The All-Pedal Macrodose is an envelope filter pedal from All-Pedal, created in collaboration with Brian Marshall of Subdecay. Its core is an analog filter with digital control, which lets one pedal cover a wide range of filter behavior, from a conventional autowah to stepped and randomized filter motion. Pedal of the Day called it "a powerful and options-laden creation that brings the funk and expands your consciousness"1.
Modes and controls
The Macrodose's digital control section is what sets its range of modes apart from a straightforward filter pedal. Its functions include1:
- Autowah with selectable waveforms
- Sample and hold functions
- Step filter
- Random sample and hold
- A pixelated filter function
On top of the main modes, Mode Modifiers tweak the Shape settings, so the envelope response can be adjusted beyond the base shapes1.
Blend is handled by an external knob that pans between the Dry and Wet signals. Pedal of the Day noted that this "new Blend control eliminates a more limited internal toggle switch, in favor of a versatile external control knob," a change from earlier designs that kept the blend on an internal switch1.
The Macrodose supports an external expression pedal. Pedal of the Day described it as "a key ingredient for sonic experimentation here as well," so leaving room on the board for an expression pedal opens up hands-free filter sweeps1.
In use
Because the filter is analog and the control is digital, the Macrodose behaves like a classic envelope filter at its core while offering modes that a plain analog circuit could not provide, such as the step filter and random sample and hold. Pedal of the Day found that with guitar, bass and synthesizers, "you can easily dial in just the right amount of mind-altering filter fu[n]"1, and counted it among the fun pedals from this maker overall1.
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Questions
Does the All-Pedal Macrodose work with bass?
Yes. Pedal of the Day notes that the Macrodose works with guitar, bass and synthesizers, so bass players can dial in filtered tones alongside six-string players. As with any envelope filter, the tracking responds to the incoming signal, so setting the sensitivity and shape controls to suit a bass's lower output and frequency range is part of finding the right sound.
Can I use an expression pedal with the Macrodose?
Yes. The Macrodose supports an external expression pedal, which Pedal of the Day described as a key ingredient for sonic experimentation on the pedal. Plugging in an expression pedal lets you sweep the filter by foot rather than relying only on the envelope triggered by your playing dynamics.
Is the Macrodose an analog or digital pedal?
Both, in a sense: the Macrodose is an analog filter with digital control. The audio path that shapes your tone is analog, while digital circuitry handles the control functions, which is what allows the pedal to offer modes like step filter and random sample and hold alongside conventional autowah shapes.
Who designed the All-Pedal Macrodose?
The Macrodose was created in collaboration with Brian Marshall of Subdecay, the pedal builder behind the Subdecay brand. All-Pedal worked with Marshall on the design, which pairs an analog filter section with digital control over its modes and shapes.
Can the Macrodose be used with a synthesizer?
Yes. Along with guitar and bass, Pedal of the Day reports that the Macrodose works with synthesizers, making it usable as an external filter for synth players who want envelope-driven or stepped filter movement on their keyboard or modular lines.
Where can I find the Macrodose manual?
Pedal of the Day links to the Macrodose manual as a PDF hosted on All-Pedal's site, and the maker's own product page for the pedal is the usual place to find the current documentation and details on its modes and controls.
Sources (1)
- All-Pedal Macrodose Envelope Filter, Pedal of the Day, 2022-05-07
