Envelope Filters - anything better than the Maxon AF-9 for BASS ???

Waxhead · #1 08-12-2009, 08:44 PM

G'day guys,

I'm a guitar player turned bassist with 20 yrs experience with pedals of all kinds. Looking into an Envelope Filter for Bass only. It will be plugged into a Fender Jazz Bass with Dimarzio Model J PUP's and a Markbass cmd 102p combo. Will use no other pedals with bass - this will be the one and only.

My selection criteria are

a) Excellent overall EF tones for a variety of styles.
b) A non tone sucker - so either true bypass or one with an excellent quality buffer. That counts out anything made by Boss, Behringer or Line 6.
c) Smallish footprint & easy to dial up.
d) High quality and built like a brick.
e) Great value for money. Won't pay over US$250

Having a quick look around I see the Maxon AF-9 hits all those criteria. I have a few other Maxon pedals for guitar and rate em highly.
Does anything else hit my criteria.
Is there anything better you reckon for a Fender Jazz Bass and a Markbass style amp????

thx in advance

Smurf-o-Deth · #2 08-12-2009, 08:51 PM

3Leaf Audio Groove Regulator and Xotic Robotalk 2 both come to mind. In fact, I'd recommend either simply from a logistics standpoint, as the AF-9 is fussy, has few usable settings on bass, and is prone to volume spikes. A third option is the EBS BassIQ, which is a simple-to-operate, designed for bass, always-sounds-good filter. It is anything but a tweaker's delight, but you did mention wanting ease of use (the 3Leaf has a reputation for being easy to set-and-forget; the Robotalk 2 is still pretty thin on information, but I have one in the mail on its way to me, and I can post my thoughts when I get it). All three are available new for less than $250.

fightthepower · #3 08-12-2009, 08:54 PM

What do you like most about the Maxon and what are you looking for specifically in a filter? Does it need to be as wet as the Maxon and you consider the volume spikes an issue or an acceptable part of the super-wet-funky package?

Of the filters I've owned in the sub-$250 range, I'd recommend the 3Leaf Groove Regulator or the Subdecay Prometheus. They are both well made, true bypass, easy to dial up (on the EF side anyway). I really like the character of the Prometheus's filter, but as an envelope filter the Groove Regulator is more versatile and is very easy to use- It also has a classic funky/quacky sound but is not as resonant as the Maxon, and it is very transparent when activated. Slightly thicker but less versatile is the EBS Bass IQ, which I would put somewhere between the GR and Maxon in terms of tone and options.

Smurf-o-Deth · #4 08-12-2009, 09:01 PM

The versatility of the EBS lies not in how many ways you can bend it, but in how usable it is with what it is. It does funky quack, low-pass bwap, long synthy sweep, and vocal downward oh-ing, all with 2 knobs and a switch. It wasn't tweakable enough for me, but I'm a fussy bitch.

As for the Prometheus, its versatility lies in how many ways you can bend it--but as far as a straight-forward, this-is-my-only-filter kind of filter, I don't think it is the best fit here.

Edit: Dammit, I'm pimpin' the EBS like I owe RC money, and I'm not only on-topic, but moderately useful. Time to go post existential haikus in an SX thread.

Crabby · #5 08-12-2009, 11:34 PM

I own both the 3Leaf and the Robotalk2 and would be torn to only own one of them. They are the 2 best filters for bass I have yet to come by.

The 3Leaf is simple, very high quality and has no tone sucking or volume drop/spike issues. It is very well suited for bass and is extremely warm and wet sounding. very easy to set and works well with passive or active basses. It has none of the problems I have encountered with many other filters.

The Robotalk2 is going to be very popular with bass players once more people try it out and get over the fact that it does not have a random arpegiator built in as the original Robotalk did. The 2 is a 2 channel unit with each channel voiced differently. each channel has its own volume control and there is a master clean blend which is a stroke of genius. Its not as warm as the 3Leaf but stands out more and is a lot more versatile in many ways. I love the way the controls are laid out and cannot get a bad sound out of it.

I have both on my board and they have completely satisfied my GAS for filters. I cannot recommend them highly enough. If you like your filter sound to be very funky and warm, the 3leaf is for you. If you prefer a bot more of an aggressive tone that cuts through anything, the Robotalk2 may be more up your alley.

shineofleo · #6 08-12-2009, 11:37 PM

Hi Crabby, so you put an OCD on your board, for bass?

I am quite interested in this pedal but not sure it is good for bass...

Comments? Thanks.

Smurf-o-Deth · #7 08-12-2009, 11:45 PM

Thanks for chimin' in, Crabby. Though you're making my wait for my Robotalk 2 to arrive that much more painful.

Eublet · #8 08-13-2009, 06:55 AM

No experience with the AF-9, but if all the Maxon pedals are as nice as the CP-9 Pro+ that I have, it would be worth checking out.

sillyfabe · #9 08-13-2009, 07:07 AM

EHX Q-TRON (old model) it sounds so wet and funky and if you put a limiter after it then no more volume spikes!

