Env.Amount, you determine how much the envelope parameters should affect the filter frequency.
By increasing the Vel. parameter, you determine how much the gate velocity should affect the filter frequency.
If the filter effect isn't very noticeable, try lowering the filter frequency, and raising the Res value.
11. Set both the Env.Amt and Vel knobs on the ECF-42 to "0".
12. With the Matrix still playing, draw a Curve pattern in the Matrix pattern window.
Now, you should hear the filter frequency being modulated by the curve pattern. By combining the various parameters you can create many new filter effects.
You can also control the ECF-42 from other devices with CV and/or Gate outputs.
To trigger the envelope in the ECF-42, proceed as follows:
1. Create a sequencer track for the ECF-42.
This is easiest done by bringing up the context menu for the device and selecting "Create Sequencer Track for XX" (where "XX" is the name of this particular filter device).
2. Record or draw some notes on the sequencer track.
Remember that the envelope takes the note length and velocity into account. The note pitches doesn't matter.
The actual notes will not be heard (since the track is connected to the ECF-42, which produces no sound in itself) but the envelope will be triggered according to the notes.
You can even control the envelope "live" via MIDI: just set MIDI input to the sequencer track for the ECF-42 and play your MIDI instrument!
To route MIDI input to a track, click in the In column in the track list, so that the MIDI connector symbol appears next to the track name.