By bringing the strength of the wah-wah effect to your guitar tone and applying it automatically based on your picking style, the best envelope filter pedal will convert you into a funk machine. This advanced effect is essential for the multi-genre guitarist, whether performing solo or in a cover band. For the talented guitarist, it offers up a whole new universe of stylistic possibilities.
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EarthQuaker Devices Spatial Delivery V2 Envelope Filter Guitar Effects Pedal with Sample & Hold
- Envelope Filter Effects Pedal with Momentary Latching Operation
The Spatial Delivery pedal by EarthQuaker Devices is a one-of-a-kind work of art. It’s modest in size and has a basic control scheme, yet it packs a powerful punch. Upward sweep, downward sweep, and sample and hold are the three control modes available. The first two are fairly self-explanatory. Random voltage activates sample and hold, with the Range knob controlling the speed with bypass pedal
First and foremost, pay attention to the switch between the knobs. Up Sweep, Down Sweep, and Sample & Hold are all options in the Mode selection. So, in addition to the up and down modes, the Sample & Hold mode controls the filter with random voltages rather than your choosing amplitude, holding it in place while you change the speed with the Range knob.
The bass envelope filter pedal switches between low pass, band bass, and low pass, giving you complete control with fewer knobs. The Range knob allows you modify the sensitivity and reaction time in the other settings. So this is a combination of an intensity knob and a Q-width knob. They created it in such a way that it is constantly melodic and does not allow you to sabotage yourself.
The Resonance control works similarly to an oscillation knob, allowing you to preserve a clean wah without adding a lot of body and ring. It offers full bypass as well as all the other features you’d expect. When you use it in your signal chain with octave and harmonizer pedals, as well as any other standard options, it truly shines.
Flexi-switching, you may turn it on and off as needed to offer “ear candy” to specific areas of your performance. To do so, simply hold the switch down until you’re finished and then release it. Otherwise, simply tap it to activate it. This handcrafted option is worth considering. EarthQuaker Devices Spatial Delivery is the Best Envelope Filter Pedal in 2024.
Electro-Harmonix Q-Tron XO Envelope Follower Pedal
- Selectable low pass, band pass and high pass filters
- Resonant peak control to adjust the filter's Q from subtle to dramatic
- Hi and lo frequency response modes
It’s unusual that a clear winner emerges in any category. The Electro-Harmonix Q-Tron XO envelope follower is the clear leader of the pack. There is generally a competitor or at least a runner-up. The Q-Tron is widely regarded as the greatest envelope filter pedal available, capable of producing some of the sexiest, funkiest sounds imaginable!
The Q-Tron is a smooth envelope filter with a funky wah-wah tone, modelled after Prince’s classic Mu-Tron III pedal, which was used by Prince, Jerry Garcia (listen to “Shakedown Street”), John Mayer (listen to “I Don’t Trust Myself”), George Clinton (of Parliament / Funkadelic fame), and legendary bassist Bootsy Collins. The Q-improved Tron’s frequency response and signal-to-noise ratio make it ideal for use with any instrument, and its switchable Boost and Filter modes allow you to create an endless number of auto-wah effects.
Four filter modes (Low Pass, Band Pass, and High Pass filters, as well as a Mix option) and sweep, range, peak, gain, and boost dials provide lots of fine-tuning and altering possibilities. With all the attitude you could fit into its minimal UI, it’s a true funk box that’s earned its spot as a ubiquitous envelope pedal. It contains three major filter modes: low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass, as well as a mixed-mode that merges band-passed and unprocessed signals.
The envelope filtering is completely controlled envelope filter FX includes speed, decay, intensity, and response parameters. It contains a boost switch that thickens up the signal significantly before filtering. In the low position, you can select vowel-like gurgles and smooth, deep filter FX; in the high position, you can select high, bird-like overtones. This is one of the Best Envelope Filter Pedals in 2024.
Pigtronix EP2 Envelope Phaser Guitar Effects Pedal
- Uni-vibe style rotary phaser
- Funky envelope controlled phasing
- Ability to combine both effects
The Pigtronix EP2 Envelope Phaser is the monarch of the new breed of envelope phasers. You’re basically piling on an analogue uni-vibe style rotary phaser on top of a world-class envelope filter. You can utilise either separately or in combination to advance to the next level. The phaser can be controlled with an envelope or an LFO, in staccato mode, and more. Another audio trigger can even be side-chained. But, since we’re here for the auto-wah, let’s concentrate on that. Everything else is just icing on the cake.
The envelope part of this pedal is modelled after the legendary Mu-Tron III’s characteristic quack sound, just like the others. Unlike other filters that allow you to create your filter, this one allows you to adjust the sweep direction, which can be either upward or downward through the frequency spectrum. You don’t have to worry about setting a sensitivity or worrying about your input volume because their digital intelligent envelope response takes care of it for you while still allowing you personal control over expression.
