Idea for a (kind of) FX, what do you think?

[Morocotopo]

Hi people, I have an idea for a FX related circuit, do you think it´s possible?
The concept is to add envelope controlled FX mix to any FX. I think it should be built in a separate box, not inside an FX, so as to have "modularity" (to be able to use it with any FX you want).

I know many FX (compressors, some EH ones, autowahs, etc) use envelope detecting circuits, so I could use one of them (extracting that from a schematic is another story...). The buffer/splitter/blend part is easy, ROG´s splitter/blend  (that I already built as one of my first FX, as a matter of fact).
I think that to control the mix of each audio path, I could use one (or two operating in opposite direction...) LDR´s responding to LED´s, or FETS/Silicons acting as gradual switches. Is that right?
I think this could be musically useful...
You´re not gonna tell me that such a thing already exists, right?
I wanted to ask here before I start investigating, because I´m not sure I can pull this thing off successfully in terms of extracting/recombining parts of schematics, so as to at least know that it´s not an impossible idea.
Ideas, criticism, input welcome. Hope my idea is clearly explained.

Thanks for reading

Morocotopo

[tommy.genes]

You´re not gonna tell me that such a thing already exists, right?

Actually, yes I am...

Toadworks Enveloope

Do a search because it has been discussed on this forum before. Mr. Toad even gave some hints of how it's done.

Also check out this article or this article from geofex.com.

You just can't ask a question around here without touching on something that R. G. Keen has already done...

-- T. G. --

[Seljer]

I've been thinking just about an envelope filter with an effect loop, so if you wanted you could read the envelope before, for example, a distortion pedal, yet apply the actual filter after it over the allready distorted signal instead of in front of it

[Gus]

I believe there is something like this in IIRC

Electronic Projects for Musicians
1978

by Craig Anderton.

[Morocotopo]

You had to go ahead and deflate my (little) ego boost for having an "original idea", don´t you...?   
Man, you can´t fool anyone in this forum... 
Thanks for the input people, will investigate.

Morocotopo

[Meanderthal]

I've been thinking just about an envelope filter with an effect loop, so if you wanted you could read the envelope before, for example, a distortion pedal, yet apply the actual filter after it over the allready distorted signal instead of in front of it

That would be the EH Q-tron+ or the Lovetone Meatball. The meatball has all the controls mentioned('reverse' being up/down), the Q-tron+ all but attack.
Would also be nice to have a CV out...

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

These envelope things are trickier than one might think. Listening to music, one automatically thinks, beat, beat, beat... but if you were to actually look at the signal on a scope, you see a lot going on ALL the time, plus the smoothed output of the envelope follower control signal is smeared out a bit.
And as you play harder, the general "floor" of the envelope signal rises.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all in favor of fx that derive control from playing style, but it isn't simple to get good results.

[Mark Hammer]

Let's let some more air out.

Traditional rackmount limiter, compressors, and noise gates, almost always have a jack for accepting an external/exogenous sidechain signal, or for providing one.  We've simply gotten used to minimalist stompboxes that hog their envelope detectors to themselves and don't wish to recognize others.

Incidentally, all those Boss and other pedals that have inputs for "expression" pedals, are quite amenable to use of external envelope followers controlling them.  As far as they're concerned, a voltage is a voltage is a voltage, and whether 3v comes from your foot or another pedal is of no consequence to them.

[Morocotopo]

I did some searchs, and the amount of information about this idea and envelope folowers is HUGE! So much for my simple idea....
I´ll read, think, read some more, stroke my chin, and probably abandon the whole thing. 
No, really, I like this concept, so I´ll try to get some result out of it. Not really soon, but... lotsa homework to do.

Thanks everyone

Morocotopo