Native Instruments Monark Manual page 28

Filter resonance causes the emphasis of frequencies around the cutoff frequency. So while the
filter usually reduces the level in a specific frequency range, the level of frequencies close to
the cutoff frequency is actually increased by filter resonance. In extreme settings, this reso-
nance causes the filter to self-oscillate, basically becoming a more or less pure sine oscillator
with the pitch determined by the cutoff frequency. The
of filter resonance.
Each filter type has its moment where it shines and you should experiment with all of them!
Due to its nonlinear nature MONARK's filter reacts beautifully with different input levels. The
filter can sound very clean and neutral with reduced input signal and "warms up" with an in-
creasing input signal level, which can be exaggerated by driving the filter into soft and pleas-
ant distortion, e.g. by utilizing the
of input signal and the resonating filter worth exploring.
Filter Modulation
The filter provides the most interesting results, of course, when the cutoff frequency is not
static but in some way evolving during a performance or sequenced playback. MONARK offers
a few ways to achieve that:
▪ Filter cutoff modulation by the filter envelope
▪ Filter cutoff from key-tracking
▪ Filter cutoff modulation by MONARK's modulation source
As with the oscillator pitch, the filter cutoff in an analog synthesizer doesn't really stay con-
stant over time but fluctuates. MONARK also models this behavior and allows access to the
amount of fluctuation globally for the instrument from View B (see
tion for details).
Filter Modulation by the Envelope
Most prominently the FILTER
modulate the filter cutoff (see
The amount of envelope modulation can be controlled with the
LOAD parameter. There are a lot of subtleties in the balance
section has its own ADS (Attack, Decay, Sustain) envelope to
↑5.2.3, FILTER & AMP Section
View A—Overview of MONARK User Interface
RES knob allows you to set the amount
↑5.3.7, GLOBAL Sec-
for details about the envelope).
CONTOUR parameter.
Overview of MONARK Ensemble
MONARK - Manual - 28