Enigma Pedal- envelope filter question

Funkflats11 · #1 08-30-2009, 09:32 PM

I used search several times and have done as much research on this these pedals as possible. I currently trying to find a good envelope filter to replace my q tron +. The q-tron was too hard for me to control and find useful tone out of. I kinda felt that I was only using a fourth of the pedal

My question is does new Enigma designed have more useable tone and versatility than the Q-tron+. Also does Enigma have the same problems with control the volume/gain caused spikes? I really want a decent envelope filter that I won’t have to tweak every time I play.

I am also looking at 3 leaf audio regulator, which seems too be thought of highly on these forums. Anyone have a chance to play both?

Thanks

WaldoNova · #2 08-31-2009, 05:55 AM

I haven't played a 3leaf but there are clips at bassfuzz.com and it sounds awesome. I have an Enigma and really like it. I don't think it spikes like the Qtron+ has been known to do but I have never used a Qtron+ to really say if it does or not.

Swimming Bird · #3 08-31-2009, 08:09 AM

I tried the Enigma and was not impressed. I just couldn't get it to go as wet and funky as I want a filter to sound, though I bet it would make an awesome bass wah with an expression pedal. I'll agree with WaldoNova's assessment of it being less spikey than the Q-Tron+.

On paper the 3leaf looks awesome, but I can't recommend it as I haven't tried it. Also check out the WMD Fatman -- I've seen a lot of love for it too.

3toes · #4 08-31-2009, 08:19 AM

I've owned both, a Q+ and the Enigma, and currently LOVE my Enigma.

The Enigma does in fact have a spike, it's probably on par or a tad less than the Q+. However, the Enigma is so tweakable that you can easily produce ear and speaker-damaging sounds if you took it to the extremes.

The solution that I've found to work best (with any EHX Q pedal) is a limiter running behind it. I picked up a used Boss LMB-3 for about $40 US and it does wonders. Can control the spike well and makes the more extreme settings safer.

Here are some soundclips I recorded with it when I first got it, plenty wet and funky for my tastes:

With my lakland:

With my p-bass:

Bassblisters · #5 08-31-2009, 01:57 PM

Funkflats11 mentions, "the q-tron was too hard for me to control and find useful tone out of."

If this is your criteria, I would steer you away from any Electro Harmonix effects with lots of knobs. (I do own a SMMH, though.)

I don't yet own an Enigma Qballs. I may, some day, pick one up, though I don't think I would have use for it, given my other envelope filters. From the reviews of the Enigma Qballs on Talkbass, it appears that this pedal has wide ranges of sounds from small adjustments in the knobs. The expression pedal input is very cool. The clips I heard also have cool effects, but perhaps not the best tone, especially with the distortion.

If you want an envelope filter that you can easily get a good sound out of that is more intuitive to use and that does not require extreme precision with the knobs, it may be a good idea to consider the 3Leaf Groove Regulator. (This pedal does not have distortion or an expression pedal input, however, but it does have an effects loop.) I have many filters and find the Groove Regulator to be the easiest with which to dial in great tone that sounds "natural." It also avoids volume spikes, is quiet, works well with guitar and keyboards, has a smaller footprint, and contains an effects loop.

If the Enigma combined the Bassballs with the Qtron+ and without the dirt, I would have liked it more. Of course, tonality is all about what the individual likes, and there are many people who like the Enigma Qballs.

SuperMaximo93 · #6 08-31-2009, 02:12 PM

Woah, love the sound of the Enigma2 sound clip! What settings were you using for that?

3toes · #7 08-31-2009, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperMaximo93

Woah, love the sound of the Enigma2 sound clip! What settings were you using for that?

Blend at about 75% wet
LP mode
Attack: Fully CCW
Decay: Just shy of fully CCW
Start: 9 oclock
Stop: 3 oclock
Q: 1 oclock
Sens: 1 oclock

Funkflats11 · #8 09-01-2009, 10:40 AM

Alright thanks for the advice. I am now likely getting the 3 leaf groove when I have some cash. I seems fit my needs better. Maybe i'll keep the q-tron too as the two pedals sound very different. Unless anyone wants to buy a slightly used q-tron at discounted price.

Smurf-o-Deth · #9 09-01-2009, 11:03 AM

I'll chime in here with my dissenting, less-than-over-the-moon view of the Groove Regulator: do not pick it if you want a particularly wet sound or if you want a smooth decay on the sweep. Despite a good level of tweakability, I was not able to get it to both sweep in a way I wanted it to sweep (smooth and even, like a single wah sweep) and be wet enough at the same time. The GR is pretty gurgly and warbly when it gets anywhere close to wetness, in my time with it.

