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Envelope filter/follower addict support group

While this thread is dedicated to envelope filters, it's also helped me discover envelope phasers. I don't know why these aren't more popular TBH. Super funky.

Of the ones that I've tried, the EHX Polyphase, Chase Bliss Billy String Wombtome, Pigtronix EP-2, and the Keeley Bubbletron all sound great. If pressed, I'd have to say that the EHX is my favorite - it's one of the least flexible, but it sounds oh so good - thick, lush, just drips with funk. The Chase Bliss would be second, while the EP-2 third and the Keeley not far behind. Really, though, they are all just different flavors of awesome.

I'd recommend any of the above, and if you want to get maximum funk, run an ef and ep in parallel. So funky you'll have to light a match!
You're definitely piquing my interest on the EHX Polyphase! I'll have to check that out.
 
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I added four more recordings. Recorded with my trusty Fodera YYS thru my Audient iD14 USB interface directly into my Mac, no eq etc.

Broughton Joshwah - this is a fine, fine filter. It's fun to play thru, and the gain control is a nice touch - especially since it only minimally effects the filter response (I turn the gain up after about 1:30 in the clip). It's a great dirty filter, responds well, etc. What's not to love? I was planning on keeping this, but I have the Wahvelope coming for dirty filters, plus I like to pair with different dirt pedals. Still, an all around excellent filter, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it if I were new or looking to upgrade from a more basic filter. I should also add that it's very easy to dial in.

Dr. Scientist Dusk - As I thought this is a very nice filter with a bunch of options (MIDI and LFO for instance) that I will never use. It's responsive, and while it didn't respond as well as I would like to my playing style, it would pair well with someone looking for slower filter sweeps. It's very thick sounding in person, and a little tweak of the controls goes a long way. I started messing around with the other options - you can get some nice slow swells, nifty LFO stuff, etc. Cool filter for sure, especially if you're into the additional features.

Pigtronix Resotron - this one is a little .. different. Since this is an EF thread, I focused on the EF section of the Resotron. I'll be blunt - the EF function of the Resotron is really good, but not incredible. It's kind of an average filter IMO, that responds well to my playing. It wouldn't be my first choice for an EF, BUT, the fact is that it's very flexible and has a lot of options, and it happens to work very well with my synth board, so it's a keeper - it even knocked my 3 Leaf Proton off my synth board (the Proton filter section is much, much better than the Resotron, but the added functionality makes it more useful on a synth board). In other words, it's a keeper for me, but not because of the EF section; if I were just looking at using this for an EF i'd move on.

Keeley Bubbletron - so for this, I just did the envelope phaser and envelope flanger sections, simply because I was too lazy to pull the back off and mess with the dip switches. That being said, this is just a killer little pedal, and it's a great into into envelope phasing and flanging, plus you get a very nice envelope filter. It's a cool little piece of kit - I am not keeping it, however, just because I ended up with separate pedals for the various functions.

Initial settings below, as always. Link to the audio: Public - Google Drive


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You're definitely piquing my interest on the EHX Polyphase! I'll have to check that out.
I'll post some recordings of the EP's at some point soon, including some direct comparisons.

Of note: I have the Stereo Polyphase, which is different from the vintage, "regular" polyphase. I haven't tried the vintage one, but it's on my radar to track down.
 
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Up next for recordings: The Tube Zipper, a 3 Leaf comparison/shoot out (Groove Regulator vs GR 2 vs Wonderlove v1 vs Proton v4), and the envelope phasers.

The Tube Zipper is uber cool, and IMO worth it for the tube OD option, but with the Wahvelope coming, I just won't need both.

I'm still waiting on the Wahvelope (long production time), and my GAS list has shrunk - pretty much looking for just a few things, namely a Wonderlove Mk2, an original Lovetone Meatball, and a Chromatron that's not going to cost me an arm and a leg.

I should also say that I have an MXR MB301 on order. It was supposed to be here by now lol. Now estimated "sometime in November 2025."
 
Vintage EHX Polyphases are pretty rare (and not cheap). I found one, but it's over seas and will take a bit to get here. Once it arrives, I'll get the envelope phaser recordings done. Hell, it might take me that long to figure out the Wombtome lol.

