Tried every filter, these the top 5

[sunbeast]

Interesting list, @fivestringgecko. If I'm not mistaken, Thundercat uses the Pigtronix Bass Envelope Phaser on Them Changes.

I haven't tried as many, but my favourite sounding was the Moog. But it's not a fun pedal. It's huge, hard to power and the drive section is always on even when the pedal is turned off.

I was pleasantly surprised by the Filter Twin when I tried it. Made me wonder why it's not more popular than it is.

Not sure if it’s what he used on the original recording, but in live footage I’ve always seen him use the Moog MF101 and it sounds about right (the snazzy limited edition white version that he usually has on a stand in front of him along with a second Moog pedal):

 

[sunbeast]

I get it. The filter section is, of course, the Agent 00Funk, which is a filter a lot of folks probably not had the chance to try, but it is easily my favorite envelope filter I’ve ever used (and I’ve used a bunch, including most of the ones mentioned so far).

My Agent Funk clone is definitely becoming a favorite for me too- never played an original but hard to imagine much better than this! It can be a bit daunting to dial in as the controls span quite a bit of range and are quite interactive, but the tones and feel are totally killer once you get things dialed in right. I think it’d be my first choice if I could only grab one filter at the moment. Would love to mod mine for an expression pedal at some point

 

[drumvsbass]

I am really gassing for a Microtron. Which “color” Microtron did you get? Gold is the default, Red is slower/“chewier”, and Blue is faster.

I am wondering about Red vs the Gold default.

Mine is the MicroTron 3, the 4 has the switchable preamps I think. Mine sounds like instant Bootsy Collins. I had a Haz Labs Mu-Tron that was great for guitar, a little too subtle for bass.

 

[Grahams Groove]

Not sure if it’s what he used on the original recording, but in live footage I’ve always seen him use the Moog MF101 and it sounds about right (the snazzy limited edition white version that he usually has on a stand in front of him along with a second Moog pedal):

Speaking of live MF-101...

Check out Larry Carlton's son, Travis, grooving hard with an MF-101. Dude has some serious chops, and his lead work starting around the 5:00 mark is killer. He's got is an MF-101 on a music stand, and an octave on the board that he kicks in later in the tune.



Edited to add: This is a perfect example of how an EF can be a second instrument. His varied attack throughout the song demonstrates how to make these things really 'sing' and how to manipulate the touch sensitivity of the inputs to dramatic effect.

 

[drumvsbass]

I have an original DOD FX25, for those days when I feel like blowing up subwoofers.

 

[Just Wrong]

Speaking of live MF-101...

Check out Larry Carlton's son, Travis, grooving hard with an MF-101. Dude has some serious chops, and his lead work starting around the 5:00 mark is killer. He's got is an MF-101 on a music stand, and an octave on the board that he kicks in later in the tune.



Edited to add: This is a perfect example of how an EF can be a second instrument. His varied attack throughout the song demonstrates how to make these things really 'sing' and how to manipulate the touch sensitivity of the inputs to dramatic effect.

Makes me wish I hadn't sold my (two) MFs...

 

[willsellout]

Cool. My list is different.

 

[fivestringgecko]

I still own a few analog gems, but the C4 is fantastic.

LOVE my C4. My top list aside, the C4 is what's actually on my board, because of the reasons you mention. Many different filters all in one box. "Pics or it didn't happen" below... I've got it, a Stomp and a Future Impact all paired with a MC6 controller, and the expression goes through the Morningstar to control everything as well. (The C4 also does a convincing OC2, and I've assigned the expression on the patch to control the dry mix, a la the 3Leaf Octabvre.)

Speaking of live MF-101...

Check out Larry Carlton's son, Travis, grooving hard with an MF-101. Dude has some serious chops, and his lead work starting around the 5:00 mark is killer. He's got is an MF-101 on a music stand, and an octave on the board that he kicks in later in the tune.



Edited to add: This is a perfect example of how an EF can be a second instrument. His varied attack throughout the song demonstrates how to make these things really 'sing' and how to manipulate the touch sensitivity of the inputs to dramatic effect.

Travis is a monster player... Been following him for quite a while as well! You weren't kidding, that is a deep groove and a great bass/filter sound. Thanks for posting that video.

You make a really good point as well: Envelope filters really need to be played like a second instrument!

5sg.

 

[el murdoque]

I've had some great filters -- Chromatron, XD, Wonderlove v1, Microtron, and Joshwah -- and my Meatball clone edges them all. The XD gets wetter, but not by much. The Chromatron has the best feature set of any filter ever, but it's more polite than I like. The Wonderlove isn't far behind in terms of features, and it sounds great. The Microtron is easy to dial in and just works. The Joshwah is easy to dial in, maybe a little more polite, but has the built-in drive which is clutch, as I'm rarely using a filter without drive anyway. But the Meatball is just special. It's so touchy, so finicky, but when you get it set up right, forget it.

