The Sherman Rodec Restyler is a desktop stereo filter unit, the second product from Sherman and a collaboration with Rodec, another Belgian analog manufacturer1. Sherman itself pitches it as something beyond a conventional filter box: the maker calls it "no regular effects unit or filter bank ... it's a one of a kind 'RESTYLER'"2. Where a filter pedal on a pedalboard gives you one filter sweep, the Restyler puts a multimode three-way filter, an envelope follower and per-band amplitude modulation on the desktop, built for live tweaking with a big frequency knob and a huge frequency range1.
Sherman says the unit "can be used by deejays, musicians, producers, remixers & musical freaks worldwide"3, and Future Music's review found it has a different sound to the Sherman Filterbank that is both clear and musically precise1.
The controls
The front panel is organized in sections, and Future Music's review walks through them from left to right1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Big frequency dial | Sets the filter frequency; in Trigger mode it hones in on the selective frequency range that triggers the envelope1 |
| Trigger section (3 dials) | Sensitivity, speed and slope of the envelope follower1 |
| Three green AM dials | Add amplitude modulation to each frequency band, in positive and negative directions, shaped by the envelope follower1 |
| Three slope buttons | Attenuate the slope of each frequency band and switch between the two audio processor modes1 |
| Resonance and FM rotaries | On the far right of the panel1 |
| Three-position rocker switch | Cuts hard between the mix and dry signal1 |
| Mix, input and make-up gain dials | The last three dials on the panel1 |
The amplitude modulation is worth a closer look for players coming from pedals: the three green dials add AM to each frequency band individually, in positive and negative directions, and the amount is affected by the shape of the envelope follower1. That means the filter's response can follow your playing dynamics, closer in spirit to an envelope filter or synth pedal than to a static wah sweep.
Each band also has two LEDs, which blink between blue-master and green-slave states. These indicate which of the two filter dials will have a more powerful effect at that moment1.
Dual filter mode
When any of the slope buttons are down, the Restyler enters dual filter mode. This uses a master and slave frequency, which is what the blue and green LEDs are tracking1. In Trigger mode, the big dial can be used to hone in on the selective frequency range that triggers the envelope1.
Inputs, outputs and power
Round the back are the inputs and outputs of this stereo filter1. You can connect in with XLR, 1/4-inch jack and RCA cables; the outputs are the same minus the XLRs, which are available as an expansion, with holes cut in the unit ready for fitting1.
The maker's specification page gives the electrical detail2:
| Connection | Level | Impedance |
|---|---|---|
| Input, symmetrical (jack) | 50mV to 10V | 200k |
| Input, asymmetrical (RCA) | 50mV to 10V | 100k |
| Output, symmetrical (jack) | 0V to 6.6V | 300 |
| Output, asymmetrical (RCA) | 0V to 3.3V | 150 |
| Output, symmetrical (XLR, optional) | 0V to 6.6V | 600 |
Power comes from an external supply attached via a thread screw connector3. The maker specifies a power supply voltage of 230VAC and a power consumption of 18.5W23.
The 230VAC mains supply means this is a studio or desktop unit, not a pedalboard device. There is no battery option.
How it differs from the Sherman Filterbank
The Restyler is Sherman's second product, and the collaboration with Rodec shows in its construction: Future Music called it "the love child of this relationship is a tidy desktop stereo filter unit with the look of a precision piece of lab equip[ment]"1. In that review's verdict, it has a different sound to the Filterbank, one that is both clear and musically precise1. Where the Filterbank 2 is Sherman's rack-mounted filter, the Restyler is the desktop stereo take on the idea, with the dual filter mode and per-band AM as its own territory.
Future Music's summary of the unit's strengths was short:
"Big frequency knob. Built for live tweaking. Huge frequency range."
Future Music, reasons to buy, MusicRadar review1
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Questions
What is the Sherman Rodec Restyler?
A desktop stereo filter unit made by Sherman in collaboration with Rodec, two Belgian analog manufacturers. It combines a multimode three-way filter with low-pass, band-pass and high-pass modes, an envelope follower and per-band amplitude modulation. Sherman describes it as a one of a kind Restyler rather than a regular effects unit or filter bank.
What is dual filter mode on the Restyler?
When any of the three slope buttons are pressed down, the Restyler enters dual filter mode. This uses a master and slave frequency, and each band has two LEDs that blink between blue-master and green-slave states to show which of the two filter dials will have the stronger effect at that moment.
Does the Restyler have XLR connections?
Inputs accept XLR, 1/4-inch jack and RCA cables. Outputs are 1/4-inch jack and RCA, with XLR outputs available as an expansion; the maker lists symmetrical XLR outputs as optional, and holes are cut in the unit ready for fitting them.
How is the Restyler different from the Sherman Filterbank?
The Restyler is Sherman's second product and, in Future Music's review, it has a different sound to the Filterbank that is both clear and musically precise. It is a desktop stereo filter unit, while the Filterbank line is Sherman's original filter product.
Is the Restyler a guitar pedal or a desktop unit?
It is a desktop stereo filter unit, not a pedal. Future Music described it as a tidy desktop unit with the look of a precision piece of lab equipment. It runs on mains power, 230VAC at 18.5W, so it is not a battery or pedalboard device.
Sources (3)
- Sherman Rodec Restyler review, MusicRadar, 2009-10-20
- Features, Sherman (www.sherman.be)
- Restyler, Sherman (www.sherman.be)
