Metasonix RK8 Filterwall

Incredible! Unconventional! Unreasonably expensive! The RK8 Filterwall from Metasonix is a bandpass beast made of six tubes.

The RK8 is a big Eurorack module. Six bandpass filters in Twin T design and all equipped with their own tube. Each of the six filters has its own range. On the far left you will find the high frequencies and on the right the low frequencies. Each filter has its own potentiometer for setting the frequency, with a range of about 1-1.5 octaves. Approximately is also the keyword here, because everything on this module behaves only approximately as you think. In addition, there is also a Manual Tune poti, which shifts all filters in frequency simultaneously. This is of course voltage controllable and invites for "norma"l filter sweep stuff, or really extreme frequency modulation. Furthermore, each filter has its own parameter for setting the resonance. Here each behaves also as it wants. The mids will self-oscillate, the lows rather not, or do they? Finally there are level controls for the input signal and individual outputs for each filter are of course also included.
The vacuum tubes really have character, but don't allow a clean signal.

We can't tell you if the RK8 is for you. What is certain, however, is that this module sounds like nothing else on the market.

Good to know (quote):
The output peak voltage is limited to the supply rails and can't damage other modules.
...sounds reassuring. But it means that the module can be really, really loud.

Further comments from Metasonix:

The RK8 uses six 5702 subminiature pentodes, all Raytheon US military surplus from the 1980s. Power supply required is about 600 mA after warmup and 1.4 amps when started cold from +12v, and 10 mA from -12v. Low-cost power supplies are NOT recommended. A spare tube is included, although soldering equipment is needed to replace any of the tubes. They are run very conservatively and will last many, many years.