The Analog Man Robotalk is an envelope filter pedal that packs three effects into one box. At its core it is an envelope follower, the kind of filter pedal that tracks how hard you pick and opens and closes a filter in response, but Analog Man added two extra modes: a sample and hold mode and a lo-pass filter mode. The circuit is based on the Oberheim voltage controlled filter, which was also sold as the Maestro filter sample pedal1.
What it does
The Robotalk's three modes cover different filter territory:
- Envelope follower: the base mode, tracking your picking dynamics to sweep the filter1
- Sample and hold: Analog Man describes this as sounding like a synthesizer's sample and hold, similar in sound to the Z.Vex Seek Wah and the random mode on the Z.Vex Ooh Wah1
- Lo-pass filter: an added mode that lets you control the frequency range with an expression pedal, which "makes it into a cool filtery-sounding wah"1
"The Robotalk is actually THREE effects in one as it has an added LO-PASS filter mode which allows controlling the frequency range with an expression pedal."
The lo-pass mode's expression pedal input is what separates it from a straightforward envelope filter: instead of relying only on your picking dynamics, you can sweep the filter's frequency range by foot, in the manner of a wah pedal. Analog Man also builds other envelope filters, including the Analog Man Envelope Filter and the Block Logo Envelope Filter, for players who want a more conventional dynamic filter without the extra modes1.
Price and availability
Analog Man's product page, dated 2015, gives a list price of $280, with the maker selling the pedal for $252 plus $5 shipping and handling for one or more units shipped in the USA1.
Questions
What is the Analog Man Robotalk?
The Robotalk is an envelope follower pedal from Analog Man with a second and third mode built in. It is based on the Oberheim voltage controlled filter, which was also sold as the Maestro filter sample pedal. Its sample and hold mode sounds like a synthesizer's sample and hold, and its lo-pass filter mode lets you control the frequency range with an expression pedal, making it into what the maker calls a cool filtery-sounding wah.
How much does the Analog Man Robotalk cost?
Analog Man's product page from 2015 lists the Robotalk at a list price of $280, with the maker selling it for $252 plus $5 shipping and handling for one or more units shipped in the USA.
Sources (1)
- Analog Man Robotalk product page, analogman.com, 2015