I will probably end up starting a new thread for the EPs.
 
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Posted the Tube Zipper sample. Recorded with my Will Lee. What a cool pedal!

This one was a little different - it's longer, in order to demo some of the features - namely the "tron" and "trill" and tube OD.

You can notice the tron "zipper" on the slower passages; the trill kicks in around the 1:00 mark, and then after that I use various OD settings.

The thing is a beast - I mean, great envelope response on it's own, but add the tube OD along with the trill settings, and you have yourself a cool little piece of kit! It's thick, it's rich, it's juicy - what's not to love? I have to say that I liked the OD on the Joshwah a lot, but there's nothing like good old tube OD! I'd use this asan EF any day, but add that dirt and this thing just sounds killer.

Anyways, enjoy! Settings below, as always!

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I caved to peer pressure and ordered a Smelly Funky Puppy, excited to play with it. But it occurred to me, all my basses are active, and some fuzzes don’t like that (even if the volume is similar to a passive bass). Does the fuzz in the Puppy deal well with an active signal? :nailbiting:
It plays well with all of my active basses.
 
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I caved to peer pressure and ordered a Smelly Funky Puppy, excited to play with it. But it occurred to me, all my basses are active, and some fuzzes don’t like that (even if the volume is similar to a passive bass). Does the fuzz in the Puppy deal well with an active signal? :nailbiting:
Just to provide information. The reason some fuzzes don't play well with active basses has to do with the input impedance, volume has essentially no effect. I don't understand the details well enough to explain it very well, but if you are trying to determine if a fuzz will work with your active basses you can look for the input impedance, if it lists in the 100s of kOhms or higher then it will probably work.
 
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So this arrived today ... Never thought I'd see one!

For those interested, it sounds fantastic - really thick and juicy, close to the AF-9.

Internally, the PCB is labelled AFF1-0101B - so it's different than both the AF01, AF-201, and the AF-9. I'll get a comparison up at some point.

Suck it, JHS. MAXON'S BEST KEPT SECRET
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Today I posted clips of the Maxon Fireblade AF-F1 as well as four 3 Leaf pedals - the Groove Regulator, the GR2, Wonderlove, and Proton v4.

I also did a clip of all four 3 Leaf pedals - one after the other - so y'all can make better comparisons, and also see how the filters have changed and the differences.


The Fireblade is just super cool. It's definitely in the MuTron clone camp, as expected. It responds well, but the controls are not overly wide - in other words, it's pretty easy to get a good sound, but the unit doesn't stray far from that sound. It's very clean - cleaner than the original AF-01 - very ,uch like the AF-09 in that respect. I put it head to head vs the AF-09 and it's slightly thicker and juicier with more low end, but less bright on the top end. It's plenty stanky for sure!

And I realized that I sold my AF-01, so I might end up picking up another one for comparison's sake. The Fireblade is a nice filter, it's a shame there aren't more around!

As for the 3 Leaf's - not sure what I can say that I haven't already. All four are exceptional filters, and I'd be happy with any of them. All are responsive, sound great, etc. If I had to rank the four it's be:

GR2
Wonderlove
Proton
Groove Regulator

But they are all very, very close. Different flavors of awesome.

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Anyone ever try the Death By Audio Deep Animation filter? I picked one up, seems like it will be a pretty unique filter.

I've been a big fan of the DBA stuff (I'm GASsing for a Bass War Fuzz), so I'm really looking forward to their take.

Of course, I'll post samples when it gets here.
 
Heads up to the new Funky Puppy owners - the original Chunk Systems manuals are still online and they are a valuable resource. Chunk Systems bass effects: effect pedal, bass effect, guitar effect, stompbox they still have the manuals posted, and dog the sample settings. It's pretty cool that they designed both pedals so that all knobs at noon is a great starting point .
Good to know! I just got my FP and it has some unpredictability and interaction between controls. So cool though, some amazing sounds in there. Here's what happened after I played with it for the first time, I found a sound and just hit some open strings and played with a couple of knobs. The opening fuzz sound was with my bass volume down a bit, then the rest is with the bass all the way up. I can't wait to learn it better.