Since Don Buchla invented the Bass Gate for his 200 Series instruments in the early 1970s, Bass Gates have been hailed for their ability to add realistic and organic response to modular synthesizer patches. …
They work by applying an envelope to a low-pass filter with its zero voltage cutoff frequency well below the audible range, so when the envelope is lowered the gate closes. As a note decays, its high frequencies die the fastest – as do most acoustic sounds.
Using vactrol, or a light sensor like those used in optical compressors, gives this design an even more realistic and musical response. Enhanced and enhanced by Doepfer and now available as an officially licensed extension for the Softube Modular, the Doepfer A-101-2 Vactrol LPG adds some biological properties to your patches.
