Soundtoys FilterFreak 2026: Analog Filter 1 vs 2

This Page Is FilterFreak. It Is Not Volcano 3 or Saturn 2.

Stay here for Soundtoys FilterFreak: the $149 cart, the FilterFreak 1 vs 2 split the vendor prints, version 5.5 / KVR 5.5.5.19885, Rhythm Editor, and a first insert setup. Do not use this file as a FabFilter Volcano 3 filter review, a Saturn 2 saturation page, an Output Thermal distortion guide, a Minimal Audio Rift review, or an Output Movement rhythm-FX lesson.

Vendor: “FilterFreak actually includes two separate plug-ins — FilterFreak 1 and 2. Load up FilterFreak 1 for a single, simple filter. … FilterFreak 2 … two analog filters side by side that can be used in series or parallel.” That is the 1 vs 2 rule for this SKU.^[1]

Related Volcano 3, Saturn 2, Thermal, Rift, and Movement slugs stay on those pages. This file stays on FilterFreak as of September 2026.

Cart $149. FilterFreak 1 and 2 in One Licence. v5.5.

Vendor this fetch: $149. Specs match other Soundtoys 5.5 effects: 64-bit AAX Native / AudioSuite / VST 2 / VST 3 / AU; 44.1–192 kHz; macOS 10.15+; Windows 10+; not ARM Windows; internet at activation. Hosts named: Pro Tools, Live, Cubase, Nuendo, Logic, Studio One, Reaper, Bitwig. Manual PDF is linked from the same page.^[1]

KVR: $149.00; 5.5.5.19885; iLok; FilterFreak2 included. Analog Mode switch names on that card include Dirt, Pump, Shred, and Fat—the vendor page itself prints seven saturation styles without listing those four as the full set, so do not treat the KVR four as a complete seven.^[2]

FilterFreak 1 vs 2. Rhythm Editor. Seven Saturation Styles.

Vendor 1 vs 2: FilterFreak 1 is one filter. FilterFreak 2 is two filters, series or parallel. Modes: highpass, lowpass, bandpass, band reject; 2 to 8 poles. Resonance can go into self-oscillation. Seven analog saturation styles. Rhythm Mode with MIDI switch for tempo-locked auto-wah; note values, preset rhythms, or the Rhythm Editor; Groove knob for swing/shuffle. Envelope and ADSR follow incoming audio. Shape Editor for custom LFO shapes.^[1]

KVR: Mutron-style envelope followers, ADSR synth reshaping, Sherman Filterbank-like LFO sweeps, Morley wah, two sample-and-hold flavours. Rhythm patterns can be saved and reused in PhaseMistress, Tremolator, or EchoBoy. FilterFreak2: each band independently LP/HP/BP/BR and 2/4/6/8 poles.^[2]

• When to load 1 vs 2 Vendor: FF1 for a single simple filter. FF2 when you want two analogue filters side by side, series or parallel, with the same modulation section feeding different amounts/directions.
• Rhythm vs envelope Rhythm Mode locks to the DAW. Envelope/ADSR move with the input. Those are the two motion paths the vendor highlights besides the LFO/Shape Editor.
• Not Volcano, not Saturn Volcano 3 is FabFilter’s filter. Saturn 2 is FabFilter’s saturation/multiband drive. FilterFreak is the Soundtoys analog filter pair with Rhythm Editor.

One Soundtoys Installer. iLok. FilterFreak 1 and 2 Appear Together.

Same activation path as other Soundtoys 5.5 plug-ins: iLok License Manager, two activations, dongle optional, internet at activation. After install, the host plug-in list should show FilterFreak 1 and FilterFreak 2 as separate devices from the same licence.^[1][4]

If Soundtoys 5 is already on the account, skip a second $149. Windows ARM is out of spec. Manual PDF: soundtoys.com FilterFreak manual link on the product page.

FL, Ableton, Logic: FF1 First, Then FF2 Series if Needed

This checklist is a first analog-filter pass, not a Volcano 3 or Saturn 2 course. Confirm the live $149 cart if it has moved.^[1]

1. Install and activate, then insert FilterFreak 1
   macOS 10.15+ / Win 10+ x64; AAX/VST2/VST3/AU; v5.5 vendor / 5.5.5.19885 KVR. Start with one band before FF2.
2. Pick LP/HP/BP/BR and pole count, then saturation style
   Vendor: 2 to 8 poles; seven analog saturation styles. KVR names Dirt, Pump, Shred, Fat on the Analog Mode switch—use the GUI list, not an invented seventh name.
3. Choose LFO, Rhythm Mode, or Envelope/ADSR
   MIDI switch in Rhythm Mode for auto-wah locked to tempo. Groove adds swing. Envelope follows the input for Mutron-style movement.
4. Only then load FilterFreak 2 in series or parallel
   Two filters, independent types and poles, one modulation source with per-band amounts. That is still FilterFreak, not Volcano 3.
5. Stop before this page becomes Volcano 3 or Saturn 2
   Volcano 3, Saturn 2, Thermal, Rift, and Movement are related slugs.

Volcano 3, Saturn 2, Thermal, and Rift Are Out of Scope

This article does not review FabFilter Volcano 3, does not cover Saturn 2, does not teach Output Thermal, does not review Minimal Audio Rift, and does not walk Output Movement. Those live on related slugs. soundtoys.com/product/filterfreak/ is the product primary.

As of 13 Sep 2026 the vendor cart showed $149 and version 5.5, with FilterFreak 1 and 2 in the same product. Recheck your Soundtoys account before a duplicate buy.^[1]