FILT-R
Key Features
- Drawable cutoff and resonance envelopes for rhythmic filter movement without relying only on DAW automation.
- 34 filter types with multiple slopes and modes, including 303, MS-20, Moog, Linear, Sallen-Key, Phaser, and QuadMorphFilter-derived options.
- Twelve switchable patterns can be triggered by MIDI notes for live changes and arrangement-specific modulation shapes.
- Paint mode, editable point types, snap controls, and waveform display make detailed envelope drawing easier to line up with audio.
- Built-in sequencer and randomizer help generate stepped sweeps, bass wobble patterns, and repeating filter motion quickly.
- Envelope followers for cutoff and resonance support audio-reactive movement alongside tempo-synced or Hz-based modulation.
- MIDI trigger and audio trigger modes let the modulation restart from note input, transients, or sidechain-style audio behavior.
Description
FILT-R is an open-source filter modulator from Tilr that applies drawable envelopes to cutoff and resonance. It runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux, with current release ZIPs distributed through the official GitHub repository.
The plugin combines a curve editor, paint mode, pattern switching, MIDI triggering, audio triggering, and tempo sync so rhythmic filter movement can be programmed inside the effect instead of built entirely from DAW automation. Version 1.3.0 expands the engine to 34 filter types with different slopes and modes.
Its best use is animated filtering for basslines, synth loops, drums, and live-performance transitions. Independent cutoff and resonance patterns, envelope followers, a built-in sequencer, and randomization make it especially useful for wobbles, acid-style movement, stepped sweeps, and fast pattern changes.
The workflow is more experimental than a simple auto-filter, but the visual waveform display helps keep edits grounded in the source audio. External coverage highlighted the clean interface, live-use pattern switching, and strong value for producers who want a ShaperBox or FilterShaper-style filter tool without copy protection or registration.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does FILT-R do?
FILT-R is a filter modulation effect. It lets you draw envelopes for cutoff and resonance, then run those shapes in sync with the host tempo, from MIDI triggers, or from audio-triggered movement.
How is FILT-R different from a basic auto-filter?
A basic auto-filter usually gives you one LFO or envelope follower. FILT-R adds editable patterns, paint tools, point types, a sequencer, randomization, MIDI pattern switching, and separate modulation behavior for cutoff and resonance.
What changed in the latest release?
The current GitHub release is v1.3.0. Its release notes state that 28 new filters from QuadMorphFilter were added, bringing the plugin beyond the original smaller filter set covered by early launch articles.
Is the macOS build signed?
The official README says the macOS builds are untested and unsigned. It also provides terminal commands for removing the quarantine flag from the AU, VST3, and LV2 plugin bundles after installation.
