Recommendation for a auto wah / envelope that is optimized for bass?

[paticus]

I’ve been on a long quest to find an envelope filter for my bass. I have two that I brought over from my guitar pedalboard, but they don’t work well with my bass.

1. 3 leaf audio Proton Mk2
2. Mu-Tron Micro Tron IV

It's like the bass frequencies don't drive the envelope correctly. They are super finicky I have to play it juuuuust right to get an effect, and it still doesn't sound good. I also found that I have to drive the treble to extreme levels in order to hear the effect.

I have a Moog sub37 synth, and that filter is so clean and fat even at the low sub frequencies. That is what I'm looking for. Does anybody share this experience or have advice on a pedal that they would recommend?

 

[bdplaid]

Low end: Zoom Multistomp (but still pretty good).

High end: Source Audio Spectrum.

Overkill: Source Audio C4.

 

[ahbass2500]

Iron Ether Xerograph Deluxe

Not my video but a demo...


I like using mine with an expression pedal, but it can be used without one. I also have and like the Broughton Josh Wah, but based on what you are describing I think you would prefer the IE one.

 

[BGroovy]

I love my Proton.

I can get decent envelope out of my HX Stomp after spending a lot of time with it

 

[silky smoove]

1. 3 leaf audio Proton Mk2
2. Mu-Tron Micro Tron IV

Those are both super usable on bass, but maybe a Mutron type of sound, which is what they both do, is not what you're after. Can you give an example of the type of filter sound you're trying to achieve?

 

[31HZ]

My two lower-priced favorites: MXR M82 and Mr Black Fwonkbeta, both sound good in a mix.

 

[Swizzledoop]

Trade the Proton for a GR2 and thank me later

 

[Rolling Thunder]

EQD Spatial Delivery V3.

 

[klattman]

Filters are difficult because they respond to dynamics so there’s usually a very small window where it works well and you have to be careful to control your finger strength consistency.

The Earthquaker is actually surprisingly easy to dial in and so is the old EBS.
The source audio not as easy. For the synth pedals you have to really know your synth language and signal flow to get what you want (panda FI).

 

[acid bass]

My go-to answer is the Solid Gold Supafunk, but it depends a bit on your situation.

I started with the MXR envelope. Worked awesome with my passive basses, didn't seem to work at all with actives. Even amongst my passives I had to change the settings a little every time for each bass. Was super annoying so I grabbed the Funkzilla. Somehow despite having even with more filter options it was way worse than the MXR. Neither pedal was reliable enough to play in a live setting, half the times I did manage to get the filter to work it was so thin it got drowned out by the band.

The Supafunk solved all of those problems. It's much more plug and play and no matter which bass I use I can get the filter to trigger without altering the settings. Best of all, it cuts through the mix really nicely. The one thing I will say is that I got a much more pronounced quack out of the MXR than I do the Supafunk. The SF gives a short little effect, but the MXR would really be dramatic and take its time going up and down the envelope. What good is it tho if no one can hear it? Supafunk all the way.

 

[LSMFT6]

The Spectrum and C4 from Source Audio are outstanding, but even their old Manta bass filter pedal can be found used for a good price and has all the features anyone would need

 

[mcontour]

Mad professor Snow White auto wah works great!

 

[GrayGoesBlack]

Well, if you like the filter on your Moog, consider Past-FX PX-101, it’s an excellent clone of the unfortunately discontinued Moog MF-101. I have both, the PX really nails the MF sound and is a mainstay on my pedalboard.

 

[blastoff]

... there are so many. the best that IVE found is the original MXR envelope filter (mx120?) , in that it just works. the effect is kind of subtle and perhaps not the most low frequency friendly but it just sounds great anywhere the knobs land. everything else ive tried is more finicky in that you really have to dial them in to get the desired action. but really- there are so many. the DODs are classic but again, finicky. i did not jive with the Mutron microtron iv at all. seemed very one dimensional. i even bought the various mod chips or whatever. the seamoon funk machine is interesting and fun, but also has somewhat narrow ranges of usability. honestly digital effects might have the advantage here. i love my old Akai deep impact and it makes me think something like the C4 could be the way to go, but i haven't tried one personally.

 

[moon-bass]

If you're not looking for the classic Mutron sound,, The fattest envelope filter that I have ever tried (so far) might very well be the Line 6 Otto filter.

 

[NotColinGrigson]

My search for an envelope filter ended with the mxr bass envelope filter.
The separate effect and clean volumes make it really adjustable.
I find it to be super consistent once dialed and sits nicely in the mix.
Another slightly left field suggestion might be to try the Digitech bass synth wah. Has a few fun sounds, but can be used well with envelope

 

[Spectre Gunner]

Try the Stanley Clarke signature Wah/Volume pedal made by EBS. It's made specifically for the electric or upright bass. They're not cheap and can be hard to find a new one but they're available on the used market.



EBS Stanley Clarke Wah/Volume Pedal

 

[akukulich]

I tried a number of them and settled on the Mr. Black Fwonkbeta.

 

[smurfco]

Aguilar Filter Twin worked best for me after trying many others.

 

[InkCow]

I recently got a Walrus Kangra and it’s pretty cool: can either be an envelope filter or you can attach an expression pedal so it’s more like a wah. You can also switch the envelope off so it’s just a filter.

Then it’s also got two fuzz voices.

I assume it’s being discontinued because they’re marked way down right now.