Akai MFC42 Analogue Filter Demo

This is a brief overview of the features and functionality of the Akai MFC42 Analogue Filter Module. For this demo I have used a simple disco loop backed by some TR-909 drums and I have tried to cover all the functions of the unit while keeping the video as brief as possible. As I am sure you will have gathered by the end of this video the MFC42 has almost endless configuration possibilities to produce a huge array of filtering effects and I have only touched upon these possibilities in this video.

For those interested the Loop comes from the Akai S900 seen just below the MFC42, the drums are from a Roland TR-909 (with the exception of the hand clap which is from the TR-707 (because my 909 clap needs repairing)). Everything is sequenced with the Akai ASQ10 and the whole mix is liberally compressed by an Alesis 3630 for that '99 Montmartre sound.

[CurtisGabrielMusic]

This thing sounds amazing when it isnt being distorted! Really sweet sounding. Thanks for demoing this properly. Most people demoing it just crank the resonance and then it sounds awful like all Akai filters, but when you use it right its gorgeous!

[walkermcneill]

This is lovely. Just picked up an s900 the other day so I'm wandering around youtube looking for inspiration. I came the the perfect place.

[thehistoryofchingfordwater]

Akai analogue. One of the best filters ever made.

[nobodyneverknows]

With 900/950 its fucking perfect, in terms of sound and looks...instant french filter house/daft punk sound. Thanks for nice demo mate.

[FKU]

I love the usage of this bit of Kit in ‘s Deep House jam, top draw.

[snolan]

@Sean O'Neill Thanks for the encouragement, I actually have something a bit different in the works right now, just need to wait for my cold to clear up so I can sing/talk well enough to use the vocoder.

[snolan]

@gasfgiop No question. Software is great for other applications in music, I mean I wouldn't try to record a 4 piece rock band with my hardware set up, But when it comes to old school house as far as I'm concerned old synths, samplers, drum machines and in this case filters are the only way to go.

[snolan]

Oh, my one in particular. I have no idea, I got it about 2 years ago used. I would guess it is one of the latter ones because it is in fairly nice condition, but they often get left in the box for years because no one knows how to use them so who knows.

They are in no way a transparent sounding compressor but that is part of what makes them so good at making the French House sound work, they glue the whole thing together and give these kind of tracks a genuine warmth.

[snolan]

Sorry for the late reply I only just saw this comment, the sample is Main Ingredient - Evening Of Love from 1981. I got it off an old unofficial compilation EP of Main Ingredient's disco tunes.

[condits_______]

Nice demo, sparked my interest in buying an additional analog filter.
BTW you used the same sample which "Supakings" have used for a track called "Back and Forth" (2000)...

[elsf]

Man, I love this thing! How have I never heard of it before?

[snolan]

@AcebeatGroup I think most of the French guys from around 98 up to 2001 ish used Sherman Filterbanks but the MFC42 has some very nice features. I think it has a particularly smooth and hazy sound great for these kind of heavy disco loops.

[isahinton]

haha ya! what I really meant though was YOURS! hahaha... might be picking up one that was made in the early 90's. I may have no need to be so specific however if let's say yours was from the early 2000's. loving the sound out of the there!

sadly ive heard nothing but crap about 3630's... but im convinced that there's something special about em. and hey, if DP uses one, and it's for 60 dollars, you can bet im going to go pick one up myself to try it.

[AcebeatGroup]

amazing.. really has that french filter disco sound

[snolan]

I believe the 3630 was launched in the early 90's, I have read online that it was 1991 but it might be a year or so either side of that. I think they recently ceased production on the 3630 when they bought out the 3632 which is supposedly a successor to the 3630.

In answer to your original question you can probably buy 3630's that were manufactured from 1991 up until around 2007-2009.

[mynmyself]

Great review! as straight-forward as the MCF itself! Nice gear you have (909...mm)!

[snolan]

@mvroger The Hats (indeed all the drums in this demo) are straight from the 909 and I think the shuffle was set to setting 3. I'm not certain what that transfers over to in terms of MPC style % shuffle but my guess would be that it's somewhere in the mid to high sixties. I think I accented some of the hits as well.

[snolan]

I hadn't heard that track before I made this demo, just my luck that someone beat me to a good loop by ten years :).

Thanks for the comment.

[EpicWinz]

I was thinking about selling my mfc42 but after listening to this demo, i’ve gotta keep it me thinks.

[lkook]

请教一下 你是怎么用MFC42单独控制一个Track的？ 需要怎么连接呢？谢谢