The best envelope filter for bass is a great idea when you feel bored and too accustomed to playing your instruments.
It is a filter that brings sound with various effects like Distortion, Overdrive, Phaser, etc., to compose various interesting, distinctive rhythms.
Playing wah sound is an ideal option for astounding the audience and creating your unique style.
Moreover, if you want to be a solo guitar player, the envelope filter is necessary for your performance because it brings various fantastic sounds.
Thus, let’s check our buying guide and review below to figure out your most suitable product.
Last update on 2023-03-30 at 05:13 UTC - 4/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Things to Consider Before Buying a Envelope Filter For Bass
You need to determine these factors below to figure out the best model for bass.
Size
Typically, the envelope filter for bass is rectangular. Its functions determine the size it has. So, the more functions, the larger the size.
Many people choose filters that are a bit bigger than an adult hand to ensure all needed functions are included while enjoying the product’s portability to carry it with the guitar.
Design
The filter has various colors for you to choose from, such as pink, green, blue, etc. Manufacturers also design it with attractive text for a better look.
Gain-staging Effects
You can create gain-staging effects for your output audio with an envelope filter.
There are many types of gain-staging effects, for example, overdrive, gain boost, distortion, compression, so you should pay attention to what you are aiming for.
Overdrive
It simulates the breakup when you start to distort. That also emulates the compression and distortion intensity.
Gain boost
It is for high-impedance guitar signals. Some common uses are for extending cable runs or signal loss compensation. Gain boosts are often paired with overdrive.
Distortion
Distortion provides a wide style range, and all styles serve for spicing up the sound mixture. It is also often combined with compression and overdrive.
Compression
Compression plays the role of turning down the volume that is louder than a threshold and decreasing dynamic ranges. You can make it more complex with combinations between other effects.
Frequency Effects
Wah-wah
The interesting output sound wah-wah is suitable for funk and disco, but some consider it for classic or blue rock.
Pitch Shifter
None of the pitch shifters is realistic. If you alter more pitch shifter sound, you can get less realistic sound.
Moreover, you may find it hard to track the notes when playing low-pitch sounds, causing significant glitches.
Modulation Effects
Tremolo and Vibrato
Tremolo modulates volume for a classic rockabilly and surf effect, while vibrato modulates pitch in the same way with a Leslie speaker.
Chorus and Flanger
Flangers create a movable filter by the double signals. It modulates the delay of these signals, so the shifting of the filter happens.
Even if it is a bit, you can have a little delay signal feeling in the effect. Besides, the flanger includes the modulation rate and depth.
Time Effects
Delay
This effect is based on the original signal and repeats it multiple times. Nowadays, you can make many styles of multiple delays or delay lines to create an impressive effect range.
Reverb
Reverb contributes to creating a space-around-sound feeling. The common use of this effect includes the decay effect, wet or dry balance. You can adjust them up to how much reverb you want.
The Best Bass Envelope Filter: Top 5 Pedals Review
EBS IQ Analog Triple Bass - Best For Compressor Effect
Many people recommend this EBS IQ analog triple bass envelope filter for compressor effects because it is a great choice for funky or solo.
With two knobs to adjust the threshold and attack, you can easily shift the compression level to create balance in accompaniment and solo performances.
This filter has a great design with basic decoration. The dimension is good for convenient carrying, 5 x 3.5 x 2 inches, and lightweight with only 1 pound.
You can bring it with your instrument whenever you want as you can store it in a small pocket.
These filter input and output plugs are designed on the left and right edges. You can easily determine the accurate one with the instruction arrows printed on the product face.
In addition, the output modes can be customized based on your preferences. There are three modes, including up, down, and Hi-Q.
You also can follow the power on/off by the indicator light at the top of the filter.
With only functions focused on funky and solo, beginners won’t be too confused about which genres to choose when performing.
However, it is also because of the focus on these two genres that its features are not diverse.
- Bass Envelope Pedals for bass
- True ByPass
Last update on 2023-03-30 at 05:13 UTC - 4/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
Cons
Aguilar Twin Bass - Best For Velocity Adjustment
Aguilar twin bass envelope filter is the best bass envelope filter for controlling the velocity of sound.
With two knobs up and down only for velocity, you can maximize your pace or lower it to get the lowest rate. That allows you to achieve better harmony than other products.
In addition, many people use this filter for threshold adjustment with an independent knob. It also has a blend knob to harmonize for ear-catching sounds.
For the design, the manufacturer places the two input and output ports on the same right side. It also has an indicator light for noticing power on and off.
The dimensions of this filter are 5.37 x 2.8 x 2.3 inches, and it weighs 1 pound. With its small size and ability to fit in various pockets, you can carry it wherever and whenever you go outside with your guitar.
Besides, if you like the color green, the filter’s shade must be a selling point for this product. Its texture design is also quite simple.
The minus point of this envelope filter is that it has quite a few features and no ports instruction.
- Separate velocity controls for the 'up' and 'down' filters
- Blend control adjusts mix between the filters
Last update on 2023-03-30 at 05:13 UTC - 4/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
Cons
Keeley Neutrino Optocoupler & Auto-wah V2 Pedal - Best For Gain-staging Effects
This model is the best choice if you are looking for a product with the best gain-staging effects.
