Envelope filter/follower addict support group

[bassbrad]

I was on a business trip last week an had a hold mail on my packages .. and USPS has decided to extend it. I ended up ordering a Billy Strings Wombtone and a Pigtronix Resotron (filter wise, I have a few more non-filter things coming as well), along with a Broughton Joshwah and a Dr. Scientist Dusk, and I need to put the Tube Zipper thru it's paces - and it's a lot more fun than I remember!

The Prunes & Custard and TWA Dynamorph are kinda related, and I'm looking forward to doing a comparison of the two.

All of that with the Bubbletron and a few other goodies (Mesa Bottlerocket is one of them!!) I should have plenty to do when I can play again ... in about a week.

Until then it's kinda hard just keeping the playing to a few minutes just to "check things out ..."

Have you discombobulated yourself or travelling? Either way wish for your return to grooving satisfaction soon.

 

[moon-bass]

Have you discombobulated yourself or travelling? Either way wish for your return to grooving satisfaction soon.

Bit of both! I was in Denver last week, so no bass, and the doctor says I have to rest my right hand for at least two weeks - old injury that is taking it's good sweet time to heal.

 

[moon-bass]

And I ended up ordering an AFG-1: A Dynamic Flanger by Asheville Music Tools - seems to be the best mix of ease of use and "what I'm looking for" in an envelope flanger.

Also, I didn't NEED an OG 3 Leaf Groove Regulator (v1), but damn if I'm susceptible to envelope filter GAS ...

 

[moon-bass]

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.

View attachment 7304719

What's your favorite Bassballs variant? The Rocktron ones are pretty cheap, but I'm not necessarily looking for cheap ... how are the new ones vs the older ones? I had an older one around here somewhere, but i think my brother stole, er, borrowed it awhile ago ...

 

[FretRiff]

I first became aware of the Mooer Sweeper when it was shown off in a couple of YouTube videos by SavageFridays (Jenn McCarron) who keeps one on her pedalboard.

 

[bassbrad]

What's your favorite Bassballs variant? The Rocktron ones are pretty cheap, but I'm not necessarily looking for cheap ... how are the new ones vs the older ones? I had an older one around here somewhere, but i think my brother stole, er, borrowed it awhile ago ...

My long time favorites are the NYC reissue Bass Balls in the old style bent metal cases, they look identical to the OG but have the status LED. I have tried the various Russian versions and while interesting and cool in their own visual way the sound did not really do it for me, {ymmv] there were the tank green and black some with blue and others with white printing. The current Nano versions are okay but I have never kept one for long. Of the clones the Mooer Sweeper is very satisfying especially since it has the lo/hi sweep option and the fuzz sounds correct and works well on bass or guitar, i have several of those as a BB is always on any board I put together. I do like the Rocktron Heart Attack and Reaction Filter but they sound better on guitar or keys, the Heart Attack is on a guitar board and the reaction is on a board of effects that I use with my electric pianos and clav. Reaction Filter does include an output volume but the pedal is very heavy.

John K's BassBalls+ does have a permanent place as it incorporates several options I had always wanted to better shape the response, he ought to do a short run if there is enough interest. I would love a second footwitch for the fuzz and additional controls for the fuzz, a clean blend and an output volume would complete a feature set but that would need a larger case.

I keep tinkering with the C4, Spectrum and FI to get a satisfying BASSBALLS sound and while I have some interesting variants none quite do what the analog circuit does, but the Spectrum C4 do offer some interesting variations for fuzz and have the additional mix and output volume settings that really help refine the experience.

I have been interested in the Aguilar Filter Twin as well as Xotic Robo Talk but have not tried them yet.

 

[smeet]

I've ordered an Emma DiscumBOBulator v3. While I wait for that to materialize, what do you all think of that compared to the competition?

 

[arepa_funk]

I started working on my board for a gig in December and I think I'm going to go with the WMD Super Fatman. (In the running were: 3Leaf Proton mk 4, Mr Black Fwonkbeta, Broughton Joshwah, 3Lead Groove Regulator.) The LP setting is enormous, with a ton of range available. I disabled the LFO too, don't dig that as much. According to the manual, I need an adaptor to use the CV input with a Moog EP3 expression pedal. Anybody know anything about this?

 

[Taustin Powers]

I paired the new mxr bass synth with the SA Spectrum today. They play very well together!! Created some really awesome sounds!

 

[FilterFunk]

I've ordered an Emma DiscumBOBulator v3. While I wait for that to materialize, what do you all think of that compared to the competition?

I've only tried the v1, and I liked it, but it quacked a little too perfectly for me. Not enough attitude. Very good filter, though.

