Aggressive Envelope Filters w/expression control

Fab Savage · #1 03-04-2013, 03:46 AM

Hi guys

I am in need of an envelope filter that has expression control,
and I am really after something that would give me a large freq range when doing a long slow sweep with the expression pedal. I would be using it for alt rock and not really in a funk application. I have tracks that I see it running with dirt but also as a straight up filter.

After reading several threads here and doing some google leg work, have narrowed my search down to the following pedals:

MOST PROMISING
Iron Ether xerograph dlx
Soundblox BEF pro
WMD Fatman

POSSIBLE BUT LESS PROMISING
3 leaf wonderlove/gr2 (seems great but its more of a funk machine)
EHX Enigma Qballs (Unlikely that I would use the built in OD and I have had quality issues with EHX before).
Subdecay Prometheus DLX (more phaser like in sound and I would never use the step feature)

I have also stumbled across a few others e.g. the guyatone ultron but these listed seem to be the top players.

I would be using a mission engineering SP2 as the controller if this makes a difference.

Digital (i.e soundblox) or Analogue isnt really an issue.. I guess Im no purist

The sound samples on the respective websites and youtube are helpful but advice is equally useful to me at this stage, so all comments are welcomed!

Cheers

**Lebowsky** · #2 03-04-2013, 04:08 AM

I just bought a Xero Deluxe specifically for this (agressive in rock). But I haven't received it yet so I can't tell you much more.. sorry :x

BassKitty101 · #3 03-04-2013, 04:12 AM

I don't know a huge amount about envelope filter's but I purchased the Soundblox BEF Pro and I must say, if you can't get what you are looking for out of that thing you either have looked hard enough or it probably doesn't exist. I've had the thing for 3 months now and I'm still finding new stuff to do with it.

The nice thing about going with that pedal is if you have any trouble with it just go talk to some owners in the BEF threads and they will be happy to help you get your head around it!

sillyfabe · #4 03-04-2013, 04:18 AM

I have a WMD Super Fatman and it can do this VERY well. It has a huge range if set right and can cover a lot of ground. Personally if I want an EXTREMELY aggressive sweep I use a EHX H.O.G. in filter mode with the freq and res maxed.

Phagor · #5 03-04-2013, 06:25 AM

I have a Xero Deluxe that I use in a rock band - it's great for that, makes insane sounds.

Like all wild beasts, it's sometimes a bit tricky to tame, but it's worth it for the tone. You might want to run a compressor/limiter after it to catch some of the peaks.

I've also got a GR2 on my board, which I like for straight up envelope filter and synth sounds in its effect loop, but the Xero is better for heavier stuff. I agree, the GR2 is the box for funk.

Matt Dean · #6 03-04-2013, 08:30 AM

What Phagor said... the Xero D is probably what you want. It works well with expression pedals and does dub, funk, rock, crazy... however, I've drunk the Wonderlove cool aide and that is now my main filter.

dannybuoy · #7 03-04-2013, 08:41 AM

Sonuus Wahoo ticks pretty much all the boxes - got rid of all my other filters once I got mine! I've had the Xero, Proton, Fatman and more but this is the most flexible of them all.

DeltaPhoenix · #8 03-04-2013, 09:28 AM

Wahoo is interesting.
I do have a Xero DLX, it is my go to filter. I have had the BEF Pro, and it is awesome no doubt, but it lacks a bit of balls compared to the Xero DLX (I would use it for a second different flavor if I could though).

dannybuoy · #9 03-04-2013, 10:42 AM

Best thing about the Wahoo is you can combine two bandpass filters in parallel - one sweeping like a wah and one fixed around 100Hz. This way you get a better sounding (IMHO) filter sweep than the Xero's lowpass, yet you still keep the lows!

maxbel71 · #10 03-04-2013, 11:44 AM

Xero Deluxeg
taadmin
stm intranet
mbellehumeur

**Lebowsky** · #11 03-05-2013, 03:23 AM

@OP, I forgot in my first reply, but you might be also interested in this thread I started a few weeks ago

Getting close to this synth sound? Xerograph?

Fab Savage · #12 03-05-2013, 05:49 AM

Thankyou all very much, your input is helping quite a lot.

I was beggining to lean quite favourably towards the xero, but after checking out the Sonuus I must say that it looks like a most awesome piece of kit!! Nice one Dannybuoy!

The demos for the Wahoo dont seem to show a huge freq sweep range however I bet you could adjust it to do so.

@Dannybuoy - any idea of the current draw for this pedal? I couldnt find it on the website.

Again... cheers for everyone's 2c