Envelope filter
A filter whose cutoff frequency moves according to the amplitude envelope of the input, so the tone opens and closes with the playing rather than with a foot control.
It is the effect family that an auto-wah belongs to, and its voice comes from where the filter sweeps, how sharply it resonates at the cutoff, and how quickly it reacts and returns. Because it follows dynamics, playing soft leaves the sound dark and digging in opens it brightly, which turns right-hand control into a tonal tool. Horn-like and vocal sounds are the usual target.
Example: a single muted bass note struck hard makes an envelope filter open abruptly, which is the sound of a wah being rocked by the hand instead of the foot.
See also
Related
- PageAuto-wah
- PageWah
- PageBoost
- PageBuffer vs true bypass
- PageBuffered bypass
- PageAaron Dessner
- PageAce Frehley
- PageAd-Rock