Author Topic: "The Liquid Funk" (Read 497 times)

rami · « **on:** April 23, 2003, 07:55:40 PM »

I'm looking for a really good Envelope Filter. I was wondering if anybody has any suggestions. So far, I'm leaning towards the DOD FX25B.

Thanks guys!

Manfred · « **Reply #1 on:** April 23, 2003, 11:44:08 PM »

Hi Rami,

The DOD is good. I don't know if you have ever heard of a band called Slapbak, well, he's using one. Of course the old Mutron III (original Musitronics) not the Mutron III+ is also great. If you want to tweak the knobs a lot you have to go for the expensive, really expensive Lovetone Meatball. Combined with an Octave pedal or the DOD Meatbox which created super low subharmonics, you'll have a great sound. The Lovetone has it's own effectloop which works perfect, but they are selling for about 550 USD. If you don't want to spend that much, try the EBS filter.

Manfred

rami · « **Reply #2 on:** April 24, 2003, 06:19:04 AM »

Hi Manfred,

Thanks for the tips I'll defintely look into them!

I'm also considering the Digitech Bass Synth Wah.

Anyone have any experience with it?

Rami

dean_m · « **Reply #3 on:** April 24, 2003, 06:37:52 AM »

Hey Rami,

I've been using the Akai SB-1 Deep Impact pedal. It's got a bunch of synth sounds as well as a decent octave divider and envelope filter. The thing I really like about it is that it has a true bypass, meaning it doesn't mess with your sound while it's in bypass mode. The downside is that you have to use a wallwart to power it.
I've also heard great things about the EBS pedals too.

Good Luck,
Dino (bptfo)

Manfred · « **Reply #4 on:** April 24, 2003, 08:00:51 AM »

I've been using the SB-1 as well. Worked great in combination with an Envelope Filter. In my case both the Mutron III and the Lovetone. A true bypass is recommended, just what Dino says. But, if you use your Alembic in stereo mode, you can choose if you want the effect(s) on you neck, bridge or both pickups. So you can mix the effects with the uneffected sound. But you need a stereo setup for it. Oh, I forgot one. The Line 6 FM-4 which has a great envelope filter. A good Mutron III copy and some other weird sounds.
Don't know about the Digitech, but I think the Boss SYB-3 is similar to it and that one is good too. The only problem is that most pedals are using only one sound at a time, so it's hard to mix with let's say an octave or synth pedal. If you really want some Liquid Funk, you need more than just an envelope filter. Have a look at ebay for some used ones.

Manfred

wally_malone · « **Reply #5 on:** April 24, 2003, 09:39:03 PM »

My EBS Bass IQ pedal works great. I have the EBS Unichorus and Octabass is well.

Wally

wally_malone · « **Reply #6 on:** April 24, 2003, 09:42:00 PM »

I have an EBS IQ pedal. Great for some real funky sounds. Also have the EBS Unichorus and Octabass. They're steep but I feel the quality is worth it.

Wally

rami · « **Reply #7 on:** April 26, 2003, 01:31:13 PM »

Hi Wally,

I just came back from a local dealer after trying the EBS IQ.....SOLD!!!

It's the best I've tried so far. A little more expensive that the rest, but you really get what you pay for.

Thanks for the tip!

Rami

edwin · « **Reply #8 on:** April 26, 2003, 09:52:39 PM »

I love these things! I have some old Electro Harmonix envelope filters, including the Dr Q and Bassballs (and a Triggered Y that seems not to work quite right) as well as an Electrix Filter Factory and a Univox Mutron (same guts, licensed from Mutron. It's called the Funky Filter and is way cheaper and a little easier to power). However, these days I just use the filter in my lexicon G2 and it works very well. In fact, if it didn't, it would be a deal breaker. Gotta have that funk!

Edwin

elzie · « **Reply #9 on:** April 27, 2003, 06:19:50 AM »

Hey Edwin, I have one of the original Bassballs that was made in the USA in the 70's. It is fun to play around with, but not for extended periods of time, unless you want to sound like the Dodge commercial......

Paul

edwin · « **Reply #10 on:** April 27, 2003, 04:21:09 PM »

My Bassballs is from the same time. I am not sure of the Dodge commercial that you speak of, but I have used it for whole songs in the past. It sounded especially good on my Dave King Fretless. Very different from all the other envelope followers. It and the Funky Filter were the most used in the days before the G2.

Edwin
PS It would be great to be able to convert a superfilter to be envelope controlled!

edwin · « **Reply #11 on:** April 27, 2003, 04:22:15 PM »

My Bassballs is from the same time. I am not sure of the Dodge commercial that you speak of, but I have used it for whole songs in the past. It sounded especially good on my Dave King Fretless. Very different from all the other envelope followers. It and the Funky Filter were the most used in the days before the G2.

Edwin
PS It would be great to be able to convert a superfilter to be envelope controlled!
PPS It was Bobby Vega that turned me on to this pedal.

wally_malone · « **Reply #12 on:** April 27, 2003, 06:35:31 PM »

rami, all the EBS pedals are pretty costly but all seem to do the job. Before getting them I checked out the available multi-effect units and didn't like any of them. The three EBS pedals, the SKB pedal board and my tuner ended up costing more than the multi-effect units but I'm glad I took the direction that I did.

Wally

rami · « **Reply #13 on:** April 27, 2003, 07:05:29 PM »

I can certainly believe that Wally.

Since I got that EBS IQ, I can't seem to put it away. It's given me a whole new inspiration to play and a new perspective. I can't believe I did without one of these babies for so long.

Thanks again for the ideas guys!

Rami

bigbass · « **Reply #14 on:** April 28, 2003, 09:01:17 PM »

I've been using a Waldorf X-pole filter. It is both quite excessive and mild....and everything in between. It is a very clean sound compared to the original Mutron (which I also own), though you can make it dirty. I use a midi pedal to control and recall all (well...almost all) the parameters and time well spent tinkering. It is a stereo two rack space device. I've even used it stereo with my series II, setting each channel to slightly different settings to get a 'real-out-there' stereo effect doubled envelope followed wa. With a compressor and an octave device placed in front of the chain of this effect....ain't nobody gonna touch your bad self! Watch out Moog!

David