EHX nano bassballs vs MXR envelope filter

hans9 · #1 09-21-2011, 07:45 AM

Hi guys,

i'm looking for a filter with a good wah sound... it doesn't matter if it has built in distortion or not...
right now i'm stuck between these two..

EHX nano bassballs and MXR envelope filter

which one do you think has a more flexible sound?
what are your "opinions" regarding the wah sound that they produce in a band mix??

thanks

mouthmw · #2 09-21-2011, 07:47 AM

I'd say the mxr has a lot more flexible sound. Bassballs looks like a one trick pony to me.

CalboDaGo · #3 09-21-2011, 07:57 AM

if you want that coveted CalboDaGo sound...go with the mxr envelope filter. Im not really into effects,but the only 2 i own are the Steve Vai Bad horsie wah and the mxr filter. may the funk be with you!

hans9 · #4 09-21-2011, 08:15 AM

thanks guys...

i guess i'll save up a little more so i can get that mxr envelope filter...

CalboDago -- thanks for the laugh hahahah!

may the funk be with you guys!!

bassbrad · #5 09-21-2011, 11:06 AM

The BassBalls is such a unique effect it really ain't for everyone, but it is my fave for that reason.

cheapbasslovin · #6 09-21-2011, 05:10 PM

Bassballs is far from a one trick pony if you get creative with the trimpots IMO, but is not as versatile as the MXR. With the trimpots set right it fills out the low end better than the MXR (if clips of the MXR are to be believed; I don't own the MXR). Most clips I've seen of the Bassballs display it without a trimpot mod. MY CLIPS show it off by tweaking the trimpots almost exclusively. Not much in the way of playing, but you can hear how it responds. Hopefully it will help your decision.

You won't get a Bassballs sound out of a MXR. You won't get a MXR sound out of a Bassballs, IMO.

Just a little something to ~~further confuse the issue~~ help you with your decision.

FilterFunk · #7 09-21-2011, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheapbasslovin

MY CLIPS show it off by tweaking the trimpots almost exclusively. Not much in the way of playing, but you can hear how it responds.

I'd never heard the Bassballs without that "hollowed out" tone until I listened to your clips - thanks! I've always liked the Bassballs vocal quality, but hated the weak low end. I still prefer it without the distortion, though. I just might have to get one now!

bassbrad · #8 09-21-2011, 06:40 PM

But you will have to get it modded to have access to the internal trim pots.

cheapbasslovin · #9 09-22-2011, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassbrad

But you will have to get it modded to have access to the internal trim pots.

If you're the kind of guy that sets his pedal up then leaves his settings in one place until he dumps the pedal, you probably don't need to mod it to get the trimmer funk out of it. Just pull the back and tweak while you play.

If you want to tweak on the fly, you will need to mod it, or have someone do it for you. It is a pretty straightforward mod. Even if you are sausage fingered like me.

Here's a link to a good thread about it.

hans9 · #10 09-22-2011, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheapbasslovin

Bassballs is far from a one trick pony if you get creative with the trimpots IMO, but is not as versatile as the MXR. With the trimpots set right it fills out the low end better than the MXR (if clips of the MXR are to be believed; I don't own the MXR). Most clips I've seen of the Bassballs display it without a trimpot mod. MY CLIPS show it off by tweaking the trimpots almost exclusively. Not much in the way of playing, but you can hear how it responds. Hopefully it will help your decision.

You won't get a Bassballs sound out of a MXR. You won't get a MXR sound out of a Bassballs, IMO.

Just a little something to ~~further confuse the issue~~ help you with your decision.

how do you mod it?? do u have to buy something to mod it??

cheapbasslovin · #11 09-22-2011, 01:09 AM

Simul-post. See the one above your last.

kevteop · #12 09-22-2011, 02:53 AM

They are two different effects. The MXR is a low-pass filter, the Bassballs is a pair of band-pass filters arranged as a formant filter designed to produce vowel-like sounds. It also includes a distortion circuit to add some extra harmonics to the sound which will make the filter effect more prominent.

The Bassballs is a very specific sort of effect, it can sound really crazy and it's especially nice after other effects and other filters. The MXR is a more general-purpose bass filter effect.

raul · #13 09-22-2011, 04:53 PM

i've got the MXR envelope filter...it's so much fun! fun is the key. i love fun with a filter! so...fun to funky!

would getting the nano bass balls be overkill? not too similar, right? different enough to have both...? i love noises...and fun...and funky...

scHism · #14 09-22-2011, 05:02 PM

hans9, get the MXR BEF, just more options, you won't regret it.

basswave · #15 09-23-2011, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevteop

They are two different effects. The MXR is a low-pass filter, the Bassballs is a pair of band-pass filters arranged as a formant filter designed to produce vowel-like sounds. It also includes a distortion circuit to add some extra harmonics to the sound which will make the filter effect more prominent.

The Bassballs is a very specific sort of effect, it can sound really crazy and it's especially nice after other effects and other filters. The MXR is a more general-purpose bass filter effect.

Well put kevteop

I love the Bassballs but I would never just use that as my envelope filter. To me its a more specific voice. I use the Bassballs and Source Audio Pro. However the MXR is nice.

hans9 · #16 09-23-2011, 07:24 PM

thanks guys... now my friend has been bothering me to get the Enigma instead...damn!! now im more confused..

Gyver · #17 09-23-2011, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hans9

thanks guys... now my friend has been bothering me to get the Enigma instead...damn!! now im more confused..

I have the Riddle for guitar and it is incredible. I have played bass through it as well and it is still incredible - versatile to the max. I am sure the Enigma, which is the bass version of the Riddle, is worth the money and the wait. I was never happy with any guitar filters until I got the Riddle.

I have the Bassballs as well and like it, but it is really only good at one thing. I basically got it because it was affordable ($35 on eBay). The Enigma is going to cost you some cash, but if you really want a great filter and only one filter that is the one!

winterburn69 · #18 09-24-2011, 06:51 AM

Love the bassballs. Not really versatile, but it does what it does, and personally. I love it.

cheapbasslovin · #19 09-24-2011, 07:23 AM

I will happily recommend the Enigma, but there is one issue to be aware of. It is not a plug and play filter. If you are not familiar with how envelope filter controls work it will give you fits unless you are patient enough to learn the ins and outs of the pedal. Otherwise it is an amazing and unbelievably versatile filter.

bassbrad · #20 09-24-2011, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raul

i've got the MXR envelope filter...it's so much fun! fun is the key. i love fun with a filter! so...fun to funky!

would getting the nano bass balls be overkill? not too similar, right? different enough to have both...? i love noises...and fun...and funky...

Filters are the fun stuff and no it would not be overkill just another filter 4 toy joy. FWIW I usually have 2 filters on board one before the fuzz and Bass Balls after the fuzz.