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 Tired of overdrive, fuzz and distortion, GEARED checks out the fun and funky side of bass stompboxes – namely envelope filters/followers (auto-wah), and synthesizer pedals. Of course, a lot of this stuff is just as applicable for regular guitar.
MOOG MF-101
Lowpass/Envelope Filter
The MF-101 Lowpass Filter is a direct descendant of the original Moog modular synthesizers. It contains two complete modular functions: a voltage-controlled lowpass filter and an envelope follower. It can be used with any instrument level to line level signal.
The MoogerFooger filter’s control parameters are signal mix, cutoff frequency, resonance amount, and envelope amount. All of the Lowpass Filter’s parameters can be controlled with expression pedals or external control voltages as well as with the supplied interface. Panel switches select filter mode and envelope follower speed. 1/4" jacks are provided for audio input and output, pedal/control inputs and envelope follower output. A heavy-duty, yet smooth-acting bypass switch allows tabletop or foot operation.
A low-pass filter removes high frequencies from a tone. It makes the tone sound more mellow or muted. The lower the Cutoff, the more muted the tone sounds. As you turn up the Resonance control, the overtones near the cutoff frequency are boosted. Resonance gives the moogerfooger filter the same classic Moog filter sound as the Minimoog; and Moog modular synthesizers.
The envelope follower tracks the loudness contour (envelope) of a sound, and produces a voltage that follows the dynamics of your playing. Every time you play a note, the envelope voltage goes up and then down. The harder you play, the higher the envelope voltage goes. The envelope follower opens and closes the lowpass filter.
$449 from www.sounddevices.com.au. www.moogmusic.com
 PIGTRONIX EP-1
Envelope Phaser
The Pigtronix EP-1 is an expressive, flexible, dynamic phase shifter effect with a warm analogue personality, versatile tone palette and a stage friendly interface. It features an incredibly fat and vocal, touch-sensitive envelope phaser as well as a deep and chewy, Univibe-style rotary phaser with enough controls to dial in your own special sauce.
EP-1’s EF Trigger input allows an instrument’s sound to be phase modulated by an external audio source such as a drum machine or laptop beat. This side chain input can even be used as an FX loop for maintaining accurate envelope response when using other effects in line before the EP-1. The Envelope Phaser also features footswitchable phase inversion, expression pedal speed control for mind bending rotary speaker effects and can even be used as a clean analogue fat booster.
US$219 at www.proguitarshop.com, until a local option becomes available.
 MI AUDIO POLLYANNA
Octave Synth
The Pollyanna is a combination of two classic effects types in one pedal. The vintage octave up gives a octave fuzz sound, while the one- and two-octave down have a Mario Bros, glitch synth tone. All octaves have individual level controls, plus a global tone control for all octaves. The Dry signal level control dictates volume, while being unaffected by tone control. The input sensitivity control is for octave tracking and for octave fuzz sound at high settings.
RRP $249. www.billyhydemusic.com.au. www.miaudio.com.
 EHX BASS MICRO SYNTHESIZER
Bass Synthesizer
Get that big bottom you’ve always wanted with the Electro-Harmonics Bass Micro Synthesizer. It rocks phat bass synth sounds as used by the Chemical Brothers. 10 sliders shape the sound. 4 independent mixable voices are each processed by a sweepable resonant filter specifically tailored for bass frequencies. As with everything EHX, it has a wealth of experimental options, while maintaining a low floor noise and featuring true-bypass switching.
RRP $995. Local stockists for EHX include www.tymguitars.com.au, www.musicatnoosa.com, Music 440, www.theguitarshop.com.au, www.musicspot.com.au, and www.musiciansproshop.com.au. www.ehx.com
 EMMA DB-1 DISCUMBOBULATOR
Envelope Filter
I like Emma effects, despite seeing so little of them locally. The DB-1 was designed to react precisely to even the fastest of playing, while still being able to deal with strong signals such as chords. In addition, the Discumbobulator will retain the full spectrum of tone present in the original signal without the volume peaks and dips common to other filters. It’s multiple controls (Sensitivity, Up/ Down, Width and Attack) allow precise adjustment to the responsiveness and degree of the effect, while it’s proprietary circuitry allows the Discumbobulator to be used for guitar, bass, or keyboards with equal effectiveness and dead-on tracking.
RRP US$300. I don’t know of any Australian distributor, though supposedly the pedals are being mass-produced now instead of hand-made, so maybe that will change.
 EHX Q-TRON
Envelope Filter
The famous Mu-Tron III envelope filter was first released in 1972, and has since turned up on countless funk and rock records. In 1995 the original designer, Mike Beigel, was commissioned by Electro-Harmonix to make a modern version of his classic device. The Q-Tron was born, and remains pretty close to auto-wah perfection, despite the recent chassis change. The switchable Boost and Filter modes allow for an unlimited supply of new auto-wah effects that drip with attitude. Increased frequency response and improved signal-to-noise ratio make the Q-Tron perfect for use with any instrument. Gorgeous.
RRP $499. Local stockists for EHX include www.tymguitars.com.au, www.musicatnoosa.com, Music 440, www.theguitarshop.com.au, www.musicspot.com.au, and www.musiciansproshop.com.au. www.ehx.com
 DIGITECH BASS SYNTH WAH
Envelope/Synth Filter
The Bass Synth Wah is a incredibly versatile bass envelope filter pedal, with seven different bass envelope filter types to choose from. Sens adjusts the trigger threshold of the synth, filter and envelope effects. Control adjusts wet/dry mix, or synth or filter attack. Range adjusts envelope range, cut-off frequency, or frequency envelope. Type selects between seven different Bass Synth Wah effect options, including Envelope, Envelope Sub, Synth 1, Synth 2, Filter 1, Filter 2, and Octa Sub. The Normal (Dry) output is for connecting directly to the input of your bass amplifier. The Effect output is for connecting directly to a mixing board or to a bass amp.
RRP $219. Widely available, ask your local store. www.digitech.com.
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