✨ PCF ReBirth is a subtractive VST3 filter inspired by the legendary PCF module from ReBirth RB-338. It recreates the distinctive pattern controlled wah wah character that gave ReBirth so much of its movement and attitude by combining a highly flexible 16-step sequencer with sophisticated filter emulations to create evolving, rhythmic textures.. From subtle rhythmic sweeps to aggressive acid style modulation, PCF Rebirth brings that unmistakable sound into modern DAW workflows. It is the rebirth of the PCF filter.
The project is open source under MIT license, and can be found at Github too: https://github.com/ReinerBforartists/pcf_rebirth
⇩ Downloads
24.05.2026 – Version 0.9.2
The zipfile contains the VST3 file, which should work on Windows, Mac and Linux. The Windows installer apparently just works at Windows. Both versions are around 5 Mb.
In case you have installed the previous version 0.9.0 with the installer, then please uninstall the previous version first. The internal paths have changed. And we don’t want to install two versions of the vst effect.
✨ Key Features
– **16-Step Sequencer**: Per-step pitch, gate, accent, and slew control
– **Dual Filter Engines**: Clean SVF & warm Moog Ladder emulation
– **6 Filter Modes**: LP, BP, HP per engine
– **Dynamic Modulation**: Cutoff & resonance driven by step accents & gate velocity
– **Flexible Patterns**: Real-time length adjustment (1–16), DAW sync, independent run
– **Preset System**: Factory library + local user presets with full DAW automation
📥 Installation
The windows installer should be self explaining.
In case you prefer the zipfile, or want to use the VST3 at MacOS or Linux:
1. Download the Zipfile. Extract it.
2. Place the VST3 plugin in the official plugin folder:
– **Windows**: `C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3`
– **macOS**: `/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3` or `Components` (AU)
– **Linux**: `/usr/lib/vst3/` or `/usr/lib64/vst3/`
3. Rescan plugins in your DAW
🚀 Quick Start
1. Set tempo (manual or `SYNC` to DAW transport)
2. Activate steps & set pitches using the vertical sliders
3. Choose filter engine & mode, then shape tone with `Freq`, `Q Amt`, & `Env Mod`
4. Adjust pattern length (1–16), tweak `Slew` for gate shaping, press `RUN`
5. Load presets or save your own with `SAVE AS`
📜 License & Credits
Licensed under the MIT License. See `LICENSE` for details.
Created by **Reiner Prokein**
Made with ❤️ by Reiner Prokein
✨ Motivation
Back in the day, I was completely addicted to ReBirth RB-338. Long before I started working with full DAWs, it was one of the tools that pulled me into electronic music production. One thing I especially loved was the sound of the PCF filter and its signature wah wah movement.
When I moved on to modern production environments, that particular character was something I always missed. I tried countless filters and plugins over the years, but nothing really captured the same feel and behavior.
With the help of modern AI assisted development, I finally decided to recreate it myself and bring that classic sound back to life as a dedicated VST3 plugin.
✨ History
24.05.2026 – Version 0.9.2 . Some makes it always through. The update fixes a showstopper bug. The presets did not load anymore. And the new randomize feature was not stored in the presets.
23.05.2026 – Version 0.9.1. A few fixes and two new features. Randomize pitch in the seqeuncer, and a gain button.
20.05.2026 – initial release with version 0.9.0. Now comes the beta testing and polishing. You always overlook something.
First i toyed around with the graphical solutions like Hise, Reaktor and Pure Data. But the AI solutions was in big trouble here, since there was no code to write. And the usability of these graphical tools is everything but self explaining and good documented. I didn’t come really far. So i settled with the Juce C++ framework. Which then worked amazingly well. All in all, this development took just two amazingly short weeks. I love these modern times, which make it possible to bring ideas to life in such a short amount of time.
– Reiner