Great video, and information! I just got a microtron IV and knew I needed a booster in front of it with strat pickups but you’ve helped me out with pedal order and play style.
Just doing some pedal shopping and wanted to say that this is an excellent video. Keep up the great work! I expect to see your channel grow substantially in the coming years.
Jerry Garcia: any song he used it on. There’s a damn near perfect solo on Ramble on Rose off one of their live albums. I was there 7/4/89 I think up in Buffalo, NY. It’s not the Truckin’ up to Buffalo show…any true DEAD HEAD’LL know the version. It’s straight vintage Jerry plus! Good video buddy, thank you!!! 🎸✅
I have never been without an envelope filter since 1977 or so, and have owned and built many. I recommend them to players looking to push themselves as guitarists since they turn the guitar into a sort of percussion instrument, and oblige the player to be mindful of the beat. But you can do interesting tricks with them. One of the most interesting uses I ever made was in 1979, where I'd use my MXR Envelope Filter to mimic backwards tape. Keep in mind this was well before we had reverse digital delay, so we did the best we could with what we had. How did I do it? First, I fed my guitar to a compressor to keep the level fairly constant, but not squishing too hard. From there it went to my Envelope Filter, and then to my MXR 6-Band EQ. The Filter sweeps from low to high before falling back down again. In the "real world", most of the harmonic content of the picked string lies at the beginning, as you pick, so the most authentic reverse-tape emulation will increase high end as the sound sweeps from "the tail" back to "the beginning". The Filter would be set for the slowest possible Attack time (at the time, the MXR was pretty much the only consumer filter pedal with variable attack). The three lower sliders on the EQ would be set to minimum, and the three upper sliders set to max. The 6-Band's design could produce some distortion, when pushed. In this case, the drastic reduction of low end by the EQ meant that as the filter started its sweep, you wouldn't hear much of the low end. As the sweep continued, the mids and highs would come in with a bit of grit, partly because the filter was pushing those bands at the top of its sweep, just like backwards tape. The compressor served to prolong or stretch out the sweep of the filter. Was it as authentic as an actual recording or reverse delay? Not likely, but as I say, it was the best we could do at the time, in the analog domain. The perk was that it was easy to improvise. Normally, when using reverse digital delay, it is hard to plan out a solo, because the notes come out in reverse order. With my setup, the notes are in the exact order you play them, so it's easier to plan and execute a riff. As well, this setup also tended to yield more predictable "swell" effects than more explicit pedals of the era, like the Boss Slow Gear.
I also have a Line 6 Tone Core Otto Wah. For the most part, it is a digital emulation of a Mutron III. However it has an additional mode termed TF, for "Talking Filter". Most "talking" filters use two counterswept bandpass filters to mimic the way we move formants around with our mouth. One band moves up while the other moves down. Jeorge Tripps, who was project manager for the Tone Core series at Line 6, before moving over to Dunlop/MXR, hipped me to an interesting "easter egg" in the Otto Wah. Normally, it comes in a mono "dock" - one input, one output. But the modules can be removed and inserted into stereo docks. When you do that, the Talking Filter mode sends one swept bandpass to one of the output jacks, and the other one to the *other* output. Listened to in stereo, it yields an interesting movement and sweep across the landscape, of the sort Eddie Kramer would have used on Jimi Hendrix recordings back in the day.
I got myself a Q-Tron Plus for that quintessential Garcia Mu-Tron tone, and I couldn't be happier with it. A used one on Reverb was cheap. I put mine first, in front of compression, EQ, overdrive & delay.
Thanks for watching and commenting, i've heard a lot of good things about the QTron plus but i've never tried one! That signal chain sounds perfect, i'm sure the tone is great! Merry Christmas 🎸
Yup, indeed very helpful. My youngest son likes to appropriate my stuff. I had forgotten I had a Qtron. He's a much more sonically adventurous goober than his old and forgetful Dad.
Nice work! Love that soulful jazzy sound. I find the tone quite acceptable before compression and overdrive, where you don't get any grit going into the filter. So there's nothing between the guitar and the filter 😊
Late comment but I'll do it anyway. That was some immaculate playing! Really tasteful and elegant man! I purchased this envelope filter because I thought it would give me this groovy funk sound. Evidently, you managed to skillfully display this type of playing. I am really having a hard time to use his one. My ears are piercing because it gets suddenly to loud and the lows and high are way out of control. It probably has to do with to my playing and the attack. Still, I cannot keep it in a way that it sound stable, it's either going super loud or not at all. Not sure if I can convey the issue here. I try to be aware of the picking dynamics like you mentioned but it's hard to find a setting where you can start to experiment with.
Hi Chris, what is your preferred setting for the qtron for Mayer and Misch tones? Is it the setting shown at 7:00 in your video? Nice playing by the way!
I've gone through many envelope filters and auto wahs and have yet to find a one-size-fits-all unit, that's why I still own several...the micro q sounds pretty good in most setups, but I always get an unwanted signal boost with it
I think part of the reason is they are made for multiple instruments. Keys, Bass, Guitar etc. Some have been thin sounding to me, too driven, poor tracking. It’s difficult to find one that is voiced specifically for guitar. The best I’ve used is the Micro Tron III, but my search continues.
