Envelope filter vs. wah pedal?

[soulgeezer]

I just ordered a new wah pedal. For the last few years, I haven't kept one on my board, as I found that I just didn't use it very much. Instead, I went to an envelope filter, that did most of what I wanted the wah to do in the first place.

My question is this: Does anybody here have both an envelope filter and a wah on their boards? If so, do you find that you use one more than the other? Are there situations in which you find to be more advantageous than the other?

I'm just trying to figure out if there's a reason to keep both - maybe the envelope filter for rhythms and the wah for leads -- that kind of thing? - or are envelope filters and wahs essentially redundant?

All opinions welcome and appreciated!

[artdecade]

I use both. My Maxon envelope filter nails classic 70s Mutron tones, like Garcia. In fact its an essential ingredient for summoning up that vibe! The problem with most envelope filters is that you can't set it for a cocked wah thing. Sometimes, I prefer to be able to set it to a sweet spot and just leave it there to accent a passage here and there. In very rare cases, I use them both at the same time to get that Zappa-style Inca Roads lead tone.

[Thighbanez]

I used to like wahs...then I saw the subdecay proteus pedal.

I'm all about getting an envelope filter now.

[FuzzBoxGrills]

What I do is I use my envelope filter for Speed/Weirdness and my Wah for control/tone control.

I suggest the Malekko Omicron E.FILTER or the Copilot FX Gyroscope 2 Modulated Filter.

and for Wah get a snarling dogs or a Clyde.

[czech-one-2]

I've got a crybaby 95Q and MXR envelope filter clone on my board.I could easily get by with just the crybaby as it can really cover everything. But when I hit that MXR its just got something really special going on,especially hitting a low gain overdrive.I use it pretty sparingly but I would say its probably the coolest sounding pedal I own.
Therefore,even though I only use 7 pedals,two will remain wahs.

[greensound]

I have been relying on my Vox 847 wah for years, but have recently re-acquired a DOD FX25B. The DOD does some interesting things that I just couldn't do with the wah in regards to rate of the filter sweep. I haven't tried them both at the same time though...hmmm. I think I know what I will be doing this weekend.

[squatch]

I use both...but I'm a Zappa fiend, like artdecade
That Inca Roads solo is a classic Mutron sound...with wah as well
Frank used the wah as a tone control and mainly rode it round the middle

I just bought a Q-tron+, it's pretty good...I was gonna sell my old Mutron, but I'm not sure....
the Q-tron doesn't seem to be able to reduce the peak and envelope enough for a subtle effect
Most people use envelopes in a real obvious fashion, but it you cut it right
back to a subtle 'just there' level, it just adds a bit of bite to the notes
I used to run an SG through a Mutron into a Marshall and would just leave
the Mutron on lightly for a little bit of edge

I'd recommend the Q-tron though, it's a bit more hi-fi sounding than the Mutron...
and also seems more forgiving of erratic peaks from single coils...
it may have a bit of limiting or compression pre-filter...it's quite usable

[WesMontgomery]

I use AW's/Envelope Filters 90% of the time, but do keep a Vox wah around just for grins. They're definitely a world apart. An AW imparts a much more articulate effect than a manual wah. They also require less coordination to use :D

My favorite, after trying them all, is a DOD GFX25 Extreme, circa 1990's (I think).
I believe it's a redux of the 440 circuit. After that, the new Boss AW3 has won my fancy here recently.

Underrated: The crappy Ibanez Soundtank series had an autowah (AW5, I think) that blended a bit of onboard fuzz. It has a pretty solid 'native' tone that I found myself wanting from time to time and couldn't seem to get by blending different fx.

I had a Mutron (original) for about 3 weeks. Would've have kept it if my objective were impressing people with 'cool', esoteric vintage effects. It didn't quite make the cut and I didn't feel any real desire to replace it with the cheaper HAZ version. I can see how some people dig it, but not for me and damn sure not for $800 (they've come down a bit since that time)

[JesterR]

I love envelope filter on bass guitar, but for electric only real wah. It's actually depends on your purposes, and I do not think, that too many overlap between them.

I am using wah for different kind of filtered sounds, long sweeps, solo treble boosting, fast vibrato-style sounds. But if you into funky stuff, envelope filter would be better.

[eflamberson]

I have both on my board. I simply use the wah when I need more precise control over the sweep. Otherwise, I use my filter.