This EP2 model was developed in response to six years of customer input on the EP1, and it was a success. You can go from Hendrix-style wah to out-of-this-world crazy. You can use any audio input, such as a drum feed, to activate it. It has so much going for it that I can’t even begin to list everything; just look at each knob and switch to see what I mean. For Mars Volta guitar players, it’s good enough! If you play more than just funk, give this frequency range serious thought. This is a one-time purchase that you will retain forever.
Pigtronix EP2 Envelope Phaser Guitar Effects Pedal is the Best Envelope Filter Pedals in 2024.
Dwarfcraft Devices Happiness Multi Filter Pedal
Dwarfcraft Devices Happiness Multi-Filter expertly handles this while also providing a plethora of additional settings. For auto-wah aficionados, the low frequency oscillator (LFO) opens up a whole new world. There’s not much you can’t hear here, from vintage rock to dubstep. And it always comes out as genuine. The quality is unquestionable, and they deliver, but it’s the adaptability that has cemented this pedal’s place on the list.
This envelope filters has found a home on bass, guitar, drums, synthesiser, electric violin, and even mandolin. You’ll find standard envelope controls like Freq (mode switching, such as low pass), Rez (controlling the oscillation’s resolution), and Depth (the intensity of the Q height).
You also get controls for the phaser, such as Rate, Speed, and Shape, because it features a phaser like the Pigtronix option above. The Scramble switch, which converts it to a Sample & Hold mode with external CV modulation, is worth noting.
The State switch functions similarly to an EQ or Tone knob on a guitar. Low pass, band pass, and high pass filters are among the three available. This pedal lifts the lid off your auto-wah, allowing you to preserve the classic sound or dial in entirely out-of-this-world tremolo effects and more. When you combine it with octave pedals, reverb pedals, delays, and other effects, you can create almost any sound you can imagine, and you can even control it with a separate audio source. This is a top-of-the-line option for envelope filter fans or sound designers.
Electro-Harmonix Micro Q-Tron Envelope Follower Pedal
- Drive control sets sensitivity and filter sweep range
- Selectable low pass, band pass or high pass filters
- Q control sets the filter's bandwidth from smooth to funky
Micro Q-Tron by Electro-Harmonix. With a broader or narrower frequency sweep, the amplitude of your pick attack will generate a more strong or subtle effect. However, you have three modes to choose from, including low pass, band pass, and high pass EQ settings. This makes the guitar envelope filter one of the best guitar pedals, as well as one of the best for bass, keyboards, and any other electric instrument you choose to run through it.
The Q knob allows you to adjust the width of your frequency peak (your basic set-and-forget sweet spots are between noon and 2 o’clock). You’ll receive the current greatest auto-wah in the game no matter how you set the Drive knob, but you can obtain variations on it using this knob. Begin at 12 o’clock and work your way up with a high output on your guitar.
Look no farther than this Mu-tron III-inspired option if you’re looking for that Jerry Garcia and Prince sound. The structure is far more robust than is required. It will be by your side for the rest of your life. .
Maxon 9-Series Auto Filter
- The coolest aspects of auto-wah and swept filter effects
- Opto-coupler circuitry produces vintage shimmering, watery filtering...
- Threshold and peak sliders control the degree of effect
The Maxon 9-Series Auto-Filter looks and functions like a regular pedal. The envelope filter effect is effectively handled by this no-frills option. Who cares if it doesn’t have a huge visual appeal. We’ve come for the sound, and this bad boy doesn’t disappoint.
Basically, you get the essentials here, including a top-notch auto-wah and a few sweep filters to keep things interesting. To maintain the watery sound of the shimmering antique envelope filters, they went old school and used opto-coupler circuitry. It, too, is based on the iconic Mu-tron III pedal, as are the others mentioned above. For that reason, many professionals, like the former Megadeth guitarist, stick with this beast.
Let me give you a quick rundown of what the switches do. Low pass, band pass, and high pass EQ’s are among the three filter modes available. You may alter the effect’s threshold with the sensitivity slider and the intensity with the peak slider. The Drive control determines whether an up or down sweep is used, while the Range switch emphasises the fundamental frequencies or overtones in the auto-wah.
This is your no-frills alternative for getting the work done quickly and correctly. It’s also a standard-sized pedal if you require it to fit into a specific type of pedal board configuration. Give this one some careful thought once again. It isn’t particularly attractive, but it is a genuine competitor. It hasn’t prevented Boss pedals from being among the finest, and it won’t stop Maxon either.
Digitech DOD440-14 DOD 440 Envelope Guitar Filter
- Classic funky quack or swept filter tones that react to your picking...
- New Up/Down switch allows you to choose which part of the sweep to...
- True bypass, 9V DC power supply jack
The DOD includes vowel-like sounds from a weird envelope filter, as well as the scream of slower filter sweeps. All of this is accomplished with just two knobs and a single toggle switch, making the 440 one of the most straightforward and effective envelope filters available.
The Level knob controls the sensitivity of the envelope, while the Range knob controls the range of movement of the envelope’s sweep, as we well know. Toggle the sweep upward for a more traditional envelope quack, or downward for a bassier output. While the pedal is turned off, true bypass enables the signal to pass through uncolored. Simply said, the DOD 440 is one of the best envelope filter for guitar in 2024.
