mxr envelope filter(s)

JezWynd

I've tried several envelope filters over time and there are a few that I like but my preferred model is the mxr envelope filter. I found one on eBay a year ago (the one on the right) and I like it so much I thought I'd pick up a spare when one showed up on-line. Enter no.2 on the left.

Externally they are very similar; the recent addition looks to be newer, the pedal name is in a bold font and the case is quite a bit lighter in weight. The difference in sound though is very marked. Whiile my older original (Rt) will introduce the effect in a smooth ramp up starting at 12 o'clock allowing for  a range of filter effects and tones, the recent buy (Lt) requires the threshold be set at 3 o'clock before suddenly tripping the effect in a full blown fashion. All the finesse of the older version is totally lacking.

It's still a good envelope filter, still has that trademark effect that other filters have such a hard time emulating but it's completely lacking the variety of sounds of the older version. The newer one is going back; the circuit board is still wrapped in foam and I don't want to start messing with it to see if the circuit or components have been altered. I'll just have to take good care of the one I have.

Grunfeld

Are these useful for anything other than vintage 70's porno soundtracks?
That aside, actually no, really, what do you use these on?

ChrisCox1994

Grunfeld said:

Are these useful for anything other than vintage 70's porno soundtracks?
That aside, actually no, really, what do you use these on?

I want to break free solo, any funk, some john mayer stuff, anything by Trey Anastasio....

JezWynd

Grunfeld said:

Are these useful for anything other than vintage 70's porno soundtracks?
That aside, actually no, really, what do you use these on?

I play guitar and bass fingerstyle and in order to get a defined attack I use an envelope filter set to just touch on the peak of a note. The old mxr does this really well, as does the Boss FT-2 Dynamic Filter. I play my own music mostly so I've come to a style that's defined in large part by my limitations and then compensated for by using effects.