The Analog Man Block Logo Envelope Filter is an envelope filter pedal, the auto-wah family of effects that sweeps a filter in response to your picking dynamics rather than to your foot. Analog Man builds it on the classic MXR envelope filter circuit, and the first 100 units were made using real New Old Stock (NOS) MXR circuit boards, with a third knob and a toggle switch added to the original design1. The pedal ships in the original MXR size 1290 / 1590B enclosure, measuring 2 5/16" x 4 5/16"1.
The controls
The Block Logo Envelope Filter keeps the MXR layout simple and adds one knob and one switch to it1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| THRESH | Input level control that adjusts the filter's response to your playing dynamics. Match it to your instrument's output: single coils are usually good about noon, while humbuckers or boosted signals may want lower settings1 |
| EMPH | Adjusts the peak of the frequency the envelope filter puts out, for more or less extreme tones. Clockwise adds treble and takes off bass; counter-clockwise takes off treble and adds bass1 |
| Toggle switch | Controls the direction or sweep of the filter itself2 |
| True Bypass On/Off switch | No loss of tone when the pedal is off1 |
| LED | Indicates whether the pedal is on or off1 |
The toggle switch is the addition that sets this apart from the stock MXR design. In the UP position, the filter sweeps up as a normal "wah", which Analog Man describes as the normal MXR setting. In the Down position, the filter works in reverse, allowing those Mu-Tron type "laser beam" and "OW" sounds to come through1. Pedal of the Day's review describes the same switch as controlling the direction or sweep of the filter itself2.
Power
The pedal runs on normal 9VDC power or a battery, and draws very little power, well under 10mA1. Unplugging the input jack disconnects the battery, so an instrument cable left in the input will drain it1.
Versions and circuit boards
Analog Man has built this pedal in two runs. The first 100 units used real New Old Stock MXR circuit boards, the original boards from the classic pedal, with the third knob and toggle switch added1. In 2017 the company finished its own high-quality circuit board to make more of these, with a better layout and cleaner build than before1. Pedal of the Day's 2024 review describes the current version as featuring a new high-quality circuit board, new layout and better build than the previous version2.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day reviewed the pedal in October 2024 and found the funk quotient high, writing that "The Block Logo Envelope Filter provides you with the perfect amount of funk"2. On the build, the reviewer was equally warm:
"This pedal, as with all Analog Man gear, is a gorgeous creation"
The review adds that the pedal's simplicity and clean look really shine, calling it one for the ages in build and looks2.
Videos
analog mike
PJ and the Beard
Pedal of the Day
Questions
Is the Analog Man Block Logo Envelope Filter true bypass?
Yes. According to the Analog Man manual, the pedal has a True Bypass On/Off switch, with no loss of tone when the pedal is off. An LED next to the footswitch indicates whether the pedal is on or off.
Does the Block Logo Envelope Filter run on a battery?
Yes. The manual says the pedal uses normal 9VDC power or a battery, and that unplugging the input jack disconnects the battery. It draws very little power, well under 10mA, so it is easy on either supply.
Can the Block Logo Envelope Filter make Mu-Tron-style sounds?
Yes. With the toggle switch in the Down position, the filter works in reverse, which Analog Man says allows those Mu-Tron type laser beam and OW sounds to come through. The UP position gives the normal MXR-style upward wah sweep.
What does the Emph knob do?
EMPH adjusts the peak of the frequency that the envelope filter puts out, allowing for more or less extreme tones. Clockwise adds treble and takes off bass; counter-clockwise takes off treble and adds bass.
How much current does the Block Logo Envelope Filter draw?
Analog Man's manual says the pedal uses very little power, well under 10mA, whether run from a 9VDC supply or a battery.
Sources (2)
- EnvelopeFilterManual.pdf, Analog Man Guitar Effects, 2021-01
- Analog Man Block Logo Envelope Filter, Pedal of the Day, 2024-10-20
