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Why can't I find a filter pedal that I like?

Dave W

Dave W

Mar 1, 2007
18,462
10,911
Westchester, NY
#1
Filters seem to be the one pedal that always eludes me. I do a bunch of research and find one that I dig then I get it home and it just doesn't do it for me.

Tried an MXR BEF. It was just okay
Tried a Source Audio BEF Pro. Hated it. Too fake sounding
Tried a Wonderlove. Same as the MXR
Tried an Aguilar Filter Twin. It's kinda tame

I want to try a Proton, but I'm afraid it's going to be too tame.
I'd love a Meatball, but it's gigantic and too expensive.
I thought about Meatball clones like the Meatwad but I'm not sure.
I might try a Qballs.

I guess I want something pretty quacky but not too quacky. I want it to be heard well in a mix, most of them seem to get lost. Maybe it's my band or my playing, I dunno. My favorite filter tone is probably Mike Gordon's solo in Ghost. I'm pretty sure it was a Meatball.

Any thoughts?
 
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#2
Dave W said:
Filters seem to be the one pedal that always eludes me. I do a bunch of research and find one that I dig then I get it home and it just doesn't do it for me.

Tried an MXR BEF. It was just okay
Tried a Source Audio BEF Pro. Hated it. Too fake sounding
Tried a Wonderlove. Same as the MXR
Tried an Aguilar Filter Twin. It's kinda tame

I want to try a Proton, but I'm afraid it's going to be too tame.
I'd love a Meatball, but it's gigantic and too expensive.
I thought about Meatball clones like the Meatwad but I'm not sure.
I might try a Qballs.

I guess I want something pretty quacky but not too quacky. I want it to be heard well in a mix, most of them seem to get lost. Maybe it's my band or my playing, I dunno. My favorite filter tone is probably Mike Gordon's solo in Ghost. I'm pretty sure it was a Meatball.

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
I have to agree with your frustration. I view pedal-GAS as a real money pit. I really want one or two filters but I really wouldn't use it as much as I imagine I would. I have a few basic pedals that are the must-haves, as they say. I think I will stick with the B-3 and MS-60B. Nobody but me knows if I'm banging' away through 300 dollar boutique pedals or not.
 
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#4
Dude I feel your pain. I am an effects nut and a good envelope filter is something that has been a struggle for me to find. I have tried tons of filters and I always seem to have a complain. I have tried the DOD FX25, DOD FX25B,Q-tron, Enigma Q balls, Bass balls, Guyatone BR-2, MXR Bass Envelope Filter, and a few more I can't think of. I either didn't like the tone or they cut volume or low end or something. The meatball is awesome but it's huge! I have never tried it but the Manta is suppose to be really killer. I don't know what your needs are but I have settled on the Xerograph Deluxe and I am very happy with it. At times I miss my MXR BEF but overall I am very pleased with the Xero. The reason I ask what your after is because the Xero can't get that really quacky rubbery sound. It gets a wetter, synthier, sound. It works for me but I could see why it does not work for all. Xerograph Deluxe is my pick. If I had to pick a second it would be the MXR no doubt.
 
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#5
Every consider a Mutron clone. Also IE Xerograph is supposed to be awesome. Tool and Russian Circles have been using the WeeWah by Tone Butcher lately. Seems pretty interesting to me. I might get one when I take care of some other purchases first.

There is always a Moogerfooger LPF as well.
 
#7
I've been really happy with my Proton, and it doesn't always get lost in the mix. Actually I've found that it often sounds great in a band/live context. One thing that you might want to try is putting some fuzz or dirt before the filter. I find that that helps bring out the best in filters, including being heard in a mix.
 
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#11
MightyMiloQuinn said:
SolidGoldFX Funkzilla, WMD Super Fatman.

Proton is reminiscent of the Mutron, Wonderlove reminiscent of the Meatball.
Click to expand...

You can try a Funkzilla, but to me it sounded exactly like the MXR BEF but with a lot more features and twice the size. The Aguilar Filter Twin has stayed with me the longest, I can't say I have stopped looking, but every time I try a new one it does not best the Filter Twin. It's not super quacky though, it's more talk-boxy.
 
#12
mmbongo said:
You can try a Funkzilla, but to me it sounded exactly like the MXR BEF but with a lot more features and twice the size. The Aguilar Filter Twin has stayed with me the longest, I can't say I have stopped looking, but every time I try a new one it does not best the Filter Twin. It's not super quacky though, it's more talk-boxy.
Click to expand...

I just picked up the Filter Twin so I can't say How I feel just yet but it seems like it may get lost in a mix. I've only messed with it at home so far.
 
#16
After going through a good number of wah and filters, I settled on three pedals that work for me.

