Analogue Solutions Filtopia synthesiser

General

We’ve already seen quite a few great synths released by Analogue Solutions. They’re always analogue synths – as the name suggests, of course – which are sure to appeal to vintage synth fans. Although they’re certainly not cheap, they’re well worth the price if you’re looking for this level of quality. This also applies to the Analogue Solutions Filtopia synthesiser. And just take a good look at those switches, the three oscillators with a mixer to the right of them. Does it look familiar? Indeed, there’s a touch of Minimoog in the design, but it’s the filter section that really makes the Filtopia a unique beast.

A synth with filters: the Filtopia

Most synths have a single filter. In the past, you’d sometimes see a Juno with a controllable LPF and an extra HPF fader to cut out low-end noise. Nowadays, you sometimes see two filters on modern synths. Well, this Filtopia has five (in parallel), and that suddenly opens up a whole host of new possibilities for sound design! These filters can be controlled using envelopes, LFOs, velocity and the sequencer. You determine the influence of all these elements yourself, so the effect can be extreme, but just as easily subtle.

Who’s it for?

There are three ADSR envelopes and two LFOs, plus the aforementioned sequencer. There’s even an echo effect. In a sense, it’s a complete synth. However, there’s no preset storage; in that respect, the Filtopia is a true vintage synth from the old days, but updated for the modern era. If we look at the quality of the unit, as well as the price, this is a synth that will appeal to experienced sound designers – those who can build the core of a sound in no time at all. In fact, just as you would with vintage synths from the 60s and 70s. It’s a great synth to play around with and experiment on in every respect, but it’s likely to be the well-equipped synth geeks who’ll opt for the Filtopia. And for that group, it really is an excellent and challenging piece of kit!