With three knobs: gain, L-B-H, and peak parameters, you can make gain-boost, compression, etc., that suits your preferences with ease.
This filter also offers you a vocal-like tone when you play funk. It has three filter types as low, high, and bandpass with an L-or-H range switch.
You can easily set an amount of interesting “quack” sound for your output performance.
Otherwise, its auto-wah sound contributes the best, while the optocoupler provides an amazing and smooth tone like a vowel.
About its design, it is quite simple with white color. An indicator at the top of the filter plays a role in signaling the power state. Besides, these filter ports are placed at two sides of the edges for convenience.
One of the best advantages of this filter is super lightweight. It only weighs 10.8 ounces (0.675 pounds).
You also can benefit from the compact dimensions of 5.43 x 4.21 x 2.8 inches. Although its width is larger than others, it still fits in guitar bags or pockets.
The weakness of this filter is its lack of port instruction, so beginners may find it hard to distinguish the input and output ports.
- Envelope Filter and Auto-Wah for guitar, bass and keyboard
- Peak Control: Sets how much “quack” there is, or how smooth you roll
Last update on 2023-03-30 at 05:13 UTC - 4/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
Cons
MXR Envelope - Best For Reverb Effect
MXR envelope filter is the best for reverb, for its functions focus on this sound effect.
You can adjust the reverb effects using the dry, decay, and sens buttons. Thanks to that, you can find the tone that suits you the best in the quickest and most straightforward manner.
The total knobs this filter provides you are five: Dry, Fx, Decay, Q, and Sens. Thus, you can see that its functions are more varied than other casual envelope filters.
Besides, this filter design is quite compact. Its dimension is 6 x 4.5 x 2.5 inches, and its weight is 14 ounces (0.875 pounds).
Although it is bigger than other filters, putting it in the guitar bag pockets is not a problem.
Otherwise, this filter decoration is simple with black color. It has only button names and logos.
The ports are the same as other casual ones as they are at the left and right edges. The indicator light is at the center of the filter, so you can easily confirm the power.
Also, because of many knobs for control, it’s quite hard to modify for beginners.
- Bypass footswitch with LED
- Dry control
Last update on 2023-03-30 at 05:13 UTC - 4/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
Cons
Fender Pour-Over Envelope Filter - Best Bass Overall
You will be pleasantly surprised to use this envelope filter because of its various features packed in a moderate-sized design.
In addition to giving you an auto-wah sound, you can tweak it to achieve different sound editings like gain-staging, frequency, or time effects.
The reason is that its design has many knobs dedicated to different types of effects. With a variety of knobs and switches, you can fine-tune the audio output you love.
For example, to adjust the level of the overdrive effect, you would turn the drive knob, or to adjust the gain-staging level, you would use the gain knob.
In terms of design, it is very simple with only deep green color and some white text. And like other filters, it also has a green indicator light in the middle and two ports on the sides.
This filter is quite large and heavier than other products, with 5.4 x 4.9 x 2.9 inches and 1.1 pounds.
However, this parameter is acceptable considering the numerous features it offers and still suitable for you to carry it with.
Also, this filter has no ports instruction, so beginners may find it difficult to connect the cables.
- Envelope filter pedal
- Onboard distortion
Last update on 2023-03-30 at 05:13 UTC - 4/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
Cons
FAQs
How do you put an envelope filter on?
The manufacturers have created two ports to set up your filter envelope. One port is input, and the other is output.
These ports are usually located on either side of the filter. However, some manufacturers also change the design with two ports located on the same side or at the filter top.
To easily identify port kinds, some products come with instruction text printed on the filter.
After figuring out the output and input, you'll plug the cables to let the filter process the sound effects.
In addition, a filter has an on/off button for the most convenience during usage, and you can tell if it’s on/off through the indicator light.
What does an envelope filter sound like?
People use envelope filters for many purposes, but primarily, they want to create an interesting sound called wah-sound.
Depending on the intensity and other parameters, it is divided into different sound effects and is suitable for different music genres.
The popular genres that people often use with envelope filters are funky, blue rock, or disco.
Who uses an envelope filter?
Anyone can use the envelope filter if they know how to use it to create their favorite wah-sound.
However, our research indicates that envelope filter users mostly play electric/bass guitar, electric piano, clavinet, etc. What they want is a wah-sound, distinctive choppy rhythm created by an envelope filter.
If you are a beginner, you can also try the envelope filter for a more interesting experience. It provides more fun in playing the guitar and reduces boredom with the casual guitar-playing style.
In addition, artists also need an envelope filter because it makes a difference in their stage performance.
Conclusion
Have you chosen the best envelope filter for bass for yourself through the information above?
Based on the buying guide, you can find the sound effect you want, supporting your final decision of the most suitable envelope filter.
However, it is advisable for beginners to purchase the EBS IQ analog triple bass envelope filter because it is easy to use. In addition, you can also enjoy playing solo or funky with this filter.
The other option is the Fender pour-over envelope filter with many advanced features in adjusting sound effects like gain-staging, distortion, reverb, etc.
Hopefully, you will have a great bass experience with your most suitable envelope filter.
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