Envelope filter for bass. Users wants and needs

JAUQO III-X · #1 08-08-2009, 08:18 PM

What are you really looking for your dream EF for Bass to do?

RCCollins · #2 08-08-2009, 08:24 PM

i want one that can go "mwah" and also quack like a duck. Oh, and it's gotta do "tom sawyer" too.

JAUQO III-X · #3 08-08-2009, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCollins

i want one that can go "mwah" and also quack like a duck. Oh, and it's gotta do "tom sawyer" too.

Seriously.

BassJunkie730 · #4 08-08-2009, 08:58 PM

Enigma can mwah and quack - well except for the Rush thingy.

would be nice though if it had an external envelope trigger

Dr_Funkdamental · #5 08-08-2009, 08:59 PM

LOL I actually think he WAS serious. For me, I want one where the tone of the filter stays level from the lowest note to the highest. That, thick tone, true bypass, and heavy, Heavy "qua-umm..dang now I dont know what word to use lol.

Jared Lash · #6 08-08-2009, 08:59 PM

Seriously, there's not going to be a single filter that does everything I want.

Aggressive, super rubbery for slap - DOD FX25 (also for dub)

Sweepable Low Pass Filter for synth (Moog LPF)

Bouncy for fingerstyle - Classic Mutron

Great with fuzz - Meatball

Big, horn-like whomps - Fatman

And ideally it would have up and down sweeps and LP/BP modes, an effects loopn key inputn expression control options and probably a few other features I'm forgetting.

Currently I have a DOD and Moog on one board for their strong points and my general purpose filter is the Chunk 00Funk.

bongomania · #7 08-08-2009, 09:34 PM

For me, it would be (and I plan to DIY this in the nearish future) a DOD FX25, early version, plus a blend control, phase switch on the blend, and a peak limiter. Then I can die happy.

gastric · #8 08-08-2009, 09:38 PM

* Not 10" wide
* Since it'll have to do everything, it'll need presets
* And a volume knob. Every effect should have the ability to control the friggin' volume coming out of it. It's maddening when it's either too soft or too loud and not just right.

3toes · #9 08-08-2009, 09:52 PM

Integrated limiter and/or master volume.

Smurf-o-Deth · #10 08-08-2009, 10:00 PM

I think I'd be pleased as punch with the Groove Regulator if it had a stomp-switchable expression control.

Mark Olson · #11 08-08-2009, 10:25 PM

I used to be an envelope filter junkie. Owned thousands of dollars worth of them. Now I don't own a single one. But if I were going to buy another, it'd be the EHX Micro Q Tron, even though price is NOT an object. I only need something small and simple, with a sensitivity control to matching it to other basses, and the other control lets me dial in my sound perfectly.

Also, my ideal filter would have to open on every note. Some filters, namely the Ashdown envelope filter, for example, though it sounds proper with proper muting and space between notes, doesn't "track" as consistently as the Micro Q Tron, for example, and instead will continue on it's sweep onto a second note and such. That mightn't be a problem at all though because I've played many more filters that tracked each note consistently than didn't always, so it's relatively uncommon.

The sound has to be there, too, of course, but after owning so many envelope filters as many of us have, I've become skilled at getting generally what I want out of any envelope filter. I know a lot of players complain about "peakiness" in filters but I find with my technique I've never had a problem with it, not with Q Trons, full sized and small, not with anything. The trick is consistency with your hands. My hands tremble when I sit still, and I can do it, so so can you!

So for me I'd say three to four knobs max with not more than two switches, definitely including a sensitivity knob. And a warning on the box that says, "don't play this pedal if you can't hit your strings with consistent strength and vary it from string to string to get a consistent response out of the filter" would be excellent! I hate unintentionally inconsistent triggering of envelope filters almost as much as I hate... well I'll just leave it at that. I realize the fact that I'm looking for one good sound as opposed to several specific sounds sets me apart from most, but I hope that helps!

jufros · #12 08-08-2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Olson

I hate unintentionally inconsistent triggering of envelope filters almost as much as I hate sloppy left-hand muting into a sloppy fuzz into an envelope filter.

