Just wanted to ask TB about thoughts about the filters I'm looking at. I know there are a million options, but I've narrowed to few to start exploring. Any impressions would be appreciated.
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Envelope filter choice
- Thread starter Laklandfan
- Start date
I've come to realize that filter is one of those effects that's like OD, its highly subjective to each player. I'm not a huge filter user. Personally though, I ended up liking what the source audio C4 offered me. Even the Artifakt has some really sweet filtering to utillize.
But if I had to choose any of the ones listed, I'd choose the Josh wah as I've heard nothing but good things about it.
But if I had to choose any of the ones listed, I'd choose the Josh wah as I've heard nothing but good things about it.
Given the choices, I went with the Joshwah. To be fair, I don't have any experience with the other options. However, I rate the Joshwah very highly.
The Joshwah and 3 leaf proton are both great and cover a similar area.
The iron ether xerograph deluxe is my favorite: For me, it's the most envelope filtery envelope filter I've come across... so stanky.
The Joshwah and 3 leaf proton are both great and cover a similar area.
The iron ether xerograph deluxe is my favorite: For me, it's the most envelope filtery envelope filter I've come across... so stanky.
From the three, I'd take the Aguilar. This being said I have not tried the josh wah, but I did try the proton (1st version) and hated it because it sounded like there was a low pass filter at the output and everything sounded too dark and muddy. However I love their chromatron which I own and it is my favorite filter.
I think the MXR BEF beats the Aguilar, EBS, and the Josh wah, but this is just a personal opinion obviously.
I think the MXR BEF beats the Aguilar, EBS, and the Josh wah, but this is just a personal opinion obviously.
The envelope filters I've tried are the MXR M82, the 3Leaf Proton V4 and Chromatron, the WMD Protostar, and the Broughton Joshwah. I also spent a really brief time with the EQD Spatial Delivery but I returned it from whence it came.
If I was going to recommend a solid first envelope filter to anyone, it'd be the JoshWah. It's available and it's solid.
For just being easy and sounding like a filter should sound I would say to check out a Behringer B-Tron III.
I tried a JoshWah and honestly, unless you don't otherwise run OD, the MXR BEF is just as good, if not better.
The Filter Twin is cool, but neither filter (there is an up sweep and a down sweep) is resonant enough for my taste. If you prefer less audacious, more textural effects sounds then the Aggie is the call.
I also own the EBS and like the Aggie, it might fit the bill if you want less aggressive envelope filtering.
But I want the super quack with some grunt in it. I use the Xero Dlx and MXR BEF on my board.
The Filter Twin is cool, but neither filter (there is an up sweep and a down sweep) is resonant enough for my taste. If you prefer less audacious, more textural effects sounds then the Aggie is the call.
I also own the EBS and like the Aggie, it might fit the bill if you want less aggressive envelope filtering.
But I want the super quack with some grunt in it. I use the Xero Dlx and MXR BEF on my board.
I've tried a bunch of filters. For a first time filter out of the three above, I'd go with the Joshwah.
King of the crop is the PastFX Px-101. Clone of the Moog MF-101. More stable than the Moog, much easier to live with yet incredibly expressive.
This is my favorite. BassBalls! This has been around for a number of years and getting the job done quite well while other brands are still chasing it. It's great and there is an online mod available to open it up even more.
Bassballs | Twin Dynamic Envelope Filter - Electro-Harmonix
An envelope follower for bass players who want to be unique and funky!
www.ehx.com
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I don't need another filter, but that PastFX Px-101 gives me gas.
My favourite bass filter is the boss aw-3 which is really underrated. I have a lot of filters and wahs. Of the three you've narrowed down to I'd say the Aguilar. But none are really my preference though all are undoubtedly great.
BARBANERA Low Pass Filter
Barbanera is a Low Pass Filter based on the discontinued Moog 101, offering even more features. With its integrated multiwaveform LFO, you are now ready to sail towards new lands and sound possibilities.-- Features:Level: adjusts the input gain. With this control you can set the right input gain...
triungulolab.com
Copy of the Moog. If you want the original MF-101, do that.
But also the Mutron also great:
Micro-Tron IV
A compact, convenient and affordable version of the classic Mu-Tron III™ envelope filter The NEW Micro-Tron IV is the newest reincarnation of the classic Mu-Tron III™ envelope filter. The Mic…
mu-tron.com
Or for more unobtainium:
Xerograph Iron Ether deluxe -
make sure you get an expression pedal for more fun.
Those all sound killer.
It should... I'm a synth junkie and the PX-101 - even as 'just a filter' holds its own. My synth rig is a Future Impact V4 sending pitch to midi note out to a Moog Minitaur or a Behringer CAT. and soon a Roland JU-06a... the PX-101 just has 'it'. One trick pony, but its a hella good trick.
edwinhurwitz
Supporting Member
I got turned on to the BassBalls by Bobby Vega back in '92. It's a great filter. It's sounds really good on fretless.
I also like the Groove Regulator 2, Wonderlove, Mutron III, the old school Dr. Q, and I've set up some good ones in a Lexicon MPX G2 (along with a great octaver), and a Fractal FX8. I'm sure I have others that I've forgotten. The Future Impact also has some great filter sounds.
I have yet to meet a filter I didn't like, although it seems that there have been a plethora that have been released since I last did a deep dive into filters.
Another vote for the PX-101 and remember on the PastFX site the price shown is AUD which converts to around 215 bucks. No affiliation, I just really like this one and have had and sold 2 of the pedals in your poll. -- My other recommendation is a Meatball clone since that gives you all kinds of filtering options and control and is the most responsive to playing dynamics IMO.
$215 makes that more tempting. I'll probably have to get one now.
I voted carrots, as I can never get the envelope to do what I want when I want. I use either a Dunlop bass wah or the Morley funk wah or whatever it's called. Both are off when the tredle are up so the "filter" opens when I want it to..
