Source audio BEF quick question

[Jazzkuma]

I am looking for a new filter pedal. I have the baseballs but thats not really a true filter.

I just want to know if the Source Audio BEF Pro has the ability to be used as a Low Pass Filter.
Im asking this because I got to try out the Iron Ether Xerograph Deluxe a couple of days ago and I loved that pedal. But I have also heard great things from the BEF users.
Im just trying to see whether a few extra bucks might make the source audio worth it, seems to have more controls and the presets are nice.

[Skrogh]

The BEF mostly does lowpass filters.
The Bassballs is just two lowpass filters in parallel; the BEF got a lot of those "funny" filters too (mixes of lowpass and bandpass, multiple filters moving differently, you name it). but has got some standard 2-pole and 4-pole lowpass filters too.

I do not have a xenograph to compare it to though.

[Jazzkuma]

oh thanks, i wasn't aware the BEF was mainly a lowpass filter. I just have to decide which to get... Both the Xero and BEF always get positive feedback.

[zwkoch]

I own the BEF Pro and it is crazy versatile. You can use an expression pedal or hot hand to adjust everything from sweeps, frequency, time, and more. When you add in the LFO, it really is awesome. For my taste, it is worth every penny to have all of the options.

[DeltaPhoenix]

The BEF is nice but it doesn't hit as hard as the Xero. The BEF is missing a bit of oomph.

[M Sterling]

I have both and love them for different reasons. I agree with delta that the BEF is a little thinner sounding but makes up for it with presets and versatility.

I mainly use the BEF for envelope phasing and slower envelope filter stuff. I use the Xero for doing huge low pass filter sweeps, static LPF for stupidly deep sub bass, and fat synthy envelope filtering.

[HolmeBass]

I think to clarify, the BEF will not do static low-pass filtering, it is always an envelope triggered filter. It also has unusual controls, mostly no "sensitivity" or "threshold" control, so I don't think it can be fooled into operating as a static LPF, like I'm doing with my DOD fx-25.

I use my BEF for wobbles, and have a pretty intense fuzz ahead of it that has an EQ with the bass boosted, to help with the noted thiness. I think the BEF Pro has "lo-retain" settings that probably keep it from getting as thin, plus it has a built-in eq and savable pre-sets. If I were to just now be buying a BEF, I would definitely get the Pro version. You can't go wrong with the Xerograph Deluxe. Someday I will get one.

I would add for consideration Spencer, from 3Leaf Audio's filters. I've been really loving my Proton. Very easy to dial in and very juicy and funky. It's a MuTron III clone.

[Basehead]

You can use the BEF Pro as a static LPF by setting the envelope to be controller by an expression pedal.

That said, Delta and Sterls are right on - the BEF is a bit more polite sounding as a LPF. It definitely makes up for it in other ways, but that Xero Deluxe brings the carnage...