FabFilter have released their Volcano filter plugin version 1.11. This stereo filter plugin for Mac and PC sounds pretty good and looks fabulous. I really like FabFilter’s creed: “FabFilter’s philosophy is that musicians need better sound more than new features.” So true. They emphasise their filter algorithms rather than the bells and whisltes on their products — their previous product, the FabFilter One synth, was highly regarded, so this one is worth a look too. Literally.

According to the website: FabFilter Volcano is a versatile filter plug-in for Windows and Mac OS X with state-of-the-art filter technology and endless modulation and tweaking possibilities. Two independent multimode filters provide low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass responses with 12/24/48 dB/octave slopes. Both filters feature seven different high-quality filter characteristics that define the unique sound and overdrive of the filter. They range from smooth filters with moderate overdrive to raw, self-oscillating over-the-top madness! In combination with the response and slope settings, FabFilter Volcano offers up to 63 different filter types.

Stereo panning
With the panning setting on both filters, you can adjust the filter balance on the left and right audio channels, which creates stereo effects without phase problems.

Modulation options
The frequency, peak, and panning settings can be modulated in any way imaginable with the two MIDI triggered LFOs and the MIDI/Audio triggered envelope generator. The LFOs have triangle and square wave forms and can be synchronized to the host tempo in normal, dotted, or triplets mode.

Interactive filter display
Tweak the filters with FabFilter Volcano’s interactive filter display that shows both filter curves and lets you drag them around. You can adjust them separately or both at the same time. The user interface is easy to use with large knobs that can be dragged up and down as well as turned around for precise adjustments.

Smart Parameter Interpolation
Changes to any of FabFilter Volcano’s parameters are interpolated by smart algorithms, ensuring both responsiveness and smooth transitions. There are no annoying digital clicks and zipper effects, and even MIDI controller changes are handled perfectly smoothly.