Valves
A sixteen step programmable filter with independent frequency and resonance controls at every step.
Overview
Valves is capable of a wide range of programmed filtering. From fine tuned and detailed step by step bleeps and chirps to long crescendoing sweeps, the options are vast.
Trigger Modes
There are two trigger modes in Valves, Clock and Note. In Clock mode, every step of the clock triggers a step of the filter sequence. This is useful for very regular and rhythmic filtering. In Note mode, steps are only triggered if there is a note at the current step of the connected sequencer. This can create very dynamic and somewhat less predictable behavior.
Filter Transition
Filter Transition controls how quickly the frequency and resonance are adjusted at each step. Smooth spreads the filter transition over the time between the current step and the next active step. This creates ramping sweeps between the steps. Sharp snaps the values almost instantly, creating fast blips and chirps. Internally, the duration of a Sharp transition is about 10 milliseconds to avoid clicks associated with steep value changes.
Steps, Division & Cycling
The Steps control sets the length of the filter pattern before it repeats. A short pattern brings the filter back to the same positions frequently, creating a repeating pulse or cycling filter sweep.
The Divide control sets how frequently the filter sequencer jumps to the next step, with respect to the event triggered by the connected sequencer. At a value of 1, it follows the input clock exactly and at a value of 8, it advances through its sequence every 8 events. In Note mode, the Divide control is disabled.
For a long, drawn out sweep, use a longer sequence and disable the intermediate steps between widely spaced filter settings. In Smooth mode, this lets the filter travel between those settings across the intervening steps. For instance, use 16 steps with contrasting settings at steps 1 and 9 and disable the others to create a gradual outward and return sweep. Increase Divide in Clock mode to stretch the whole cycle further.
Frequency & Resonance
The upper sliders set the cutoff positions, while the lower sliders set resonance. Frequency controls where the filter acts. Resonance emphasizes that area. Raising resonance on selected steps makes those parts of the pattern stand out without requiring a new note from the source.
Randomize & Reset
The Randomize button sets a random configuration of the frequency, resonance and enabled state of each step. This can be especially useful when getting started and exploring ideas. The Reset button restores the settings to their defaults.
Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Processes Audio | Yes |
| Sequencer Driven | Yes |
Controls
| Control | Description | Default | Minimum | Maximum | Units | Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trigger | Chooses whether steps advance by clock or note events. | clock | clock, note | |||
| Filter Transition | Chooses smooth filter ramps or sharp changes between steps. | Smooth | Smooth, Sharp | |||
| Steps | Sets how many of the 16 step lanes are active. | 16 | 2 | 16 | steps | |
| Divide | Divides the transport step rate when Trigger is set to clock. | 1 | 1 | 8 | steps | |
| Randomize | Creates randomized per step filter settings. | |||||
| Reset | Restores the step filter pattern. | |||||
| Frequency Sliders | Set the filter cutoff for each step. | 20000 | 20 | 20000 | Hz | |
| Enabled Toggles | Turn each step on or off. | true | true, false | |||
| Resonance Sliders | Set the filter resonance for each step. | 0 | 0 | 24 | Q |