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Envelope Follower Junkie Support Group
- Thread starter bassman314
- Start date
The Mutron III is my current filter of choice, although I may get an EBS BassIQ and an AF-9 just to have a shoot-out between the three of them.
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I like the Q-Tron + in theory, especially since it's been rehoused in the new XO case. It seems to have more knobs to twiddle and adjust parameters for capturing that tone. And it's based on a classic model, and time tested. My three issues are still:XO Q Tron + can do the deep bellowing BWOOOOOW (we should make this an official filter term) as well as the bwaaaat (ditto).
The DOD and its derivatives (including the Digitech BSW) are great for live use. So easy to dial in a good sound.
a) footprint. It's big, I've got other big pedals, I'd prefer a compact size if I can get it with as many options.
b) It's going to require more juice to power it.
c) Vanity. I really don't want to look like I just opened up the Musicians' Friend catalogue to their EHX page and said "Yes, please. One of each!"
I'm not saying I've written it off, just that it's got an uphill fight in terms of my priorities.
Damn, I liked the way that it sounded. Some pedals that Bassplayer had samples of clearly sounded as if they could've had better samples... the BassIQ sounded as if it was out of control for instance...
Anyway, after more research I think my only holdout against the Maxon is that it doesn't appear to have a speed control for the envelope. And I'd like to play some slow quacks as well as fast BWOOOOWs.
Any other suggestions for an envelope magic bullet?
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Okay, it's been a few weeks and my envel-lust will not go away.
I think perhaps it's gotten worse.
On that note, I'm now toying with the notion of picking up an Ultron. I can't find a whole lot of owners on here other than Jauquo, and the only clips I've heard are on Guyatone's website.
I just have a feeling that I'm not going to be completely happy with anything else, and according to all the press I've read by the manufacturer this is a bulletproof perfect pedal.
Someone talk some sense into me by next payday.
I think perhaps it's gotten worse.
On that note, I'm now toying with the notion of picking up an Ultron. I can't find a whole lot of owners on here other than Jauquo, and the only clips I've heard are on Guyatone's website.
I just have a feeling that I'm not going to be completely happy with anything else, and according to all the press I've read by the manufacturer this is a bulletproof perfect pedal.
Someone talk some sense into me by next payday.
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What's the reason for the three AF-9's?
Different settings? Re-purchased after selling? Enveloping Enveloped Envelopes?
From the clips I've heard the AF-9 is currently the front-runner, only down side I've seen is that it doesn't have a "decay" control.
I take it you're happy with yours.
...yes, tremendously happy...for the coin, NOTHING can touch the Maxon IMHO...I just got nice deals on mint boxes so I picked them up, as simple as that...
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UPDATE:
Saturday I went on my envelope quest.
I went out to Supersound Music in Escondido who had just gotten a Maxon AF-9 in stock.
In all I played through a Moog MF101, an EMMA Discombobulator, the AF-9, EH Bassballs, and a Micro Q Tron.
Thoughts:
MF101 was much bigger than I'd expected after seeing images online. It was also not particularly user friendly. One of the staff there was nice enough to try and help me dial in some tones, but together with the footprint, the high comprehension barrier, and the lack of an UP it was out of the running. I got a couple nice sounds out of it, and I'm sure it's a great pedal, but it wasn't what I needed now.
EMMA - I was expecting it to be more subtle based on the reviews I'd read on here. I don't think I'd call it subtle, but I would definitely call it transparent. It doesn't seem to distort as easily as the others will and also not as prone to volume and frequency spikes. I actually liked the pedal a good deal, and I would recommend it to someone who doesn't want to lose their tone but still wants to get funky.
Micro Q Tron - I gave this pedal the least amount of time, but what little time I did give it felt very unsatisfying. Maybe it's like the Moog in that it's got a steep learning curve, but with three knobs, you'd think you could get something usable from it after a couple minutes. I couldn't. I'd still like to have some time with the Q-Tron + XO.
Bassballs - Quirky, yes. Something I felt I could find use for? Not at the moment. Seemed like a one hit wonder, two if you count the built in distortion. I also gave it relatively little time.
and... the Maxon AF-9. I ended up buying this one. I was actually surprised at how tempermental a stompbox with three switches and two sliders can be. It also seemed to have a learning curve that took me a while to figure out. I think I got the best results with it because honestly, I put the most time into trying to get something out of it. It's definitely prone to distortion and heavy frequency peaks and all the switches seem to be counterintuitive in terms of getting a good tone out of it- you'd assume as a bassist the low filters would work best, but honestly I was having trouble either triggering them, or hearing them triggered if they had been. I ended up finding tones I liked because of their funkiness in the bandpass and "high" modes but the tradeoff was the obvious low end loss from venturing into the higher range of the envelope. Luckily, the salesman/owner was helpful enough to realize that I had money to part with and introduced me to my first blender pedal -- the Xotic X-Blender. Combined, I now have a setup that gives me all the funkiness of mid and treble frequencies at my fingers and I can still hold down a solid rhythm behind it.
So, I wanted to buy an envelope filter. I walked out with an envelope filter and a blender. Way more than I had hoped to spend, but the blender was something I'd been wanting to run my Psilocybe through for the same reason as the filter. They'll go in a loop together.
Now to finally buy a pedalboard and get everything laid out proper like... I'm not GASing for any effects too hard right now, so aside from a Looper I should be good for a while once I get that setup.
Saturday I went on my envelope quest.
