Envelope Filter: Analogman, Joshwah, Aguilar, Mu-Tron?

[Nitrofunk]

Hi! I'm looking for a pedal that replaces my DOD FX25B envelope filter. The sound of the DOD is absolutely great when playing alone, but its volume spikes and extreme lows make it unpractical in a band situation for me.
I tried the new nano Q-Tron which was easier to control and dial in, but was too polite for me.

After some research I narrowed it down to these four models, which almost always are recommended: the Joshwah from Broughton, the Aguilar Twin Filter, the Micro-Tron III or IV and the Analogman envelope filter (seems to be a modded vintage MXR).

Budget is around 200 - 250 bucks. Does anybody have any experiences with these filters? How do they control sound-wise/dialling in a good tone/which has the least extreme peaks? I don't know why, but I'm most interested in the Analogman envelope filter. So bonus points for anyone that uses one on bass and can share his/her experiences.
Thanks!
Peter

 

[mouthmw]

Joshwah is my favorite. I tested Twin Filter (with a band too) and it was alright I guess, but a bit meh for me in the band mix. I even found MXR BEF to be funkier and bubblier in the mix, definitely more pronounced. The Twin Filter I've tried had some weird clipping on the lowest notes too, could have been defective.

Haven't tried Micro Tron III because Joshwah simply stopped my envelope filter GAS to be honest. If Joshwah didn't do it for me, I'd definitely try Micro Tron III next.

 

[Nitrofunk]

What about the Analogman? Or even the EBS Blue Label BassIQ?

 

[Zbysek]

What I love about the Josh Wah is that it contains its own gain knob. One does not need to place dirt pedal before the filter in order to make the filter effect more pronounced...

The dirt on JW is so good that it can be used as a dirt effect (without th efilter effect)...

 

[Tom Bomb]

There's a reason people use crybabys on stage, filters in the studio Try an af-9. I'm thinking a talkbox may be my next little quack in the floorboards. Still loving the DODs, just quietly. But, it's not easy being green
​

 

[Nitrofunk]

The Af9 is too hard to find in Germany, unfortunately.

 

[Tom Bomb]

Sorry to hear that. I got mine from ishibashi, a few years back. Glad I did None there either, at the moment, sadly. But there's a good inflow — they do turn up, every once-in-a-while. Everything's harder to come by now. We've made a meal of things, I'm afraid.

Good luck.
​

 

[cnltb]

I STILL like discumbobulator V.1 better than others i have tried.

 

[MattZilla]

I STILL like discumbobulator V.1 better than others i have tried.

boring solo at home, easily the best I've used or heard in a dense band mix.

 

[bass12]

Of the pedals on that list the only one I've tried is the JoshWah. I've never had any issues with undesirable peaks when using that pedal.

 

[bassbrad]

Might I suggest that the Source Audio Spectrum should be on your list, as it covers the realm of those you mentioned and a whole lot more. My most versatile and easy to dial in Envelope Filter plus it is an octaver, modulation and a nice selection of dirt. Huge library of sounds on the Neuro Cloud.

Honorable mention for my all time favorite defect pedal the EHX Bass Balls or the Mooer Sweeper for consideration.

 

[cornfarmer]

Another happy Josh Wah user. I had the same FX25B for years, a DOD Performer Wah Filter 545, and whatever the EBS one is called, Q something?

The Josh's gain knob is it's secret weapon, I've used it as a straight up dirt/distortion pedal, it's unique in that it can do double duty. The filter controls have good flexibility, my kid likes to twist them all over the place and I have to go to the Broughton website to reacquaint myself from time to time.

 

[31HZ]

I have the problem that you're describing with pretty much every filter pedal to some degree.

I've tried most of the ones that you mention and more than a few others; my favorite is the MXR M82, and my second-favorite is the Josh.

Good luck with your quest!

 

[Killing Floor]

Add Grease Juicer or SGFX 76 Plus to the list. These get dirty.

For a more "clean" classic sound look at Seamoon, I love that one too.

 

[mobeme23]

i'm really eager to try the joshwah, but my current favorites are the Fwonkbeta for it's greasy intensity and the Source Audio C4 for it's unlimited adaptability. both tend to cut through the mix pretty well, though the Fwonk does get a bit wild, so i usually run my comp in front of it to tame the peaks.

 

[Maxi Funkl]

I have a Josh Wah and SGFX Supa Funk both work rather well for me.
Mutron Mini-Mu would be my next try if those 2 had not worked out for me.

 

[walking_line]

Haven't used the others, but also a happy Joshwah owner over here and totally agree about the excellent gain capabilities of the pedal.

 

[Jared Lash]

For live use the Aguilar Filter Twin can solve the problems you're having.

The sound with both filters (up & down) on can get a bit tiring after a while, but just dialing in an upsweep (or downsweep) gives you a filter that isn't exciting played solo, but works well in a band mix without big volume spikes or getting lost in the mix.

 

[jdaunt]

I had a JoshWah and liked it a lot. I also second the mention above of checking out the Source Audio Spectrum, i have the C4-which is the Spectrum with a few more bells and whistles, and it's easily the most consistent envelope and octaver i've ever tried. But if dialing in a digital pedal isn't your thing, the JoshWah is a good way to go.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

I just got a Joshwah, it's pretty good, with the gain control you can really get it to open up, like putting a dirt pedal before a traditional envelope filter. It's a good one, I actually have a Spectrum listed in the classifieds, it's a great filter that can do everything, but it was on the board I replaced it with the Joshwah for the sole fact that I just wanted something dead simple and need those few extra Ma draw to keep my power supply happy. That's no fault of the Spectrum though, just my needs and the insatiable urge to squeeze every last drop of power out of all my power supplies!
My gold standard is the Chunk Systems 00Funk which I have the v1 and v2, they just hit the right spot for me, that sticky funky burp. They've become damn near impossible to get, but they are well worth it if you can find one.