Waldorf AFB 16 User Manual - Filters

Basic Operation AFB16

AFB16 User´s Manual

16

Low Pass Filter Resonance

If the resonance is raised beyond a certain level, the filter

will begin to self-oscillate, and will generate an audible

sine wave even when it is not receiving an incoming

signal.

! 

After passing through the filter stage, the signal enters

an analog VCA stage which can be overdriven for

adding even more analog warmth to the signal.

Differences between digital and analog

filters

An analog filter is made of many individual electronic

components that interact with each other in a non-linear

fashion, especially with high resonance settings. This is

very much unlike a digital filter circuit, which has only

one part (the chip which it runs on), and usually sounds

very calculated and precise. Surprisingly, the less exact

sonic variations inherent in analog filters are actually

more pleasing to the human ear (whether trained or

untrained), and as such analog filters are usually

described as being very “warm” or “fat” when compared

to their digital equivalents.

Difference between digital and analog

distortion

An analog VCA, such as those found in the AFB16,

enables analog distortion without aliasing, which is a

common artifact of digital amplifiers. This means the

audio signal will sound more raw, leading to enhanced

focus in a mix.