I think the separate attack and decay settings, which seem unwieldy at first, make the Meatball special.
But it's a pedal where you're one tiny increment away from sounding totally off. I had multiple sessions where I dialed in a perfect sound and two days later (without touching anything) I needed to dial it in again because it did not sound like it did when I left it.
The other thing is the FX loop. Having the option of putting comp, octave and fuzz in the loop and then engage the whole synth battery with a single foot switch is great, and the fact that the envelope is triggered by the input signal gives it a third dimension.
In my book, the Meatball and the Agent 00Funk are set apart from the others for the way their filters open and close.

 

[moon-bass]

I am wondering about Red vs the Gold default.

The faster vs slower feel is very similar to the attack/decay knobs that you'll find on some other filters. I have both and prefer the faster option myself.

 

[moon-bass]

On a shameless plug/sidenote:
I've got presets on the Neuro Community forsome of my favorite envelope filters sounds including the Pigtronix and the Filter Twin, for anyone who has a C4/Spectrum and might be interested. They're not exactly the same, but they're close.

Same Nuero user name as here.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Source Audio in any way.

5sg.

Shout out here to 5sg. The presets that he has on the Neuro app are awesome! I have more than a few loaded into my C4.

 

[HolmeBass]

The faster vs slower feel is very similar to the attack/decay knobs that you'll find on some other filters. I have both and prefer the faster option myself.

Can you open the pedal and switch between modules yourself, or are they wired/soldered in so it’s not really easy to switch between modules? Than you for any insight here.

 

[moon-bass]

Can you open the pedal and switch between modules yourself, or are they wired/soldered in so it’s not really easy to switch between modules? Than you for any insight here.

It's easy to switch between modules. Just pop open the pedal and pop the module off and press the new one into the pins. Very easy to do!

 

[fivestringgecko]

Thanks @moon-bass! I really enjoy making presets, but I've switched bands since I was heavy into programming the C4, and the previous bassist was pretty established with the Future Impact, so that has taken over the drivers seat for synth stuff.

The FI presets are pretty well set though, so I really need to get back to the C4 out of pure enjoyment... I've got 9 or 10 presets that are in various states of "almost finished." I just need to make recordings for some, and others just need that last 5% of polish. I'm not big on New Years resolutions, but getting back to programming C4 patches is very high on the list for 2024!

5sg.

 

[fivestringgecko]

It's easy to switch between modules. Just pop open the pedal and pop the module off and press the new one into the pins. Very easy to do!

Another curiosity question about those modules for you, Moon:
Would I be correct in thinking that if you order one of the other modules, the gold is still installed in the pedal and the additional module is a separate item? Or if you order the blue one for example, it replaces the gold module in the pedal from the factory?

Now you've got me curious about the Micro-Tron IV!

5sg.

 

[HolmeBass]

It's easy to switch between modules. Just pop open the pedal and pop the module off and press the new one into the pins. Very easy to do!

Oh that’s very good news, a very cool feature! Right now the modules are only $15 each.

 

[Grahams Groove]

Another curiosity question about those modules for you, Moon:
Would I be correct in thinking that if you order one of the other modules, the gold is still installed in the pedal and the additional module is a separate item? Or if you order the blue one for example, it replaces the gold module in the pedal from the factory?

Now you've got me curious about the Micro-Tron IV!

5sg.

They do it two different ways in the online store. For $15 you can opt for the red or blue instead of the stock gold module, and they will install/calibrate before sending. In which case, you don't get the gold. For $20 each, you can order additional (blue and/or red) modules, and have them to swap with the stock gold.

 

[moon-bass]

Another curiosity question about those modules for you, Moon:
Would I be correct in thinking that if you order one of the other modules, the gold is still installed in the pedal and the additional module is a separate item? Or if you order the blue one for example, it replaces the gold module in the pedal from the factory?

Now you've got me curious about the Micro-Tron IV!

5sg.

@Grahams Groove got it right. I ordered mine with the stock module and an additional, just cuz I like options. I've been very happy tho with the faster response and don't see myself switching any time soon.

 

[OhulahanBass]

Octavius Squeezer... My favorite Synth/Filter/Fuzz in a confoundingly impossible to program pedal. I absolutely want a second one, but they usually only come up VERY expensive when I don't have the $$$ to spend.

All the tones on this track were done with it.

how did you get the lead tone so damn stable? The OS is my fav too, I need to have a tron on the board also, but the OS gets the most love from me.

 

[fivestringgecko]

So I'll add a topic to the thread: envelope filters you want to try, and advice from people that have experience with them.

I'd like to try, not necessarily in this order:
- Micro-Tron IV with all the chips! ha ha (Thanks @moon-bass)
- Emma Discombobulator v2
- SolidGoldFX SupaFunk
- Moog MF101
- and dammit, now the Octavius Squeezer because of @drumvsbass video!

I know these are more synth than envelope filter, but also:
- EHX Bass Microsynth
- EHX HOG2

5sg.