Envelope Filter questions

[iriegnome]

So I am 100% novice (after 45 years of gigging) to using pedals. I have been looking into some of the main tones of bassists that I love from the 1970's and it seems a lot of them used Envelope Filters for that "sound". I have been looking into the Seamoon Funk master and the Electro Harmonix Doctor Q.. They both seem like they were the "it" pedals back in the day. But like I said, I know absolutely nothing about pedals as I have never once used one.
First, school me. From what I know, Fender P or J bass in conjunction with this pedal into a Ampeg SVT or Acoustic 360 was the killer rig.
Second, are there choices that are more modern?
I play mostly jamband stuff, Modulus/G. Gould basses (Almost always 5 string).
Or am I really just chasing carrots and should leave well enough alone?

 

[JonathanPDX]

Envelope filters are notoriously finicky. Each one has it's own quirks, and they all react differently to how you play. The way you attack the strings will make a big difference to how each filter responds, and if you are not good at controlling your right-hand attack you might find it difficult to really dial in the sound you are looking for.

I've owned a lot of envelope filters over the years and every one responded a little differently, or had controls that were quite sensitive. I'd strongly suggest trying some out in a local music store or with other musicians before you invest, unless you order from somewhere with a good return policy. It might take some work to find the right one for you.

 

[bassbrad]

EHX Dr Q was my first envelope filter back in the 70's both because of affordability and availability. My second was EHX Bass balls and it remains a mainstay and #1, always seem to include some version in every set up since. Since then it has been a constant search and struggle to try and own as many as possible.

Dr Q is dead simple low pass filter the most useful for bass, lots of other choices these days but they are all trying to one up this OG or the other OG the MuTron III.

Bass Balls is a dual filter pedal one up the other down that rub against each other to give almost a flanging effect plus it has a nasty fuzz.

MuTron is the bad daddy OG of them all and worth seeking out IMHO. The current version MuTron iv is brilliant for the classic sounds in a compact easily powered with modern upgrades.

Seamoon Funk Machine is an oddity to me that I have a "love hate love" relationship with. It was one I sought out for years and years and even had one or two built over the years and understood why many that tried this version of a filter pedal decided they hated filters out of frustration. The current version fixes some of those issues but introduces a full set of new ones. My hate is because playing it takes a definite attack that is not quite natural to me, even though I don't usually have issue with other pedals, and because it almost seems a different pedal every time I plug the pretty little beast in. Still I keep mine for those special occasions and consternation.

Moog Moogerfooger MF-101 Low Pass filter is probably the badddest of them all, not an OG but one of the best ever but now out of production and difficult + expensive to own. Based on the fabulous Moog Filter section - enough said!

There are fine filter pedals from MXR, Boss, Ibanez/Maxon, DOD/Digitech and many others all have their supporters and detractors. I even have a fine example from Fender. These days there are usually several versions included in every multi effect some that work quite well IME. Also these days there are a lot of choices and many offer special features or tweaks that you might find valuable.

*Behringer has several offerings that proport to be clones of the OG or otherwise hard to find units, they fail as clones but do offer options worth at lease exploring. In many cases there are boutique versions that are closer to the originals but are more costly but often well worth the investment.

Even with a shelf full of filter pedals I put my Source Audio Spectrum or C4 to task as I'm able to cover most of the tones out there and sculpt them to my own needs, basses and style. I especially love that other effects like distortions and octaver/pitch shift are included to add to the creative options and can save my 'creations'.

 

[iriegnome]

I had a recommendation from a very good friend and local bassist. He uses the MXR bass envelope. Says it is the only pedal that hasn't come off his board at one point or another. Amazing insights.. I am looking forward to trying a few of these out and see where it goes.

 

[bass player 53]

Unless I’ve missed it, the Proton from 3 Leaf Audio hasn’t been mentioned. Certainly a modern classic. There have been several editions over the years, and the availability and pricing varies as well. They’re still in production I believe.

 

[GrowlerBox]

Moog Moogerfooger MF-101 Low Pass filter is probably the badddest of them all, not an OG but one of the best ever but now out of production and difficult + expensive to own. Based on the fabulous Moog Filter section - enough said!

The Pastfx clone of this is great, affordable and available.

 

[Dave Siff]

I love the Digitech Bass Synth Wah, the Boss AW-3 and the EQD Spatial Delivery.
Check out this thread:

Thread 'Envelope filter/follower addict support group'

Apr 22, 2025

I recently went on (another) envelope filter buying splurge, and thought that I'd combine some of the info that I've learned, reviews, etc. over the years into a single thread.

Over the years I've met quite a few fellow EF addicts - the addiction is pretty common here on TB and other forums, so hopefully folks can use this as a resource and add their own thoughts, demos, etc.

Starting off with some links to some older threads that have a lot of good info -

...

• moon-bass
• Replies: 727
• Forum: Effects [BG]

• 

 

[darev]

Check out this thread:

Came here to say the same thing. Excellent info

 

[devnulljp]

Unless I’ve missed it, the Proton from 3 Leaf Audio hasn’t been mentioned. Certainly a modern classic. There have been several editions over the years, and the availability and pricing varies as well. They’re still in production I believe.

