Vintage Q-tron or "New" Tron

[WhackJob]

So I just returned my mxr m82. I really couldn't dial it in to what I wanted. So now I turned to the Ehx Q-tron. Now I noticed that their is a vintage one and a newer model. Now my only question is, am I losing anything "tonally". Can I get that Sir Psycho Sexy sound with the newer model. I certainly couldn't get it with the MXR. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Here's a the tone I want (skip to 1:50 or so):

 

[CHILDISHGAMBINO]

That's a mutron with a a dying battery. You could probably get close with a Q-tron and one of those power supplies that lets you starve the voltage. I haven't tried the higher end Q-trons but avoid the micro one at least. It didn't sound good at all and felt like the enclosure was going to cave in. I do not trust newer EHx stuff's quality at all.

 

[MobileHolmes]

I have a q tron+ from when they first came out in the early 2000s and it kind of sucks. QC issues, and it is kind of thin sounding regardless of mode or settings. To this day, my favorite envelope filter is still the DOD fx25, which is cheap and with a dodgy switch, but I love the sound

 

[10cc]

To me that sounds like a "Bass Balls" not a Mu-Tron. I own both and I'm just speaking from my experience with both pedals and what they can do. Never have I heard my Mu-Tron make that noise.

I'd pass on a Q-Tron.

 

[CHILDISHGAMBINO]

It might sound like a bassballs but it is most definitely a Mutron with a dying battery. There's an interview somewhere with flea and he said that that is what he used.

 

[FilterFunk]

An EHX Qballs is probably the closest you can get with one modern pedal. Otherwise, you'll most likely have to use some kind of dirt/envelope filter pedal combo. Or stick with the original dying battery Mu-Tron III.

 

[Bo0tsy]

I'd agree with FilterFunk here. I own Q Trons old and new, Tru Tron, MXR and Bassballs, etc, but the nearest you can get to that tone on the video in a single pedal is an EHX Q Balls.

 

[hintz]

I had one of the older Q-trons (the old, giant ones from the 90's) and it sounded amazing, I should've kept it, but I've heard only bad things about the newer ones

 

[WhackJob]

I had one of the older Q-trons (the old, giant ones from the 90's) and it sounded amazing, I should've kept it, but I've heard only bad things about the newer ones

Thank you for being the only one to answer my question

 

[hintz]

Thank you for being the only one to answer my question

I will add that my only envelope filter at the moment is a Source Audio manta(which is super versatile, almost too much)...ive tried to replicate the tone I got so easily with that older Qtron(a low pass/ slightly gritty "funkytown"/early 80's synth tone), I feel that I'm close but not quite there as far as it tracking everything I do....

As far as that tone on the RHCP's tune, I know flea used the DOD FX25B but that track sounds nothing like one of those(I've owned 3 different era/makes of the FX25), but I'm willing to bet money that the SA manta can do that sound easily, I doubt any type/era of Qtron can do that sound without adding a Fuzz to it(or running it on low power)...

Another one that *might* work for that sound could be the BOSS bass synth, but I'm certain the Manta can cop that sound no problem

 

[lesh-head]

It might sound like a bassballs but it is most definitely a Mutron with a dying battery. There's an interview somewhere with flea and he said that that is what he used.

yes, it was an interview in Bass Player, around 92 I think, the battery was dying and it sounded too good, so they wanted to finish the track before it completely died.

 

[FilterFunk]

Thank you for being the only one to answer my question

Actually, that answer dealt with the old vs. new Q-Tron question, but didn't address the "Sir Psycho Sexy" question.

The good thing is that everyone in this thread is sincerely trying to be helpful. I'm sure you'll find plenty of information you can use to at least get you started toward copping that tone. TalkBass is cool like that!

Good luck!

 

[hintz]

Actually, that answer dealt with the old vs. new Q-Tron question, but didn't address the "Sir Psycho Sexy" question.

The good thing is that everyone in this thread is sincerely trying to be helpful. I'm sure you'll find plenty of information you can use to at least get you started toward copping that tone. TalkBass is cool like that!

Good luck!

Yeah, sorry!! I reread everything after my 2 posts, my first i posted without reading everything(or listening to the track)just went off the thread title....

but i do stand behind the Manta being able to cop that dying battery/mutron sound, id be surprised if it couldn't

 

[FilterFunk]

Yeah, sorry!! I reread everything after my 2 posts, my first i posted without reading everything(or listening to the track)just went off the thread title....

but i do stand behind the Manta being able to cop that dying battery/mutron sound, id be surprised if it couldn't

No worries!

And I don't doubt that the Manta can cop that tone. I'm seriously thinking about getting one.

 

[hintz]

No worries!

And I don't doubt that the Manta can cop that tone. I'm seriously thinking about getting one.

Well worth the $150 new price tag, I'm still trying to cop the FX25 tone I had, maybe I should find a cheap used one for reference (I'm switching to a modular setup with the SA stuff, otherwise id own an older qtron and a fx25)

 

[Bass_Kiwi]

Mu-tron with dying battery is great theory, but easiest way to achieve SIr Psycho Sey tone is BassBalls.

I had Bassballs and also new and old versions with Q-Tron. I kept new version of Q-Tron. Old version was little more dark sounding for me. And for Sir Psycho Sexy tone (which I call "Bassballs tone") I have combination of Big Muff and Q-Tron.

So for me - new Q-Tron!

 

[WhenTheDrumsStops]

I have a q tron+ from when they first came out in the early 2000s and it kind of sucks. QC issues, and it is kind of thin sounding regardless of mode or settings. To this day, my favorite envelope filter is still the DOD fx25, which is cheap and with a dodgy switch, but I love the sound

I am not much of an 'effects man', but I do love my old Q tron. It has some sweetspot settings that makes me smile when I play I generally like the sound the most with the gain very low.

 

[DarkStar90]

I have a q tron+ from when they first came out in the early 2000s and it kind of sucks. QC issues, and it is kind of thin sounding regardless of mode or settings. To this day, my favorite envelope filter is still the DOD fx25, which is cheap and with a dodgy switch, but I love the sound

Old, but I thought I'd comment. The older big box qtron+ sounded thin because the effects loop was blended in even if there was no input. It only affects the filter, so by leaving the loop open, a muted signal was blended in with the filter. Obviously a design fault, but the thinness is easily remedied by connecting the send and return via a small cable, thus closing the loop and giving the filter more to work with.

The manual suggests that the Drive LED should begin to clip at the hardest notes, but IME this setting sounds thin indeed. I would recommend getting the LED to clip, then back it off from there. Gain set halfway is 9 oclock, but I think it sounds better around 8 (with a passive bass that is). Peak Control at 12 oclock.

I avoided mine, until one of my pedal geek friends told me about it. Now It sounds like it should.

PS: Putting the Q-Tron+ into the downward Drive setting and connecting the FX25 into the loop is amazing.

 

[MobileHolmes]

That's good news. I"ll have to try that, although last i tried it, it wasn't working at all

 

[DarkStar90]

That's good news. I"ll have to try that, although last i tried it, it wasn't working at all

That stinks, I hope it works for you. Those big box ones are hard to come by at a decent price, and they definitely sound better than the new ones.