Korg Filter Ark – The Filter That Does Way More Than Filtering

Just ahead of NAMM 2026, Korg released Filter Ark, a new creative filter plugin that focuses fully on sound shaping. Instead of treating the filter as a simple utility, Filter Ark turns it into the main instrument. It works on macOS and Windows and can be used as a VST, VST3, AU, or AAX plugin.

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The idea behind Filter Ark is simple. You can load up to four filters at the same time and connect them in different ways. This alone opens a lot of sound design space, especially if you are used to working with just one filter per plugin. You can stack filters in series, blend them in parallel, or create feedback paths that react in more complex ways. Even small changes can lead to very different results, which makes the plugin feel more like an experiment tool than a standard effect.

At the heart of Filter Ark are 14 filter models. Some of them are classic designs inspired by famous Korg instruments, like the aggressive MS-20 filter or the smooth Polysix low-pass. These models keep the character people expect, including how the resonance behaves when pushed. Others are more modern and go beyond traditional filter ideas. There are physical-modeling filters, waveguide-style resonators, formant and vowel filters, and even an impulse response based option. This mix of old and new makes it easy to move from familiar tones to more unusual textures without changing plugins.

The complete filter lineup consists of:

MS-20 – high-pass and low-pass filters modelled after the Korg MS-20 synthesizer, known for their aggressive character and strong resonance.

Polysix – a warm and smooth low-pass filter based on the classic Polysix synth.

miniKORG 700S – a thick and musical high-pass and low-pass filter pair connected in series, modelled on the miniKORG 700S.

ARP Odyssey – a low-pass filter with sharp, cutting resonance inspired by the ARP Odyssey.

Modal – a physically modelled resonator designed for tonal and metallic textures.

Vowel – a formant filter that smoothly morphs between three vowel shapes.

Stereo – a stereo filter with independent filtering on the left and right channels.

IR – a simple impulse response loader for creative and experimental filtering.

All Pass – an all-pass filter used mainly for phase-based effects.

Morphing – a continuously morphable filter that transitions smoothly between different responses.

Multimode – a flexible filter offering multiple modes, suitable for both filtering and EQ-style tasks.

Waveguide – a waveguide resonator based on the synthesis approach used in the Korg Volca Drum.

Spectral Tracer – a filter that blends characteristics of the input signal with sampled material to create hybrid textures.

Drift – a parallel filter that creates a sense of spatial movement using the Delta control.

What really brings Filter Ark to life is the modulation system. You get a morphable LFO, an envelope follower with sidechain support, a step sequencer, and a random generator. Modulation is quick to set up and encourages movement rather than static sounds.

Filters can slowly drift, jump in rhythm, or react directly to the dynamics of the input signal. It feels designed for people who like evolving sounds, not just simple sweeps.

Filter Ark can also work without any audio going into it. There is a built-in noise generator and a scale quantizer for the cutoff frequency. Combined with the step sequencer or LFO, this lets you create rhythmic clicks, percussive sounds, or even simple melodic patterns. In these cases, Filter Ark behaves almost like a small synthesizer focused entirely on filtering and modulation.

Presets play a big role here as well. They are well organised and make it easy to understand what the plugin can do. Each preset uses macro controls, so one knob can move several parameters at once. This is helpful if you want fast results, but it also makes the presets a good learning tool if you prefer to tweak and see how things are connected.

Filter Ark is available as a standalone purchase and is also included in Korg Collection 6. It is also available on Plugin Boutique, where it is currently offered at 50% off until January 29, and you can check the current deal here. Existing users of that bundle can download it at no extra cost. A demo version is available as well, so it is easy to test how it fits into your workflow. If you enjoy filters that do more than just cut highs or lows, Filter Ark is clearly designed with that mindset in mind.