Envelope Filter/Autowah Options

[Zappstorius]

Currently I have: DOD fx25, Digitech BSW, Morley DBW.

There are things about all 3 pedals that I dig:

DOD: my optimal envelope filter sound...but it's so quiet that unless I use it with a fuzz pedal, it's almost inautible.

Digitech: extremely versitile pedal. Numerous sounds that I like, with the exception of the envelope filter.

Morley: good "metal" sounding wah, but the sweep is fairly limited.

I've tried to research as many pedals as I could, and have demoed some of them.

EHX Q-Tron: volume spikey, extremely complicated & touchy; like if I knocked a knob mid-show it could completely change the sound.

Boss AW3: Terrible IMO. Sounds good by itself, but in a band setting inaudible.

MXR Bass Auto Q: Sounds good, but seems complex to dial in a good sound.

What other affordable options are out there? Are there some settings that I should try on the pedals that I listed that would make a difference?

Thanks guys!

[dannybuoy]

The Boomstick Bottom Feeder is what I use, doesn't get lost in a band mix like certain others. Video here:

http://bassfuzz.com/2009/01/01/filte...tom-feeder/3//

For an exhaustive list of what's out there, this site is a great resource:

http://filters.muziq.be/type/filter/envelope

[3toes]

Well just remember that an Auto Wah and an Envelope Filter are two different effects.

It seems like you're leaning towards Envelope Filters though. If you think the Q-tron is a bit too much, check out the Dr. Q (like a q-tron but more subdued and only has one knob). Or maybe even the Bassballs.

Dr. Q:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clQ3qrxhywE (dunno why this guy is only doing guitar on these pedals)

Bassballs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K6ocbVKEsA (guy is only playing guitar in this one...)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIQCr1SlzUk (with bass)

[beggar98]

Man, I've never heard anyone complain about volume loss with the FX25. If anything, its the reverse. I know I use a comp after mine to try and calm the spikes. What setting do you use?

[Zappstorius]

Originally Posted by beggar98

Man, I've never heard anyone complain about volume loss with the FX25. If anything, its the reverse. I know I use a comp after mine to try and calm the spikes. What setting do you use?

Well maybe it is the settings that I'm using...the spikes come from the release (not sure if that is the right term), but I don't dig that "dub" sound, especially for the type of music that I play.

I'll have to play with the settings a bit more before I go out and get another filter...

[Zappstorius]

Originally Posted by 3toes

Well just remember that an Auto Wah and an Envelope Filter are two different effects.

It seems like you're leaning towards Envelope Filters though. If you think the Q-tron is a bit too much, check out the Dr. Q (like a q-tron but more subdued and only has one knob). Or maybe even the Bassballs.

Dr. Q:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clQ3qrxhywE (dunno why this guy is only doing guitar on these pedals)

Bassballs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K6ocbVKEsA (guy is only playing guitar in this one...)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIQCr1SlzUk (with bass)

I realize that they are two different things & I have checked out the Dr. Q (I know there are a lot of different versions though) and it will too subtle of an effect for me.

I've never demoed the Bassballs though, it doesn't seem like it gets a lot of TB love.

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by beggar98

Man, I've never heard anyone complain about volume loss with the FX25. If anything, its the reverse. I know I use a comp after mine to try and calm the spikes. What setting do you use?

+1

The FX25 was anything but "inaudible" for me. In fact, I finally parted ways with it because it was too hard to tame. Your (the OP's) experience is even more different from mine because one of the things I DIDN'T like about the DOD was it's sound with a fuzz running into it.

I really like the Maxon AF-9 though it's a bit more expensive, even used. Very wet and funky sounding.

Is the Tweaktronics Dynamic Filter still available? I thought it sounded great for the price.

The MXR isn't that hard to get a good sound out of but it is a bit different than most filters.

[Floridabwoy]

mine does the same. it is quiet until you get that big mid boost.

[Zappstorius]

Originally Posted by dannybuoy

The Boomstick Bottom Feeder is what I use, doesn't get lost in a band mix like certain others. Video here:

http://bassfuzz.com/2009/01/01/filte...tom-feeder/3//

For an exhaustive list of what's out there, this site is a great resource:

http://filters.muziq.be/type/filter/envelope

Thanks for the link! The bottom feeder sounds good in the video...is there anyplace that you can check this out (stores)? Or is this a mail order place exclusivley?

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by Zappstorius

Well maybe it is the settings that I'm using...the spikes come from the release (not sure if that is the right term), but I don't dig that "dub" sound, especially for the type of music that I play.

I'll have to play with the settings a bit more before I go out and get another filter...

Sounds like you need to turn the sensitivity up. Every bass is different, but I generally had the sensitivity knob on mine around 3 or 4 o'clock with the frequency knob around 1 or 2.

[Zappstorius]

Originally Posted by TheBigO

Sounds like you need to turn the sensitivity up. Every bass is different, but I generally had the sensitivity knob on mine around 3 or 4 o'clock with the frequency knob around 1 or 2.

Thanks! I'll give your settings a shot tonight.

[3toes]

Originally Posted by Zappstorius

I realize that they are two different things

Yeah, my understanding is that an Auto-Wah is kind of like a phase or flange in that you set a determined "Rate" for the Wah; it will have the same consistent wah-"cycle" until you change it on the pedal. Whereas the Envelope Filter responds to your actual playing dynamics.

but i dunno, it could just be a different name for the same thing. vv

[Jared Lash]

As a side note, I'll point out the misconception (one that I held for a long time) that the MXR is solely an autowah.

It's actually a weird hybrid. It's like an envelope filter but with an oscillator to add this wavering sound which can be blended in.

It's a very different sound and I could see how some people wouldn't dig it, but I think it's really underrated.

[Joe Gress]

Originally Posted by TheBigO

As a side note, I'll point out the misconception (one that I held for a long time) that the MXR is solely an autowah.

It's actually a weird hybrid. It's like an envelope filter but with an oscillator to add this wavering sound which can be blended in.

It's a very different sound and I could see how some people wouldn't dig it, but I think it's really underrated.

+1

The shimmer effect was really cool. I had one a while ago, I thought is was pretty neat, but not what i was looking for in a pedal. It worked really well as an autowah, but not a filter.

[Aurel]

You can also check out the EBS BassIQ which I own. I find it easier to dial in than the Chunk Systems Agent 00Funk or the Moogerfooger Low pass filter, especially in a band situation.

[kesslari]

There's also the Mutron III (original, expensive) and reissue (Mutron III+). The reissue is relatively inexpensive and sounds great - there's debate as to whether it sounds "as good as" the original, but honestly, as an owner, if this had been released in a different housing as a new pedal, people would be falling all over themselves to get it.

[rubber_ritchie]

How about the MXR M-188 Bass Auto Q Auto Wah http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-CYW...0C8D5&index=12 I haven't tried it but looks awesome!

[devnulljp]

Emma Discombobulator is good, and not spikey at all. But I still dig my Q-tron, faults and all.

[sillyfabe]

The EHX Enigma: QBALLS is a great option! Its made for bass and can hone in on just about any evnelop filter sound you wnat. I use it to mimic a bassballs, as a wah-wah via expression pedla, DUBBBBB, and anything in between