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Non-Funky Envelope Filter

Fab Savage

Fab Savage

Oct 27, 2009
199
11
Perth, Australia
#1
Hi All

If possible could I get your opinions/recommendations on an envelope filter that you would typically class as non-funky! It seems most do get a wet quacky booty shaking sound.

It might be that envelope filters are just not for me, however I do love the sound of my wah! So maybe there as a filter out there that suits my alt rock needs?
 
#6
I wanted a subtle bit of wah and got it with the Ashdown, now using a Source Audio with program 1, the sweep set just a tad to the right of noon, the filter tuned lowish, about 10am. This setting sounds great Before fuzz too, adds a mid boost. Also finding subtle shaping effects with EH Talking Machine, usually set to wah (1st setting) or EE (11am), slow attack and release, and blend set at 10:30 (mostly clean) which is necessary as it isn't low pass.
 
#8
Swimming Bird said:
DOD 440 and related clones.
Click to expand...

I'd agree with this, much more "spacey" than funky. Tone factor has a great clone sold as the Mojo Hand Analogue Filter 442.

Subdecay Prometheus is another that isn't particularly funky.

The Iron Ether Xerograph is very tweakable with a wide array of sounds and worth checking out.

And the discontinued (and overpriced IMO) Guyatone BR-2 is what Justin Chancellor uses on a few Tool songs for a really aggressive "whomp" especially when paired with dirt.
 
#9
Fab Savage said:
Hi All

If possible could I get your opinions/recommendations on an envelope filter that you would typically class as non-funky! It seems most do get a wet quacky booty shaking sound.

It might be that envelope filters are just not for me, however I do love the sound of my wah! So maybe there as a filter out there that suits my alt rock needs?
Click to expand...

You need to turn in your bass player card. While you're at it, turn in your man card too. :ninja:
 
#12
IncX said:
i recently purchased a 3leaf audio GR (the first one) ... and its not funky at all ... i actually find it a bit muddy/dubby.

i can only use it if i turn it on all the time, turning it off mid-song is like changing instruments
Click to expand...

Really? That's not been my experience with a first generation GR at all. I use that pedal for one song, and only for the verses/guitar solo of that one song. I've been incorporating it into some new tunes, and just as with the other, I use it for parts, and don't for others. Sounds great.

My only caveat is that it took a fair amount of knob/switch fiddling to get there. My final settings were pretty "simple" but it was quite a journey to get there.
 
#13
Funkyness is in the hands, not the filter. That said, I've gone through a TON of filters and there hasn't been a single one I couldn't make sound super funky.

IncX said:
i recently purchased a 3leaf audio GR (the first one) ... and its not funky at all ... i actually find it a bit muddy/dubby.

i can only use it if i turn it on all the time, turning it off mid-song is like changing instruments
Click to expand...

Poppycock!
 
#17
bigchiefbc said:
Yeah, god forbid someone plays a style of music different from your favorite. :rolleyes:

To the OP:

The Moog can be easily used in non-funky situations (I actually don't really like it for funk). Especially if you use an expression pedal.
Click to expand...

Yes, God forbid. BTW, what is my favorite kind of music?

If you don't want a "funky" filter, you're better off not using one. As Kwesi said....they're all funky. That's what it's designed for. But I suppose you can turn knobs until there's no quack happening....then what? Is that the sound he's looking for?
 
#18
Dick Tree said:
Maybe a phaser is what you're looking for
Click to expand...

Maybe, however I do use a Maxon phaser (which I love) but find that phaser falls more in the chorus/flanger category and I am looking for something a bit different.

Jared Lash said:
I'd agree with this, much more "spacey" than funky. Tone factor has a great clone sold as the Mojo Hand Analogue Filter 442.

Great thanks for the recommendation! Have had a quick look at this, and seems like a possibility.

Subdecay Prometheus is another that isn't particularly funky.

Yeah your right - a bit of a strange bag this one.

The Iron Ether Xerograph is very tweakable with a wide array of sounds and worth checking out.

Yeah my first thought was the deluxe version, but the online samples dont inspire me a great deal - as much as I love Taylor's work.

And the discontinued (and overpriced IMO) Guyatone BR-2 is what Justin Chancellor uses on a few Tool songs for a really aggressive "whomp" especially when paired with dirt.
Click to expand...

Yeah but I mean who wants to sound like JC :hiding:

Funkinthetrunk said:
You need to turn in your bass player card. While you're at it, turn in your man card too. :ninja:
Click to expand...

Well Im not much of a bass player really and I gave away my man card ages ago when I started conforming to my girlfriends demands that I spend less money on gear and more on her :scowl:

Smurf-o-Deth said:
Poppycock. I vastly prefer a wah to a quacky EF, myself.

To the OP: for wah-like sounds out of an EF, give a Mad Professor Snow White AutoWah a chance if you can; it is designed for the player who likes wah tones, but wants an envelope-controlled effect.
Click to expand...

Cool as Smurf I will check it out. Thanks.

cchorney said:
Have you considered trying an auto-wah like this Boss AW-3 instead of an envelope filter? See Auto wah, envelope filter? pedal, help!
Click to expand...

Possibly maybe I figured it would make more sense to have something that responds to playing dynamics though given I have a decent way pedal anyways.

bigchiefbc said:
Yeah, god forbid someone plays a style of music different from your favorite. :rolleyes:

To the OP:

The Moog can be easily used in non-funky situations (I actually don't really like it for funk). Especially if you use an expression pedal.
Click to expand...

Thanks Chief, I do have a mission engineering exp pedal going to waste but I fear the moog may eat up too much real estate for me. Good thought though.

I ve also just had a look at the Malekko omicron filter, and seems small but tweak-able enough. Anyone used this guy?
 
#20
Funkinthetrunk said:
Yes, God forbid. BTW, what is my favorite kind of music?

If you don't want a "funky" filter, you're better off not using one. As Kwesi said....they're all funky. That's what it's designed for. But I suppose you can turn knobs until there's no quack happening....then what? Is that the sound he's looking for?
Click to expand...
+1. So many people try envelope filters, then complain about them sounding like...envelope filters! IMO, the closest you'll get to a wah sound and action with an envelope filter is if you get one with both attack AND decay controls. That way, you can play with attack, decay, Q and sensitivity to give it more of a relaxed, wah-like tone. FWIW, judging from demos, the Solid Gold FX Funkbox actually sounds more like a wah than the MP Snow White. Of course, you could just rock a treadle wah and leave the envelope filters to us funky folks!
 

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