Suggestions for a mini (1590a) envelope filter

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ptm

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Nov 13, 2016
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#1
Hi everyone,

I have this huge and heavy Russian Bassballs. It sounds cool and all, but it's kind of a one trick pony for me (it nails that Sir Psycho Sexy sound perfectly, but if that's not what you're after it just sounds too strident). It's also not true bypass.

Anyway, I was looking for a budget alternative that is not too bassballs-sounding (something more well-rounded), preferably 1590a size. Is there any go-to option if I don't want to break the bank?

Thanks!
 
#4
jcerio said:
Mooer Bass Sweeper. Great inexpensive alternative to the Bassballs. I absolutely love mine.
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NigelD said:
+1 on the Mooer Sweeper
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hmmmmm, the Mooer Bass Sweeper was my last pedal purchase, i´m still in the honeymoon phase, but i´m having hard times finding THE sweet spot. It works a little better with my active bass (MusicMan) and i don´t like the build in fuzz sound, huge volume spike, so i use a different dirt pedal in front. Maybe i need more time to get along the learning curve ...
 
#7
Only envelope filter I have experience with is the EHX Riddler which I highly recommend as a very diverse filter pedal, got mine for 100$ or so used too. The Enigma is the bass version but with the wet/dry mix and low/band/highpass modes I can get plenty of great tones on bass as well with the guitar version. In fact in lowpass mode it almost has too much bass and I have to dial it back often times. The controls allow for a ton of variety though, it goes from classic to crazy.

I love that it has a mix control which comes in handy especially with the crazier settings. Only real downside is it is pretty complex so if you don't like tweaking knobs then look elsewhere, also the built in distortion is not the best as the trimpot to control the level is inside the pedal so I always just use a drive pedal. One day I intend to mod the internal trim pot onto the surface so it can hopefully be more useful. Still a cool feature though. Playing with the attack/ decay and start/ stop knobs alone gives it a ton of diversity and the Q+ sensitivity controls can take it from very mild to insanely over the top filter sounds which I love.

It is fun to reverse the start/ stop and attack/ decay from super bizarre inverted filter sounds, takes some dialing in but you can get very unique sounds.
 
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#8
nshuman said:
FWIW a 1590a pedal is actually 125B/1590b with top jacks sized by the time you factor in the cables, even if you use EBS flat patch cables.
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Yes; I guess that makes sense. I just mentioned 1590a so that people would know what I mean when I say "mini" (I've seen people disagree over it before). Having said that, that seems like a great deal on the 3leaf, and that pedal would definitely not be denied entrance to my tiny pedalboard (but might be too much of a hassle to get from there since I'm in Europe).

The Enigma and Riddle, on the other hand, are huge compared to what I'm looking for (unless there's smaller versions I'm not aware of?)

Judging by youtube clips, the Mooer sounds a lot like the bassballs.
The Malekko seems to be the closest to what I'm looking for. For those who've tried both: how does Malekko compare to Mooer in terms of sturdiness and overall build quality? I already have a Mooer Tender Octaver and I like it a lot, but wouldn't mind getting the Malekko and try something new.
 
#9
@johnk_10 makes a Seamoon Funk Machine in 1590a as well as Mutron IIIs in 125b with top jacks (might be more than you wanted to spend).

1590A_FunkMachine-300.jpg


The Proton is a great idea, though... and very cost-effective.
 
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#11
ptm said:
The Enigma and Riddle, on the other hand, are huge compared to what I'm looking for (unless there's smaller versions I'm not aware of?)
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Yeah sorry I guess I missed or forgot about the mini part ;) I was pretty baked yesterday and always want to recommend the riddle when I get a chance.

It is about the size of 2 standard pedals, maybe a bit more. I would say the size is worth it for all the great features if you can make it fit. Makes a great studio tool too as it works great with pretty much any instrument/ rig and you can dial in any of the filter modes to work good with most stuff with all the controls.

May be overkill if your looking for a small/ simpler envelope filter but for the price especially if you score one used it is hard to beat.
 
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#12
Yeah, the size is the only problem with stuff like the Riddle. I have no doubt it's an awesome piece of gear.

The thing is I am trying to put together all the effects I (think I) need on a pedaltrain nano. So I made it kind of a rule that any pedals I get with that goal in mind must be mini (so far I got a Mooer Tender Octaver and a Ditto Looper). I figured I could have about 6 of them (maybe even more if I stick one or two horizontally, especially if most of the pedals I get have the power socket on the side, so they don't get in the way). I'm taking it slow instead of jumping on the first mini pedals I see, especially with so much variation in quality even within the same make (case in point: Mooer), but I also don't want to break the bank.

So I think the Malekko envelope filter might be the best candidate (mini, power out the side, seems like it sounds great, on the verge of not being affordable for my needs but still ok)
 
#14
I've liked the Mooer Sweeper so far. Not the best as a clean envelope filter though, I liked the 'fuzz'-option but the clean didn't do it for me. Does lose some low end as well, I you'd ask me. Very curious for those Malekko and JohnK products!
 
#15
Feral Feline said:
Affordable is a matter of perspective.

When you consider all that a MythFX Infinium can do, it's very affordable both in terms of money and board space.

Envelope Filter has adjustable 'Q', Sensitivity, and a wet/dry mix.
Then there's the Ring Modulator and Delay as well, a three-in-one 1590A.
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That I would consider affordable given all that it does. Looks like an amazing box! Would like to hear some samples on the bass, but unfortunately a quick search only gives me guitar samples. Looked for an European dealer out of curiosity and they seem to have one in Sweden, but the pedal is not listed there. Anyway, seems like a very good buy.
madame clapotis said:
I've liked the Mooer Sweeper so far. Not the best as a clean envelope filter though, I liked the 'fuzz'-option but the clean didn't do it for me. Does lose some low end as well, I you'd ask me. Very curious for those Malekko and JohnK products!
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That would make it very similar to the Bassballs (at least to mine). Also a reason for me to ask around instead of just getting the Mooer.
 
#17
The Malekko filter is a DOD 440 style, and has this sort of lo-fi feel to it which I really like. If I needed a tiny filter I'd go back to that one most likely, but the Infinium also intrigues.
 
#18
The malekko E.filter is pretty awesome... and tiny.

I got really into filters a couple years ago, and tried out and owned a bunch of different filters. I have a 3leaf proton, which I love. I remember really liking the malekko after a LONG audition of a bunch of filters at a pedal boutique.

The purple MXR is OK, and pretty small - I'd get the malekko though.

Keeley makes a very cool filter - the neutrino it's pretty small too.
 
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#19
nshuman said:
FWIW a 1590a pedal is actually 125B/1590b with top jacks sized by the time you factor in the cables, even if you use EBS flat patch cables. 3Leaf still has insanely priced b-stock Proton v3s on Reverb:

3Leaf Audio Proton Envelope Filter - NEW B-STOCK

That will blow the socks off anything else in that price range and that size.
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Thanks!
There's now a Proton on it's way to me (hopefully before my New Year's gig).
And I'll really have to cram to get in in my board.
 
#20
I haven't found one yet that met my needs.

Max at Sfx messed around with making me one for a while based on the DOD circuits but he wasn't impressed enough with what he came up with to send it to me.
 
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