Best Envelope Filter Pedal ???

Julian Sileone · #1 03-21-2013, 01:37 AM

MXR M82, EHX Q Tron, Soundblox Envelope Filter, 3leaf Audio...

Boutique??? Classic???

What do you think?

Phagor · #2 03-21-2013, 02:48 AM

Depends on what sort of music you want to play, what sounds you like, what features you need... Many people in this forum have more than one on our pedal boards for different applications.

I have an Iron Ether Xerograph Deluxe for its fat synthy tone. I like it for rock and for filter sweeps with an expression pedal.

Then I have a 3 Leaf GR 2 for 'normal' envelope filter use, with octave and fuzz in the effect loop for synth sounds.

I also have an EBS BassIQ which goes in my gig bag when I don't take my pedal board. The EBS is thick and wet sounding, but a bit tricky to dial in sometimes.

Maybe tell us more about what music and bassists you like and what sound you are wanting to get.

Julian Sileone · #3 03-21-2013, 03:01 AM

Woooow the Iron Ether Xenograph deluxe is crazy!!! Really awesome dude!!!

DanRJBrasil · #4 03-21-2013, 04:44 AM

Enigma is awesome!

Julian Sileone · #5 03-21-2013, 10:05 AM

anyone ever hear the Ultron? that thing is too expensive!

zfunkman · #6 03-21-2013, 10:15 AM

I use a Q Tron and it works well and is my most used pedal.

**Abrahampost** · #7 03-21-2013, 10:16 AM

I use the EH Enigma Qballs and love it. It can be finicky to dial in but the amount of tone shaping you get is well worth the hassle.

chris lykins · #8 03-21-2013, 10:35 AM

My fave is the aguilar filter twin, its really thick!

FilterFunk · #9 03-21-2013, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abrahampost

I use the EH Enigma Qballs and love it. It can be finicky to dial in but the amount of tone shaping you get is well worth the hassle.

This is my choice. But I also believe that among the top-quality envelope filters, it all comes down to preference. There's simply no absolute way to measure "best." The Qballs gives me the features, response and voicing I'm looking for, so it's best for me. But I've tried the Fatman, GR, GR2, original Q-Tron+, DiscumBOBulator, Moogerfooger LPF, Source Audio BEF, and many others, and I couldn't tell you which is best, only what works best for me.

FilterFunk · #10 03-21-2013, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julian Sileone

anyone ever hear the Ultron? that thing is too expensive!

I've owned one; sounded too clean and hi-fi for my tastes. And the modulation sounded too perfect and processed. IMO, the pedal had no personality; no soul.

XXL · #11 03-21-2013, 11:48 AM

WMD SuperFatMan works for me, and I've tried quite a few filter pedals. Give one a go, also I reaaalllly wanna try a Wahoo.

Funkinthetrunk · #12 03-21-2013, 12:05 PM

Whatever Bootsy uses.

cst bass · #13 03-21-2013, 12:12 PM

The Enigma is awesome. I really like the tones you can get, and its got a good downsweep too. Its a great filter for sure. Takes some time, but once you get the idea you can really dial in some tones.

If im feeling lazy, ill use the BEF or FX-25, just because you don't have to tweak as much. (although you could get deep with the BEF settings)

I recently played an Agent Funk, and that thing kills. And I still want to get a IE Xerodeluxe.

It would be impossible for me to only have one filter.

HolmeBass · #14 03-21-2013, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FilterFunk

This is my choice. But I also believe that among the top-quality envelope filters, it all comes down to preference. There's simply no absolute way to measure "best." The Qballs gives me the features, response and voicing I'm looking for, so it's best for me. But I've tried the Fatman, GR, GR2, original Q-Tron+, DiscumBOBulator, Moogerfooger LPF, Source Audio BEF, and many others, and I couldn't tell you which is best, only what works best for me.

I completely agree- EFs are very personal in that they so intimately respond to your playing. So there are a number of excellent ones, and they all have different characters. Hard to pick "the best" - it will vary from player to player.

I am currently very happy with a Proton, and still also use a SA BEF.

I've been exploring a SuperFatman for about 5 weeks now, and while it is definitely cool and versatile, I am realizing it's not for me. I would never bad-mouth it though, I could see a lot of players loving it (and not just bassists- guitarists and keyboard players could get a lot out of the Super Fatman).

BawanaRik · #15 03-21-2013, 12:16 PM

I still have a Mutron III. As far as thick it's hard to beat.

zfunkman · #16 03-21-2013, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funkinthetrunk

Whatever Bootsy uses.

Bootsy uses 3 Mutrons which are no longer in production and have been out of production for many many years. If you can find one used it would be very expensive.

Funkinthetrunk · #17 03-21-2013, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zfunkman

Bootsy uses 3 Mutrons which are no longer in production and have been out of production for many many years. If you can find one used it would be very expensive.

Not when I saw him in concert...not 1 vintage Mutron III on his board. He was using DOD FX25 and Haztron III.

Julian Sileone · #18 03-21-2013, 07:25 PM

The soundblox bass envelope filter is very good too !!!

fasto · #19 03-22-2013, 05:44 AM

there is no "best" envelope filter ...

i like:
3Leaf Groove Regulator (v1), MXR Bass Envelope Filter, Exar Pig Nose

i don´t like:
EHX Q-Tron+ (big volume spike), DOD FX25-B (big volume drop)

Clark Dark · #20 03-22-2013, 06:08 AM

I agree with "no best" filter. I use my old Seamoon funk machine, the original Agent 00Funk, and my old MutronIII. At different times I like one over the other but all three remain on my pedal board. I also have an old Boss ME-6B and the filter on it kills. The OP ought to get several, they're easy to find used.