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Envelope Filter/Synth pedal that doesn't trigger with every note

ocoaibass

ocoaibass

Jan 9, 2010
342
32
www.haalmusic.com
#1
I am looking for a pedal that plays nice with bass, obviously. But what I'm trying to find is a pedal that will give me the rising AND falling effect of an envelope/synth sound but that goes back and forth like a phaser/flanger/chorus and isn't triggered when I play another note.

I've got a Digitech Bass Micro Synth and although I like the way it sounds (I use a blender pedal to maintain low end), even with the sensitivity all the way down I have to play very lightly so as not to trigger another beeeeeeooooooowwwwwwwuuuuuuhhhhhhhh. LOL
 
#2
Envelope filters usually follow your amplitude envelope so they won't do that. I'm not sure exactly what you're looking for, but I can think of two products that are close but also probably won't do what you want... ;)

EHX Bass Micro Synth: You can set the trigger slider so the filter doesn't trigger unless you play hard. Unfortunately it will only sweep in one direction, not up and down.

MXR Bass Auto Q: This has a secondary effect where the filter cut-off is governed by an LFO, so you can set the speed by which the filter opens and closes. So it's not triggered at all by your playing, the filter just keeps going.

Actually any filter pedal with an expression jack could probably do that if you supplied an LFO-controlled CV signal at the expression input.
 
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#4
Yeah, perhaps the LFO trigger will get me there. I'm just wanting up, followed by down, and back and forth like that without it restarting. Turning the sensitivity down mostly gets rid of the trigger, but without it going back down (or up) its not getting me where I want. and Auto Q or expression pedal may be good ideas too. thanks.

Anyone else?
 
#5
For the record I had a Bass Auto Q years ago and didn't like it, but it does at least have the LFO effect. I'm sure there are other pedals that would do it better - the Source Audio filters for example (which I think have tap-tempo too).
 
#6
Yep, sounds like you're looking for LFO controlled Filter.
Add Subdecay Prometheus DLX and Jacques Trinity to the list of pedals that can do this.

You could also control the filter yourself on a pedal with an expression in. Prometheus can do this too, so can the Iron Ether Xerograph Deluxe and the 3Leaf Wonderlove. I wish my Wonderlove had an LFO too. I'd be in heaven.
 
#9
EHX and Moog come to mind. You will need an LFO CV tho. The EHX 8 step program will make a decent LFO.

I use the Moog and a home made gate generator that has an expression pedal controlling the threshold and a CP-251 to slow the rise and fall times. Works okay, could be tweaked for improved responsiveness, but overall I'm really happy with it! The 8step is a joy to play with too.

Sorry, both solutions are costly.

Note to pedal builders - make a filter pedal that has a "hold" or trigger momentary on it so it can be stuttered or chopped / blocked / what have you... That's new sound ;)
 
#10
Alien8 said:
EHX and Moog come to mind. You will need an LFO CV tho. The EHX 8 step program will make a decent LFO.

I use the Moog and a home made gate generator that has an expression pedal controlling the threshold and a CP-251 to slow the rise and fall times. Works okay, could be tweaked for improved responsiveness, but overall I'm really happy with it! The 8step is a joy to play with too.

Sorry, both solutions are costly.

Note to pedal builders - make a filter pedal that has a "hold" or trigger momentary on it so it can be stuttered or chopped / blocked / what have you... That's new sound ;)
Click to expand...

If you listen to this song by my old band, OCOAI, at 4:58 you will hear a downward filter effect that is choppy. Idk if that's what you're looking for, but I got that using a Digitech Bass Synth Wah into a modded BOSS TR-2. I know its two pedals, but it may get you close to what you're after or give you ideas. It was inspired by Juan Aldrete's pedal approach.
 
#11
ocoaibass said:
If you listen to this song by my old band, OCOAI, at 4:58 you will hear a downward filter effect that is choppy. Idk if that's what you're looking for, but I got that using a Digitech Bass Synth Wah into a modded BOSS TR-2. I know its two pedals, but it may get you close to what you're after or give you ideas. It was inspired by Juan Aldrete's pedal approach.
Click to expand...
Thanks, but I'm sorted. I was giving you suggestions...
 
#13
I'm sorta confused as to why you couldn't get this sound with most envelope filters if you don't mute between notes or play legato, with the sensitivity set high. Doesn't work as well on some digital pedals that want to give you a quack every time you hit the strings... Also, a compressor before the filter might help keep more quiet sustain going to keep the filter open.
 
#14
Swimming Bird said:
I'm sorta confused as to why you couldn't get this sound with most envelope filters if you don't mute between notes or play legato, with the sensitivity set high. Doesn't work as well on some digital pedals that want to give you a quack every time you hit the strings... Also, a compressor before the filter might help keep more quiet sustain going to keep the filter open.
Click to expand...

Its just not consistent. I haven't tried a compressor as I have a tube one in my amp. And also I've been using all digital pedals which, as you stated, are pretty quacky. Also, most envelope filters only go up OR down. I've yet to find one that go up and down in a cycle. I'm hopeful that the Manta Bass from Source Audio will do this as one of the settings appears to be this option. Just saving cash til I can afford one.
 
#17
ocoaibass said:
Also, most envelope filters only go up OR down. I've yet to find one that go up and down in a cycle.
Click to expand...
Read through all this, trying to grasp... and what you're describing is a phaser. That's what a phaser is. Not a flanger or chorus, which are timer-based effects.
A Phaser is a filter-based effect.
An auto-wah is the same thing but with a much tighter Q than a phaser. It is exactly what the name says it is: a wah that operates automatically, opening and closing, sweeping up and down at a predetermined rate independent of what you're playing.

Picture an EQ graph: a phaser is a wave moving back and forth; an autowah is a spike moving back and forth.
 

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