Dave Smith Instruments recently introduced the DSM01 Curtis Filter – a version of his classic Sequential-style filter in a Eurorack module.
Smith calls the DSM01 Curtis Filter ‘the very heart and soul of the Dave Smith sound’.
In this video, via sonicstate, Nick Batt takes a look at the DSM01 Curtis Filter and puts it through its paces.
The Dave Smith Instruments DSM01 Curtis Filter
The DSM01 is a compact, 8 HP Eurorack-format module. The filter is a resonant low-pass design that can be switched between -12 dB and -24 dB operation and driven into self-oscillation in -24 dB mode.
A Boost switch lets you overdrive the input stage for more aggressive coloration.
In addition to its Curtis filter, the DSM01 provides its own responsive, low-noise VCA with LED CV indicator. There are two separate outputs—one pre-amplifier and the other post-amplifier.
This not only gives you added signal routing flexibility, but also frees your system’s existing VCAs for other tasks.
The Dave Smith Instruments DSM01 Curtis Filter module is available now, priced at US $179. See the DSI site for more info.
Has anyone ever reverse engineered any of the Curtis filter ICs and made a discrete (non-IC component based) version? I would be really curious to find out, as It would be super cool to preserve these designs for future repairs / mods without having to worry about obsolete ICs… I know this would be very expensive and time consuming, but I hope it happens at some point.
Judging by the swell in reverse engineering and replacement part market for older synths (obviously there is a bit of a demand for such things since many specialized 70’s and 80’s synth components are starting to die off right about now) and the advent of circuit printing / other new tech., perhaps in the future we will have no component / repair insecurities because of the combined efforts of old-synth owners and modders? It is tough to tell what will happen.
Those knobs look super shaky, be good if he talked some on the build quality
Hi, yes, the knobs appear to be surface mount rather than bolted on like many of the other modules in our system. There is wobble, but I wouldnt say they were super wobbly. metal shafts too btw.
you said Mogue! what’s going on??
It’s pronounced Mogue, everyone knows that 😉
Everyone knows that, but you don’t know Nick 🙂
Great demo. I recall in another sonic lab vid, where nick made a point of saying he knows its pronounced mogue, but refuses to pronounce it that way… Now hes caved in lol
I spoke with Bob Moog on the phone once and he said it likes rhymes with vogue (“Bob Moog here”). I did read somewhere that Bob wasn’t too uptight about people pronouncing it moo(g) like a cow says.
That being said. I enjoyed the DSM-1 demo. Nick Batt is generally quite thorough with his reviews. The sound brings back memories of playing the Pro-1.
This module would be a great way to get the Curtis sound into your mix for not too much. If you do Eurorack that is…
i think it’s in the book ‘analogue days’ by trevor pinch, it says that it was bob’s mum who changed the pronunciation from moog to mogue. apparently she was a school teacher and was tired of the kids in her class making mooing noises when she had her back turned.
It even said that in a magazine ad in the 70’s…..
this filter sounds very meh
I have never really been in love with this filter in things like the MoPho.. Maybe I haven’t messed with it enough. And I don’t think those versions of the filter have the -24db mode. I’m a fan of -24db moog lp filters. So maybe the eurorack module will have the character I’m missing in the MoPho?
The sound is just lacking any character IMO.