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Help Choosing New Envelope Filter?

JoZac21

JoZac21

Nov 30, 2009
1,250
207
Brooklyn, NY
#1
In a moment of extreme stupidity, I lost my old Mini Q-Tron at a gig... it was truly like loosing a good friend, we had been through so much together. But, alas, she is gone... and needs to be replaced.

So, after some research, I've narrowed my choices down to the newer Micro Q-Tron (basically a direct replacement of my now unavailable Mini Q-Tron, just in a smaller casing) or the MXR M82 (of which I've read many a rave review)...

The question really comes down to how much of an upgrade is the M82 is. Is it really worth the extra $65? Is there something else I should be looking into? Again, I really loved my old Mini Q-Tron... it was my favorite effects pedal, and my only envelope filter, the effect I use most consistently.

I've been an EHX fanatic for a long time, but I just bought an MXR El Grande Bass Distortion and have been pretty content with it, and wouldn't mind giving them more business.

Educated opinions appreciated! :help:
 
#3
Your pricing is a bit off according to Amazon. The m82 is cheaper on ebay than they are saying but it looks like 50 bucks difference.

I just ordered the m82 as I was sold on the control over wet and dry. From the vids it seems to do everything I'd like it to do and intuitive to use. And the rave reviews...nobody has been selling one for the last few days...

ebay didn't have a single Groove Regulator for sale....
 
#5
Downunderwonder said:
Your pricing is a bit off according to Amazon. The m82 is cheaper on ebay than they are saying but it looks like 50 bucks difference.

I just ordered the m82 as I was sold on the control over wet and dry. From the vids it seems to do everything I'd like it to do and intuitive to use. And the rave reviews...nobody has been selling one for the last few days...

ebay didn't have a single Groove Regulator for sale....
Click to expand...

My pricing is based on Musicians Friend... I'm not a big fan of buying used. Gonna go on a "lower price hunt" now...
 
#7
fourstringdrums said:
Subscribed only because I have the exact same situation/question regarding the M82.
Click to expand...

"Only because"? Did you feel the need to clarify that you were not subscribing due to my extreme awesomeness? Because I'm sure that's why anyone else would... so I'd understand if that were the case. ;)

NortyFiner said:
3Leaf Audio GR2 (based on the Lovetone Meatball) or Proton (based on the Mutron III). Pick your poison; you can't go wrong with Spencer's stuff.
Click to expand...

Sadly, I can't justify spending that much right now... $150 is pushing it, honestly... I agree, though... awesome pedals, and if I could afford one, I'd be all up on it.
 
#8
I recently bought the MXR bass envelope filter (BEF) after going back and forth between a few choices. I got a chance to play one a while ago, but I couldn't get it to stop that low end swell as the filter closes when you sustain a note. Then I found out, that's just what envelope filters seem to do!! So, my solution was to put an Aguilar TLC compressor pedal after it in the chain (as a limiter). Works like a charm :cool:!!

And the clean/fx blend controls are mandatory in my book; awesome feature.

Main usage for me will be using a passive Fender Jazz (four or five string) in funk/R&B/jazz settings or the ocassional synth bass pop tune (coupled with ocatver and/or chorus). I'm new to pedals, but not to playing bass, so take that for what it's worth :).
 
#10
xerocustommathews.jpg
 
#11
Downunderwonder said:
Your pricing is a bit off according to Amazon. The m82 is cheaper on ebay than they are saying but it looks like 50 bucks difference.

I just ordered the m82 as I was sold on the control over wet and dry. From the vids it seems to do everything I'd like it to do and intuitive to use. And the rave reviews...nobody has been selling one for the last few days...

ebay didn't have a single Groove Regulator for sale....
Click to expand...

Mxr m82 on e bay alll the time for 119.95 free shipping. The sellers e bay name is guitarconnection. New in the box too
 
#12
As someone who owned the Mini Q-Tron and has played both the Micro and the M82, I can probably help. I'm assuming you were using the Mini in lpf mode? If so, then the M82 will not replace it. The M82 sounds very cool (and is quite a vocal-sounding filter), but it is strictly a band-pass filter with clean blend and it cannot do low-pass. The Micro is certainly similar, but I found it quackier and it had a bigger volume spike than the Mini. If that's what you're looking for, then go for it. But I greatly preferred the old Mini, and if I were you, I'd just look around for a used old one. Try eBay.
 
#14
I had an M-82 shortly. I currently have an older Q-Tron. The M-82 seemed a bit more "muted" in the mix to my ears, and the Q-Tron is more in-your-face. The Q-Tron also tends to "Overload" rather easily, so that's a drawback I'm currently having with it.

My guitarist and I compared a Q-Tron directly to a Mu-Tron III through our PA yesterday, and the Mu-Tron just seemed smoother (didn't "Overload").

I guess I'm curious which filters would get me closer to that Mu-Tron sound. The 3 Leaf stuff sounds interesting. What do people think of the Aguilar Filter Twin?
 
#15
I had the green DOD FX25.

If you can find one, take it. Great little stomp box and didn't cost a fortune.

All my current effects are built into my Ampeg BA210s combo amp. Downside/upside: I can't combine effects, but it's good nuff where I can select what I want for a particular tune. Wish Ampeg made a remote selector that let you choose any of them rather than programming four at a shot.
 
#20
guroove said:
Enigma Q-Balls is a really funky sounding pedal. This is what mine sounds like:

YouTube - Doing the Nasty

If you want to hear the distorted sound, skip to the 6:11 mark.
Click to expand...
Yep, that's the Q-Balls, all right! Obviously, with 8 knobs it takes more tweaking than most, but it's not rocket science. Once you've got it, you've got it. It rewards patience more than any other pedal I've owned.
 

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