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I got a second-hand ATC-1 some weeks ago and found additional old-stock filter cartridges at a local shop. I now have the MiniMoog, SEM and 303 filters and fear that I can't resist buying the 2600 filter too.
The sound is amazing. As is stated in a previous review, it impossible to make it sound bad. It's sweet spot is everywhere. Deep juicy basses, harsh screams, mellow leads, extremely punchy bass kicks, other percussive electro sounds, etc., the ATC does it all and does it well.
I edit the ATC through Sounddiver which is very convenient. Sounddiver allows to easily bind the knobs and sliders of my midi controller to the ATC's functions, so it is as if I have a synth with hands-on controls. I never need to touch the instrument to edit it. And editing is fun. You get the impression that you are realy playing with elektricity, which is of course exactly what you are doing. Try making sounds with only the filter, turn down both VCOs and have the waveforms of VCO 2 modulate the filter. Lots of unexpected, but very usable sounds come up. Needless to say I hardly ever use the stock sounds.
As to the filters: I think the Moog filter is best for your bread and butter basses. Reasonably controlled and very punchy deep sounds can be had. Of course, all the usuall squelshing too. In short, it makes the ATC sound like a Moog. The SEM filter is crazy. It screams and howls and, as its slope is only 18 Db, leaves a bit more high tones than the Moog. Relative to the SEM the 303 also gives controlled sounds. It can sound like a 303, but also very differently, I would say "wood-like", if that means anything. As I said, I don't have the ARP 2600 filter... yet.
The only downside: it looks like a toy. But perhaps it is a toy. Great fun to play with.
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