Software recreation of the classic Moog MF-101 analog lowpass filter pedal with envelope follower, extended for modern production with stereo, CV routings, presets, and multiple instances.
Purpose
The MF-101S is a virtual instrument that faithfully emulates the hardware Moog MF-101 Lowpass Filter pedal from 1998. It combines a classic four-pole analog lowpass filter with an envelope follower, letting you shape the character and dynamics of any audio source—guitar, vocals, synths, or full mixes. The software preserves the original’s warm, vibrant tone and the organic interaction between parameters, updated for digital workflows.
This plug-in goes beyond the hardware by offering stereo operation, extended CV control, presets, and the ability to run multiple instances. It serves as a creative sound design tool and a functional mixing effect, bringing classic Moog modular character into a modern DAW.
Key Capabilities
The core filtering uses an all-analog-style 4-pole lowpass design with adjustable cutoff and resonance, driven by either the input signal or an external CV. The built-in envelope follower tracks dynamics to modulate the cutoff, creating automatic wah, filter sweeps, or rhythmic movement. You can also switch between mono and stereo envelope following modes, and shape the envelope response for left and right channels independently.
CV inputs allow fine control over filter cutoff, resonance, envelope amount, and mix, with attenuation to soften the modulation depth. The stereo response feature lets you tailor how the envelope reacts to the input’s stereo dynamics, adding spatial movement. Presets and multiple instances make the MF-101S adaptable for complex patch configurations.
Workflow
In a session, insert the MF-101S on a track—like a guitar or synth—and set the input level to drive the envelope follower. Adjust cutoff and resonance to taste, then set envelope amount to control the sweep’s intensity. Use CV assignments to route LFOs or other modulators for more dynamic filtering, or automate parameters manually.
For stereo sources, select stereo envelope mode to have independent left/right followers, useful for widening or creating side-to-side movement. Use the mix control to blend dry and filtered signals for parallel processing. Save your settings as presets for recall across projects, and run multiple instances for multi-band processing.
Practical Applications
The MF-101S excels at adding expressive filter movement to static synth pads or bass lines. On vocals, it can produce ducking or tremolo-like effects. For drum loops, use the envelope follower to create rhythmic gating or filter accents. It also works as a classic wah pedal for guitar solos.
In mixing, apply it to buses for stereo widening or side-chain pumping effects. Because it emulates a hardware unit, it imparts a cohesive analog character that glues complex arrangements. The CV capabilities suit modular-oriented producers, while presets make it accessible for quick creative tweaks.
Key features
- Classic 4-pole analog lowpass filter emulation
- Built-in envelope follower with mono or stereo modes
- Stereo response shaping for dynamic envelope control
- CV inputs for cutoff, resonance, envelope amount, and mix
- Attenuation controls for softening modulations
- Presets and multiple instance support
Best for
Music producers and sound designers seeking authentic Moog filter tones on synths, guitar, vocals, and drums. Ideal for adding expressive envelope-driven sweeps, stereo movement, and CV-controlled modulation in modern DAW environments.