musotalk introduces us to the fascinating world of All-pass filters, irresistibly wrapped in the FabFilter Pro-Q4. The phase-altering magic it unleashes in Cubase demonstrates how two seemingly harmonic kicks can unexpectedly become a harmonious disaster. Welcome to the world of sound architecture!
30. July 2025
RAUMKLANG
Exploring EQ Worlds with musotalk’s FabFilter Pro-Q4
Introduction to the World of All-pass Filters
Sound architects, today we venture into perhaps the most enigmatic chapter of the audio world: the All-pass Filter. musotalk poses the ultimate question – what exactly does an All-pass Filter do? He explains that while High-pass and Low-pass filters clearly impact frequencies, the All-pass Filter does not alter frequencies in the traditional sense. Its trick lies in the manipulation of phase. One might almost think the sounds fold into a patch geometry of sound and silence.
"there is no change in the frequency response but there is a change in the phase position"
("es gibt keine veränderung des frequenzgangs aber es gibt eine veränderung der phasenlage")
Cubase in New Sounds
"sometimes it results in nasal sounds, sometimes hollow sounds, sometimes very bass-heavy sounds"
("es kommt manchmal zu nasalen sounds manchmal kommt zu holen sounds manchmal zu sehr bassigen sounds")
In Cubase, this filter is translated into practice. By duplicating a sample and tweaking the All-pass Filter, a new dimension of sound manipulation reveals itself. Here, musotalk displays his true strength: practical demonstrations where theory becomes tangible and emerging sound spaces become palpable. The dance of phases is characterized by powerful ‘nasal, hollow, and bass-heavy sounds.’ An essential insight for those who want to not only hear but feel sound layers.
Kick Drums: Battle of the Phases
A particular fascination unfolds when discussing Kick Drums. Two monumental kicks, seemingly giants of the basic frequencies, suddenly sound like a hollow memory of themselves – thanks to opposite waveforms. musotalk shows how the All-pass Filter in FabFilter Pro-Q4 intervenes here. By shifting the phase, sound spaces are created where “fat upper-bass kicks” with lengthy sustains are within reach. A dream for those with patience and a keen ear for the unpredictable.
"my knowledge and therefore my application suggestions also simply run out here"
("da steigt auch mein wissen und damit meine vorschläge für anwendungsbeispiele auch einfach mal aus")
Maestro of Microphones and Guitar Synthesis
For guitarists, too, the All-pass Filter opens up new sound worlds. Two microphones on an amp, each a mediator of its own sound colors, invite fine-tuning. musotalk demonstrates how the art of phase manipulation finds the sweet spot that matches one’s personal sound ideal. It is a play of machine ethics, challenging not only the technology but also one’s own sense of hearing.
A Universe of Possibilities
"the electronic producers among you know how crucial this is"
("die elektroproduzenten unter euch die wissen wie entscheidend das ist")
In conclusion, musotalk asks his community: How do you operate with All-pass Filters? An invitation to lose yourself in the world of sound architecture. The FabFilter Pro-Q4 is not just a simple tool, but an invitation to create your own phase-controlled worlds. A call to all audio virtuosos to be inspired by the science of layering and the rhythmic pulse of drum sounds.
Automatically translated from German. You can find the original article here: https://synthmagazin.at/eq-welten-erkunden-mit-musotalks-fabfilter-pro-q4/