Surge XT's eight filter configurations control serial, parallel, stereo, feedback, and ring-mod signal paths

The Filter Configuration selector in Surge XT determines how filters, waveshaper, and amplifier connect. Serial 1 is a straight chain: Mixer → Filter 1 → Waveshaper → Filter 2 → Amp. Serial 2 adds a feedback tap from the Amp back to Filter 1. Serial 3 puts Filter 2 inside the feedback loop. Dual 1 runs both filters in parallel with summed output. Dual 2 applies the Waveshaper only to Filter 1. Stereo hard-pans Filter 1 left and Filter 2 right. Ring multiplies the two filter outputs. Wide doubles the Serial 2 path into full stereo. Only Stereo and Wide output true stereo. For Ring to produce sound, audio must be routed to both Filter 1 and Filter 2 separately or no output results.

Examples

Use Serial 2 with high Feedback to create resonant filter instability. Use Stereo config with different filter types on each side for an animated stereo timbre.

Assessment

Explain why routing all channels Center has a different effect in Dual 1 vs. Serial 1. When would you choose Ring configuration, and what must you do to make it audible?