I went out to Supersound Music in Escondido who had just gotten a Maxon AF-9 in stock.
In all I played through a Moog MF101, an EMMA Discombobulator, the AF-9, EH Bassballs, and a Micro Q Tron.
Thoughts:
MF101 was much bigger than I'd expected after seeing images online. It was also not particularly user friendly. One of the staff there was nice enough to try and help me dial in some tones, but together with the footprint, the high comprehension barrier, and the lack of an UP it was out of the running. I got a couple nice sounds out of it, and I'm sure it's a great pedal, but it wasn't what I needed now.
EMMA - I was expecting it to be more subtle based on the reviews I'd read on here. I don't think I'd call it subtle, but I would definitely call it transparent. It doesn't seem to distort as easily as the others will and also not as prone to volume and frequency spikes. I actually liked the pedal a good deal, and I would recommend it to someone who doesn't want to lose their tone but still wants to get funky.
Micro Q Tron - I gave this pedal the least amount of time, but what little time I did give it felt very unsatisfying. Maybe it's like the Moog in that it's got a steep learning curve, but with three knobs, you'd think you could get something usable from it after a couple minutes. I couldn't. I'd still like to have some time with the Q-Tron + XO.
Bassballs - Quirky, yes. Something I felt I could find use for? Not at the moment. Seemed like a one hit wonder, two if you count the built in distortion. I also gave it relatively little time.
and... the Maxon AF-9. I ended up buying this one. I was actually surprised at how tempermental a stompbox with three switches and two sliders can be. It also seemed to have a learning curve that took me a while to figure out. I think I got the best results with it because honestly, I put the most time into trying to get something out of it. It's definitely prone to distortion and heavy frequency peaks and all the switches seem to be counterintuitive in terms of getting a good tone out of it- you'd assume as a bassist the low filters would work best, but honestly I was having trouble either triggering them, or hearing them triggered if they had been. I ended up finding tones I liked because of their funkiness in the bandpass and "high" modes but the tradeoff was the obvious low end loss from venturing into the higher range of the envelope. Luckily, the salesman/owner was helpful enough to realize that I had money to part with and introduced me to my first blender pedal -- the Xotic X-Blender. Combined, I now have a setup that gives me all the funkiness of mid and treble frequencies at my fingers and I can still hold down a solid rhythm behind it.
So, I wanted to buy an envelope filter. I walked out with an envelope filter and a blender. Way more than I had hoped to spend, but the blender was something I'd been wanting to run my Psilocybe through for the same reason as the filter. They'll go in a loop together.
Now to finally buy a pedalboard and get everything laid out proper like... I'm not GASing for any effects too hard right now, so aside from a Looper I should be good for a while once I get that setup.
bongomania
Commercial User
Oh man, an AF9 and an Xotic blender is a killer, killer combo. Experiment with the EQ and the phase switch for sure (you may end up leaving them switched off, but it's worth your time to try them). Thumbs up!
Flip Funky Box-tube envelope
Bassballs-Russian
Akai Vari Wah
Dunlop Bass Wah
Electrix Filter Factory
Akai Deep Impact-not sure that counts
Bassballs-Russian
Akai Vari Wah
Dunlop Bass Wah
Electrix Filter Factory
Akai Deep Impact-not sure that counts
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Yeah, before even trying it when the owner mentioned the price I was inititally hesitant, even the two band eq and boost weren't really selling points, but the phase switch made it too sweet to pass up. My effects are scattered all over my apartment right now as is my recording equipment otherwise I'd try and get some samples up, not that I've mastered the AF-9's intricacies yet, only gotten one band practice and my instore test run to juice out some funk with it.
I don't know how you couldn't get a good sound in LP mode? That's all I ever left mine in. I set the peak about 2/3rds of the way up, in low pass mode, filter going up, and the range set to low. Then just adjust the sensitivity slider until you get the right sound
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I'll definitely give it a try. Like I said, I got a little time during practice and a little time during my testing period to try and cop sounds out've 'em. My first lesson thus far has been that my gorilla style right hand will have to be adjusted to get the most satisfying results from my new toy.I don't know how you couldn't get a good sound in LP mode? That's all I ever left mine in. I set the peak about 2/3rds of the way up, in low pass mode, filter going up, and the range set to low. Then just adjust the sensitivity slider until you get the right sound
Im in.. I love E-filters and have been collecting them for a while.
Heres my little family which seems to grow every few months. My favorite is deffinatly the Mutron III. The meatball is also great and very versatile/tweakable but ive never taken it on stage. I tend to use the AF-9 or the Emma when playing live because of their small footprint. The Agent OOfunk gets a great sound especially linked with its bro the brown dog and its gets abit more of a modern squelchy sound like the mxr does. The boss dynamic filter was certainly a nice surprise. It can get a nice wet sound that cuts through the mix pretty well and if you can find a cheap one get it.
This thread needs pics so here go's.
Heres my little family which seems to grow every few months. My favorite is deffinatly the Mutron III. The meatball is also great and very versatile/tweakable but ive never taken it on stage. I tend to use the AF-9 or the Emma when playing live because of their small footprint. The Agent OOfunk gets a great sound especially linked with its bro the brown dog and its gets abit more of a modern squelchy sound like the mxr does. The boss dynamic filter was certainly a nice surprise. It can get a nice wet sound that cuts through the mix pretty well and if you can find a cheap one get it.
This thread needs pics so here go's.
