Filter House is a subgenre of house music characterized by the automated use of filters. Low-pass filters are often employed, meaning that the sound initially appears muffled, with higher frequencies gradually being emphasized. This effect is achieved either through the use of vocals or through a mastering process that impacts the overall sound characteristics of a track. Almost all modern dance and house productions are distinguished by these filtering techniques.
The trick often lies in filling out the sound with special effects like phaser, flanger, chorus, or a cleverly applied delay. Compressors or limiters with a sidechain function are also frequently used to maximize the dynamics of the loops being employed. Devices with a vintage character are particularly popular for this purpose. Stereo imagers add an additional layer of effects for a richer sound experience.
Another distinctive feature of Filter House is the extension of frequency ranges. After achieving a powerful sound in the lower ranges through sidechain compression, it becomes possible to convey more dynamics in the higher frequencies. This particular filter technique allows for the enhancement of overtones or even the creation of new ones. For example, a chordal pad sound can be given a crystalline quality. Acoustic instruments like a guitar can make individual tones sparkle more depending on dynamics, attack, and pitch. To enhance high-frequency elements, digital noise is often added with a high-pass filter and then mixed into the music. The crackling of a vinyl record is also commonly added, similar to what is done in Minimal House or Nu Jazz, to enhance high-frequency areas.
A very typical feature of Filter House is the use of recorded ambient noise. These often consist of normal speech or whispering, predominantly by a woman, or from a large, echoing metro station filled with environmental sounds. From this soundscape, a suitable sample is cut and used as a loop, quietly integrated into the melody so that only the nuances can be heard in the overall mix.