doepfer a-124 vcf5 wasp filter

impurfekt

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the doepfer a-124 vcf5 is a 12db multimode filter using the filter circuit of the edp wasp; an analog synthesizer with a black and yellow case built in the seventies. this filter abused digital inverters as analog operational amplifiers leading to distortions and other dirty effects that generate a unique character. it's equipped with a band pass output and a combined low/notch/high pass output.

once i had gathered the filters i was familiar with i started exploring other options to expand my palette. after seeing a few demos i was very intrigued by the wasp filter. it reminded me a bit of an ms-20 filter but with its own brand of nasty. in person the wasp did not disappoint.

the layout is nearly identical to a few other doepfer options which made it easy to pick up and play. it has the mid-forward tone you expect from a 12db filter. high resonance is nasty and unpredictable but won't blow your speakers (which is nice).

where this filter really shines is when you overdrive it. it sounds like a different version of itself; nice and smudgy. you can get away with high resonance and still get an even sound level; which means you can use high resonance in a lot more situations. in that way it reminds me of the korg prologue filter (another filter i adore).

i appreciate a filter with a broad range of character and the a-124 definitely has it. i wouldn't say it's as musical as a moog or roland filter, but it has a very usable range of nasty and can make unique sounding bread and butter sounds as well. a great option if you're looking to add something unique to your toolkit.

filter sweeps (low pass) at 0:05
filter sweeps (high pass) at 2:40
filter sweeps (band pass) at 4:14
filter overdrive at 5:53
filter sweeps thru the polymoon at 8:44
saw arp at 11:06
square bass at 16:28
triangle arp at 23:02

patch notes:
malekko manther growl thru doepfer a-124 vcf5 thru meris polymoon, walrus audio fathom x2 and strymon dig

disclaimer: module was purchased out of pocket for music production purposes"