A good all around inexpensive envelope filter

[zelig.audio]

So, the question is simple and so direct that I couldn’t find an answer on previous threads:

What would be TB’s suggestion for an inexpensive no frills good all around envelope filter? Just something that could work in a function band to get in the ballpark of top 40s covers. Doesn’t need to be perfect.

 

[Bo0tsy]

So, the question is simple and so direct that I couldn’t find an answer on previous threads:

What would be TB’s suggestion for an inexpensive no frills good all around envelope filter? Just something that could work in a function band to get in the ballpark of top 40s covers. Doesn’t need to be perfect.

I'd recommend the EHX Nano Q-Tron here for a no frills cheap plug and play mu-tron sounding envelope filter. Super easy to dial in using LP mode and the volume control can ensure no boost to your volume when you engage it. For a slightly higher budget, then I'd suggest the MXR BEF. That's a bandpass envelope filter but the ability to blend in your clean signal is a great feature, and, whilst it is up sweep only too like the Q-Tron, there's a bit more variety to the range of sounds you can get out of the MXR.

 

[onda'bass]

I have a MXR that works fine for my basic needs

 

[BioDriver]

I have a MXR that works fine for my basic needs

+1. The features and sound you get for the price are hard to beat.

 

[BioDriver]

I have a MXR that works fine for my basic needs

+1. The features and sound you get for the price are hard to beat.

 

[bdplaid]

Id look at the ones on Amazon. Ive tried some of them and while I didn't keep any of them, i thought they were a "good enough" solution.

 

[bdplaid]

But I ended up with MXR.

 

[31HZ]

+1 for MXR, it's not my favorite (that would be the FwonkBeta) but it's solid and doesn't disappear in the mix.

 

[stubbsonic]

The Zoom MS-60B+ has six different envelope filters, along with good modulation FX, some fun & passable synths and octavers, as well. What's could be especially useful is that you can put a drive module and/or compressor in the same path to customize the tone.

 

[Lammchop93]

I really like the Aguilar filter twin. They can be found around $100 used.

 

[thebassgrognard]

I have the Behringer B-Tron III, I like it but it has a big footprint

 

[Bo0tsy]

This might help the OP. The MXR, Filter Twin and Nano Q-Tron are all featured in this video plus a couple of others

 

[JonathanPDX]

Envelope filters are really finicky, they react different to every bass, touch, and technique. If I'm a player who plays super light on a passive bass, and you are digging in really hard on an active bass with every control cranked up to 11, my recommendation for a good filter is literally useless because it will never sound the same for you as it does for me.

I've been hunting for a new one for my board and trying out lots of models, nothing beats plugging multiple pedals in side-by-side and A/Bing them with your own instrument. If that's not an option you might look to Amazon or other online vendors that have an easy return policy, because you just won't know how a given pedal is going to react in your hands until you can plug it in yourself.

 

[singlemalt]

The MXR is sweet and, best of all, SPARKLY PURPLE!

 

[BassBrass]

MXR is a band pass with a blend. EH nano Q is low pass or band pass or high pass with drive/level And EQ center. And a little cheaper unless you get a used MXR.
I use the EH in either low pass or bandpass (like the old DrQ.) I use the eq difference too. With enough level (1 pm) the low pass on it's lowest eq is basically what I'm looking for in an envelope, not a quack. Influenced by Bootsy using the old giant Moog...or Bill Lazwell and his customized DOD. Another modern good'n is Walrus Audio Kangra.
But come to think of it, in a function band the function of the MXR quack might function better.

 

[Hasty]

The correct answer is almost always the Mr. Black Fwonkbeta.

 

[blastoff]

This might help the OP. The MXR, Filter Twin and Nano Q-Tron are all featured in this video plus a couple of others

that demo made the Supa Funk seem the most interesting to me. its the only one that has a direction switch too, seems like. (although usually you gotta completely reconfigure the pedal when you switch directions (from bwa to baw) )

 

[Altitude]

The Tone Factor Analogue 442 is a great choice if you can find one.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

This might help the OP. The MXR, Filter Twin and Nano Q-Tron are all featured in this video plus a couple of others

Aguilar wins for me .. vintage and not too intrusive

 

[shirojiro]

What kind of top 40 covers are you doing?

I went around and around on this and ended up with a Future Impact for 80s tunes. It either nails or gets super close to the synth sounds from that era.

As for new envelope filter pedals, I use a super cheap DOD Fx25b or a not-so-cheap Maxon filter.

A compressor after the DOD is key to tame the massive low sweep that wants to shred your speakers.
It gets a classic quack though and the blend helps keep the bass from getting totally lost in the mix.

An added plus is the super cool dub sound from the DOD when the sensitivity is set to never open.