if price isn't a concern and you want to sound like bootsy, then get what bootsy uses...Musitronics Mu-tron III.
end thread.
end thread.
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cant pick an envelope filter. help!
- Thread starter Guest043
- Start date
in another "what filter" thread someone mentioned that bootsy used a DOD lime green FX25 for a while as his main filter..but that diddnt really add to my desision.
the DOD sounds more unique. the Qtron definately does sound a LOT of a mutron III, but the DOD has more of a sound i can consider my own, not bootsys- but definately bootsy influenced, if that makes sence.
and regardless of everyone elses experience with the Qtron and EHX, my experience with them has stunk. 3 out of 3 pedals dying VERY quickly, not what id expect from a company that seems real popular among TBers..
but on a more positive note, i found a good filter, i bought it, and i love it. no need for a limiter/compressor if you ask me, the volume peaks are part of the sound..
Bootsy uses a bunch of Mutrons and a (singular) DOD FX25. At least that's what he listed in Bassplayer for his current nowadays rig. Back in the day, all he had listed for filter was a mutron.
also, i'm glad you're not into limiting compressing filters either. i like em raw and delicious as well.
what filter did you chose?
EBS Bass IQ....I tried them all....sounds great...instantly dialed in Herbie Hancocks Chameleon synth sound when I tried it...built to last thru nuclear winter...pricey but worth every penny.
There is a dial inside the unit to adjust the wet/dry blend....makes a world of difference to adjust to your playing style.
There is a dial inside the unit to adjust the wet/dry blend....makes a world of difference to adjust to your playing style.
Woah... Totally different experience to mine then.
Its like "WeooooooooHHHHHH" if that makes any sense? Im actually considering moving to something that doesn't scare the hell out of me to use through my rig!
Hooked my old (non-sparkle Green... Black print... think it's from around '90) FX25 up to my rig the other night... and that's a pretty good description of my experience.
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c
I've started my search for a filter.
Has anyone built the EF440 kit DOD 440 clone from General Guitar Gadgets?
The EMMA DiscumBOBulator, AF-9, EHX Q-Tron+, Boomstick Bottom Feeder are on my radar right now.
I'm wondering if the Bottom Feeder is similar (or the same) to the DOD 440 kit but with the bass mod done to it as mentioned here: Invalid Link Removed
Since the EF440 kit is $58 and the rest are $150 and up, I'm very tempted to build it.
Has anyone built the EF440 kit DOD 440 clone from General Guitar Gadgets?
The EMMA DiscumBOBulator, AF-9, EHX Q-Tron+, Boomstick Bottom Feeder are on my radar right now.
I'm wondering if the Bottom Feeder is similar (or the same) to the DOD 440 kit but with the bass mod done to it as mentioned here: Invalid Link Removed
Since the EF440 kit is $58 and the rest are $150 and up, I'm very tempted to build it.
I've tried all the ones you mentioned below except the kit and liked the AF-9 the most. The thing about the AF-9 IMO is that I found it to be a little difficult to control but it's in my top five favorite filters.
I have to post my vote for the Qtron+. I LOVE envelope filters and the Q+ is the best for me. I admit I haven't had the good fortune to play an original Mutron.
Hopefully, the OP has found his filter by now, I mean, it's been a while. Anyway, as a filter fan myself, I must mention the Menatone MailBomb. It's not your daddy's filter, wish I had the ability to post a clip, but truth is, it's synthy-filter-funk-in-a-box, inc.
The problem for me is I have been able to try very many of them. My local Guitar Center doesn't even have the Q-Tron in. The local shop carries the AF-9 and DiscumBOBulator but have been out of stock for awhile now. And worst of all everyone has a different favorite filter here. 
I know they are different animals but I also plan on getting a Wilson Effects Q-Wah. Anyone use their wah with a filter for some craziness?
I know they are different animals but I also plan on getting a Wilson Effects Q-Wah. Anyone use their wah with a filter for some craziness?
And worst of all everyone has a different favorite filter here.