1. Haz Mutron III (form factor is huge, current manufacturer riped off the design but this one performs and offers lots of tones).
2. Dunlop Bass Wah 105Q (put a fuzz in front of it and enjoy the wild ride)
3. EH Bassballs (inexpensive, noisy but it delivers)
 
#17
+1 on the Haz Mutron III, had one for years and years. Excellent envelope effect on bass, especially the down setting.

I actually find the Zoom MS-60b to serve my filter (and limited space) needs nicely. Its filter models are decent and cover enough envelope ground to be serviceable, but what really helps it (especially in a mix) is that you can stack other effects models with them (such as EQs) to get a usable sound.

That said, if I were in the market for a dedicated funky filter I'd buy a Source Audio Manta directly.
 
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#18
GazzBass said:
Yup, me too. I gave up in the end and just use my Dunlop bass wah. Not the same thing I know but it gets me me close enough.
Click to expand...

Laurent said:
2. Dunlop Bass Wah 105Q (put a fuzz in front of it and enjoy the wild ride)
Click to expand...

You know, I was doing the same thing with mine. I loved it as I was able to make it do whatever I wanted.
Yesterday I went through all of my pedals and it just didn't cut it anymore. I lost too much high end.
I've thought about grabbing a different wah but I suppose it would be nice to have the smaller footprint of an envelope filter instead.

I'd like to try out a Wilson Freaker Wah one of these days. I found a used one on GC's site a little while back but it ended up not actually being a Freaker Wah.

In regards to the SA Manta, I though it was based on the BEF Pro. If that's true I really wasn't a fan. I know everybody says you can do all kinds of things with them (and you can) but they just don't sound quite right to me. Plus I like to be able to tweak on the fly (at a gig) if I need to make a quick change. With the SA I'd need to tweak, test, save. Oh...that's not right...tweak, test, save. Then repeat until satisfied. I'd rather grab a knob and turn it then be done. If I'm wrong in any of that I'll check it out for consideration...
 
#19
I have lots of advice for you!

1) Try the SA original BEF. This is the pedal the hooked Mike Gordon. He used our prototype then moved to the final version. He did eventually move on to the prototype of the Pro and then the final Pro, but he did like the original BEF first. It has no presets, but it has only a few knobs and can be easy to tweak on the fly. An SA BEF has been in his rig a long time now.
2) Try using the Tri-Mod Wah. I might even send you a demo unit to check out if I have one (send me a PM). Will Cady loved this pedal and created lots of really good bass videos with it.
3) Try using an outboard EQ. Mike Gordon has lots of issues with the Meatball, and he has a dedicated EQ in line with his meatball in that loop to del with some of them.
4) Try playing various things with a blind A/B switch to remove the power of suggestion from the mix. Even the best violin players in the world were certain they could tell the difference between a Stradivarius and a modern instrument, but under blind testing they not only could not......but most preferred the modern unit over the real thing. That testing, which was very scientific and conducted multiple times, proves that the ear can be prejudiced. Knowing that an effect is digital and plastic (as is the pro) can lead many to hear digital and plastic.
5) Manta allows adding some dirt and a few other things were improved. If you are on a quest to try them all, this ought to be tried. Plus, you can use the Hub and get 128 presets!

I know this is highly slated towards SA solutions.......but......I think at this point we have done more filter pedals than almost anyone? (7 total) Oh, yes...I work there too. :thumbsup:
 
#20
rsmith601 said:
I have lots of advice for you!

1) Try the SA original BEF. This is the pedal the hooked Mike Gordon. He used our prototype then moved to the final version. He did eventually move on to the prototype of the Pro and then the final Pro, but he did like the original BEF first. It has no presets, but it has only a few knobs and can be easy to tweak on the fly. An SA BEF has been in his rig a long time now.
2) Try using the Tri-Mod Wah. I might even send you a demo unit to check out if I have one (send me a PM). Will Cady loved this pedal and created lots of really good bass videos with it.
3) Try using an outboard EQ. Mike Gordon has lots of issues with the Meatball, and he has a dedicated EQ in line with his meatball in that loop to del with some of them.
4) Try playing various things with a blind A/B switch to remove the power of suggestion from the mix. Even the best violin players in the world were certain they could tell the difference between a Stradivarius and a modern instrument, but under blind testing they not only could not......but most preferred the modern unit over the real thing. That testing, which was very scientific and conducted multiple times, proves that the ear can be prejudiced. Knowing that an effect is digital and plastic (as is the pro) can lead many to hear digital and plastic.
5) Manta allows adding some dirt and a few other things were improved. If you are on a quest to try them all, this ought to be tried. Plus, you can use the Hub and get 128 presets!

I know this is highly slated towards SA solutions.......but......I think at this point we have done more filter pedals than almost anyone? (7 total) Oh, yes...I work there too. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
I have had Tri Mod Wah. It sounds flattish, bad dynamics and it felt lifeless.
 

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