Best envelope filter for bass?

[pdaconq9]

Hey everyone, I'm here asking this on behalf of my best friend, who I jam with on pretty much a weekly basis along with my brother on drums. Someday we'll get around to sticking a singer in...

Anyway, the reason that I've ventured into the uncharted territory of the Bass forum is this: what do you guys think is the best envelope filter for bass? 'Cause he's building up his rig, just recently picked up a BOSS OD, and he figured his next goal would be a nice Envelope Filter, mainly for Flea/Geezer Butler-style auto-wah. So, before we go and try 'em out, we figured we'd get a list of those worthy.

We also have pretty much ruled out the Q-Tron, as he's kind of on a tight budget. Well, actually, he's got about $700 in cash, but he's saving up for a Stingray, so you know how that is :D. Here's the list of those we have considered trying:

- EH Mini Q-Tron
- DOD Envelope Filter
- Digitech Bass Envelope Filter/Synth
- EH Bassballs

Any comments/additions?

[mayonaise]

yes, ummmmm.... the Line 6 Modulation Modeler works good with bass and also try the EHX BassBalls, thats the nicest autowah you can get! (Flea used one :cool: )

[flaw4perfection]

Go with the Bassballs or DOD Filter. Good solid effects for budgets.

[Roadstar II]

I like the DOD, but depending on your bass, it can be hit or miss trying to get the sensitivity to match your bass' frequencies.

[Tone Doctor]

Check out the Pigtronix EP-1.

It is an envelope phaser with an incredbly deep and liquid tone.

http://www.pigtronix.com

[metdeth85]

Either go EBS or Mu-tron. The mu-tron is the origional and still amazing, while the EBS runs 3 filters in one for really thick sound.

[slc_dan]

I love the bass balls, but the digitech is SO versatile, and it sounds AWESOME. the sensitivity is easy to get down, and it really sounds good. I highly recommend it for the price. realize through, it's not like getting a distortion pedal, it takes some time to learn how to use it, you have to learn to play the pedal, almost like it's a new instrument.

[intorvert]

The digi is the coolest. Try setting 3 with control and range dimed and the sens @ 9 o'clock. Great slow opening roar, especially if used before a hot distortion. To really mess that up, stick a hard tremolo in front of it.

[bucky]

Well, Flea uses an EHX Q-Tron if you're looking to emulate his type of sound.

[haujobb]

My SB-7 does some crazy sounds...

[Talent?!]

I didn't want to start a new thread. Which envelope filter would be the best to help me get a similar tone to the live version of For Whom the Bell Tolls where Cliff starts off by playing the melogy and adding mad pulloffs? I've already got the growl using a big muff, just need that modulated sound, thanks

[metdeth85]

If you're talking about the riff from cliff 'em all them it's just a morley power wah. The distortion comes from a big muff. If I'm wrong then it's a mu-tron. (I came to that conclusion being that the mu-tron was the only good envelope filter if not the only one back then)

[A2aThoT]

I just bought an Electro-Harmonix Russian Bass Balls for 50 € and I ****in' like it!!!
Does anyone here know the difference between USA & Russian BassBalls? I don't know....


Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Maybe E-H will support me...

[JDogg]

My bassist has a Mini Q-tron which he occasionally plays with, and he gets some nice sounds out of it.

It's hardly mini though :rolleyes:

[metdeth85]

Originally posted by A2aThoT
Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Buy a BassBalls! Maybe E-H will support me...

Yea, Sorry but a bassballs is not an envelope filter. There overrated anyway. I'm a bass player and don't think much of them.

[yledbetter]

I like my FM-4, I dont play bass, just thought I'd share:D

[schecter guy03]

I have the fx25b and it works pretty good, but I think it's meant for guitar more, but it still sounds pretty good especially when I got it new for thirty dollars!

[monkeyspunky]

if your friend has the money its gotta b a mutron or the lovetone meatball

[BlueOrb]

Originally posted by pdaconq9

We also have pretty much ruled out the Q-Tron, as he's kind of on a tight budget.


Originally posted by monkeyspunky
if your friend has the money its gotta b a mutron or the lovetone meatball

did you actually read his post before posting?

[Thumbkid]

I think the Mini Q-Tron would be a good choice.

[Tecx]

IMHO, the DOD fx25 is only usble for dub sounds (set so the envilope never opens)... Bill Laswell uses his this way... As for a straight forward EV filter the q-tron is great, stay away from the mini (it just isn't worth it)... And the haz labs reissue of the Mutron III is great!..

Alex

[UnkleSlam]

The Chunk Systems Double 00Funk is the best envelope filter in production, IMO. Especially for bass.

[nosferatu123]

Originally posted by Tecx
And the haz labs reissue of the Mutron III is great!..

Alex

Amen to that......... Its excellent........ Very smooth and silky........
I can nail all those John Scofield tones....... And ive tried a bas through it, slap bass sounds absolutely brilliant.....

[sleewell]

moog lowpass,


for sure, if you dont want to spend 300-400 for a lovetone or mutron, go with moog,

bill