Yeah that. For funky stuff, I'm all about the AF-9 right now. The EBS is nice, more flexible, but not as full and warm to my ears.

For dubbed out sub-bass lines: FX25.

For electronica/dane/house/drum and bass/whatever: Moog MF-101

For more vintage analog synth-type sounds: Bass Microsynth (doesn't count I know)

I have an Enigma on its way to me though and if the start/stop frequency controls are as flexible and musical and those on the BMS, I very well change my mind about a lot of this. I'm kind of anticipating that it will basically be a super flexible Q-Tron that I can tune deeper and control the resonance on. If you just want to play some funky syncopated lines and be able to get some warm quack or muah (as opposed to one or the other!) when you need it, you can't go wrong with the AF-9.

markjazzbassist · #13 08-08-2009, 10:56 PM

the sound of the original mutron iii with the flexibility and versatility of the lovetone meatball.

Joe Gress · #14 08-08-2009, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gastric

* And a volume knob. Every effect should have the ability to control the friggin' volume coming out of it. It's maddening when it's either too soft or too loud and not just right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3toes

Integrated limiter and/or master volume.

These. Oh, and a blend I found out is extremely useful on a envelope filter. An effect's loop always makes a filter more useful as well.

davec · #15 08-08-2009, 11:13 PM

I want one that makes me play like you

varunkapahi · #16 08-08-2009, 11:28 PM

should definitely have VOLUME knob!! or am not buying

warwick.hoy · #17 08-08-2009, 11:38 PM

Simplicity. I've owned the Q-Tron and it was hard to get usable tones from it and it got lost in the mix quite easily. In all fairness it was my only effect when I had it and I was a novice.

The 442 is a much simpler design and I'm able to coax some great tones out of it. Having a fuzz and an octaver as well as a compressor helps however. I will be picking up a 3Leaf soon now that I'm back to work.

Jazz Ad · #18 08-09-2009, 01:03 AM

I want one that will always remain usable regardless of the settings, even if I lose a bit of versatility. Too often you have to adjust the pedal on stage because temperature changed by 3 degrees or 5 people entered the room.
It needs an effect level control too. Nothing is more frustrating than finding wonderful tones on a pedal but having to let it go because volume drops or boosts too much. Most filters are guilty of this.
A simple, well thought and reliable tool. I have several filters at the house and most of the time I end using my multieffect because the filters, if not perfect will sound just like last time I used them.

jufros · #19 08-09-2009, 01:09 AM

I don't care any more. The AF-9 brings the funk, the Moog and BMS bring the synth, I just need one that brings the heinous 50-60hz lows with a super fast resonant envelope. I'm not sure if that really exists though... But the different strokes for different folks motto is particularly applicable to filters. They're my favorite pedals and I burn through them like no other.

jucas · #20 08-09-2009, 01:19 AM

I wouldn't expect one to cover more than one (at most sort of two) of the filter sounds listed above, so it'd mostly be controls that I'd go for...

Sensitivity

Range

Attack/decay (even on one knob)

Maybe a blend.

A trigger/expression/env. in would be a nice touch too.

Then, I could see internally a LP/BP switch and maybe a frequency select switch. Be nice externally, but I wouldn't use 'em enough to waste the space.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

For me, it would be (and I plan to DIY this in the nearish future) a DOD FX25, early version, plus a blend control, phase switch on the blend, and a peak limiter. Then I can die happy.

I have an FX25 on breadboard but haven't gotten around to debugging yet. Hopefully this week. I'm mostly just after easier power supply and a better bypass. I'm willing to deal with volume spikes, and I doubt I'd have the skills something to tame them and a filter into a reasonable enclosure anyway.