Envelope Filter - Advice Please !!!

[bassman314]

for envelope filters (and related) I have both the USA and Russian Bassballs, and the Nano Dr. Q . I also have an EHX Bass Micro Synth.

I really like filters, especially when I use 2 amps and have one clean and one witht eh filter.. it's a great sound.

I'm in the midst of determining if I want to build a small pedal board devoted to the filtering of envelopes, but I know if I did, the following would be on my list, in addition to what I have already:

DOD25 (hopefully an older one.. like the lime green ones)
Maxon AF-9
one or more of the Qtron's
MXR Bass AutoQ (yeah yeah.. not REALLY an envelope filter...)

Prolly 1-2 more.

Don't overlook filters in the $75 - $150 range, like the Bassballs, or the Dr. Q. They sound great on bass, and you'll find yourself trying to find reasons to use them...

 

[Joshua Pickenpaugh]

I don't use them too much, but I dig the Q-Tron....got one for my birthday a few years ago from one of the best formor girlfriends, ever!

 

[343 Salty Beans]

I shouldn't be saying this as I am currently in the market, but the Q Tron + runs around $110 on the 'Bay.

 

[SpankyPants]

I shouldn't be saying this as I am currently in the market, but the Q Tron + runs around $110 on the 'Bay.

One in the Classifieds right now ;-D

 

[saxnbass]

please don't tear my playing apart too much(only been playin a year and a half) but here is a clip of me using my mini q-tron playing bits and pieces of buzzards of green hill by les claypool, this is just an idea of how the pedal sounds

Is someone shooting laser guns around in the background?

 

[Mr_Dave]

Hi guys,

First of all this is my first thread here so please cut me some slack here if I do anything wrong.
Ok... Im seriously thinking to get an Envelope Filter(ish) pedal. These are some that definitely on my list
- Emma Discumbobulator
- the Q-Trons (preferably the + one)
- Toadworks Enveloope
- Moog Low Pass
- Pigtronix Envelope Phaser (I know... its not really an EF but its kinda interesting)
Any suggestion ? Or any other options maybe ?
For ur information I play a Stingray 4.

Cheerz Guys

Hey man, i've got a Discumbobulator if you want to PM and try to work out a time to try it out...

I've also had a Qtron and bassballs and tried an orginal mutron, the HAZ labs mutron reissue and the AF9...

Cheers, Dave

 

[Rowsdower]

Is someone shooting laser guns around in the background?

why yes, yes someone is......

 

[elbastardo]

Thx a lot guys for the comments n stuff.
Yes Dave definitely we should hang around some time... especially with that impressive gears that u have there.
Im definitely going to get my hand on that Frostwave...
Thx

 

[DrGroovenstein]

I highly recommend the Mini Q Tron (not the Micro version)

The Mini is so simple and sounds fabulous. I paid $95 Canadian for mine new and it is a great drippy warbly filter with all the mojo you could want. Highly recommended!

Why not the micro?

 

[rekesbass]

Yeah....why not the micro?? same guts in a different(smaller,more durable) box,...ain't it??

 

[kayakbass]

Moog MF 101 is a SUPER greasey kind of sound. I love it! Run it with my HAZ Labs Mutron III reissue and get some REALLY cosmic Bootsy stuff happening. If you want a Mutron type sound, then Mutron you should get. EBS makes a REALLY nice one also. The Qtron's are rather poorly put together although I like the sounds available in those as well.

 

[Steve Clark]

I personally dig the EBS BassIQ.

+1. I also have a Q Tron. I also heard Mikebass using an MXR AutoQ this weekend and he had that dialed in beautifully.

 

[bass-shy]

Of the filters I have owned, the EMMA DB-1 has been the most usable for me. As others have stated, it lets the tone of your bass shine through and is rather clear sounding. Also, it doesn't suck lows, doesn't boost volume and it doesn't get lost in the mix like some other filters. Overall, I am very satisfied with mine.

 

[zombywoof5050]

Of the filters I have owned, the EMMA DB-1 has been the most usable for me. As others have stated, it lets the tone of your bass shine through and is rather clear sounding. Also, it doesn't suck lows, doesn't boost volume and it doesn't get lost in the mix like some other filters. Overall, I am very satisfied with mine.

I agree with everything you said.

 

[Spencer!]

Of the filters I have owned, the EMMA DB-1 has been the most usable for me. As others have stated, it lets the tone of your bass shine through and is rather clear sounding. Also, it doesn't suck lows, doesn't boost volume and it doesn't get lost in the mix like some other filters. Overall, I am very satisfied with mine.

The EMMA is nice. My gripe with it is that it's too subtle. It just can't get that growly, full envelope sound that some filters can.

Then again, I'm spoiled by my Meatball.

 

[bongomania]

Yeah, the problem with pretty much all envelope filters is they are either Bootsy-funky-deep-wet, with out-of-control volume spikes, OR they don't have the volume spikes but they also don't have as much booty or squelchy deep funk. It seems like people either settle for dealing with the volume issues (e.g. by using a compressor after) or they settle for (or prefer) a more controlled, polite tone. Me personally, I like the extra-booty ones, and just throw a comp on the end.

 

[Swift713]

Does anyone have sound clips of the Pigtronix Envelope Phaser? The clips on their site all seem sort of the same and kind of thin sounding. It looks like it should be able to do more but I'm not hearing what I want. I don't know if I'm making any sense.

 

[elbastardo]

yeah clips of Pigtronix would be great since i couldnt any except from the one in their web. btw, did i miss something or it is really true that EHX (im talking about the Q-tron and + of course) pedals are now true by-pass ? 'cuz there's one in ebay saying exactly that... confirmation pls

 

[markjazzbassist]

The EMMA is nice. My gripe with it is that it's too subtle. It just can't get that growly, full envelope sound that some filters can.

Then again, I'm spoiled by my Meatball.

same here. the Emma was too suttle, and Yes, I'm also spoiled with my Meatball. the Meatball is so tasty.

 

[nad]

Well since I now own two envelope filters, I guess I'm somewhat less unqualified to offer an opinion.

I have an EMMA Disco Bob and a Moogerfooger MF-101. I love them both and don't see myself ditching either one unless I'm strapped for cash or have a massive GAS attack. The EMMA is a little subtle compared to whacked out stuff, but is VERY usable and has no lousy volume issues. It also sounds great with distortions, fuzzes, phasers, and chorusi ran into it. It has enough control over the basics, and is very quick. Plug and play, great sounds are found instantly. I've only had mine for two days but I'm very much in love.

The Moog can get much nastier sounding, and also has great control over all your variables. However, it doesn't always go great with other pedals as it is LOUD, any pedal ran after it in the chain is clipped well into oblivion. Because of this I either use it alone, or in an effects loop. Also I've always been frustrated at finding the very small window of a sweet spot between farty squishy goodness and clipping the input, as the sensitivity control is linked to the input gain. With an active bass it's easier, but I'm mostly a passive player these days so that sucks. Steep learning curve. Worth it for the versatility and tone:

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Anyhow. I still want a Meatball. Either that or find an original Mu-tron at a garage sale for around tree-fiddy.