Filters

Usine provides several data filter modules for smoothing, stabilizing, and shaping data flows. Unlike audio filters that process sound signals, these filters operate on data values to remove noise, smooth transitions, or add physical behavior to parameter changes.

Comparison Table

Module Method Character Use case
Smooth Exponential smoothing Transforms abrupt value changes into progressive transitions, configurable time in ms General-purpose smoothing, UI knob smoothing, data-to-audio rate conversion
Smooth Attack Release Independent attack/release Separate rise and fall times, works on arrays with per-element smoothing Envelope following, asymmetric smoothing, array processing
Moving Average Rolling window average FIR-type smoother, averages N recent values for progressive noise reduction Sensor data smoothing, trend extraction
Median Value Sorted window median Rejects outliers by returning the middle value of a sorted queue Spike removal, robust noise filtering (values in 0..1)
Kalman Kalman filter Statistical prediction-based filtering, optimal for noisy measurements Sensor fusion, noisy input stabilization (optimized for 0..1)
Hysteresis Dead-zone threshold Only passes changes larger than the hysteresis value, blocks small fluctuations Jitter removal, threshold-based gating, noisy controller cleanup
Spring Spring physics model Output follows input with inertia, overshoot, and oscillation (stiffness, damping, mass) Bouncy UI animations, physics-based modulation, organic transitions

Choosing the Right Filter

For general smoothing:

  • Smooth for simple, all-purpose value smoothing with a single time parameter
  • Smooth Attack Release when you need different speeds for rising vs. falling values

For noisy data:

  • Moving Average for gradual noise reduction with predictable behavior
  • Median Value for rejecting sudden spikes and outliers
  • Kalman for statistically optimal filtering of noisy measurements

For jitter and small fluctuations:

  • Hysteresis to block changes below a threshold (dead-zone)

For physical / animated behavior:

  • Spring for bouncy, elastic motion with natural-feeling dynamics

See also

version 7.0.250121

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