It's a good pedal, but not a good deal. I wouldn't pay more than $130-ish US for a v1. You can find v2's for much cheaper and IMO it's a better pedal.On Reverb for 175 €. Is this a good pedal and a good deal?
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Envelope filter/follower addict support group
- Thread starter moon-bass
- Start date
Back in the day comic sans was the shiznit. On this case they get a pass, because beauty comes from the inside.
Just ask ugly people ;-)
Beauty is only skin deep. I've had some ugly pedals that sounded great, and some pretty ones that just sucked *cough* Behringer *cough*
Just ask ugly people ;-)
Beauty is only skin deep. I've had some ugly pedals that sounded great, and some pretty ones that just sucked *cough* Behringer *cough*
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I dug this outta my cabinet, these are cool and unique sounding, especially when set to ATTACK #2. Somewhat synthy and works great with low B and E strings. Ray Parker Jr. used these on the first 'Raydio' album for both bass and guitar tracks. YouTube it. Listen to the song 'Me'. Best thing of all, no Comic Sans & Papyrus typefaces 
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That was my cut back in the day.I dug this outta my cabinet, these are cool and unique sounding, especially when set to ATTACK #2. Somewhat synthy and works great with low B and E strings. Ray Parker Jr. used these on the first 'Raydio' album for both bass and guitar tracks. YouTube it. Listen to the song 'Me'. Best thing of all, no Comic Sans & Papyrus typefaces
I still bump it. Ray Parker Jr is under appreciate.
EHX has long been my most used Envelope pedals, these were readily available and affordable in the market I grew up in others not so much.I dug this outta my cabinet, these are cool and unique sounding, especially when set to ATTACK #2. Somewhat synthy and works great with low B and E strings. Ray Parker Jr. used these on the first 'Raydio' album for both bass and guitar tracks. YouTube it. Listen to the song 'Me'. Best thing of all, no Comic Sans & Papyrus typefaces
I thoroughly dig the sound of my old big box EHX Qtron+. Had my first envelope filter (Arp version Mutron III w/ attached power cord) sounded as good, I don't think I'd have this unnatural obsession with envelope filters that I do. I also have the XO version of the Qtron+ somewhere.
I've only got the Wonderlove on the way, and unless a Meatball clone or Past FX-101 pops up for sale at a good price, I think I'm done with envelope filters ... for now. Maybe.
I do need to put some time into finishing my synth board (as detailed here - Synthy analog bass pedals that are designed to work together ).
So I thought I'd post a few lessons learned and the awards.
From a lessons learned side - first off, envelope filters are fun! I mean, I knew that, but I had always looked at the MuTron sound as the be-all, end-all envelope filter sound, and man, was I wrong! So many different flavors of fun, plus synthy ones, ones that pair great with fuzz, ones with sidechains ...
While I'm on the subject of MuTrons, after all trying all of these filters, my tastes have definitely changed. Don't get me wrong, I still love me a good MuTron, but I'm digging more of the bubbly, quacky side of things with some high resonance - a little less stanky and a little more bubbly than a typical MuTron sound.
There's a difference between a real MuTron and a pedal that can cop the MuTron sound. If you're looking for that old school sound, the best way to do it is to get a MuTron; the second best is to get a MuTron clone or MuTron-alike. They are somewhat one trick ponies (but what a trick), but IMO the difference is real in sound and feel. That being said, IMO the more versatile filters sound better in a synthy set up. Speaking of which ...
Sound/tone isn't everything - the way that a filter responds is just as important.
Every filter isn't for everyone - there are some that people loved that I didn't care for, and others that I loved that others didn't. It's all personal preference. What works best for me might not work for someone else - vive la difference!
I like to keep things relatively simple - really this is a confirmation for me - I don't care for presets, tap tempos, LFO options, etc. I'm digging a good envelope filter that responds well, and that works best for me!
Reissues, clones, etc. - sometimes they can be really good, sometimes not so much. Even a reissue from the same manufacturer can vary.
Don't believe everything that you read on the internet (duh!!)!! There was a lot of mis-information around vintage pedals, and me being me, I had to find out for myself that the Ibanez/Maxon AF-9 are the exact same pedal on the inside, the AF-1/AFL are indeed different than the AF-9 (but the same as the 201), etc.
There's no such thing as too many envelope filters, but there may be a such thing as too many MuTron clones.
And finally, envelope filters are still my favorite pedal! This was a ton of fun!
I do need to put some time into finishing my synth board (as detailed here - Synthy analog bass pedals that are designed to work together ).
So I thought I'd post a few lessons learned and the awards.
