Filter SEM by Arturia audio filter plugin interface

Filter SEM: Analog-Modeled Filter Plugin by Arturia Free Download

Rated 4.0/5 on Plugin Boutique (11 ratings)

Filter SEM is a filter effect plugin from Arturia that recreates the 12dB per octave state variable filter of Oberheim's SEM synth module, with added modern features for processing any audio source.

VST2AUAAXStandaloneWindowsmacOS64-bit

AVAILABLE ATPlugin Boutique

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Free trial available from the developer

01Overview

Filter SEM brings the state variable filter of the Oberheim SEM, a module originally made to expand other synthesizers, into a DAW as an audio effect. Arturia modeled the filter and added a noise oscillator, soft clipping, a gate sequencer that triggers the envelope and LFO, and a compact modulation matrix. It can be used on acoustic instruments, vocals, drum buses or whole mixes, not only on synth tracks.

Best for

Sweeps on full mixes
Filter builds, rises and drops
Vocal processing
Acoustic instrument shaping
Rhythmic filter sequences
Synth stock filter upgrade

Developer: Arturia
Category: Filters
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Virtual recreation of the 12dB/oct SEM state variable filter
Crossfadable low-pass, high-pass, notch and band-pass modes
Dry/wet control and filter output volume setting
Low frequency oscillator with five waveforms and sample and hold
LFO can be synchronized with the DAW clock
Gate sequencer with up to 16 steps
Modulation matrix with envelope and LFO sources and eight destinations
Additional noise oscillator to feed the filter

03In depth

Filter character and modes

The filter is a virtual recreation of the classic 12dB per octave SEM state variable design. Its low-pass, high-pass, notch and band-pass modes can be crossfaded, which makes it possible to move smoothly between filter types rather than switching between them.

Mode, cutoff frequency and resonance controls shape the tone, while a dry/wet setting and a filter output volume control let you blend the effect into the signal. Arturia also notes that soft clipping can add analog-style saturation when the input gain is pushed.

Modulation, sequencing and workflow

The low frequency oscillator offers five waveforms plus a sample and hold mode and can sync to the DAW clock. The gate sequencer has up to 16 steps and can trigger or retrigger the envelope and LFO to create rhythmic filter movement.

The modulation matrix uses the envelope and LFO as sources with eight destinations. Every parameter, including the added features, is controllable via MIDI CC, so filter moves can be performed in live sets if the host supports it.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	Arturia
Type	Plugin
Category	Filter
Formats	VST2, AU, AAX, Standalone
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit
Free trial	Yes

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats does Filter SEM support?

Filter SEM is available in VST2, AU, AAX and Standalone formats. It runs on Windows and macOS and is 64-bit.

What do I need to run Filter SEM?

On macOS it requires 10.13 or later, 4 GB RAM, a 4-core CPU at 3.4 GHz or an Apple Silicon CPU, 1 GB of free disk space and an OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU. On Windows it requires Windows 10 or later (64-bit), 4 GB RAM, a 4-core 3.4 GHz CPU, 1 GB free disk space and an OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU. ARM processors are not supported on Windows.