Are all envelope filter pedals reverse polarity?

Robertron · #1 07-21-2010, 10:54 AM

I want to be able to run an envelope filter parallel to an octave, but my groove regulator is reverse polarity and won't really cooperate. Are there any envelope filters that would work parallel to another signal?

gnasher1993 · #2 07-21-2010, 11:09 AM

Are all envelope filter pedals reverse polarity?

No

Are there any envelope filters that would work parallel to another signal?

Yes. I use a Boomstick Bottom Feeder. I'm sure there are loads of others, though.

bongomania · #3 07-21-2010, 11:13 AM

While the answer to the first question is still "no", please clarify whether you mean the audio signal or the power supply being in parallel or having reverse polarity. That will help us point you in the right direction.

Robertron · #4 07-21-2010, 11:21 AM

I'm referring to audio signal. Sorry.

cheapbasslovin · #5 07-21-2010, 11:44 AM

FWIW, I've found that if I run my filter in BP or HP, the inverted signals don't cancel in parallel with an octave very noticably.

My Qtron+ always worked in parallel with an octave, as did my Bassballs, but they both sound like *^#% with a non inverted clean blend. I always use my octave with no original signal in this application.

YMMV.

Robertron · #6 07-21-2010, 11:48 AM

I tried the GR in HP and BP parallel to my BOD but neither setting was getting through.

Does anybody know if the MXR BEF inverts the signal or not?

silky smoove · #7 07-21-2010, 11:57 AM

That's interesting. I've run my Groove Regulator before and after my MXR BOD and achieved different, but always pleasing results. I've settled on going BOD -> GR.

I've never noticed any sort of cancellation.

A couple questions:
1. Are you using the BOD in the effects loop of the GR?
2. Are you plugging into your amp's instrument input or its effects loop?

cheapbasslovin · #8 07-21-2010, 11:59 AM

Are you using the T1M blender in your profile or do you have a different parallel looper?

The T1M mini blender will not run an octave in a completely parallel circuit to the filter. It will split an octaved signal and run a parallel filter, or it will split a filtered signal and run a parallel octave, but it wont split the signal and run them both completely parallel from one another.

The results I posted from above were accomplished with a dual parallel looper.

dannybuoy · #9 07-21-2010, 12:03 PM

Ah, if you're talking about phase inversion then the Boomstick Bottom Feeder is another signal flipper I'm afraid!

Robertron · #10 07-21-2010, 12:17 PM

Nope I was running the Dry and Effect outputs on an MXR Blowtorch to the BOD and GR.

I want to be able to run my bass basically through two paths, one going Bass > BOD > Amp and Bass > Filter > Amp.

I looped a riff twice with my Jamman, one with octave and one with filter, and I've got myself craving the sound.

bongomania · #11 07-21-2010, 01:28 PM

Sounds like a perfect job for the [sfx] X&M crossover-mixer, or any splitter in combination with the FEA mixer (which has phase control).

silky smoove · #12 07-21-2010, 01:46 PM

Have you tried running Bass -> BOD -> GR -> Amp?

It may not be the sound you're looking for, but I get great results going that route.

dannybuoy · #13 07-21-2010, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Sounds like a perfect job for the [sfx] X&M crossover-mixer, or any splitter in combination with the FEA mixer (which has phase control).

Yup, I have an X&M and it sounds amazing with a filter/wah in the high loop.

bongomania · #14 07-21-2010, 03:55 PM

OTOH an octave-down will typically work best when fed only the notes from the A string and up, so maybe the OP needs a modded one that splits the high band!

kevteop · #15 07-21-2010, 04:00 PM

FWIW my Robot Factory Meatwad inverts the phase of the signal in Low-Pass or High-Pass modes. The Band-Pass output isn't flipped though, for some reason...

Maybe it's a quirk of the Meatball circuit.

cheapbasslovin · #16 07-21-2010, 07:11 PM

What are you using to blend them?

Robertron · #17 07-22-2010, 12:33 AM

I do love the sound of BOD > GR, one of my favorite tones.

I've seen the X&M, and combining that with an FEA Mixer sounds like ear sex, but I may just go with the Badger Schism.

Silent Fly · #18 07-22-2010, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robertron

I do love the sound of BOD > GR, one of my favorite tones.

I've seen the X&M, and combining that with an FEA Mixer sounds like ear sex, but I may just go with the Badger Schism.

I am not 100% sure you need an extra mixer. You should be able to cover everything with the X&M.

Even if a pedal in one of the loops inverts the phase, the X&M splits above and below a certain frequency. In other words, the signals in the high-loop and the signal in the low-loop are always different.

There is a little of overlap at the cut-off frequency but the filters are quite steep. I would be surprised if the effect of the phase inversion created a noticeable effect.