To counter, I'd suggest you also take a look at the EBS BassIQ; it is easy to use, with very few controls, but sounds great in all kinds of uses--I used to have one, sold it thinking other filters with more options (including the GR) would improve performance for me, and dumped those to buy another BassIQ.

fightthepower · #10 09-01-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swimming Bird

I tried the Enigma and was not impressed. I just couldn't get it to go as wet and funky as I want a filter to sound, though I bet it would make an awesome bass wah with an expression pedal. I'll agree with WaldoNova's assessment of it being less spikey than the Q-Tron+.

On paper the 3leaf looks awesome, but I can't recommend it as I haven't tried it. Also check out the WMD Fatman -- I've seen a lot of love for it too.

If you did not like the Enigma because of its lack of wetness, then steer clear of the GR unless you're are just in love with its envelope profile. The Fatman is a pretty cool filter in a synth context, but it is not a 'funky' filter and I think most people looking for that would be pretty underwhelmed.

newbold · #11 09-03-2009, 06:03 PM

keep the qtron and get a limiter.

what a great pedal (qtron)

Funkinthetrunk · #12 09-03-2009, 06:15 PM

Broke down and purchased the Enigma....WOW! Absolutely cool sounds inside that unit. Typical envelope filter sounds to weird extremes. It’s a keeper. Now, I’m down to 2 filters. My WMD FatMan been sent to the minors...for now.

jufros · #13 09-03-2009, 06:26 PM

The Enigma is definitely a really cool filter. I just dig the Maxon more for funk and I just bought a Robot Factory Photron for synth so I sold mine.

Funkinthetrunk · #14 09-04-2009, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smurf-o-Deth

To counter, I'd suggest you also take a look at the EBS BassIQ; it is easy to use, with very few controls, but sounds great in all kinds of uses--I used to have one, sold it thinking other filters with more options (including the GR) would improve performance for me, and dumped those to buy another BassIQ.

+1
BassIQ is by far my favorite, unreplaceable filter. Still holding the #1 filter spot on my pedal board. Fat, juicy, wet, you name it...especially in Hi-Q mode, my favorite setting.

For now, I'll use the Enigma for....actually, I don't know what I'll use it for, but I like it.

Funkinthetrunk · #15 09-04-2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funkinthetrunk

My WMD FatMan been sent to the minors...for now.

Well, the FatMan is back in the starting lineup...my new Enigma just died a horrible death...kaput(ed) out on me during some serious quacking session. Damn it.

WaldoNova · #16 09-05-2009, 07:53 AM

Mine died on me as well. I did send it to EHX and they fixed with no further cost than the shipping. I really like the sound of this filter but maybe there is a design flaw or something causing them to break. Anyone else have problems with their Enigma?

SuperMaximo93 · #17 09-05-2009, 08:42 AM

All this talk of Enigmas breaking is making me worried! Were you using a powersupply it didn't like or whatever or did it just die for no apparent reason?

Funkinthetrunk · #18 09-05-2009, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperMaximo93

All this talk of Enigmas breaking is making me worried! Were you using a powersupply it didn't like or whatever or did it just die for no apparent reason?

I was not aware of Enigmas having this problem, I thought it was just me. The place where I purchased it from is exchanging it out for another unit, since it died on me in only 2 days.

I did use the included power supply.

SuperMaximo93 · #19 09-05-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funkinthetrunk

I was not aware of Enigmas having this problem, I thought it was just me. The place where I purchased it from is exchanging it out for another unit, since it died on me in only 2 days.

I did use the included power supply.

Hm, okay. Might have been a bad batch or something otherwise a lot of people would be complaining by now I guess

Bassblisters · #20 09-05-2009, 11:56 AM

I'm not sure what kind of sound the original post was looking for, but the bigger issue seemed to me to be the ability to get a good sound out of a filter without tons of effort. I would have to agree with "Smurfy" that the 3 Leaf is not really an extreme, "wet" sound. However, the version 2 modification to the unit does add some resonance. I would say that the GR has a "natural" sound that can easily be dialed-in and be heard in the mix. We must also consider that this unit also works on guitar, as does the WMD Fatman and the Qtron+.

I have played on the EBS Bass IQ and found it very wet, especially with the toggle switch at the top. It's not an inexpensive unit, and I'd typically want more control of the sound relative to the price tag. For me, super-wet is fun on guitar but gets lost in the mix on bass, which is why I'm a big fan of the 3Leaf Groove Regulator.

So, if the person originally posting wants wet and easier to use than an EHX product, the EBS Bass IQ is probably a good choice, in my opinion. However, I wouldn't keep both the EBS Bass IQ and the QTron+ if I wanted variety in my filter line-up.

FYI, for a big, rubber bandy sound, I use an old, two-knob DOD FX25.