EHX Q-Tron or EHX Enigma?

BruceBass3901 · #1 01-10-2010, 05:29 AM

I am in the market for an Envelope Filter and think that these both look good.

My question is this; is there anything to choose between these two? And; are there any others in a similiar price range worth considering?

I am also looking at a EHX Basballs, but am unsuer if it is worth getting if I am after an evelope filter; would the EF not make it redundant?

billphreets · #2 01-10-2010, 06:59 AM

i own a bassballs and an old q tron + , to be perfectly honest i dont reckon the bassballs would be for you.. bit of a one trick pony that you may find hard to find a use for other than a novelty (i wouldnt sell mine though!) you can get some seriously funky tones out of the q trons and you can pick them up relatively cheap, as for the enigma ive heard it described as " qtron on steroids" hope this helps ya out ; )

3toes · #3 01-10-2010, 07:14 AM

Having owned both, to my ears, the Enigma has the ability to sound a lot "wetter." But at the same time, you get MUCH more control over the filter-sweep. So you do have the ability to dial in a more subtle sound if you want it, particularly with the Dry/Wet blend which is a GODSEND. The distortion is quite fun once you figure out how to tame it (internal trim pot may need to be adjusted).

In short, the Enigma does everything the Q-tron does (unless it's the Q+ with the fx loop), only better, imo.

Mr. Pickles · #4 01-10-2010, 07:36 AM

The Q-Tron is tricky to implement as it has a volume spike that can be hard to tame without a blending scheme. Filters are also very touch dependant, meaning the effect varies based on one's playing style and technique. Try before you buy!

The Enigma might be the way to go, however, as it has a wet/dry blend and is flexible. Good luck and keep us posted.

3toes · #5 01-10-2010, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

The Q-Tron is tricky to implement as it has a volume spike that can be hard to tame without a blending scheme. Filters are also very touch dependant, meaning the effect varies based on one's playing style and technique. Try before you buy!

The Enigma might be the way to go, however, as it has a wet/dry blend and is flexible. Good luck and keep us posted.

Yeah, forgot to mention that... I incorporate a boss LMB-3 limiter behind my enigma to fight the volume spike since I like the super wet sounds.

malagrino · #6 01-10-2010, 07:41 AM

3leaf Audio Groove Regulator
http://www.3leafaudio.com/

BruceBass3901 · #7 01-10-2010, 07:41 AM

Thanks for the help there guys. After what billphreets said, I think I will steer clear of the Bassballs. Atm, I am leaning more towards the Enigma, but are there any other EFs in a similiar proce range that would be just as good or better?

Also, @3toes - What do you mean ''(internal trim pot may need to be adjusted)''? I am fairly new to pedals. Also, what does the LMB-3 actually do to effect the signal? What difference does it make?

3toes · #8 01-10-2010, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceBass3901

Thanks for the help there guys. After what billphreets said, I think I will steer clear of the Bassballs. Atm, I am leaning more towards the Enigma, but are there any other EFs in a similiar proce range that would be just as good or better?

Also, @3toes - What do you meant ''(internal trim pot may need to be adjusted)''? I am fairly new to pedals

One sec, I'll snap a picture.

Basically if you open up the pedal, there's a small dial (trim pot) you can turn to decrease or increase the distortions level. I found it to be way too loud, so I opened it up and turned it down.

BRB w/ a pic.

3toes · #9 01-10-2010, 07:50 AM

See, it's clearly labeled "Distortion" and tells you to turn it to the right if you want the distortion louder. Just use a little flat-head screwdriver.

But like I said, I found it to be too loud, so I turned it down some.

BruceBass3901 · #10 01-10-2010, 07:52 AM

Awesome, thank you

What effect does the LMB-3 have on the signal? Is it absolutely necessary?

Also, @malagrino - How would you rate the 3Leaf Groove Regulator? I've heard mixed reports about it.

3toes · #11 01-10-2010, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceBass3901

Awesome, thank you

What effect does the LMB-3 have on the signal? Is it absolutely necessary?

Also, @malagrino - How would you rate the 3Leaf Groove Regulator? I've heard mixed reports about it.

If you're just playing in your bedroom, then I doubt you'd need it. But at gig-level volumes, *I* found it necessary to keep my signal more constant and keep my amp from peaking too much. Granted you can probably do that just as easily by adjusting your amp's gain. But for me, it was just much more practical to just be able to kick in my limiter whenever I want to use the enigma.

I really don't think it affects my tone much at all. And like I said, I only really turn it on when I'm using the Enigma.

BruceBass3901 · #12 01-10-2010, 08:00 AM

So its more a matter of preferance?

Are there any effects that sound good alongside an Envelop Filter? I currently have a Bass Big Mugg Pi and a Boss CEB-3 Chorus. Would they sound good with it?

Lapicide · #13 01-10-2010, 10:01 AM

I have the Q-Tron (original large box) and the Enigma, and use both. The Q-Tron gets one great sound, nice thick and funky. I have modded mine with a clean blend and volume control, so now I can tame it a bit and get a few more different sounds out of it, and still run a compressor post effect. The Enigma can get a variety of sounds that the Q-Tron can not. However with that, you plug into the Q, set the touchy gain and adjust a few controls to suit and play away. With the Enigma, tweak to your liking, tweak again see what else you can get out of it, hmmmm more different sounds, cool, tweak some more, hey that's a cool sound. With such a variety of sounds, more possibilities, requires more attention. After you learn it's abilities, you can dial in quickly to your liking. I do run other pedals before them. I'll add a touch of chorus or preferably nice slow flange, just a touch of it, not to take center stage of the Envelope follower. Basically a touch of some type of slow and wide modulation. It opens up the sound a bit, and doesn't sound "just like an envelope follower is on", funks it up a bit more....... Lapicide

BruceBass3901 · #14 01-10-2010, 10:35 AM

@Lapicide - Thanks for that =) But if you had to run just one of them, which would you go for? I don't really have the budget for both atm =(

Funkinthetrunk · #15 01-10-2010, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3toes

Having owned both, to my ears, the Enigma has the ability to sound a lot "wetter." But at the same time, you get MUCH more control over the filter-sweep. So you do have the ability to dial in a more subtle sound if you want it, particularly with the Dry/Wet blend which is a GODSEND. The distortion is quite fun once you figure out how to tame it (internal trim pot may need to be adjusted).

In short, the Enigma does everything the Q-tron does (unless it's the Q+ with the fx loop), only better, imo.

No contest, Enigma hands down. The Enigma is everything I wanted the Q to be...but wasn't.