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Tried every filter, these the top 5

#81
fivestringgecko said:
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.
Click to expand...

Had a Microtron IV but returned it because it wouldn't trigger properly for me. I've chatted with other folks here and they never had an issue with that.

Emma Disc. V2 was great. Downsweep was really noisy, but everything else was great. Boost was sweet too. There's a V3 out now that has a Side Chain insert, fwiw.

EHX Bass Microsynth was huge and unwieldy and finicky to set up. The filter section was great with the Start/Stop and speed options. I preferred the filter area to the octave+fuzz area, fwiw.
 
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#83
arepa_funk said:
Had a Microtron IV but returned it because it wouldn't trigger properly for me. I've chatted with other folks here and they never had an issue with that.

Emma Disc. V2 was great. Downsweep was really noisy, but everything else was great. Boost was sweet too. There's a V3 out now that has a Side Chain insert, fwiw.

EHX Bass Microsynth was huge and unwieldy and finicky to set up. The filter section was great with the Start/Stop and speed options. I preferred the filter area to the octave+fuzz area, fwiw.
Click to expand...
Yeah the BMS filter is super cool- it is a triggered filter as opposed to an envelope filter (once the filter is triggered it follows a preset curve rather than responding dynamically like an envelope filter), which makes it pretty unique among those listed here and arguably much easier to dial in. The filter and attack delay sections were my favorite part of that pedal, though the square wave voice is a pretty cool fuzz too
 
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#88
fivestringgecko said:
Some nice tips there @arepa_funk, thanks. I was unaware of the Emma v3!

That's one of the reasons I haven't tried the Micro Synth. There's a newer smaller version of the BMS, but it's still just on the rainy day list.

5sg.
Click to expand...

Since you're mainly interested in the filter section, I'd suggest checking out the big box version. The XO version's filter section is not as responsive.

 
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#93
The Octavius can do the Start-Stop frequency thing but it doesn't re-trigger as easy as the BMS did for me. I tend to use the Start-Stop on the OS for legato synth play which is fantastic for wooly leads. I prefer envelope follower mode in most cases though. I rarely use the VCO. I miss the BMS, I could see it coming back to my board if it was modded for top jacks...

I have tried ALLOT of envelope followers and my fav list is:
1) Octavius
2) MicroTron IV or original
3) Polaron (a phaser but with envelope follower)

For synths I have tried almost all the digital tracking stuff and prefer fuzz->filter, occasionally with a touch of chorus.

What I want to try someday:
1) a small format 4pole filter that works well on bass (Moog, make it happen!)
2) Chromatron
3) FOOZ

What I would welcome back to my board:
1) Bassballs (w/top jacks)
2) BMS (w/top jacks)
 
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#94
OhulahanBass said:
2) MicroTron IV or original
3) Polaron (a phaser but with envelope follower)

What I want to try someday:
1) a small format 4pole filter that works well on bass (Moog, make it happen!)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the post, Ohulahan. That elevates the MicroTron on my list a bit further, and puts the Polaron on my radar. Only watched one demo so far, but seems to be right up my street with the phaser and envelope. Sounds pretty sweet, will be looking for more demos.

Have you checked out the Spectrum/C4? The 4-pole in those are really good, IMO. But, have never had direct experience with the Moog.

5sg.
 
#95
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#96
3toes said:
Another filt-o-phile checking in!

Anyone still running a Robot Factory Meatwad? I regret not picking one up when they were first coming out... Seemed like the perfect Meatball clone at the time, and much more durable!
Click to expand...

Interesting:
The website is still online. Just sayin'.
I certainly wouldn't get my hopes up, but who knows... An email might be at least worth a try, if curiosity gets the better of you?
Robot Factory Meatwad

5sg.
 
#97
fivestringgecko said:
Thanks for the post, Ohulahan. That elevates the MicroTron on my list a bit further, and puts the Polaron on my radar. Only watched one demo so far, but seems to be right up my street with the phaser and envelope. Sounds pretty sweet, will be looking for more demos.

Have you checked out the Spectrum/C4? The 4-pole in those are really good, IMO. But, have never had direct experience with the Moog.

5sg.
Click to expand...

Yes, I had the C4. I get frustrated with the SA envelope, I just don't have the control to open it all the way from down low, SA is not the only digi filter that struggle with this. If they fixed the envelope I may snag me a Spectrum. The vibes are off for me on trackers synths, I prefer Octave->Plasma Coil (or OS Fuzz) -> Filter, it somehow feels more immediate and fully connected to my fingers, albeit deliciously unruly.

Also, I'm 100% allergic to side jacks.
 
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#100
OhulahanBass said:
Yes, I had the C4. I get frustrated with the SA envelope, I just don't have the control to open it all the way from down low, SA is not the only digi filter that struggle with this. If they fixed the envelope I may snag me a Spectrum. The vibes are off for me on trackers synths, I prefer Octave->Plasma Coil (or OS Fuzz) -> Filter, it somehow feels more immediate and fully connected to my fingers, albeit deliciously unruly.

Also, I'm 100% allergic to side jacks.
Click to expand...
Nothing to be done about the side jacks, but the Spectrum is much easier out of the box than the C4. It's designed as an envelope funk machine that can be used without the deep dives typical of Source Audio pedals. I found it was awesome right out of the box. The knobs are designed to get you where you wanna go quack-wise. There are some things, such as inverting the envelope that you would need to go to the editor for, but once you do it, you could save it as a preset, and simply toggle back and forth. For many, 6 envelope filter presets is typically enough, and you could get Moog, Discombobulator, MuTron, Meatball/GR2, and tons of others from available user and factory presets. And it does the MuTron exceedingly well. I have no triggering or tracking issues with the Spectrum, where I had lots of triggering issues with the GR2, and some others I've tried. Also, the Spectrum includes optional phaser, as well as distortion, so envelope phaser is also available.
 

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