Create Continuous Movement

Filtering in music production is by no means a new thing. Nevertheless, it's one of the most used techniques regarding audio processing. These days, we have many filter types ranging from simple low and high cut up to crazy-sounding formant filters. Check out the following tutorial to learn how to create continuous movement!  

Mobius Filter by iZotope

The goal of the Mobius Filter is to replicate the "Shepard effect." Now, the "Shepard effect" or the "Shepard tone" is the sound that keeps rising or falling (depending on what direction it moves). Essentially, it is an auditory illusion of the tone continuously running, either up or down in pitch. What Mobius Filter is centered around is this idea of continuous movement. After a short introduction, let us move to a practical explanation of its user parameters accompanied by some audio examples. As usual, I have made a simple chord progression in SoundBridge: DAW using the Rhodes piano. Let's check how it sounds unaffected.  

~Rhodes Piano Sequence - Unprocessed  

Now, we will add a fresh instance of the Mobius Filter on the Rhodes piano effect rack channel within the SoundBridge: DAW.  

 

The Interface

Upon opening the Mobius Filter, we can see quite a simple interface, yet this doesn't mean that this plugin cannot deliver high-quality sound. As you can see, the upper part of the interface is divided into two sections. The first, when double-clicked, will turn to the visualizer, representing the sound waves multiplying as you increase the speed of the movement. The lower section is reserved for the X/Y pad, controlled by the ring icon, and it sweeps between the cutoff and resonance frequency of the filter.  

Filter Type, Movement, Host Tempo, Stereo Spreader

Moving forward, on the lower left part of the interface, we see the filter type. There are two filter types, "Phaker" and "Peak." What's more, the second one gives a harsher (resonant) sound. Right from that, we can see a section reserved for movement. You can pause the movement by clicking on the first button. Also, you can change the direction of the filter movement. Furthermore, we can turn on or off the host tempo, which directly affects the speed slider, which we see below. Lastly, there is a section on the far right that contains sliders for the Dry/Wet mix and the stereo spreader.  

Audio Examples

After briefly describing the Mobius Filter parameters, let's move further to audio examples. In the following example, I will first automate the X/Y section with the filter type set in the "Phaker" mode. Also, I'll disable the "Host Sync" to automate the speed slider.  

~Rhodes Piano Sequence - Mobius Filter/Phaker mode  

In this case, I have chosen the Rhodes Piano chord progression to demonstrate the effect of the Mobius filter. However, you can apply this plugin to many different audio sources, so I strongly advise you to experiment with it.