Filter

Lowpass Filter

Katla’s lowpass filter is inspired by a blend of MS-20 and SEM characteristics. It is a 4-pole design with a 24 dB/oct slope. The resonance adds a form of overdrive, introducing distortion at higher settings. The filter can be key-tracked by adjusting the key-tracking knob.

Tip

You can make the filter resonance more prominent by reducing the Global OSC Level.

Bandpass Filter

You can switch to a bandpass filter by pressing the filter type button. The bandpass filter is actually a blend of a 36 dB/oct bandpass filter and a small amount of a 12 dB/oct lowpass filter. You’ll notice that the bandpass filter reacts more aggressively than the lowpass filter when driven with higher resonance settings.

Filter Tuning

You can tune Katla’s five filters and use them as oscillators. To begin, hold the filter type button for 2 seconds. Katla will then listen to its filters and tune them automatically, a process that takes about 30 seconds. During tuning, Katla is muted, and the voice activation lights will blink to show progress.

Once tuning is complete, turn the key-tracking knob fully clockwise and raise the resonance to its maximum value. The filter is now ready to be played and shaped further.

Tip

We especially enjoy combining tuned filter resonance with noise. You can also explore balancing the filter resonance amount, the Global OSC Level, and the noise level to create a wide range of textures.