A company best known for software synthesizers, u-he has now launched MELT, a 14HP analog Eurorack filter module built around a four-pole low-pass cascade with a simultaneous band-pass output, a three-channel input mixer, and a saturation control called Core Temperature that adjusts the filter’s internal headroom and nonlinear behavior.
The module is designed to function as the final tone-shaping stage in a traditional monophonic synthesizer voice. Paired with an oscillator and basic modulation sources, MELT covers the filtering and amplification stages in one unit. Its low-pass and band-pass outputs can run in parallel, each with its own VCA and CV input, giving the module a wide tonal range without splitting to separate output stages.
The low-pass slope is switchable between 12, 18, and 24 dB/octave, corresponding to two, three, and four poles. A resonance bass drop compensation switch is included. The Core Temperature control reduces headroom inside the filter core as it is increased, pushing the interaction between the input signal and resonance into increasingly nonlinear territory. At higher settings the input itself begins to distort. u-he notes that the effect is particularly pronounced at the 12dB/octave setting and advises exploring the full range of the control rather than defaulting to maximum.
The three audio inputs are summed before the filter. Input 1 carries a VCA with a CV input (LVL1), allowing the input level to be modulated separately from the cutoff. There are two cutoff CV inputs, FM1 and FM2, each with an attenuating knob. FM1 includes an inversion switch and its own VCA, so an envelope or sequence can modulate the depth of FM1’s cutoff influence rather than applying it statically. That configuration allows things like stepped random voltages to dynamically vary envelope-to-cutoff depth in a bassline without a second modulation source managing the scaling.
The AUX input bypasses the filter entirely and feeds directly into the output VCAs. This allows a separate signal, such as a sine wave fundamental, noise burst, or parallel filter path, to be blended into the final output without passing through the filter core. Which outputs receive the AUX signal is set via jumpers on the rear of the module.
MELT joins u-he’s existing Eurorack lineup alongside CVilization, Wiretap, and CEN2RION. It is the company’s first fully analog Eurorack module.
Features
- Analog four-pole cascade low-pass filter.
- Slope switch: 12, 18, or 24 dB/octave.
- Simultaneous band-pass output with independent VCA and CV input.
- Core Temperature control: adjusts internal headroom and nonlinear character.
- Resonance bass drop compensation switch.
- CV input for resonance modulation.
- Three-channel audio input mixer; Input 1 includes a modulatable VCA (LVL1 CV input).
- Two cutoff CV inputs (FM1 and FM2) with attenuating knobs.
- FM1 includes an inverter switch and a modulatable VCA for dynamic CV depth control.
- AUX input with attenuator knob and VCA, routed to output VCAs bypassing the filter.
- AUX output routing configurable via rear jumpers.
- Individual VCAs for low-pass and band-pass outputs.
- 14HP; depth approximately 32mm with bus cable attached.
- Power: 70mA @ +12V, 70mA @ -12V; no +5V bus required.
Pricing and Availability
Available now for €299 MSRP (includes 19% VAT in Germany; €251.26 net). Sold through SchneidersLaden, Perfect Circuit, Elevator Sound, Thomann, and Moogaudio. Not available direct from u-he.
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