Your first filter

Choosing your first Eurorack filter can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. This guide breaks down what filters do, how to understand terms like slope and topology, and offers beginner-friendly module suggestions to help you shape your sound and build your ideal modular rig.

A modular synthesizer serves two main purposes (in my opinion):

1) offering the flexibility to reconfigure the signal flow in countless ways to create a wide range of sounds

2) enabling the design of a custom instrument tailored to individual tastes and working styles.

Because of that second point, I often resist telling other modular users which modules they should get, as their tastes and way of working may be different than mine.

Some users, for example, prefer a more aggressive sound than others, making certain audio module choices more suitable for some users than others. I typically have 20 (!) different filters in my large studio modular, so I have quick access to a wide range of choices that match my personal tastes.

If you're just getting started with modular, here are some considerations and suggestions for choosing your first filter(s).