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242 Chapter 22 ES2
Filters
The ES2 features two dynamic filters which are equivalent to the Voltage Controlled
Filters (VCF) found in the world of analog synthesizers. The two filters are not identical.
Filter 1 features several modes: lowpass, highpass, bandpass, band rejection, peak. Filter
2 always functions as a lowpass filter. Unlike Filter 1, however, Filter 2 offers variable
slopes (measured in dB/octave).
The Filter button bypasses (switches off) the entire filter section of the ES2. Disabling
the filters makes it easier to hear adjustments to other sound parameters, as the filters
always heavily affect the sound. If the word Filter is green, the filters are engaged.
Disabling the filters reduces processor load.
Series and Parallel Filter Signal Flow
You can rotate the entire (circular) filter segment of the ES2 user interface. Press the
button labelled Parallel or Series to do so. The label and position/direction of the filter
controls clearly indicate the current signal flow.
In the position displayed above, the filters are cabled serially. This means that the signal
of the Oscillator Mix section (Triangle) passes through the first filter, and then this
filtered signal passes through Filter 2—if Filter Blend is set to 0 (middle position). See
the “Filter Blend: Cross-Fading the Filters” section, on page 243 for a detailed
description of this parameter.
The mono output signal of Filter 2 is then fed into the input of the dynamic stage (the
equivalent of a VCA in an analog synthesizer), where it can be panned in the stereo
spectrum, and then fed into the effects processor.