The Analog Man Envelope Filter is an envelope filter pedal from Analog Man Guitar Effects, a limited-edition reworking of the classic MXR Envelope Filter. Premier Guitar called it "a limited-edition resurrection and re-imagination of the 'block logo' MXR Envelope Filter," and noted that it is "much more than a clone"1. The first 100 units were built on genuine New Old Stock MXR circuit boards, with Analog Man adding a third knob and a toggle switch to the original two-knob circuit2.
An envelope filter, sometimes called an auto-wah, sweeps a resonant filter in response to how hard you pick, so the effect follows your playing dynamics rather than a clock or a foot pedal. The MXR original dates to 1979, made in Rochester, New York3. Analog Man's version keeps that circuit at its heart: Premier Guitar found that "opening up the pedal reveals a NOS MXR Envelope Filter at the heart of the works"1.
An MXR Envelope Filter with two added controls
The original MXR Envelope Filter was a two-knob pedal. Analog Man's version keeps that core circuit and adds an emphasis knob and an up/down toggle switch1. The result is a pedal that looks and behaves like the vintage MXR but with more range to shape the sweep.
The pedal sits in the original MXR size 1290 / 1590B enclosure, and in an interview with the Stompbox Book, Mike Piera described it as "just a classic MXR look"42. Pedal of the Day summed up the design: "Three knobs and one switch bring a classic, vintage sound right into the modern era with ease"5.
The controls
The pedal has three knobs, one toggle switch, and one internal trimpot. Here is what each does, from Analog Man's own manual2:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| THRESH | Threshold acts as an 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 around noon, humbuckers or boosted signals call for lower settings. |
| EMPH | Adjusts the peak of the frequency the envelope filter puts out. Clockwise adds treble and takes off bass; counter-clockwise takes off treble and adds bass. |
| Toggle, UP | The filter sweeps up as normal "wah". This is the normal MXR setting. |
| Toggle, DOWN | The filter works in reverse, allowing Mu-Tron-type "laser beam" and "OW" sounds. |
| Internal trimpot | A blue trimpot on the upper left of the circuit board. Counter-clockwise matches the old MXR and works well with weaker pickups like single coils; vertical is the normal setting for humbuckers; turning it up further gives lower, even "sub-bass" frequencies that Analog Man notes are cool on bass guitar. |
The emphasis knob is the main addition over the original. Premier Guitar describes it as a knob "which boosts the resonant peak selected via the threshold knob," letting you dial in more or less extreme tones1. The toggle is the other addition: up for the stock MXR upward sweep, down for a reversed sweep in the territory of the Beigel Sound Lab Envelope Controlled Filter and its descendants2.
History and versions
The pedal's story runs in two stages, both documented in Analog Man's manual2:
- The NOS run. Analog Man made the first 100 units using real New Old Stock MXR circuit boards, adding the third knob and toggle switch to the original circuit. Premier Guitar confirmed the run in its 2023 review: "they'll make just 100 of these based on the NOS MXR circuit boards"1.
- The 2017 board. In 2017 Analog Man finished a new high-quality circuit board to make more of the pedals, with a better layout and cleaner build than before2. Pedal of the Day's 2024 review of the current Block Logo Envelope Filter described it as "featuring a new high-quality circuit board, new layout and better build than the previous version"5.
The pedal traces back to the MXR Envelope Filter (MX-120), made in Rochester, New York in 19793. Mike Piera of Analog Man is the designer; Premier Guitar named the pedal as one of his projects1.
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar's 2023 review was positive on the pedal's dynamics and range, listing as pros: "Super dynamic. Varied tones and shades of filtering. Excellent subtle settings. Interactive controls enable fine-tuning" from instrument to instrument1.
Pedal of the Day's 2024 review leaned into the pedal's pedigree, noting that it "lets you get his sound almost instantly, along with a HUGE range of funk and filth" in reference to Jerry Garcia, and calling it "the perfect amount of funk"5.
How it compares
Against the original two-knob MXR Envelope Filter, the Analog Man version's additions are the emphasis knob, the up/down sweep toggle, and the internal trimpot for matching the filter to your pickups21. The toggle's down position specifically targets the reversed, Mu-Tron-style sweep that the original MXR could not do2.
Among other envelope filters in the same family tree, the DOD Envelope Filter 440 and the Maestro Agena Envelope Filter take different approaches to sensitivity and sweep shaping, while the Mu-FX Tru-Tron 3X comes from the original Mu-Tron designer. The Analog Man pedal's distinction is that it is built on the actual MXR circuit, in the actual MXR enclosure size, rather than a reinterpretation21.
Videos
Premier Guitar
Matt Rae
analog mike
Questions
Who designed the Analog Man Envelope Filter?
Mike Piera of Analog Man Guitar Effects. Premier Guitar described the pedal as one of his projects, a limited-edition resurrection and re-imagination of the block logo MXR Envelope Filter. Piera built it by adding a third knob and a toggle switch to the original two-knob MXR circuit.
How many Analog Man Envelope Filters were made with NOS MXR boards?
100. Analog Man made the first 100 units using real New Old Stock MXR circuit boards, adding the third knob and toggle switch to the original circuit. Later units moved to a new high-quality circuit board that Analog Man finished in 2017, with a better layout and cleaner build.
What does the emphasis knob do on the Analog Man Envelope Filter?
The EMPH knob adjusts the peak of the frequency the envelope filter puts out. Turning it clockwise adds treble and takes off bass; turning it counter-clockwise takes off treble and adds bass. Premier Guitar describes it as boosting the resonant peak selected via the threshold knob, allowing more or less extreme tones.
How is the Analog Man Envelope Filter different from the original MXR Envelope Filter?
The original MXR Envelope Filter had two knobs. Analog Man's version adds an emphasis knob and an up/down toggle switch: up gives the normal MXR upward wah sweep, down reverses the sweep for Mu-Tron-type laser beam and OW sounds. It also adds an internal trimpot for tuning the filter to different pickups.
How much did the Analog Man Envelope Filter cost?
Premier Guitar listed a street price of $219 in its June 2023 review. That price applied to the limited-edition version built on NOS MXR circuit boards, of which Analog Man made 100 units.
Sources (5)
- Analog Man Envelope Filter Review, Premier Guitar, 2015-11-09
- EnvelopeFilterManual.pdf, Analog Man Guitar Effects, 2021-01
- TONEHOME, TONEHOME - the World of Vintage Guitar Effects Pedals
- Analog Man, Stompbox Book, 2019-10-20
- Analog Man Block Logo Envelope Filter, Pedal of the Day, 2024-10-20
