Talking Machine VS Proton VS Moogerfooger Low pass

To me, yes the Moog is worth the extra $60 and the space it takes - I love the Moog. It's subtle & wild and everything in between. Compared to the Talkin machine it's features are limited as a stand alone box. They are also very different beasts, the TM is a vocal formant filter and the Moog is a Low Pass. Very different results.

The 3Leaf gets good reviews, as does an Iron Ether Xerograph deluxe. If you want Moog sound in a small package, go for Iron Ether. If you want CV control (or expression control) of each parameter the Moog is the one. Careful tho, Moog stuff is highly addictive once you understand how they work and work together especially if you are old school.

The Moog is not easy at first, but it's control is rewarding. If you like simple, and want the Mutron / Q-tron "quack" the 3Leaf sounds great.

The talking machine is very different from these, still good at what it does, but different. You are more likely to loose low end with the Talking Machine due to its filter nature but can do different things because of it. If you are looking for an envelope filter, EHX has other options too (Riddle & Enigma, Q-tron). Even the PolyPhase has a setting to make the phaser sweep based on playing dynamics. Very cool sounding.

If you're into what the Moog does, it's really great, and even more capable with other Control Voltage sources.

 

Straight up, yes the Moog can "suck tone" and can be noisy.

My experience with it however differs. Like old school gear that sounds awesome it has quirks that can be avoided. Noise is usually created from providing it with a noisy power supply, or daisy chaining it. Running it from its own adapter, or a power supply like the pedal power is ideal.

As far as the tone thing goes... It has a buffer that is always active. The drive knob can be adjusted and even overdriven or boosted. In my bass rig it's buffer is a welcome addition, but for guitar I chose to keep it in a true bypass loop. I wouldn't say that it sucks tone, but it does colour the signal.

I don't have a talking machine, I tried one tho. Not my thing. The wah will cut your lows and the BB setting is the standard bassballs effect with some added control. If you like the Bassballs sound then this ones more tweak able. I have an old Q-tron+ big box that sounds really good too.

 

Simple. Three Leaf Proton. Easy to dial in, nice funky tones. Done.

 

Did you ever end up with a new filter? I've been looking into the Moog and the Proton

 

I ended up getting an Iron Ether Xerograph Deluxe and that is an awesome filter! It's everything the Moog isn't and does everything I want the Moog to do, while being able to sound very similar to it. The Moog stays home now and the IE goes out to play.


(Still have to Moog too, it's not leaving.)

 

The xerograph seems great! what's your reasoning for keeping the Moog around? I'm starting to worry that I only want it for the cool factor of having a Moog.

 

If you don't mind, could you describe how you felt about the filters you tried? I forgot about the Agent 00 Funk. I was interested in one of those for a bit but I guess it kinda fell off my radar. I've got a SA Manta that is super versatile but none of the sounds really get me excited like the squishiness of the Moog demos I've been hearing.

 

I've tried a ton and my favourite remains the old Mini Q-Tron - which also happens to be the lowest priced filter I've ever bought! Such a fat gloopy sound. Downside is it's large and has a volume boost when engaged, but I plan to rehouse mine and add a volume control. I prefer it to some heavy hitters such as the TruTron 3X, Meatball, all the 3Leaf stuff, original big box Q-Tron, EHX Enigma, MXR BEF, Source Audio, etc.

 

I did a few reviews a while ago here on TB covering the EHX Talking Machine, Chunk Systems Agent 00Funk Mk II, Q-Trons, Tru-Trons, Enigma, MXR, Emma and the like:

Envelope Filter Splurge & Reviews

I still have all of these filters and now also have a couple of vintage Mu-Tron III's. Those I own all have different strengths, pros and cons, but if I absolutely had to choose a top three I'd pick the Mu-Tron, Tru-Tron 3x and Chunk 00Funk. If size, regular 9v dc power supply, and easy availability is a requirement is important then the MXR, Enigma and DiscumBOBulator are very strong choices. The big Box and Mini Q-Trons are very strong too. The EHX Talking Machine is great fun - but as it's a formant filter (vocal/almost talkbox sounding) it really is nothing like a standard envelope filter/autowah (unless you count the Bassballs which it can cop pretty well).

 

CONTROL VOLTAGE and sound. It's FAT. The XD is a smaller light weight filter that compares well with the Moog.

 

The only filter I still own is the Moog.
I kinda miss the 'quack' of my Discumbobulator and the big down sweep and fx loop of my old big box q-tron..
Moog all the way for me, warts and all

 

SHHHH!!!

If we keep speaking so highly of the Mini Q-Tron, the price will go up!