Moog iPhone app: Filtatron revealed

Filtatron instantly looks like a Moog product.
Filtatron instantly looks like a Moog product.

As you know, we usually like to round up the latest iOS apps on a weekly basis, but when a new one from Moog comes along - the Filtatron - we're happy to make an exception and tell you about it right away.

All the details of this still-to-be-officially-announced app currently come courtesy of Create Digital Music (no pricing or release news as yet), which was managed to get its hands on Filtatron already. It says that the app has recording, sampling, effects and filtering tools, with its features being spread over tabbed pages. Here's how CDM summarises the specs:

* Filter and LFO
* Amp (drive) and feedback for distortion
* Adjustable, time-syncable delay
* Sampler with adjustable playback speed, loop points and live recording
* X/Y pads for tweaking and performance, plus preset sharing

As you can see, the interface has a very 'Moog' look about it, being clearly labelled and boasting large knobs. It's said that Filtatron can be used for processing live audio or files transferred from your computer, or even as a different type of field recorder.

Of course, the release of this app may serve to infuriate the Moog traditionalists who'll consider it sacrilege to see this traditionally analogue company branching out into the digital world of iPhone apps, but we think it's an interesting and welcome move.

Oh, and one more thing: if you're disappointed that this isn't an announcement about a new piece of Moog hardware, you may be interested in the rumour that the company is planning to launch the Slim Phatty - a rack-mountable version of the Little Phatty. Synthtopia reports that a blurry image of the synth has appeared in a catalogue, with the suggestion being that it's going to cost $799.

We'll keep you posted on this story as it develops…

Ben Rogerson

I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it.