The Hochstrasser Electronics Disco Terrapin is an envelope filter pedal, a design that also works as an auto wah. Pedal of the Day described it as "an envelope filter and auto wah conceived with numerous options and a wide range of 70's-infused tones," and opened their review by calling it "a super funk machine."1 Envelope filters like this sit in the wider family of filter pedals, alongside wah-wah pedals, which they resemble in sound but drive automatically from your playing rather than from a rocker pedal.
What it does
An envelope filter listens to how hard you play and sweeps a filter in response, producing the quacking, vowel-like funk tones familiar from 1970s records. The Disco Terrapin follows that idea but adds more control over the sweep than a basic auto wah. Pedal of the Day found that "you'll notice that familiar auto wah-ish sound, but with more pop and attitude."1
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Sense knob | Controls the response of the circuit, increasing the filter's sensitivity to your playing dynamics1 |
| Filter toggle | Selects High, Band or Low Pass filters1 |
| Second footswitch | Alternates the direction of the filter sweep1 |
The Sense knob is the main playing control: set it to match the pedal's response to how hard you pick, so the filter opens and closes with your dynamics. The toggle changes which part of the signal the filter sweeps, and the second footswitch reverses the sweep direction, which Pedal of the Day noted is "for even more sonic adventuring."1
Videos
Hochstrasser Electronics
Pedal of the Day
The Crap Factory
Sources (1)
- Hochstrasser Electronics Disco Terrapin Envelope Filter, Pedal of the Day, 2018-05-22