I'd like to get a better idea of people's usage of envelope followers and how important they are in everyone's workflow.

Personally, I probably wouldn't want to mix without them. They are half the fun of mixing, which is why I use them on every mixing project. Envelope followers are also very useful for getting an extra element of life out of guitar amp simulations. They allow for sonic relationships to be created; where sounds react to each other proportionately.

How do you use envelope followers in your work?

If you don't use envelope followers, could you give a reason for this decision.


Thank you for your time.

Voted rarely. Although rarely really does mean once in a very blue moon. I just don't see the need for them. If a drum doesn't have a decent transient, then I probably need to pick a better sample that hasn't already been destroyed. If a synth doesn't sound snappy enough, then I need to use a different synth with a faster envelope (one of the real benefits of some analogue synths IMO). And for any other type of synthesised sound, there are envelopes galore already inside the synth. Basically, if I need to snap up my transients, it's most likely because I've already killed them with too much compression etc. So I should dial back on the compression instead of adding another processing layer. Not saying envelope followers don't have uses, but basic mixing can usually sort out what they do. And personally, I'd rather spend time on the mix and its elements than complicating things further with an env follower.

That's interesting. So you mostly view envelope followers as a transient shaping tool, rather than a source of parameter modulation.

Indeed, for the purposes you have listed, I would probably employ a compressor or tweak the envelope controlling the VCA of the synth I am using.

Thank you for contributing.

Sorry, I thought this was a thread about my mailman.

Hehe. Though maybe he's more of an envelope facilitator.

I'm starting to wonder if I should have posted in the DSP section - or maybe people don't think about envelope followers as much as I expected.

Envelope Followers are important!

Filterscape by u-he has envelope followers that can be used to modulate the frequence response.

Trash 2 uses envelope followers to form the sound again through modulation of the filters response curve.

I've used Envlope Follwers to control a VCA in Numerology in my homemade wavetable synth. I patched a loop of some modulation waveforms to create my own custome LFO.

I'm sure there are many interesting applications yet to be discoverd with envelope followers.


My first experience with an envelope follower was when using the ensoniq DP4 for it's Wah effect. I suppos envelope followers can be used in getting the talking guitar effect as well.

Yes I love the idea of envelope followers creating modulation values. It makes sense to have modulations follow the level of the incoming signal.

I'm curious to hear how you use them, what tools you use, etc. Thanks!