From a lessons learned side - first off, envelope filters are fun! I mean, I knew that, but I had always looked at the MuTron sound as the be-all, end-all envelope filter sound, and man, was I wrong! So many different flavors of fun, plus synthy ones, ones that pair great with fuzz, ones with sidechains ...
While I'm on the subject of MuTrons, after all trying all of these filters, my tastes have definitely changed. Don't get me wrong, I still love me a good MuTron, but I'm digging more of the bubbly, quacky side of things with some high resonance - a little less stanky and a little more bubbly than a typical MuTron sound.
There's a difference between a real MuTron and a pedal that can cop the MuTron sound. If you're looking for that old school sound, the best way to do it is to get a MuTron; the second best is to get a MuTron clone or MuTron-alike. They are somewhat one trick ponies (but what a trick), but IMO the difference is real in sound and feel. That being said, IMO the more versatile filters sound better in a synthy set up. Speaking of which ...
Sound/tone isn't everything - the way that a filter responds is just as important.
Every filter isn't for everyone - there are some that people loved that I didn't care for, and others that I loved that others didn't. It's all personal preference. What works best for me might not work for someone else - vive la difference!
I like to keep things relatively simple - really this is a confirmation for me - I don't care for presets, tap tempos, LFO options, etc. I'm digging a good envelope filter that responds well, and that works best for me!
Reissues, clones, etc. - sometimes they can be really good, sometimes not so much. Even a reissue from the same manufacturer can vary.
Don't believe everything that you read on the internet (duh!!)!! There was a lot of mis-information around vintage pedals, and me being me, I had to find out for myself that the Ibanez/Maxon AF-9 are the exact same pedal on the inside, the AF-1/AFL are indeed different than the AF-9 (but the same as the 201), etc.
There's no such thing as too many envelope filters, but there may be a such thing as too many MuTron clones.
And finally, envelope filters are still my favorite pedal! This was a ton of fun!
It's awards time!
I may make several of these award posts, and as I mentioned earlier, if y'all have ideas, let me know! Caveat: I have a Wonderlove on the way, but I doubt that that pedal will change anything, but I'll make notes if it does.
Favorite: The Tru-tron 3x. It's everything that I wanted an EF to be - sounds incredible, responds incredibly well, and it has that MuTron vibe - sounds and feel - and then some. It's a great pedal, and probably will be one that I own forever. Second place is the 3 Leaf Groove Regulator 2 - this has been my #1 for awhile, and it took the TruTron to replace it. Third place is the Chunk Systems Agent 00Funk, and then the OG MuTron and the John K.
Favorite that isn't unobtanium: Gotta give this to the 3 Leaf Proton, followed by the MicroTron IV, then the Emma DiscumBOBulator. The various clones of the Chunk Systems are up there as well, but that kinda feels like cheating ...
Most versatile: Easy, the Macrodose. A lot of fun!
Most like a MuTron that isn't a MuTron: The John K, by far. It sounds, and most importantly, responds just like an OG MuTron. Next would be the Ibanez/Maxon AFL/AF-1 (and the 201 series), followed by the Ibanez/MAxon AF-9.
Least favorite: No surprise here - the Behringer. No sir, I did not like it. My least favorite of all time is still the DOD 440 reissue.
Biggest surprise: The Chunk Systems Agent 00 Funk. I didn't expect it to be as cool as it was, and it's found a permanent place with me.
Biggest surprise, part 2: Just how good the DOD FX25 sounded before a fuzz and for synth tones.
Biggest surprise, part 3: Envelope Phasers. Super cool, super funky.
Weirdest: The DOD 545. cool pedal, just ... weird. Lots of opportunities, but not like a traditional envelope filter IMO. reat for synthy swells tho.
Weirdest in a good way: the Seamoon Funk Machine. Maybe weird isn't the word, but it's got a cool vibe going that none other have
Easiest to get a great sound out of: The Mr. Black Fwonkbeta, followed closely by the Emma DiscumBOBulator.
Pedal that I REALLY, REALLY wanted to like but just didn't dig: The Iron Ether Xerograph Deluxe. Not that it's a bad pedal by any stretch, I just didn't get along with it.
Pedal that I REALLY, REALLY wanted to like ... part 2: The Solidgold FX Supafunk, Really had some great potential, but I think my playing style just isn't compatible with it.
The "Things just aren't like I remember them" award: The EHX Q-Tron+. I remember liking it a lot more, but that being said, I'm still digging on that effects loop.
EF that I wish I had back: The EHX Tube Zipper. Why, oh why, did I sell it?