 

[FilterFunk]

Moving a Discordance Electric FAT32 (Boss FT-2 clone). I like everything about it, but it doesn't have enough resonance for me. It really is FAT, though! Very thick and beefy.

I'm revisiting the Carl Martin Classic Envelope. It reminds me a lot of the EHX Mini Q-Tron (not the Micro, which IMO does not sound as good as the Mini; haevn't tried the Nano). I'm keeping the Carl Martin this time.

 

[moon-bass]

I've ordered an Emma DiscumBOBulator v3. While I wait for that to materialize, what do you all think of that compared to the competition?

I haven't tried the v3, but the v2 is superb - it's one of my favorites. It's very easy to get a great sound out of it. It's quite flexible - it will nail the Mutron sound and then some! That was a hard one to sell!

 

[muggsy]

It’s HERE. Played with it for maybe 10 minutes (all I had) and WOW. I know what I’m doing this weekend.

 

[smeet]

I haven't tried the v3, but the v2 is superb - it's one of my favorites. It's very easy to get a great sound out of it. It's quite flexible - it will nail the Mutron sound and then some! That was a hard one to sell!

But you did sell it, could I ask why? I've been pretty happy with my PastFX PX-101 (Moog LPF clone) but although it sounds great and nasty it isn't super versatile. Or maybe I'm making excuses to buy more stuff.

 

[FilterFunk]

I started buying envelope filters in 2007 (the DOD FX25B was my first). A while back, I decided to make a list of all the envelope filters I've tried. The ones bolded and underlined are the ones I currently own. Some of the others were fantastic, but they were just too expensive to keep.

Here's the list:

EHX Riddle Q-Balls; Jacques Trinity Wah; Source Audio Tri-Mod Wah; Carl Martin Classic Optical Envelope; Korg AX3B “Filtron” (custom); Musitronics Mu-Tron III; Univox Effectmatic (Licensed ‘70s Mu-Tron III clone); Seamoon Funk Machine (two knobs); Korg Synthepedal and KDW-301 Dist Wah (Korg PME-40x module); Studio Electronics ModMax Filter; Multivox Big Jam Spit Wah; Frostwave Funk-a Duck; Moog Moogerfooger MF-101; EMMA DiscumBOBulator; 3Leaf Audio Groove Regulator, GR2 and Proton v3; Iron Ether Xerograph Deluxe; EHX Bi-Filter (rack), Enigma, original Q-Tron+; Micro Q-Tron, Mini Q-Tron, Doctor Q and Tube Zipper; Mu-FX Micro-Tron III; Subdecay Prometheus and Proteus; Source Audio Bass Envelope Filter; Chunk Systems Agent 00Funk (Mark I and II); Line 6 OTTO Filter; Tweaktronix (Subdecay) Dynamic Filter; Menatone Mail Bomb (newer 4-knob version); Guyatone WR2, WR3, WRm5, Crossover Box, and Ultron; Boss FT-2 and SYB-3; EBS BassIQ; WMD FatMan and Super FatMan; Akai Variwah; Hartman Envelope Filter; Mojo Hand FX 443, Wonder Filter and Little Wonder; Ashdown Bass Envelope Filter; Mars Yesman+ and Mini Yesman; Peavey Spectrum Analog Filter (rack); Roadrunner Flexitone Distortion Auto Wah; Eowave Filter Bug; Electrix Filter Queen (half-rack); Vestax DWG-X1 (half-rack); Digitech Vocal 300 “WEFUNK” (custom); Ibanez (and Maxon) AF9, SB7 and AW7; Behringer DW400, VB1 and UW300; Rocktron Heart Attack; Digitech Synth Wah; Onerr Touch Wah; Fuhrmann Envelope Filter Touch Wah; Memphis Attack Trigger; DOD FX25 and FX25B; Modtone Funk Filter; Wilson Envelope Phollower; Solid Gold FX Funkbox; VFE Mini Mu and Mini Mu Jr.; Eleca Automatic Tune; Henretta Engineering Big Zapper; Meatsphere (Lovetone Meatball clone without FX Loop and Pedal 1 and 2 inputs); full-featured Lovetone Meatball clone; Alesis Philtre; Rocktron VII Deadly Sins Auto Wah; noiseKICK FX Almond Blossom; CKK Electronic Q Cat; Broughton Josh Wah; Zorg Effects Love Philter; Keeley Neutrino v2; Snazzy FX Tracer City; FTelettronica Voodolizzatore; Exar EF-1; Hochstrasser Electronics Disco Terrapin; GFI Rossie; Discordance Electric FAT32 (Boss FT-2 clone)

Yes...I am indeed an addict!

