FKFX Audio has released Obvious Filter 2 Lite (OF2 Lite), a free filter plugin for macOS and Windows.
OF2 Lite is the streamlined version of Obvious Filter 2, the follow-up to the original Obvious Filter, which we previously covered in 2021. Despite being a freebie, OF2 Lite packs in a surprising amount of functionality and creative power.
At the heart of OF2 Lite is a morphing low-pass filter (LP2) designed by Laurent de Soras. You also get the plugin’s signature Morph Sequencer and Editor, allowing you to draw and animate filter modulations with precision.
The editor includes various tools like Pencil, Line, and Square, plus newer additions like Attack and Decay shapes. There’s also a complete undo/redo system and per-morph rate control.
The modulation possibilities are my favorite aspect of OF2 Lite. You can work in three morphing modes: Immediate, Morph, and Linear. Each mode lets you apply functions like flip, normalize, mirror, and roll to transform your filter sequences.
New randomization modes and a freeze snapshot feature make it easy to create happy accidents or lock in ideal settings mid-session. I love randomization in sound design plugins as it often leads to happy accidents.
OF2 Lite comes with 307 presets handpicked from the full version’s massive 5887-preset library. You can also manage favorites, quickly navigate using an alphabetical preset sorter, and use MIDI Program Change or Note messages to load presets. MIDI Learn is supported, too.
On the design side, the GUI is snappy, although I find it a bit too busy. There’s a sync-accurate visualizer with four display modes, a responsive echo visualizer, and flexible I/O metering.
One downside is that there’s a large reminder on the right side of the GUI, reminding you that you’re using the free version. Understandable from the economic standpoint, but I’m not a fan of this as a user.
Thankfully, FKFX’s attention to delivering a free plugin that’s actually a useful feature-wise is evident. They’ve done a great job of making the free version’s feature set feel complete rather than just a teaser.
So, what’s missing compared to the full OF2? The free version lacks a few standout features like Diode Distortion, MIDI Out, Groove Import, and some FX modules (like Influx and Ring Mod). But considering what is included, OF2 Lite still feels like a serious creative tool rather than a stripped-down demo.
You can download OF2 Lite for free from the FKFX Audio website. It supports VST3 and AU formats on macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon) and Windows (x64 and ARM64).
The free version is hosted on Payhip. You can download it for free by entering your email address. You’ll receive an email with your download link and license key (needs to be entered when launching the plugin for the first time). No license manager, though. The download is just a ZIP archive with installation files and manuals.
OF2 Lite is a solid upgrade from the original Obvious Filter and is definitely worth checking out if you’re into animated filters and rhythmic sound design.
Download: Obvious Filter 2 Lite
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Last Updated on July 8, 2025 by Tomislav Zlatic.
