Best Filter Modules Under $100 2026
Alright, so you're diving into modular and want filters, but your bank account's looking a little thin? Totally get it. Good filters are the heart of a lot of sounds - that grit, that warmth, that vowel-like resonance - and you don't need to drop a grand to get something usable. We've hunted down some solid filter modules under $100 that won't leave you wanting too badly.
Last updated: September 4, 2026
Doepfer A-106-5 SEM Filter
- • Classic SEM filter character, instantly recognizable and warm
- • Excellent build quality typical of Doepfer's meticulous engineering
- • Compact 8HP footprint, ideal for dense modular setups
- • Provides a unique, resonant low-pass character for evolving textures
- • Limited filter modes compared to more modern, complex filters
- • Power draw might be significant for smaller power supplies
- • Requires Eurorack format, not standalone operation
Doepfer A-106-5 SEM Filter Special Ed.
- • Classic Sequential Circuits SEM filter sound in a compact Eurorack module.
- • Cream-colored panel and black knobs offer a visually appealing, vintage aesthetic.
- • Provides a rich, resonant, and characterful tone ideal for basslines and pads.
- • Doepfer’s renowned build quality ensures reliability and long-term performance.
- • Limited filter modes compared to more complex multi-mode offerings.
- • 8HP footprint can be restrictive in smaller modular systems.
- • Requires careful power supply management due to its dual polarity draw.
Behringer 914 Fixed Filter Bank
- • Exceptional value for a 12-band filter bank.
- • Provides complex, resonant filter sweeps easily.
- • Parallel inputs/outputs offer flexible routing options.
- • Compact 28HP footprint maximizes modular space.
- • Fixed filter frequencies limit creative experimentation.
- • Plastic housing feels less robust than higher-end modules.
- • Limited CV control compared to more advanced filter designs.
Behringer Wasp VCF
- • Classic Wasp filter sound at a fraction of the original's cost
- • Surprisingly musical resonance, capable of subtle warmth or aggressive sweeps
- • Multiple filter modes offer decent versatility for a single module
- • Compact 8HP footprint makes it ideal for space-constrained racks
- • Plastic housing feels a bit flimsy compared to higher-end filter modules
- • Limited CV input attenuation range can be restrictive in modulation setups
- • The bandpass output is noticeably quieter than the low/high-pass
Behringer Multi Filter/Resonator 1047
- • Excellent resonance character, truly usable for screaming sounds
- • Surprisingly robust build quality for the price point
- • Four distinct filter modes offer tonal versatility
- • CV inputs allow for dynamic, expressive filter sweeps
- • Plastic knobs feel cheap and lack precise control
- • Limited HP width restricts integration in smaller racks
- • Not a substitute for a high-end Moog or Buchla filter
Behringer 121 Dual VCF
- • Authentic inSystem 100Min recreation delivers a classic, warm filter tone
- • Dual filter design enables complex, evolving soundscapes and parallel processing
- • Flexible 3-mode HP filter adds significant tonal shaping options
- • Extensive CV inputs and attenuators allow for deep modulation possibilities
- • Plastic housing feels noticeably less robust than higher-end Eurorack modules
- • Limited HP modes compared to more versatile filter designs
- • 40mA current draw might stress power supplies in smaller systems
Behringer Filtamp Module 1006
- • Excellent 24dB filter character, reminiscent of classic Moog designs
- • Integrated VCA provides a complete voice-like functionality
- • Affordable price point opens modular synthesis to more users
- • Compact 16HP footprint maximizes space in Eurorack systems
- • Plastic construction feels less robust than higher-end modules
- • Limited filter modes restrict sonic versatility compared to pricier options
- • Attenuators on CV inputs could benefit from finer resolution
Behringer Surges
- • Excellent filter character, recalling classic Japanese synths
- • Remarkable value, especially considering Ripples inspiration
- • Flexible slope switch (12/24dB) offers tonal versatility
- • FM input and self-oscillation expand sound design possibilities
- • 8HP footprint can be limiting in smaller modular systems
- • Analogue circuit might exhibit slight drift over extended use
- • Gain control on one input could introduce unwanted noise at high levels
Behringer 904A VC Low Pass Filter
- • Classic Moog-inspired tone at a fraction of the cost
- • Versatile resonance sweeps create pronounced, musical filtering
- • Three frequency ranges offer broad sonic sculpting possibilities
- • Compact 8HP footprint maximizes space in tight Eurorack setups
- • Plastic construction feels less robust than higher-end filter modules
- • Limited input headroom can cause distortion with strong signals
- • CV inputs lack fine-tuning control for precise filter modulation
Behringer 904B VC High Pass Filter
- • Two distinct frequency ranges let you shape tone quickly.
- • Compact 8 HP width fits tight modular cases perfectly.
- • Three CV inputs let you automate the cutoff smoothly.
- • Budget-friendly price makes it accessible for new builds.
- • Single high-pass mode lacks low-pass flexibility for full control.
- • No gain or resonance knobs limit shaping the filter voice.
- • Modular form adds cost and complexity compared to standalone units.
Filter Modules by the numbers
Measured across all 10 models in this category, so «wide», «short» or «expensive» mean something you can check.
How to Choose the Best Filter Modules
Resonance
This is the thing. Cheap filters often have weak or fizzy resonance. We're looking for that sweet spot where it adds character, not just harshness. A good resonance can make a simple oscillator sound like a whole patch.
Filter Slope (dB/Octave)
12dB/octave is common at this price point, offering a decent cut. 24dB/octave is more aggressive and can introduce more self-oscillation, but you're less likely to find it under $100. Know what you're getting.
Frequency Range
A wider frequency range lets you shape sounds more dramatically, from subtle low-cut warmth to aggressive high-frequency filtering. Limited range means limited tonal options.
Drive/Saturation
Many cheaper filters lack dedicated drive. This means you're relying on the input signal to create harmonic richness, which can be inconsistent. Some modules sneak in a simple drive circuit, which is a huge bonus.
Build Quality/Pots
Let's be honest, pots get scratchy and knobs fall off. We're assessing how well these modules will survive gigging or even just regular use in a bedroom studio - plastic knobs vs. metal, flimsy jacks, overall construction.
Buying Guide
At this price, you're making trade-offs. Expect some compromises - the pots might be a bit noisy, the resonance might not be as smooth as a Moog, and the build quality won't be industrial. Don't expect a wide range of filter types - most will be variations on the Moog ladder filter. Focus on the core character; a gritty filter can be amazing for distorted basslines, while a cleaner one is better for pads and evolving textures.
How This List Is Built
We don't play these instruments — we're a catalog, not a review desk, and we'd rather say so than pretend otherwise. This page covers 10 filter modules from the Thomann catalogue, which is the largest single source of specification data in this category: 10 in detail, the rest listed with their specifications.
Position is computed, not curated. We parse the manufacturer's own description into actual values — nut width, scale, fret count, fingerboard radius, size, alloy — and rank on them: how many specifications a model has published, how many of them are measurable numbers, and how precisely it meets this page's criterion. A product image adds a little. Price is not a ranking signal: it tells you nothing about whether a neck fits your hand. The same inputs always produce the same order, so nothing here is shuffled to look fresh.
What this list is good for: narrowing a category down to a shortlist by spec and budget. What it isn't: a substitute for hearing an instrument. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