Not just here. IMO, filters are the most personal of effects choices, partly because of the range of options available, but mostly because every filter will be a bit different through a particular rig and playing style.
I've actually had better luck with an autowah than an envelope filter after a wah. Putting a filter after a wah takes away your own dynamics as the rocking of the wah becomes what opens and closes the filter. Putting a wah afterwards didn't yield much help either. Now if you were parallel chaining them, I think that could be really interesting.
I agree, the one thing I've noticed about filters is that when I tried filters based on how many people said they like them I wasn't always happy with the results. Some of the most talked about filters didn't do what I wanted at all while some of the boutique filters did more than I wanted.
The Mu-tron, Meatball and Meatwad are my top 3 favorites but I find the Meats to have to much stuff going on for me. The Mu-tron is simple and to the point so that's why I like it.
bongomania
Commercial User
Yep, just because something is popular doesn't mean it's right for you (or me). Heck, just because something is popular doesn't even mean it's good. There are lots of explanations for popularity that don't result in you getting a filter that suits your taste.
As I've mentioned before, for example I like and respect TaySte and his opinions, but I have found he and I have very different taste in filters. So even reading a positive review from a well-established and experienced filter user doesn't necessarily mean that what they recommend is any good for somebody else. The best thing any one person can do is try the different pedals themselves, and if that's not feasible, then trying to interpret the descriptive words that people use other than just "it's awesome", and trying to collect as many different opinions as possible.
As I've mentioned before, for example I like and respect TaySte and his opinions, but I have found he and I have very different taste in filters. So even reading a positive review from a well-established and experienced filter user doesn't necessarily mean that what they recommend is any good for somebody else. The best thing any one person can do is try the different pedals themselves, and if that's not feasible, then trying to interpret the descriptive words that people use other than just "it's awesome", and trying to collect as many different opinions as possible.
Why? Just get a Pigtronix EP-1 - it's awesome.
Seriously, there's no other way to pick filters than just to play through them with your own gear.
To answer your above question, yes, the Bottom Feeder is an update on the DOD 440 filter modded for true bypass and better bass response.
If you like the sound of it, then I think building your own clone is a fine idea. That said, the filters you listed are pretty different sounding. I wouldn't label the DiscumBOBulator, Bottom Feeder and Q-Tron as being all that similar as filters go. The Maxon sounds a bit like a much wetter version of the EMMA, but otherwise those are fairly different sounding pedals.
I liked the EHX Q-Tron+ XO (small metal casing) best of all the EHX envelope followers. It's a bit more aggressive than the old style Q-Tron+, yet it does not suck too much low end. To me, the EHX effects were more "alive" and "colourful" than any of the competition Auto-Qs I was able to try out (MXR, EBS -- not much, I know...). The Q-Tron+ is very "liquid", and with the ability to have a 50/50 blend of effected and dry signal it's better suited for bass than others. So, I loved my Q-Tron+ XO until.... I got the...
Moog MF-101. Nothing compares to the MF-101: That one totally kills! The sound quality is in a completely different league than other envelope filters. And the ability to sent the filter at the edge of self-oscillation gets you some very spaced out funky sounds!
IMO,if you're on a budget, or are tight on space on your pedalboard, get the EHX Q-Tron+ XO, otherwise get the MF-101.
Moog MF-101. Nothing compares to the MF-101: That one totally kills! The sound quality is in a completely different league than other envelope filters. And the ability to sent the filter at the edge of self-oscillation gets you some very spaced out funky sounds!
IMO,if you're on a budget, or are tight on space on your pedalboard, get the EHX Q-Tron+ XO, otherwise get the MF-101.
bongomania
Commercial User
A "little" OT, eh?
Check out the TB soundclips WIKI: http://www.talkbass.com/wiki/index.php/Effects_Clip_Database#Crowther
My recommendation would have to be for the Moogerfooger MF101. I've owned a Q tron+, Bassballs, CS Agent 00Funk Mark II and been disapointed in all of them compared to the Moog.
