Envelope Filter Recommendations Please

[brewdude]

I am searching for an envelope filter. I'm looking for a Jerry Garcia type of vibe. I have never used one and don't know exactly what features are necessary and useful and which features are just extra bells and whistles.

I have been researching on the internet and have found quite a few different choices. The most accessible seem to be the EH Q-tron, but there are 3 or 4 different models, and I have found some mixed reviews. I have also seen the Emma and it seems to get favorable reviews as well as the 3 Leaf.

Do any of you have any experience with envelope filters?

Which one(s) is/are the best choice(s)?

[SoundPerf]

Well, what you want for the most part is a closest clone to a Mutron III. The Q-tron, as you said is the most accessible and will get you close, but not exact. The full "Q-tron" is the one you want. Or the "Plus" has a FX loop build in. I'm not sure about the Riddle. That's a new one to me. Might be worth a look. The only way to get you there exactly is to build one. IMHO

The Discombobulator is OK too, but not exact. IMHO. I'm not familiar with the 3-leaf, but looks interesting. But, I see the GR2 is out of stock. That seems to be the problem. That's why I've been slowly designing a board and layout to build my own. I just have too many other things going on and it's on a back burner

The Proton may be OK. I see it says is has a switch to adjust the decay time. that's where a lot of filters are lacking. IMO it's getting the decay (as well as attack) just right that gets some of the classic "Jerry" sounds.

Here's some good reading. http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/E ... cftech.htm

Here's one that I want to build sometime soon. I see they're out of stock right now also. The build istructions on the site. http://musicpcb.com/pcbs/meat-sphere/

[brewdude]

Thanks SP, That Meat Sphere looks like a very cool project. It seems to have more controls than I imagined necessary. Too bad it appears to still be unavailable although the site states that they should have been back in at the end of March.

I skimmed the info document and will give it a more attentive read later. Thanks again.

I am thinking that the Q-tron+ might be worth a look. It seems easily obtained and fairly affordable. Does anyone out there own one that can offer a simple critique?

[SoundPerf]

Thanks SP, That Meat Sphere looks like a very cool project. It seems to have more controls than I imagined necessary. Too bad it appears to still be unavailable although the site states that they should have been back in at the end of March.

I skimmed the info document and will give it a more attentive read later. Thanks again.

I am thinking that the Q-tron+ might be worth a look. It seems easily obtained and fairly affordable. Does anyone out there own one that can offer a simple critique?

Yeah, the Qtron is probably a good thing in a pinch. Plus I thinks it's priced pretty reasonably. I have played through a Qtron many times and repaired a few.(BTW, the repairs were more due to abuse than anything else)

It's not that it's such a bad pedal. It will get you the "Jerry" thing. I'm actually a big fan of the Dead and Garcia, (but was never really a "Deadhead") I appreciated Garcia for his very excellent playing and songwriting abilities. So, my criticisms of some the EF pedals on market is that so many of them just are either not tuned or not controllable to the extent to get some of the more cool JG Mutron sounds. Many, are more appropriate for straight up funk stuff. Sort of the difference between a EF pedal being a sound effect or rhythmic tool vs. a tone shaping tool. If that makes any sense.

It seems that most commercial EF's try to achieve a compromise between the faster attack/decay of like a DOD 440 or the slower attacks/decay that a Mutron III can achieve. This is where I feel alot of JG sounds are at. IMO.

I think you'll probably like the Qtron, plus just about every Guitar Center will have one to try out.