FabFilter MICRO Users Manual
Table of contents
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Table of Contents
About FabFilter Micro
Overview
Loading presets
Purchasing FabFilter Micro
Support
2
Introduction
Quick start
Using FabFilter Micro
Knobs
Filter controls
Interactive filter display
Output options
MIDI learn
Undo and redo
Presets
Saving presets
How presets are stored
Purchasing FabFilter Micro
Entering your license key
Support
Manual installation
VST plug-in versions
License agreement
About FabFilter
About FabFilter Micro
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FabFilter Micro is the ultimate lightweight filter plug-in, making the classic FabFilter sound affordable for
everyone. With just one filter and an envelope follower to modulate its frequency, it can be used for simple
filtering tasks, sound coloring and creative filtering effects.
Key feature of FabFilter Micro is its unique resonating, screaming and saturating filter that we first created for
the FabFilter One synthesizer. It features both LP and HP filter shapes and an adjustable envelope follower to
modulate the filter frequency according to the incoming audio signal. Furthermore, independent input and
output gain controls enable you to saturate the filter more or less depending on your distortion needs!
Of course, we also included the common FabFilter goodies such as amazingly easy-to-use MIDI learn, Smart
Parameter Interpolation for smooth parameter changes, undo and redo features, a flexible preset system, and
a complete help file including interactive help hints.
FabFilter Micro is available in VST, VST3, AU (Audio Units), AAX Native and AudioSuite formats (all both 64-bit
and 32-bit), as well as RTAS (32-bit only), for Mac OS X and Windows.
Windows requirements
32-bit: Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP
64-bit: Windows 10, 8, 7 or Vista (x64)
VST 2/3 host or Pro Tools
Next: Quick start
See Also
Using FabFilter Micro
Mac OS X requirements
OS X 10.6 or higher
AU or VST 2/3 host or Pro Tools
Intel processor
Quick start
4
The installer will copy the FabFilter Micro plug-in into the common VST, VST 3, AU (macOS only) and Pro Tools
plug-in folders on your computer. On macOS, the global plug-in folders in /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins are used.
In most cases, your host will then recognize the plugin automatically. However, if the instructions below do not
work, see Manual
Cubase
Choose an empty insert slot, for example in the Mixer, and select FabFilter Micro from the menu that
appears. To use the MIDI features in Micro, create a new MIDI track and set its output to the Micro
instance you have just created. (The VST 3 version of Micro can be found in the Filter section.)
Logic Pro
Choose an empty insert slot on one of your audio tracks, instrument tracks or buses and select FabFilter
Micro from the pop-up menu. You will find FabFilter Micro in the Audio Units > FabFilter section (named
FF Micro).
Ableton Live
In Session view, select the track you would like to place FabFilter Micro on, for example by clicking the
track name. At the left top of Ableton Live's interface, click on the Plug-in Device Browser icon (third icon
from the top). From the plug-ins list, double-click FabFilter/FabFilter Micro, or drag it onto the track.
Pro Tools
Choose an empty insert slot on one of your audio tracks, instrument tracks or buses and select FabFilter
Micro from the pop-up menu in the Effect section.
To begin, just open the plug-in and drag the filter curve around. Enjoy!
Next: FabFilter Micro overview
See Also
Overview
installation instead.
Overview
5
The interface of FabFilter Micro mainly consists of a big filter display that lets you tweak the filter interactively.
Interactive filter display
The filter display lets you tweak the frequency and peak of the filter just by dragging the peak around.
See Interactive filter display
Filter controls
The filter controls at the bottom of the display provide full access to all filter parameters. See Filter
controls.
Output options
The input and output controls on the right of the bottom bar enable you to adjust the gain before and
after filtering. See Output options
MIDI learn
MIDI Learn lets you easily associate any MIDI controller with any plug-in parameter. See MIDI Learn
Presets, undo and redo, help
With the preset buttons, you can easily browse through the factory presets or save your own settings so
you can re-use them in other songs. The Undo and Redo buttons at the top of the plug-in interface
enable you to easily undo your changes. Finally, the Help menu provides access to help and version
information. See Loading
Next: Knobs
See Also
Quick start
.
.
presets and Undo and redo.
.
Knobs
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It is easy to control FabFilter Micro's parameters with the large round knobs. They will light up when you move
the mouse cursor around to indicate that you can adjust them. The moment you move the mouse cursor over a
knob, a parameter value display will pop up, which shows the name and the current value of the parameter.
All knobs support four ways of control:
1. Vertical mode
Click on the center area of a knob and drag up or down to rotate it. The knob reacts to the speed with
which you are dragging, so if you move the mouse slowly, you make precise adjustments.
2. Rotate mode
Grab the arrow of the knob and drag it around. By moving the mouse cursor further away from the
knob while dragging it, you can make precise adjustments.
3. Mouse wheel mode
Perhaps the easiest way to make adjustments is by using the mouse wheel when you hover over a
knob. This mode works for all the knobs and possible panning rings. (On Windows, you might need to
click in the plug-in interface first to make sure it is the active window.)
4. Text entry mode
Double-click a knob to enter an exact value using the keyboard.
Tips
To reset a knob to its default position, hold down the Ctrl key (Windows) or Command key (macOS) and
click the knob once. Note: In Pro Tools, Micro uses the default Pro Tools keyboard shortcut for reset:
Alt+click.
To fine-tune a value when using vertical drag mode or the mouse wheel, hold down the Shift key while
dragging or moving the mouse wheel. Note: In Pro Tools, Micro uses the default Pro Tools keyboard
shortcut for fine tune: Ctrl+drag on Windows or Command+drag on macOS.
There are several handy shortcuts in text entry mode. With frequency values, you can type e.g. '1k'
to set the value to 1000 Hz, and also 'A4' for 440 Hz, or even strings like 'C#3+13'. With dB values, you
can type e.g. '2x' to get +6 dB (the value that corresponds to two times louder). With all values, you can
also type a percentage (e.g. '50%' will put a knob exactly in the middle position).
Sometimes, knobs in our plug-in interfaces are linked: these be adjusted simultaneously by holding
down the Alt key (Shift key in Pro Tools) while dragging on one of them. For example, an output level
and input level setting of a plug-in could be adjusted simultaneously (in the opposite direction) this way.
Next: Filter controls
See Also
Overview
Filter controls
7
The filter controls provide full access to all of FabFilter Micro's filter parameters.
Frequency
The Frequency knob sets the cut-off frequency of the filter over the entire audio range.
Peak
The Peak knob adjusts the resonance of the filter. A little resonance will cause the filter to create warmer
and more characteristic tones. At maximum resonance, the filter will self-oscillate at the center
frequency.
Response
The Response buttons select between low-pass and high-pass filter shapes. FabFilter Micro's filter always
has a 12 dB/octave steepness.
EF Level
At the far left, the Level knob sets the amount of filter frequency modulation with the built-in envelope
follower. You can set both negative and positive modulation. In the center position, no modulation will
take place. The little reset button at the top of the level knob lets you easily turn off modulation
altogether.
EF Speed
The Speed knob adjusts how quickly the envelope follower reacts to changes in the input signal. When
turned all the way to the left, the envelope follower reacts quickly and aggressively to changes. When
turned all the way to the right, the response to changes is very slow and smooth. The default position in
the center provides a good overall behavior.
Tip: the EF light above the envelope follower controls shows you how much filter frequency modulation is
currently taking place.
Next: Interactive filter display
See Also
Overview
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