3toes · #10 08-13-2009, 07:08 AM

I absolutely love my EHX Enigma. Wetter than the Q, more control over the filter sweep, distortion if you want it, and a blend knob that is absolutely worth its weight in gold.

gastric · #11 08-13-2009, 07:58 AM

I've thoroughly enjoyed my EBS BassIQ. Great for serious sweeps, and the Threshold is very responsive so you can set it to only trigger on really hard attack so you can play in the sweeps. Also, you can set the Threshold=Max, Attack=Min, and Switch=Down for some serious bass boosting lows. Which is my only complaint with the unit. The thing has a seriously high output which always boost overall volume a lot. Say hello to a compressor/limiter!

I've got a Maxon on the way to compare. From reviews it sounds more versatile, but hard to tweak.

My dream would be a 1U racked filter with presets and MIDI controllable that can do all of the filtering I could ever want.

Urban777 · #12 08-13-2009, 08:10 AM

Electro Harmonix Q-Tron[+] is a nice envelope filter. If you want it smaler (but not as good IMO) then ge tthe mini Q-Tron.

Swift713 · #13 08-13-2009, 08:17 AM

I love my Q-tron. It's not hard to control, you just have to learn how to play it. I do usually use either a compressor or overdrive after it to keep the level even with the rest of my chain, but I usually use either the comp or od anyway.
I think filters are a matter of personal taste so don't be surprised if you end up wanting to try something else. Then again, the Q-tron was my first real filter and just seems right to me.
Hmm, I need some coffee...

Waxhead · #14 08-13-2009, 08:25 AM

Hey thanks guys - some really good info you've given me.
I've just started checking out EF's for bass so I'm on a learning curve there and you've short cutted things for me

Will test out your suggestions where I can and I'm leaning towards the warm, funky and versatile side. Don't want a pedal causing volume spikes and won't use a compressor. Prefer to get my technique right.

But keep the recommendations coming if there's more

RCCollins · #15 08-13-2009, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smurf-o-Deth

The versatility of the EBS lies not in how many ways you can bend it, but in how usable it is with what it is. It does funky quack, low-pass bwap, long synthy sweep, and vocal downward oh-ing, all with 2 knobs and a switch. It wasn't tweakable enough for me, but I'm a fussy bitch.

Edit: Dammit, I'm pimpin' the EBS like I owe RC money, and I'm not only on-topic, but moderately useful. Time to go post existential haikus in an SX thread.

It's OK, I pimp it so hard myself you'd think i was getting reimbursed by EBS, and believe me, I'm not!

Everything you say about it is true. It isn't super tweakable, but has a great swampy sound and honestly, will fill the bill for most people's envelope needs.

I like the sound of it so much that I intend to keep it even when I expand my filter setup with something that has decay and width control

RS · #16 08-13-2009, 10:34 AM

I've owned about 6 or 7 different filters, and per my experience and your requirements the Maxon is a great choice. It is very versatile, true bypass, etc. I've not experience any volume spikes or fussyness like Smurf describes. Quite the opposite, in fact.

I've not tried the robotalk or 3leaf, so those may be good choices too.

groooooove · #17 08-13-2009, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crabby

I own both the 3Leaf and the Robotalk2 and would be torn to only own one of them. They are the 2 best filters for bass I have yet to come by.

The 3Leaf is simple, very high quality and has no tone sucking or volume drop/spike issues. It is very well suited for bass and is extremely warm and wet sounding. very easy to set and works well with passive or active basses. It has none of the problems I have encountered with many other filters.

The Robotalk2 is going to be very popular with bass players once more people try it out and get over the fact that it does not have a random arpegiator built in as the original Robotalk did. The 2 is a 2 channel unit with each channel voiced differently. each channel has its own volume control and there is a master clean blend which is a stroke of genius. Its not as warm as the 3Leaf but stands out more and is a lot more versatile in many ways. I love the way the controls are laid out and cannot get a bad sound out of it.

I have both on my board and they have completely satisfied my GAS for filters. I cannot recommend them highly enough. If you like your filter sound to be very funky and warm, the 3leaf is for you. If you prefer a bot more of an aggressive tone that cuts through anything, the Robotalk2 may be more up your alley.

is there anywhere i can hear clips of the robotalk 2 on bass? it looks like it might be the one.

Funkinthetrunk · #18 08-13-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCollins

Everything you say about it is true. It isn't super tweakable, but has a great swampy sound and honestly, will fill the bill for most people's envelope needs.

It works for me....it's my favorite.

Smurf-o-Deth · #19 08-13-2009, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by groooooove

is there anywhere i can hear clips of the robotalk 2 on bass? it looks like it might be the one.

When I get mine I'll try to post a little clippage.

Jared Lash · #20 08-13-2009, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smurf-o-Deth

When I get mine I'll try to post a little clippage.

It's a very cool pedal. The basic filter sound is the same as the original Robotalk which means a bit dry and very aggressive. Of course, this version has a clean blend, decay controls and the ability to run both sides of the pedal at once for some very cool sounds.

Let me know how you end up setting the DIP switches. I toyed with those things the entire week I had the Robotalk 2.