Very weak sensitivity with MXR Bass Envelope Filter

[Melvin7822]

I'm a bit perplexed by this as I've multiple publications praising how responsive the unit is, but in my experience it is anything but. It seems that with this pedal I have to have the sensitivity all the way up and even then I have to play fairly aggressively to get the envelope to open all the way up. Bass Player Magazine was able to get the BEF to respond perfectly with a passive jazz bass and the sensitivity set to 2 o'clock and I can't do the same with an 18V active bass?

I even sent the pedal back to MXR. When they tested the circuit, they said it was ok. They were even nice enough to replace the PCB anyways, but I still have the same problem.

Ideas?

 

[Mousekillaz]

maybe your 18v preamp is over-driving it. I had that issue with a compressor pedal

 

[Melvin7822]

My bass is active/passive and the pedal reacts the same in both modes.

 

[mmbongo]

I set my sensitivity at about 3 o'clock...sounds great with all of my basses! I was just playing around with it a while back. Do you have any other pedals? Perhaps something else in the chain is killing it...mine sounds like barf if I run a compressor before it.

 

[Mousekillaz]

that rules that out then. are you going direct to it in the signal chain
? and have you tried any other basses with it?

 

[Melvin7822]

I'm not running anything else before it. I've tried it with a passive jazz bass as well and the results were less than stellar.

 

[mmbongo]

You do have the 'effect volume' turned up, right?

 

[Melvin7822]

Yes.

 

[Vlad5]

I tried the BEF in a music store with my bass into the amp I eventually bought and currently use, and had the same problem... Way too subtle, couldn't get it to react in any interesting way to my signal. Digging in, knob turning, nothing really got it to make any noise I couldn't call subtle. I eventually put it back on the shelf with shrug.

My bass is wired for 9v, but still puts out a super hot signal (farts out most octavers), and the only envelope filter I got to really engage was a Boomstick Bottom Feeder, which is super quacky (man I miss that pedal, never should of sold it).

Anyway, I feel you. Had the same problem with a Xerograph Deluxe, GR2, BYOC 440 Clone/Fixed Wah.... I'm starting to just give up on filters since I've tried some of the favorites, and the only one that works for me is a $60 used pedal no-one is selling anywhere...(sigh). Actually, MOJO Hand (who made the Bottom Feeder) does offer the 442 Filter which is the same damn circuit as the Bottom Feeder, for $150. But I refuse to pay more than double for it just because its in a pretty new package... </rant>

Subscribed to this thread though, since any answer you get should apply to me too. Good luck!

 

[IncX]

Anyway, I feel you. Had the same problem with a Xerograph Deluxe, GR2, BYOC 440 Clone/Fixed Wah.... I'm starting to just give up on filters...

i feel you.

same problem with me... the only time those filters work right is when you are driving a fuzz or distortion behind it.

it would have been cool, except it would sound wrong when you suddenly turn off the fuzz when you go back to playing clean bass.

sometimes, i just wanted a clean phaser or univibe like modulation with filters, and i havent found one that can give me that effect.

 

[bongomania]

Sounds like the Pigtronix EP2 has your name all over it.

 

[Funkinthetrunk]

Personally, I think you need to turn up the volume on your bass. Someone else on TB had this same issue with the MXR, until he turned up the volume. Some filters are a bit touchy about the output signal from the bass.

 

[Melvin7822]

Personally, I think you need to turn up the volume on your bass. Someone else on TB had this same issue with the MXR, until he turned up the volume. Some filters are a bit touchy about the output signal from the bass.

My volume is always all the way up on the bass.

 

[father of fires]

I don't use anything besides dirt pedals but I know from general interest in all things related to effects that modulation and filter effects rely on certain frequencies to do their thing. Is it possible your bass is not eq'd appropriately? Like, do you turn your highs down or maybe play dull sounding strings?

Also, how far are your strings from you pups? I have one bass that can barely distort my BlueBeard and one of the issues is the super high action.

 

[liveburning274]

I played one at GC that had the same problem. It was really disappointing. I gave up on the pedal after demoing it solo from anything else. It had such a weak response through it's entire spectrum. I could only pull 2 or 3 useable tones out of it, nothing special.

 

[Funkinthetrunk]

My volume is always all the way up on the bass.

You and I live in the same state...you may have to show me this pedal to try out.

 

[Badmuthaplucka]

One word: Mids

Put up the mids on you active electronics when you activate the filter.

 

[Vlad5]

I've tried all the adjustments too... mid boost (variable with a BMC), volume up all the way (always), clean signal only, distortion first/last... I dunno.

I'm still tweaking with the BYOC Filter/Fixed Wah (DOD 440 clone, with extras) and am having the same problem. I'm about to switch out some capacitors to shift the middle of the filter sweep down one octave. As it is now, only a clean signal makes it do anything useful, and even then, its pretty attenuated. But that is a different circuit, and I only mention it to add contrast/comparison to this discussion.

Maybe certain active electronics just don't like certain filters? I don't know enough about the circuits to offer anything more than my personal user experience and a shrug o' me shoulders.

Honestly, the only filter I've tried that impressed me with its responsiveness and sound was the Bottom Feeder... I really miss that little guy.

 

[Melvin7822]

One word: Mids

Put up the mids on you active electronics when you activate the filter.

That's basically the same as increasing the volume and that really doesn't help anyone with a passive bass.

 

[HolmeBass]

I was also very much less than impressed with the MXR Envelope Filter. Very mellow tones for me, I know many others just love it. Try the Source Audio BEF or BEF Pro, I'm really digging my BEF.