Still in very limited production and hard to get. He makes a couple now and then, puts them up for sale and they sell out in seconds.
They're $$$$ used too. Shame I've had a bunch of them over the years and last time I contemplated buying one I gave up

 

[bass player 53]

Still in very limited production and hard to get. He makes a couple now and then, puts them up for sale and they sell out in seconds.
They're $$$$ used too. Shame I've had a bunch of them over the years and last time I contemplated buying one I gave up

Yeah, it is a shame. There’s a club and a thread or two regarding 3 Leaf Audio and Spencer. A lot of drama, annoyed and disappointed people along the way. His pedals are well made (lettering issues aside) and sound good. The very small, basically one man operations like 3 Leaf, Broughton Audio, and Sushi Box Fx make high quality products, but have business models that work for them and can be challenging for buyers.

 

[Tassieviking]

 

[tom once dead]

Envelope filters all have their own flavour and style. Be it a super quacky bubbly sound, or a more straight filter sweep sound. I've got an MXR bass envelope and it's excellent, though it didn't last long on my board after I got the EBS BassIQ.

Try a few out and see what you like. I love stacking drives before the EF which can take you right into synth territory.

 

[HolmeBass]

The MXR BEF is a band pass filter with both filter and clean volume controls. I find it is nicely resonant, and the Q and decay controls work ok. It is basically a one-trick pony but it is a very good trick. The pedal is easily available, you can even find used ones for sale.

The other filter on my board is an IE Xerograph Dlx, kind of unobtanium these days. I also use the new Mu-Tron IV. That pedal is ok, but one cool feature is I find I can switch from upsweep to downsweep without having to make adjustments to the other controls, which rare and useful.

 

[RHA III]

To the OP,
Buy a filter! Even if you don't gig with it, they make playing at home a lot of fun

 

[Basstard215]

I have the BassIQ and the MXR Octave and Compressor. All together, you can Bootsy out.

HOWEVER: In this day and age, I think anyone who is starting out with effects should just get a Line6 Stomp which will give you way more options and sounds for the price versus a few pedals. You ought be a bit computer savvy but I know a 76 year old retired Chef who loves tinkering with the sounds. It'll beat getting something and not liking how the vagaries of that device work and then wondering if it was you all along. You gen modelers and effects and can buy and share patches.

 

[moon-bass]

I'm the one that started the thread referenced above, and I would definitely check it out - sound samples and reviews! In particular, pay attention to the ones that are easy to use - (Mr. Black Fwonkbeta, Broughton, etc.). Also can't go wrong with the various EHX versions!

Envelope filters are fun!!!

 

[bass player 53]

I have no affiliation with this, but $375 and free shipping is a good price.
I do own v. 4, as I’ve posted already. I think it’s a great pedal.

 

[bass player 53]

So I am 100% novice (after 45 years of gigging) to using pedals. I have been looking into some of the main tones of bassists that I love from the 1970's and it seems a lot of them used Envelope Filters for that "sound". I have been looking into the Seamoon Funk master and the Electro Harmonix Doctor Q.. They both seem like they were the "it" pedals back in the day. But like I said, I know absolutely nothing about pedals as I have never once used one.
First, school me. From what I know, Fender P or J bass in conjunction with this pedal into a Ampeg SVT or Acoustic 360 was the killer rig.
Second, are there choices that are more modern?
I play mostly jamband stuff, Modulus/G. Gould basses (Almost always 5 string).
Or am I really just chasing carrots and should leave well enough alone?

Please look at my latest post above.

 

[SteveCS]

Envelope filters are notoriously finicky. Each one has it's own quirks, and they all react differently to how you play. The way you attack the strings will make a big difference to how each filter responds, and if you are not good at controlling your right-hand attack you might find it difficult to really dial in the sound you are looking for.

I've owned a lot of envelope filters over the years and every one responded a little differently, or had controls that were quite sensitive. I'd strongly suggest trying some out in a local music store or with other musicians before you invest, unless you order from somewhere with a good return policy. It might take some work to find the right one for you.

@iriegnome 100% this ^^ If possible, use your own instruments for the try-outs: firstly you are used to how you generate dynamics with your own instrument, and secondly, the filter is acting directly on the output signal, so what you hear coming out is already present somewhere in the signal. Imagine the disappointment of finding something that sounds great only to discover that your instrument can't drive the pedal in that manner.

In terms of putting something in your cross-hairs, I would recommend having a go with the RoboTalk II from Xotic. It has two independent channels that can be operated individually or together, As with all of them it can be outrageous and synthetic, but it is easy to rein in and has an organic musicality I've not heard from other filters. YMMV

 

[Bob_Ross]

Envelope filters are notoriously finicky. Each one has it's own quirks, and they all react differently to how you play. The way you attack the strings will make a big difference to how each filter responds, and if you are not good at controlling your right-hand attack you might find it difficult to really dial in the sound you are looking for.

I've owned a lot of envelope filters over the years and every one responded a little differently, or had controls that were quite sensitive. I'd strongly suggest trying some out in a local music store or with other musicians before you invest, unless you order from somewhere with a good return policy. It might take some work to find the right one for you.

I agree with all ^^^this ...but, considering OP is new to envelope filters and effects in general, I think there's an important additional aspect to note:

That's what they're supposed to do.

Envelope-controlled filters, by definition, react to how you play. They're probably the most behavior-dependent stompbox you can buy; two different players could plug the same instrument into the same envelope filter and, using the exact same settings, come up with very different sounds.

The fact that these gizmos all react differently is certainly worth keeping in mind when testing them out, but it's especially important to try playing differently when testing them out. Listen to how they react to changes in your articulation, attack, and dynamics...then adjust the controls* and listen to how (or if) that changes how they react to changes in your articulation, attack, and dynamics.

*especially the Sensetivity and/or Peak controls, assuming the envelope filter you're trying offers those parameters.