Filter VST plugins are used to automate and tweak the natural timbre of a sound. A filter alters the harmonic content of a signal and removes unwanted frequencies within a soundwave, hence changing the timbre of the sound.
The Filtering technique is a production method deployed in a plethora of diverse music genres that run the gamut from lofi and hip hop, to even indie and rock.
Some of the best Filter VSTs on our list can sculpt the sonic output and emotive dynamics of your audio tracks in a channel strip. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Table of Contents
5+ Filter VST Plugins 2023
1) EFEKTOR WF3607 – Wah Filter
The iconic 1960s Cry Baby wah wah guitar effects pedal can be recreated digitally by the Efektor WF3607 plugin.
This splendid Wah filter VST can easily recreate the vintage tone and sonic characteristics of the original wah wah effects pedal.
The WF3607 provides authentic sounding filter curves and works best on guitar samples or for recording tracks.
For starters, the Efektpr WF3607 offers 6 types of filter modes, namely: CB which emulates Dunlop Cry baby, VG which emulates Vox Grey Wah, MuLP which models Mu-tron Low pass, MuHP which models Mu-Tron high pass, MuBP which emulates Mu-tron band pass and AX which emulates Vertex Axis Wah.
Moreover, you can throw Efektor WF3607 on multiple audio tracks of other instruments as well (read synth, banjo, ukulele, etc.) to create a vibrant, funky and vintage sound.
2) FabFilter Volcano 3
FabFilter’s Volcano 3 features 4 multi-mode filters, and flexible filter routing with delay, and panning.
For starters, Volcano 3 sports a responsive and interactive graphic user interface with drag-and-drop modulation.
What’s more, Volcano 3 offers real time visualization for targets and sources. You can trigger unlimited modulation options ranging from XY controllers, Envelope generators to 16-step XLFO’s.
All in all, Volcano 3 is a great filter VST that offers tons of possibilities for modulations and more.
3) FilterFreak by Soundtoys
Soundtoys enters the filter plugin arena with the dedicated FilterFreak VST. You can craft all types of sounds ranging from spacious modern filter curves to beefy analog sounds.
There are a multitude of rich and warm filter options to devour as well so that you can filter your audio tracks and samples.
What’s more, FilterFreak offers decent compression and distortion controls which come in handy for sprucing up your mixes.
You can even add vintage wah-wah tones to your guitar tracks with synth-inspired resonant sweeps on the side.
All together, FilterFreak best serves its purpose if you want to fatten up basslines, sculpt powerful drum tracks, or funk up your guitar tracks with rich analog saturation.
4) Philta XL
A lightweight filter VST plugin with a simple and stripped-down graphical user interface, Philta XL by Vengeance Sound features 2 nifty filters (12db, 24db, 48db or 96db) with variable filter resonance width and 130+ presets for creating some fine tunes.
Beginners will find Philta XL an easy-to-use tool that doesn’t bombard with too many filter curves and other on-screen controls and gets the job done in no time.
What’s more, Philta XL offers ring modulator, filter saturation and distortion (both pre and post-filter) with click-free and precision based timing.
5) Supermodal
Rounding off our list of filter VST plugins is SuperModal by Polyverse. At its core, Supermodal boasts 2 filter sections namely: Classic Filter on the left and Modal filter on the right.
Simultaneously these 2 filters run in parallel with over 27 resonation behaviors from musical to mangled that can get rid of unwanted frequencies and even accentuate them.
Not to mention, 200+ presets that will get you started from the get go.
With a snazzy and intuitive Graphical User Interface, Supermodal is good for beginners learning the ropes of audio production. Furthermore, Supermodal is very lightweight and easy on the CPU.
