Electro-Harmonix Q-tron+ VS Enigma Qballs

[MarcGodin]

I'm wondering if someone have this 2 enveloppe filters. I'm looking to buy one of this but I don't know which one. The enigma seem very interesting but there a lack of video or clip about it. What I've heard it's the exh demo (not very convincing) and somes clips on this board but always chained with other effects(I don't have others effects). For the Q-tron, I've heard a lot more and not chained with others effects. At this moment the Q-tron seem to be the best for me. Can I tune the same sound with the enigma? I want to buy an enigma because It's made for the bass and I'm very curious about it; but 200$ and I have to order online...so forget about try before buy.
Thank,
Marc

[Funkinthetrunk]

The Enigma can do everything a Q-tron+ can (except the effect loop), and more. I'm very happy with my Enigma...it is everything I thought the Q-tron was going to be, but wasn't. But...the Enigma does have a boost in volume when activated, not too happy with that.

[MarcGodin]

Thanks,
I think it will be the best choice for me (the enigma). By the way I've found review and comments on this board to help me make my choice. So this thread is futile, I'll make a better search next time.

[RCCollins]

Originally Posted by Funkinthetrunk

But...the Enigma does have a boost in volume when activated, not too happy with that.

isnt there an internal input gain trimpot or something?

[TheFantod]

Funny you should ask, I just got my Enigma Q-balls today. I've been playing a Q-tron for 10+ years. After noodling around just at lunch, I'm pretty sure the torch has been passed.

The Q-balls can pretty much do everything the Q-tron does, plus a WHOLE lot more. It's a lot more versatile than the original Q-tron, IMHO.

I don't find the volume spikes to be any worse than my old silver Q-tron. You can just run a compressor/limiter after it if it's too bad.

If you're planning to buy new, I'd spend the extra ducats on the Enigma Q-Balls.

My 2¢

T

[Joe Gress]

Originally Posted by Funkinthetrunk

The Enigma can do everything a Q-tron+ can (except the effect loop), and more. I'm very happy with my Enigma...it is everything I thought the Q-tron was going to be, but wasn't. But...the Enigma does have a boost in volume when activated, not too happy with that.

Only the distortion gain can be adjusted. As with all of EHX's filters, there is a little bit of a volume boost. The cool thing about the enigma is that in certain spots on the blend dial, you can get very little boost.

I have and still love to use both the Enigma and my Qtron+. The Qtron is much wetter, slurpier, and with my B:assmaster in the effects loop, it can get some really synthy sounds. The Enigma is a bit rounder, fatter, and burpy than the qtron.

[FreaqyFrequency]

Originally Posted by RCCollins

isnt there an internal input gain trimpot or something?

For the distortion. The only way you can control the filter volume is with the sensitivity and your playing.

[FreaqyFrequency]

Originally Posted by Joe Gress

I have and still love to use both the Enigma and my Qtron+. The Qtron is much wetter, slurpier, and with my B:assmaster in the effects loop, it can get some really synthy sounds. The Enigma is a bit rounder, fatter, and burpy than the qtron.

I find the Enigma to be "synthy" in a very weird way. I can't get it to do much else other than quacky filter, WOMP, and a BSW-style sound and have it be serviceable. Still, for the sounds it makes, they are very cool indeed. I plan to use it live.

[Funkinthetrunk]

Originally Posted by RCCollins

isnt there an internal input gain trimpot or something?

Nope, but as Fantod says, it not that bad, I guess. The Super Fatman I've been testing out has an internal pot for the effect and clean signal volume. Damn cool little filter BTW. May cut into the Enigma's playing time.

[MarcGodin]

Originally Posted by Joe Gress

Only the distortion gain can be adjusted. As with all of EHX's filters, there is a little bit of a volume boost. The cool thing about the enigma is that in certain spots on the blend dial, you can get very little boost.

I have and still love to use both the Enigma and my Qtron+. The Qtron is much wetter, slurpier, and with my B:assmaster in the effects loop, it can get some really synthy sounds. The Enigma is a bit rounder, fatter, and burpy than the qtron.

Now I'm really confused The more a read about it the more that I don't know. My ears says to buy the Q-tron and it was my first idea. Probably I will buy both by the time. You never have too much enveloppe filters! For now, I have an EBS Valvedrive in the shipping, it will give me a couple of weeks to think about it.

[MarcGodin]

Originally Posted by FreaqyFrequency

I find the Enigma to be "synthy" in a very weird way. I can't get it to do much else other than quacky filter, WOMP, and a BSW-style sound and have it be serviceable. Still, for the sounds it makes, they are very cool indeed.

It's this kind of reading that make me hesitate! I like weird sounds but in the good way.

[FreaqyFrequency]

For what it's worth, I really dig the noises it makes, but it's a tough beast to tame. If you're going to get it, you'll need to invest more time with it than any other effect type you'll get short of an Eventide.

[bassbmx]

I sold my Q-tron+ to get an Enigma and am happy I did. I never used the Q-tron + effects loop and the extra control over filter parameters on the Enigma is great.

[Funkinthetrunk]

Originally Posted by FreaqyFrequency

I find the Enigma to be "synthy" in a very weird way.

??? To me, the Enigma sound like the "typical" envelope filter. Nothing weird to me. Just killer Bootsy type of sounds.