Do you have any experience of these needing volume turned up from the guitar? Garcia used an OBEL to solve this issue so he could adjust his volume without losing the pedal's sensitivity and response. Do you know of any other solutions to this?
Bro, the envelope filter adds volumen or body? Cause I got the mxr bass ef and it sounds a little boost when I turn on. I use the rc booster then the Duellist and at the end the filter before mods and delay and reverb.
You're definitely right, he's used that pedal, I just did some research and found that recently he'd been favouring alternatives but i'm sure he uses a bunch and switches them around regularly. I think either way, you can achieve the sound with any number of different envelope filter pedals
The first time I I saw an envelope filter in a video clip was Edward Collins a girl like you early nineties. I was buying pedals and wanted that sound but the pedal he used was 400 $. Now I can buy one for 35$.
IMO the sound is slightly different and it’s more dynamic than a wah pedal. It automatically reacts to your picking dynamics whereas with a wah you’d have to manually do it with your foot. That can be inconsistent and it’s just more to think about. At least with pedals like this you’re free to just play guitar 🎸
Thanks for watching guys! Who loves an envelope filter and what are your favourite songs that include envelope filters?
Jerry Garcia's "Catfish John" - amazing use of envelope filter, I highly recommend it!
Thanks for the heads up on sticking the Tube Screamer in front of the Q-Tron. Good call. Favorite envelope filter song is Shakedown Street, obviously.
@@jakolleeEstimated Prophet!!!
@@markredsicker9392 Absolutely! First thing I play when checking out an envelope filter pedal.
Check out the guitar solo in Teddy swims version of let me love you by Mario!
'I don't trust myself' by John Mayer is my favourite use of an envelope filter. So SOO expressive!
One of my favourites too! So fun to play 👌🏻
Great video, and information! I just got a microtron IV and knew I needed a booster in front of it with strat pickups but you’ve helped me out with pedal order and play style.
Fantastic video, you clearly have a wonderful knowledge of guitar and I’m glad you shared this information with the world!
Tom delonge used an envelope filter pedal for the intro delayed riff in “The Adventure”
Loved that video, I picked up a Qtron today, so happy to take time to see your tips video ! it was great.
Hope you’re enjoying the pedal mate 😊
The solo on What I am by Edie Brickell and the new Bohimians comes to my mind
Is it on all the time in that song? It’s definitely more pronounced during the solo
Just doing some pedal shopping and wanted to say that this is an excellent video. Keep up the great work! I expect to see your channel grow substantially in the coming years.
Thanks so much 🙏🏻
Jerry Garcia: any song he used it on. There’s a damn near perfect solo on Ramble on Rose off one of their live albums. I was there 7/4/89 I think up in Buffalo, NY. It’s not the Truckin’ up to Buffalo show…any true DEAD HEAD’LL know the version. It’s straight vintage Jerry plus! Good video buddy, thank you!!! 🎸✅
I have never been without an envelope filter since 1977 or so, and have owned and built many. I recommend them to players looking to push themselves as guitarists since they turn the guitar into a sort of percussion instrument, and oblige the player to be mindful of the beat. But you can do interesting tricks with them. One of the most interesting uses I ever made was in 1979, where I'd use my MXR Envelope Filter to mimic backwards tape. Keep in mind this was well before we had reverse digital delay, so we did the best we could with what we had.
How did I do it? First, I fed my guitar to a compressor to keep the level fairly constant, but not squishing too hard. From there it went to my Envelope Filter, and then to my MXR 6-Band EQ. The Filter sweeps from low to high before falling back down again. In the "real world", most of the harmonic content of the picked string lies at the beginning, as you pick, so the most authentic reverse-tape emulation will increase high end as the sound sweeps from "the tail" back to "the beginning". The Filter would be set for the slowest possible Attack time (at the time, the MXR was pretty much the only consumer filter pedal with variable attack). The three lower sliders on the EQ would be set to minimum, and the three upper sliders set to max. The 6-Band's design could produce some distortion, when pushed. In this case, the drastic reduction of low end by the EQ meant that as the filter started its sweep, you wouldn't hear much of the low end. As the sweep continued, the mids and highs would come in with a bit of grit, partly because the filter was pushing those bands at the top of its sweep, just like backwards tape. The compressor served to prolong or stretch out the sweep of the filter. Was it as authentic as an actual recording or reverse delay? Not likely, but as I say, it was the best we could do at the time, in the analog domain.
The perk was that it was easy to improvise. Normally, when using reverse digital delay, it is hard to plan out a solo, because the notes come out in reverse order. With my setup, the notes are in the exact order you play them, so it's easier to plan and execute a riff. As well, this setup also tended to yield more predictable "swell" effects than more explicit pedals of the era, like the Boss Slow Gear.
