ISO of a new envelope filter

[drewphishesp]

I currently use the Ebs iq and I'm not getting the results I like. I've tried the mxr bef and never really got along with it so I'm trying to find something else. I was interested in the keeley neutrino and the supa funk by solid gold fx. Anyone have experience with either. Or any others to try?

 

[Rocket Queen]

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 -

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

• 

 

[bholder]

I have the Pigtronix Resotron, it's the most flexible, most functional auto-filter I know of. LPF, BPF, and HPF modes, all sorts of adjustments, even a pitch-following mode.. Uncheap though.

 

[Bob_Ross]

all sorts of adjustments, even a pitch-following mode..

What does "Pitch Following Mode" do, is that like a keyboard-tracking VCF on a synthesizer where the cutoff frquency (or center frequency) of the filter moves relative to the note you're playing?

 

[bholder]

What does "Pitch Following Mode" do, is that like a keyboard-tracking VCF on a synthesizer where the cutoff frquency (or center frequency) of the filter moves relative to the note you're playing?

Honestly I'll have to get mine out of storage or look it up online I don't remember but I think it sets yeah the starting center frequency of the sweep at a point derived from the input frequency. that is I think it's still has the sweep but it starts "on the note" instead of at the same place every time. that's my recollection and / or hope / wish, not sure which. I don't have a clear memory of how it behaved when I tinkered with it I remember I wanted to spend more time on it to really get it but I didn't....

 

[WashburnBasser]

Source Audio Spectrum might be worth a look! Lots of envelope filters are modeled in there, and you can use it to really dial in and discover which sounds are your favorite. You also get nice OC-2, fuzz, and phaser sounds!

 

[bholder]

Honestly I'll have to get mine out of storage or look it up online I don't remember but I think it sets yeah the starting center frequency of the sweep at a point derived from the input frequency. that is I think it's still has the sweep but it starts "on the note" instead of at the same place every time. that's my recollection and / or hope / wish, not sure which. I don't have a clear memory of how it behaved when I tinkered with it I remember I wanted to spend more time on it to really get it but I didn't....

So I was wrong about pitch following mode still having a sweep - rather, it just sets the filter at the detected frequency statically for the duration of the note. So no filter movement except with note changes. Though there is a "Glide" function to portmanteau sweep the filter frequency between the notes, so you can get some movement that way. Like I said, I needed to play with it a lot more to really understand how to use it...

 

[Funkinthetrunk]

I currently use the Ebs iq and I'm not getting the results I like. I've tried the mxr bef and never really got along with it so I'm trying to find something else. I was interested in the keeley neutrino and the supa funk by solid gold fx. Anyone have experience with either. Or any others to try?

So what exactly are the results you're looking for? A particular sound? Responsiveness? Check out the @moon-bass envelope filters thread, there's sound bites too.

 

[Discount Bassy]

For some funky funk, pair the EHX maxi-sized Qtron with their Attack/Decay pedal. The SA C4 can do the same in addition to all the Spectrum does, plus a good bit more, but bears the burden of a steeper leaning curve and an editor interface. I never bonded with my MXR Bass Filter Envelope, being the one pedal I did not replace after an electrical storm surge took out my MXR pedalboard. (The rest were factory serviced with new PCB's and flipped excepting the M83's). The Qtron on its own does fine and dandy as well for more traditional variety funks.

 

[Roland GR 88]

Funkinthetrunk is right.
What do you want ?
There’s boxes that have minimal control apart from gain, depth or sensitivity. There’s some that offer Q and Resonance as well and others that can be programmed to do pretty much what you want.
I like to play with the Q and Rez controls to go from dub to Donald Duck so I have an EHX Tube Zipper.
The Neutrino and the Qtron were busts for me. The Spectrum has its Q and Rez controls on different knobs separated by a 5 second A & B menu window. That was a no go for me as well.
It comes down to the sound in your head and if there’s more than one you’ll need the ability to control several parameters so look for lots of knobs or usb connectivity. If it’s just one try them all if you deal with a store that’s got a nice return policy.

 

[Swift713]

My favorite envelope filter was the big old EHX Q-Tron in the steel box. It could be unwieldy and certainly inconvenient but I swear when it was dialed in it was so freaking sensitive and responsive, it was fantastic. I sold it thinking I could find something smaller, true bypass, with a standard 9 volt jack. I haven't been completely satisfied with anything since. I currently use an Eventide H9. It's pretty flexible/tweak-able, not bad. But filters are a very personal fit, depending on your gear and your touch. I've heard some great demos of pedals that didn't work for me.

 

[edwinhurwitz]

My two favorites are the 70s BassBalls (Bobby Vega turned me onto that one), especially on fretless, and the Groove Regulator 2. But there are so many options and so many of them sound great.

 

[drewphishesp]

I want it to be quacktastic

 

[Rolling Thunder]

I like the EQD Spatial Delivery which I recently found is a clone of the Maestro Sample and Hold.

 

[31HZ]

I want it to be quacktastic

Mr. Black Fwonkbeta, IMO.

 

[dannybuoy]

I got a Neutrino and it sounded so bad, I questioned if it was broken as I couldn’t get a decent sound out of it. Fwonkbeta and Discumbobulator rule the roost for me.

 

[Dave Siff]

Boss Dynamic Wah is so good.
Digitech Bass Synth Wah if you can find one used. Envelope filter and then some.

 

[bassbrad]

I will second of third either the Source Audio Spectrum of if you're more daring the C4 Synth. Both offer a wide selection of filter styles as well as additional effects including octaver, distortion and LFO for time based filter effects. Using Neuro you can sample sounds from the vast library, edit those for your needs or create your own.
You can also test drive with out the pedal in the Neuro app.

If you dive into finding the right filter pedal it can be an arduous and expensive journey and you might wind up with a shelf full of pedals.

 

[jbybj]

and you might wind up with a shelf full of pedals.

You say that like it’s a bad thing.

 

[bassbrad]

You say that like it’s a bad thing.

For some it is a pleasure and others a sick obsession. I try to stay someplace in between. Since the 70's filters have been a bit of a guilty pleasure. I have 16+ filter and synth pedals not counting the Zooms that also have some filter patches I use. Luckily my frugal nature and limited budget keep me away from some of the more exotic and expensive exploration, usually I'm looking for bargains, used and lucky finds.