SolidGoldFX Funk Lite Envelope Filter
This pedal will not disappoint if you want to add some old school, down and dirty funk to your playing. It’s meant to provide a smooth attack while filtering away some of the “harsh frequencies and unusable peaks.”
The controls are straightforward and simple to operate. You’ll have three knobs to play with: depth, frequency, and attack. Depth and frequency allow you control over the effect’s character and tone. Attack determines how responsive the effect is to your actions.
Based on the Funkzilla design, it features a 100 percent analogue signal path, a simple interface, easy controls, frequency depth and attack control, and compatibility with guitar, bass, and keyboards.
MXR M82 Bass Envelope Filter Effect Pedal
- Bypass footswitch with LED
- Dry control
- Fx control
For bassists looking for the most funky auto-wah sounds, the MXR M82 is a terrific choice. The pedal’s all-analog circuitry produces rich, organic tones, and it’s specifically engineered to react to bass guitar inputs.
This bass envelope filter sounds fantastic and is capable of keeping up with both passive and active bass pickups. The pedal also includes true bypass, which means that when in bypass (off) mode, it won’t color the sound. To acquire the exact envelope filter sound you want, use the parameters. The MXR M82 is rather easy, as we can see above. It includes a mono input and output, as well as five knob controls.
There is no way to change the direction of the sweep. The M82 filter’s sweep direction is always downward, which sounds best on bass anyhow. Adjust the Dry and FX levels until the envelope filter effect and the dry signal’s low-end are perfectly balanced.
The MXR Bass Envelope Filter provides a clean and traditional envelope filter sound in a tiny, sturdy instrument that can be placed on any pedalboard and brought to any performance!
Buying Guide for Envelope Filter Pedals
When choosing the right envelope filter pedal for your musical needs, several factors should be taken into account to ensure a high-quality audio experience. Here’s an extended guide to help you make the best choice:
Filter Type
Envelope filter pedals can have different types of filters, including low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and multi-mode filters, each of which can significantly color your sound. The choice depends on the type of tone you’re looking for. Some pedals offer the ability to switch between different filter types, providing more tonal versatility.
Control Parameters
Consider the range and types of control parameters the pedal offers. Basic controls usually include sensitivity (how the pedal responds to your playing dynamics) and depth (the extent of the filter sweep). Additional controls might include attack, decay, or Q controls, which can shape the response of the filter effect in different ways, providing more tone-shaping options.
Build Quality
As with any pedal, a sturdy construction is important for withstanding the rigors of live performance and frequent use. Metal casings are generally more durable than plastic ones. The quality of the switches and knobs is also important, as these are parts that often wear out first.
Power Requirements
Most envelope filter guitar pedal can be powered by a 9V battery or a 9V DC power adapter, but it’s always good to check the power requirements of the pedal. Some pedals might require higher voltage or special power adapters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Envelope Filter pedal?
Envelope filters have far more powerful tone shifts than a conventional EQ, for example. They use a technique known as’resonance’ to emphasize specific frequencies, resulting in the “quack” and “bow-wow” sounds we associate with wah or funk. From the first spike when you pluck or select a note to the moment it dies off, the “envelope” is the form of each note you play.
In principle, they produce the same wah sound as a wah-wah pedal, with one major difference: the effect is activated by how hard you play (i.e. how hard you pluck your strings or your ‘picking attack’ and playing dynamics), rather than by rocking your foot like a regular wah.
Where to place Envelope Filter pedal in Signal Chain?
There are two main approaches. Many guitarists place these at the beginning of their chain, right next to their guitar. This allows a clean signal to reach the pedal, which is advantageous since it reacts to your picking approach. Other guitarists prefer to have them near the amplifier at the end of their chain. This is intriguing because it implies that additional effects could potentially alter the signal entering the pedal, resulting in some unusual sounds.
What does an Envelope Filter do?
An Envelope Filter enhances the harmonic content of a sound by emphasizing certain frequencies and cutting others based on the playing dynamics of the musician. The effect is often described as “wah-wah” or “auto-wah” and can add a unique expressive character to a player’s sound.
What are the types of Envelope Filters?
Envelope Filters come in two main types: low-pass and high-pass. Low-pass filters allow low frequencies to pass through while cutting high frequencies, and high-pass filters do the opposite. Some envelope filters may also feature selectable filter types and adjustable parameters for further shaping the sound.
What is the difference between an Envelope Filter and a Wah Pedal?
A Wah pedal is a type of effect that uses a foot-operated rocker switch to change the frequency response of the effect in real-time. An Envelope Filter, on the other hand, uses an envelope generator to track the dynamics of the player’s performance and automatically adjust the filter cutoff frequency.
How do I use an Envelope Filter Pedal?
To use an Envelope Filter Pedal, simply connect your guitar or bass to the input of the pedal and the output of the pedal to your amplifier. Adjust the parameters of the effect, such as the filter type, sensitivity, and envelope speed, to taste. Then, play your instrument and experiment with different playing dynamics to hear the effect in action.