Electro-Harmonix Riddle: Qballs
This is HornFX’s favorite envelope filter that EHX produces. It is a complete and solidly designed pedal that produces great auto-wah funkiness with an easy and intuitive interface. It boasts some fantastic controls that will give you a lot of fun options for funky sounds. Sadly, the distortion function might not be a workable aspect of this pedal due to what will most likely be feedback issues. Plug this pedal in, explore, and get funky.
External Control: None
Cost: $
HornFX Review
Interface: 4/5
This has all of the hallmarks of a well appointed filter pedal (Q, Attack and Decay, Sensitivity, Blend, etc), but what makes this pedal stand out are the start and stop knobs that allow you to define the range of the filter sweep. In other words, you can choose where the wah starts and stops. These controls are very intuitive and add a lot of variability to the sound. The drive section of this pedal is hard to dial in well, and might require opening up the pedal itself to adjust the drive’s volume.
Versatility: 3.5/5
This Wah has three filter types, each with a lot of different potential sounds. It also has an overdrive switch to add some dirt to the effect ,which can potentially add a whole other spectrum of sounds that this pedal can make.
Clarity of Effect: 4/5
Unlike other EHX filter pedals, this one speaks beautifully. The blend knobs works as it should, and the effect rings true when played by a horn.
Complexity: Medium
Live application: 3/5
While this pedal has a lot of nice sounds and the ability to add overdrive with a simple tap of a switch, there are no presets other than what your dials are set to which is limiting in a live setting.
Product Information
The Electro-Harmonix Riddle is a powerful and precise envelope filter fine-tuned for guitar frequency response.
Sculpt your envelope to reveal a truly expressive tone, with a defined and unique signature. Riddle will deliver tight and smooth control over the complete 80 Hz to 5 kHz range, with a consistent and even sweetness.
Need some edge? Engage Riddle's analog distortion and dial in anything from subtle bite to dominating crush.
You can even plug in an optional expression pedal to control the filter sweep with your foot. With the ability to adjust Q, sweep range, and filter type, you'll also wind up with of the most versatile wahs available.
Riddle: a mysteriously musical envelope filter for guitar.
80 Hz to 5 kHz frequency response tailored for guitar
Optional expression pedal control
Fully-analog circuit
Switch selectable analog distortion designed for guitar
Start and Stop sweep control
Low Pass, Band Pass, High Pass filter select
Start and Stop for filter sweep and Q control
Separate Dry and Effect outputs
9.6VDC 200mA power supply included
Dimensions in inches: 4.75 (w) x 5.75 (l) x 2.5 (h)
Dimensions in mm: 146 (w) x 121 (l) x 64 (h)
Product info from the EHX website.