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Envelope filter/follower addict support group

#343
CletusMarley said:
I've been looking into Envelope Filters lately. Im thinking either a Q Tron or a Bassballs. Def going used and as cheap as I can. Lol
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Bass Balls is my favorite defect pedal because for me it is so versatile, responds to my touch, that nasty "fuzz" and up and down sweeping filters. IMHO the best version available is the Mooer Sweeper as it has the most useful modification already done with controls for the up and down sweeps, for an unknown reason labelled "range & resonance" these set where the filters cross resulting in the unique pseudo flange like sound. Once you get a feel for how the sensitivity works with your plucking style you are golden, too low and the filters never close too high and they are not responsive. I get a lot of mileage by reducing the output on my bass, changing pickups or where and how hard I play there is a lot of nasty magic in the Bass Balls. I have a small collection of Bass Balls OG, NYC, NYC modified as well as a couple of the Rocktron variants [Heart Attack and Reaction Filter] My current one is a one built by John K10 dubbed the BassBalls+. I still remember seeing an ad for the Bass Balls in some magazine and going on a quest to find one to make my own, it took several months and it has been a mainstay for me ever since.

My other favorite filter pedal is the Spectrum from Source Audio that also does octaver, dirt and LFO sounds to boot. Spectrum has a wide range of filter types and parameters to control and modify with a vast array of creations on Neuro.

The current nano QTron looks interesting but I have not tried one, the full size QTron is amazing a cross between early EHX filters like the DR Q and the MuTron III, co designed between EHX and Mike Biegel of MuTron fame. EHX has done a good selection of filters over the years, some quite unique. FWIW the Dr Q was my first filter pedal that I used on guitar and bass for decades.

Jazz board with Bass Balls+.jpg
 
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#344
bassbrad said:
IMHO the best version available is the Mooer Sweeper as it has the most useful modification already done with controls for the up and down sweeps, for an unknown reason labelled "range & resonance" these set where the filters cross resulting in the unique pseudo flange like sound.
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So maybe that's why I couldn't figure that damn pedal out lol. Range and resonance seemed entirely inappropriate for what I was hearing, but I wasn't able to hear what the knobs were actually doing, either. Each one actually controls a filter range?
 
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#345
MamothGrave said:
So maybe that's why I couldn't figure that damn pedal out lol. Range and resonance seemed entirely inappropriate for what I was hearing, but I wasn't able to hear what the knobs were actually doing, either. Each one actually controls a filter range?
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Yes, it is hard to really describe what the Bass Balls is doing even more confusing once you start to tweak those controls, the trick is to find the setting you find most pleasing and play play play. The controls are highly interactive and that is one reason I dig the pedal ~ the constantly changing variables.
 
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#346
I hooked up with my budd with the Moog last night to compare it with the Past FX. Now granted, this was not a pristine studio environment, it was a practice room in not ideal listening circumstances, but still it was fine for a comparison.

To my ears and my friend's ears they sounded exactly the same - with the exception that the Moog was slightly noisier. Neither sounded warmer or more vintage, both responded great, both were wet and bubbly, etc. A slight hiss thru the OG Moog, but it wasn't very noticeable at all.

Knobs responded similarly enough to be identical for my tastes, etc. Again, not exactly scientific or anything, but IMO the Past FX is about as close as it gets.
 
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#350
moon-bass said:
I hooked up with my budd with the Moog last night to compare it with the Past FX. Now granted, this was not a pristine studio environment, it was a practice room in not ideal listening circumstances, but still it was fine for a comparison.

To my ears and my friend's ears they sounded exactly the same - with the exception that the Moog was slightly noisier. Neither sounded warmer or more vintage, both responded great, both were wet and bubbly, etc. A slight hiss thru the OG Moog, but it wasn't very noticeable at all.

Knobs responded similarly enough to be identical for my tastes, etc. Again, not exactly scientific or anything, but IMO the Past FX is about as close as it gets.
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Considering the minimal price difference between the Past FX PX101 and the Behringer LPF it's a no brainer.

Plus you are supporting a dedicated boutique builder in these challenging times instead of an evil corp.
Evil Corp.jpg
 
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#353
Funkinthetrunk said:
I have and had a bunch, but no Prometheus. Always been curious though..
Not trying to derail or stealing anyone's thunder, but this one is special.
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Arrived today. So ... Brothers from another mother? Twins? Or kissin' cousins? Only one way to find out!!
20250822_195627~2.jpg
 
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#356
moon-bass said:
Honestly, out of all of the filters that I've tried, this one is absolutely one of my favorites. It's definitely in the top five. Take it from an addict, I just can't quit it!!
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I've bought it several times and keep coming back to it. I don't use filters like I used to, I'd survive just fine with the Octavius Squeezer. Survive vs living though... they are really amazing pedals
 
#359
Funkinthetrunk said:
Do tell
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Twins, buts with different fashion sense. The Funkulator is definitely much cooler looking , with the wood sides and that VU meter. I mean, just oozes quality and class, like it's wearing a tailored tux. Not that the Octavium isn't cool looking, but you know.

Other than that, there is a slight difference in the way that the the touch knob responds - the Funkulator is more responsive in the lower settings, but at a certain point on the dial they even put (around the 2:00 mark).

But the bottom line is that both are super cool and sound incredible and for all practical purposes incredible. Both are also super rare and I'm pretty lucky to have come across them.

Im going to sell one of them of course, and someone already has dibs on the Funkulator.

But first, recordings.
 
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