And lastly, EF that I am still lusting after for some odd reason: The Maxon AF-FL Fireblade. Don't ask me why. I just need it. And yes, I realize that it's probably the exact same as the AF-9 inside. Hush.
I may make several of these award posts, and as I mentioned earlier, if y'all have ideas, let me know! Caveat: I have a Wonderlove on the way, but I doubt that that pedal will change anything, but I'll make notes if it does.
Favorite: The Tru-tron 3x. It's everything that I wanted an EF to be - sounds incredible, responds incredibly well, and it has that MuTron vibe - sounds and feel - and then some. It's a great pedal, and probably will be one that I own forever. Second place is the 3 Leaf Groove Regulator 2 - this has been my #1 for awhile, and it took the TruTron to replace it. Third place is the Chunk Systems Agent 00Funk, and then the OG MuTron and the John K.
Favorite that isn't unobtanium: Gotta give this to the 3 Leaf Proton, followed by the MicroTron IV, then the Emma DiscumBOBulator. The various clones of the Chunk Systems are up there as well, but that kinda feels like cheating ...
Most versatile: Easy, the Macrodose. A lot of fun!
Most like a MuTron that isn't a MuTron: The John K, by far. It sounds, and most importantly, responds just like an OG MuTron. Next would be the Ibanez/Maxon AFL/AF-1 (and the 201 series), followed by the Ibanez/MAxon AF-9.
Least favorite: No surprise here - the Behringer. No sir, I did not like it. My least favorite of all time is still the DOD 440 reissue.
Biggest surprise: The Chunk Systems Agent 00 Funk. I didn't expect it to be as cool as it was, and it's found a permanent place with me.
Biggest surprise, part 2: Just how good the DOD FX25 sounded before a fuzz and for synth tones.
Biggest surprise, part 3: Envelope Phasers. Super cool, super funky.
Weirdest: The DOD 545. cool pedal, just ... weird. Lots of opportunities, but not like a traditional envelope filter IMO. reat for synthy swells tho.
Weirdest in a good way: the Seamoon Funk Machine. Maybe weird isn't the word, but it's got a cool vibe going that none other have
Easiest to get a great sound out of: The Mr. Black Fwonkbeta, followed closely by the Emma DiscumBOBulator.
Pedal that I REALLY, REALLY wanted to like but just didn't dig: The Iron Ether Xerograph Deluxe. Not that it's a bad pedal by any stretch, I just didn't get along with it.
Pedal that I REALLY, REALLY wanted to like ... part 2: The Solidgold FX Supafunk, Really had some great potential, but I think my playing style just isn't compatible with it.
The "Things just aren't like I remember them" award: The EHX Q-Tron+. I remember liking it a lot more, but that being said, I'm still digging on that effects loop.
EF that I wish I had back: The EHX Tube Zipper. Why, oh why, did I sell it?
And lastly, EF that I am still lusting after for some odd reason: The Maxon AF-FL Fireblade. Don't ask me why. I just need it. And yes, I realize that it's probably the exact same as the AF-9 inside. Hush.
The PastFX is not that expensive. About 200 bucks on Reverb with free shipping. I've had it in my cart for awhile, but I haven't really had much time to play around with the SA Artifakt yet, which also has a filter modeled after the Moog.
The more time I spend with this pedal, the more I’m convinced it’s the best filter my ears have heard. It just sounds perfect, the echo is insanely cool, and Humanizer mode gets very synth-y. Then there’s the three other modes which shift the filter frequencies.
For $73.60 this thing killed my G.A.S. for the new MXR Synth.
For $73.60 this thing killed my G.A.S. for the new MXR Synth.
Wonderlove is a very good tron type filter, nothing ground breaking. But you're right, you can never have too many Bootsy in a box.
Yes!! I posted this pedal in a Facebook group and someone who had owned one for 15 years didn’t know about the echo. I made his month.
With the mode knob all the way to the left/down (Tempo) — hit a note a let it ring. Then hit a double stop and let it ring. Then play over it like a tiny looper! It’s amazing.
I will have to give it a try...thanks!Yes!! I posted this pedal in a Facebook group and someone who had owned one for 15 years didn’t know about the echo. I made his month.
With the mode knob all the way to the left/down (Tempo) — hit a note a let it ring. Then hit a double stop and let it ring. Then play over it like a tiny looper! It’s amazing.
I tried a few filters and always came back to the old Digitech BSW, somehow that's the one falling deep in my ears. Love its sub mode and usually have on a talkbox-similar setting, which works perfect for me.
The Artifakt Envelope "Ladder" filter is crazy cool sounding and has so much range along with the additional functions that SA has generously included it can get quite synthy on it's own.