 

[moon-bass]

But you did sell it, could I ask why? I've been pretty happy with my PastFX PX-101 (Moog LPF clone) but although it sounds great and nasty it isn't super versatile. Or maybe I'm making excuses to buy more stuff.

I did end up selling it, and i wasn't thrilled about it, but you should see the stuff that I'm keeping

In all seriousness, I just have too many envelope filters. I was going to keep the EMMA as my "grab and go" solution, but then picked up a 3 Leaf Wonderlove that I like more, and is the same size, and is more versatile - even more than the EMMA!

 

[moon-bass]

I started buying envelope filters in 2007 (the DOD FX25B was my first). A while back, I decided to make a list of all the envelope filters I've tried. The ones bolded and underlined are the ones I currently own. Some of the others were fantastic, but they were just too expensive to keep.

Here's the list:

EHX Riddle Q-Balls; Jacques Trinity Wah; Source Audio Tri-Mod Wah; Carl Martin Classic Optical Envelope; Korg AX3B “Filtron” (custom); Musitronics Mu-Tron III; Univox Effectmatic (Licensed ‘70s Mu-Tron III clone); Seamoon Funk Machine (two knobs); Korg Synthepedal and KDW-301 Dist Wah (Korg PME-40x module); Studio Electronics ModMax Filter; Multivox Big Jam Spit Wah; Frostwave Funk-a Duck; Moog Moogerfooger MF-101; EMMA DiscumBOBulator; 3Leaf Audio Groove Regulator, GR2 and Proton v3; Iron Ether Xerograph Deluxe; EHX Bi-Filter (rack), Enigma, original Q-Tron+; Micro Q-Tron, Mini Q-Tron, Doctor Q and Tube Zipper; Mu-FX Micro-Tron III; Subdecay Prometheus and Proteus; Source Audio Bass Envelope Filter; Chunk Systems Agent 00Funk (Mark I and II); Line 6 OTTO Filter; Tweaktronix (Subdecay) Dynamic Filter; Menatone Mail Bomb (newer 4-knob version); Guyatone WR2, WR3, WRm5, Crossover Box, and Ultron; Boss FT-2 and SYB-3; EBS BassIQ; WMD FatMan and Super FatMan; Akai Variwah; Hartman Envelope Filter; Mojo Hand FX 443, Wonder Filter and Little Wonder; Ashdown Bass Envelope Filter; Mars Yesman+ and Mini Yesman; Peavey Spectrum Analog Filter (rack); Roadrunner Flexitone Distortion Auto Wah; Eowave Filter Bug; Electrix Filter Queen (half-rack); Vestax DWG-X1 (half-rack); Digitech Vocal 300 “WEFUNK” (custom); Ibanez (and Maxon) AF9, SB7 and AW7; Behringer DW400, VB1 and UW300; Rocktron Heart Attack; Digitech Synth Wah; Onerr Touch Wah; Fuhrmann Envelope Filter Touch Wah; Memphis Attack Trigger; DOD FX25 and FX25B; Modtone Funk Filter; Wilson Envelope Phollower; Solid Gold FX Funkbox; VFE Mini Mu and Mini Mu Jr.; Eleca Automatic Tune; Henretta Engineering Big Zapper; Meatsphere (Lovetone Meatball clone without FX Loop and Pedal 1 and 2 inputs); full-featured Lovetone Meatball clone; Alesis Philtre; Rocktron VII Deadly Sins Auto Wah; noiseKICK FX Almond Blossom; CKK Electronic Q Cat; Broughton Josh Wah; Zorg Effects Love Philter; Keeley Neutrino v2; Snazzy FX Tracer City; FTelettronica Voodolizzatore; Exar EF-1; Hochstrasser Electronics Disco Terrapin; GFI Rossie; Discordance Electric FAT32 (Boss FT-2 clone)

Yes...I am indeed an addict!

You are in the right place, my friend!

 

[moon-bass]

My plans for the evening.

 

[moon-bass]

I did end up selling it, and i wasn't thrilled about it, but you should see the stuff that I'm keeping

In all seriousness, I just have too many envelope filters. I was going to keep the EMMA as my "grab and go" solution, but then picked up a 3 Leaf Wonderlove that I like more, and is the same size, and is more versatile - even more than the EMMA!

I should clarify, I wasn't thrilled about selling the Emma!! Too late to edit I realized the mistake.

 

[fivestringgecko]

@FilterFunk
Quite a list there, sir! I thought I was a filter junkie! There's a couple in there I've never heard of and will have to look up!

I think I've said it already, but man this thread isn't doing my G.A.S. any favors.

5sg.