I also have a Line 6 Tone Core Otto Wah. For the most part, it is a digital emulation of a Mutron III. However it has an additional mode termed TF, for "Talking Filter". Most "talking" filters use two counterswept bandpass filters to mimic the way we move formants around with our mouth. One band moves up while the other moves down. Jeorge Tripps, who was project manager for the Tone Core series at Line 6, before moving over to Dunlop/MXR, hipped me to an interesting "easter egg" in the Otto Wah. Normally, it comes in a mono "dock" - one input, one output. But the modules can be removed and inserted into stereo docks. When you do that, the Talking Filter mode sends one swept bandpass to one of the output jacks, and the other one to the *other* output. Listened to in stereo, it yields an interesting movement and sweep across the landscape, of the sort Eddie Kramer would have used on Jimi Hendrix recordings back in the day.
I got myself a Q-Tron Plus for that quintessential Garcia Mu-Tron tone, and I couldn't be happier with it. A used one on Reverb was cheap. I put mine first, in front of compression, EQ, overdrive & delay.
Thanks for watching and commenting, i've heard a lot of good things about the QTron plus but i've never tried one! That signal chain sounds perfect, i'm sure the tone is great! Merry Christmas 🎸
Yup, indeed very helpful. My youngest son likes to appropriate my stuff. I had forgotten I had a Qtron. He's a much more sonically adventurous goober than his old and forgetful Dad.
Nice work! Love that soulful jazzy sound. I find the tone quite acceptable before compression and overdrive, where you don't get any grit going into the filter. So there's nothing between the guitar and the filter 😊
Came here to know more on envelope filters. Stayed for the playing :)
Late comment but I'll do it anyway. That was some immaculate playing! Really tasteful and elegant man! I purchased this envelope filter because I thought it would give me this groovy funk sound. Evidently, you managed to skillfully display this type of playing. I am really having a hard time to use his one. My ears are piercing because it gets suddenly to loud and the lows and high are way out of control. It probably has to do with to my playing and the attack. Still, I cannot keep it in a way that it sound stable, it's either going super loud or not at all. Not sure if I can convey the issue here. I try to be aware of the picking dynamics like you mentioned but it's hard to find a setting where you can start to experiment with.
Its got to be Heart by Heart by Ariel Posen for me. The envelope just gives it a unique tone and drive
Really great choice! I love that song 👌🏻
Great playing; helpful video! Thank you!
Thanks Brian!
For me, it’s the most interesting guitar effect.
Hi Chris, what is your preferred setting for the qtron for Mayer and Misch tones? Is it the setting shown at 7:00 in your video? Nice playing by the way!
Yeah I set it as shown in the video clips of the pedal. I find that setting covers all bases
I've gone through many envelope filters and auto wahs and have yet to find a one-size-fits-all unit, that's why I still own several...the micro q sounds pretty good in most setups, but I always get an unwanted signal boost with it
Have you checked out the Macrodose Pedal by All Pedal? I just got one and it’s a blast ! And the art work is amazing :-)
@@kylebichler2258 I've seen it and it looks cool as heII
I think part of the reason is they are made for multiple instruments. Keys, Bass, Guitar etc. Some have been thin sounding to me, too driven, poor tracking. It’s difficult to find one that is voiced specifically for guitar. The best I’ve used is the Micro Tron III, but my search continues.
To get more attack put a klon or boost before the envelope filter. And drive after too.
Do you have any experience of these needing volume turned up from the guitar? Garcia used an OBEL to solve this issue so he could adjust his volume without losing the pedal's sensitivity and response. Do you know of any other solutions to this?
When you mentioned the Auto Wah there's only one example you should have shown, Nile Rodgers.
Nice playing man!
Thanks so much buddy!
Bro, the envelope filter adds volumen or body? Cause I got the mxr bass ef and it sounds a little boost when I turn on. I use the rc booster then the Duellist and at the end the filter before mods and delay and reverb.
Respectfully, I believe Tom Misch is using the MoogerFooger Low Pass Filter for most of his auto wah sounds.
You're definitely right, he's used that pedal, I just did some research and found that recently he'd been favouring alternatives but i'm sure he uses a bunch and switches them around regularly. I think either way, you can achieve the sound with any number of different envelope filter pedals
The first time I I saw an envelope filter in a video clip was Edward Collins a girl like you early nineties. I was buying pedals and wanted that sound but the pedal he used was 400 $. Now I can buy one for 35$.
Can it do the clocked wah sound like Bowie first 4 albums with fuzz and wah
What's your take on the micro Qtron vs the full size Qtron plus?
Envelope filter and no mention of 311.
I'd love a q tron actually 😅
It's intriguing but why not just go with a wah pedal?
IMO the sound is slightly different and it’s more dynamic than a wah pedal. It automatically reacts to your picking dynamics whereas with a wah you’d have to manually do it with your foot. That can be inconsistent and it’s just more to think about. At least with pedals like this you’re free to just play guitar 🎸
You'll also struggle to operate a Wah as fast as what this can respond to 16th note funk
Lee Dorothy Harris Susan Hall Laura
bebe wah owdal type love it
you talking for nothing !!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m not entirely sure what you mean by this?