Is an envelope controlled filter.
This type of filter is controlled by the dynamics of playing. BYAQ is a resonant filter, the center frequency of which moves upwards with as you strike a note harder. The filter takes the titular transient of a plucked note and then follows the decay of the notes so that filter center frequency moves up at the peak and then falls by the ratio of the decay
History of effect
Since envelope filters are controlled by strength of input signal historically famous users of envelope filters have connected the control input directly to guitar or bass pick up and others used compressors or volume control on instrument to equalize the value of notes through out fretboard. Envelope filters are also common in analog synths.
Historically most envelope filters were designed for keyboards to cover the complete range of the keyboard. BYAQ is adapted to the range of electric guitar and electric bass and therefore has a more narrow range. The heart is a resonant filter similar to a wha however BYAQ has a Mellow/Bright switch that sets the range of the filter.
There are a number of problems with the use of envelope filters on guitar and bass which the BYAQ attempts to solve: partly the filter range is often too wide and therefore the BYAQ has a range switch; filters often rest at very low frequency and the BYAQ is made to rest at about transparent level: this allows having BYAQ on for a seethrough effect until a transient triggers the filter to move. The starting frequency can be set with Bias control so that even small movements ie mini-whas can be created on each plucked note.
The sounds:
BYAQ can be used to make wha sounds controlled by the musician and it triggers swiftly enough for fast rhythmic sequences as well as making low strings mellow and high strings bright and BYAQ can be used to make small or larger sweeps of filter to create a movement on chords.
The Controls
- The BIAS control sets the staring point of the filter and can be used to sweep through the filter's entire range
- The MELLOW/ BRIGHT switch sets the filter range from low and narrow to high and wide
- The SENSITIVITY control sets the level where transients trigger the filter to move
- The DECAY control sets the rate it takes from the transient moving filter to return
Sensitivity is set for medium pick ups and a tip is to use Pale Blue Compressor set with Blend to allow transients to equal sensitivity throughout the fretboard and also to equal sensitivity between pick ups on instruments. and also to compensate between different instruments
When using Envelope controlled effects in general and without the aid of compressor with transients it is often helpful to set sensitivity at highest required and to ride the volume control on instrument to equalize
Although Envelope filters are often used on clean sounds BYAQ can also be used ahead of distortion to make a hand controlled wha.
I hope you will have much fun and enjoy
