Features
Q-Trons
Mike Matthews, founder of Electro-Harmonix, and Mike Biegel, designer of the Mutron III, have together created the first all new Electro-Harmonix product in 15 years: The Q-Tron envelope controlled filter. This new effect uses the same opto-electronic design of the Mutron-III and has an increased frequency response and an improved signal-to-noise ratio. Has all Mutron-III features plus switchable Boost and Filter Mix mode.
There are seven onboard controls :
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Drive Switch (up/down) - selects direction of filter sweep : up (wah) or down (ow).
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Range Switch (Hi/Low) - Emphasizes vowel like sounds in low position, overtones in high position.
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Gain Control (0-11) - Functions as both a volume control and a filter sensitivity control in boost mode. In normal mode it acts only as a filter sensitivity control, unlike the Mutron-III which also changes the unit's output volume.
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Boost Switch (Normal/Boost modes) - Normal mode allows setting the Gain control without changing the output volume.
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Peak Control (0-11) - Determines frequency peak of filter. Makes more "effected sound" when turned up more.
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Mode switch (LP, BP, HP, MIX) - Select the frequency range for the filter to sweep. Low Pass is lows, Band Pass is midrange, High Pass is treble. MIX mode (new feature not on the Mutron-III) combines BP with dry unprocessed sound.
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Bypass switch (in/out) - Turns effect on and off.
Features
- Includes 24 volt AC adaptor (will not run on batteries).
- True Bypass
- POWER indicator LED
- 2 outputs - normal and effected outputs.
- True bypass DPDT switching.
Here's a great article by Mike Biegel (Q-Tron designer) and Elliot Randall, about envelope filters, from 1980.
In mid 2008 the Q-Tron is now coming in the small box like the Q-Tron+. We can mod those for the MIX knob also now!
Q-TRON+
The Q-Tron+ Envelope Follower adds the power of a built-in Effects Loop and Attack Response Control
to the proven platform of the original Q-Tron.
The unique Effects Loop lets the musician place a sound effect between the Q-Tron+'s envelope detection circuitry
and filter sections without changing the envelope drive. The rich harmonics created by a distortion
pedal can now be processed by the filter without degradation to the signal's natural envelope and
with full dynamic response. Electro-Harmonix claims that plugging other devices, such as the Electric
Mistress Flanger or Deluxe Memory Man Analog Delay into the Q-Tron+ Effects Loop creates an array of e
xotic new sounds.
The Attack Response Control lets the player select between a slow, smooth, vowel-like attack and the
fast, snaked response of the original Q-Tron.
QTron+
MIX MOD
We can also mod the Old sheet metal Q-Tron (not the big Qtron+) or the new smaller XO Q-Tron or Q-Tron+,
to add a MIX knob. When in MIX mode, you can set the blend of dry vs effected sound. On the old large
Qtron, the Mix knob will be on the top row on next to the other knobs. On the small XO box Qtrons,
the mix knob will be above the normal knobs. We came up with this mod for Mark Karan who is using it
with RATDOG. Here is a PICTURE of the old style Q-Tron with the added mix knob on the top left.
The knob is only functional when in MIX mode. Here is the newer Qtron with mix knob:
Comes with a special USA power supply, UK or Euro supplies are optional.
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