Thanks @Above! I never have had an opportunity to use a Murf but they look awesome, especially the option to play a pattern through the EQ! I don’t want to dismiss AJH for filter banks, but it’s likely any eurorack module is physically too small for it to have the right components. Inductors themselves are each about the width of a thimble per frequency, so when you look at a 907 or 914 in person and flip it around you’ll notice the inductors themselves are about the size of the dials. There’s a nice cross-section of this in the Synth-Werks reissue. I’d love to get a Synth Werk model 10 or model 15 one day. Here’s their FFB which is component spec to an actual 914, image from the web:
I think the AJH filterbank is actually pretty dishonest in their title, calling it “inductor based” https://ajhsynth.com/FFB914.html - Not sure why they need to bullshit there, many people misinterpret this to mean inductors are included. I’m carbon-based, for example, as are you. But if we’re trying to be martian I think we’d call ourselves martian-like or martian-esque, which is more accurate. The AJH might not sound exactly right to your ears because it just doesn’t have all the right components. Here’s how they say that in the description:
For the FFB 914 we have used Gyrator based active inductor circuitry which exactly replicates the vintage passive inductor
Not sure that’s true, just because inductors are not just a sound but also a dirty technology, they pick up feedback and EMF and other noise from electronics around them. I’ve noticed pairing a spring reverb tank next to my 907 actually incorporates feedback of the spring itself into the fixed filter bank. That’s not easily replicated. I’d say if you’re saving up for an AJH, just get a small power supply for 5U and invest in a properly sized inductor clone from Synth Werk. But avoid the 5U ones that don’t include inductors, otherwise you’re just getting a very fancy EQ with no crosstalk. For example, the dotcom FFB isn’t exactly well regarded, even though so much of their other modules are perfect. The YuSynth without inductors is CLOSE, as is the mos-lab. But sound is half of this. You want instability.
Now the Verbos Bark Filter, however, that’s something nice! To my ears it’s really very close to a vintage FFB. Not sure what they’re doing there with that one but it’s pretty damn perfect as a eurorack filter with resonant bands.
I’ll also say as much as I’m tempted by this wonderful model 15 reissue from Aion, my guess is their FFB 907 lacks the goods too. https://www.perfectcircuit.com/aion-907a.html - inductors themselves run about $200 just for the parts needed and the depth of the module would need to be about six to seven inches in the back, and I think these modules are intended for skiffs. I don’t enjoy Behringer and Aion possibly changing the understanding of some of these classic modules with missing pieces that are so important to their sound. Especially since they’re offering a $3,500 model 15 in miniature now, too: https://www.perfectcircuit.com/aion-model-15.html - At that price, you should get a model 15 reissue cabinet with the few modules that can’t be recreated at small scale.
Appreciated! Thank you for a great comment!
I’ve just assumed white noise + white noise = same white noise.