Behringer B-TRON III: Classic Envelope Funk in a Modern Metal Box

The Behringer B-TRON III Envelope Filter is presented as a direct descendant of classic analogue funk machines, designed to capture the expressive, dynamic filtering that defined a generation of soul and funk music. Behringer’s video frames the pedal as a phoenix rising from the ashes of an abandoned synth project, with its circuitry salvaged and reborn in pedal form. The company’s narrative leans into the pedal’s historical significance, referencing its association with legendary players like Stevie Wonder and Bootsy Collins, whose iconic use of envelope filters set the gold standard for the effect.

From the outset, the B-TRON III is positioned not just as a tool for nostalgia, but as a living, breathing effect that invites players to engage with the same sonic palette as their musical heroes. The pedal’s all-analogue design is highlighted, promising a faithful recreation of the original’s sound and behaviour, but with a few modern touches to suit today’s musicians. The emphasis is firmly on the pedal’s ability to deliver those unmistakable, squelchy filter sweeps that have inspired countless artists across funk, soul, and beyond.

Behringer’s demo takes a close look at the B-TRON III’s control layout, which includes gain, peak, and mode knobs—each serving a distinct function in shaping the envelope filter’s response. The gain control acts as a sensitivity adjustment, allowing users to dial in the pedal to suit different input levels and playing styles. This flexibility means the B-TRON III can accommodate a wide range of instruments, from guitar to bass and beyond, making it a versatile addition to any pedalboard.

The peak knob determines the strength of the filter effect, offering everything from subtle movement to pronounced, dramatic sweeps. By tweaking these controls, players can tailor the pedal’s response to their instrument and playing dynamics, ensuring the envelope filter reacts musically to every nuance. The video demonstrates how adjusting the peak and gain can shift the effect from understated to overt, giving users a broad palette of funk-infused tones to explore.

Central to the B-TRON III’s appeal are its three filter modes: low pass, bandpass, and high pass. The mode knob allows users to switch between these settings, each offering a distinct tonal character. The low pass mode is showcased as ideal for bass, delivering the deep, chewy sweeps associated with Bootsy Collins and modern players like Thundercat. Bandpass mode provides a more focused, midrange-centric effect, while the high pass mode opens up brighter, more cutting filter sweeps.

These modes are not just for show—they fundamentally alter the pedal’s interaction with your instrument, letting you sculpt your sound for different genres or performance contexts. The video also touches on additional switches for range and drive, which further expand the B-TRON III’s tonal flexibility. Whether you want to emphasise low-end thump or shimmering overtones, the pedal’s mode and switch options make it easy to dial in the right flavour of funk.

One of the standout features highlighted in Behringer’s walkthrough is the B-TRON III’s dynamic responsiveness. The pedal is designed to react to the intensity and articulation of your playing, rewarding energetic performances with lively, expressive filter sweeps. This isn’t an effect you can simply set and forget—the more you dig in, the more the pedal comes alive, encouraging players to interact with it as part of their instrument.

The video demonstrates how different playing techniques and input levels can coax a wide range of responses from the filter, making it a genuinely interactive experience. Suggestions from the original manual, such as pairing the pedal with an octave divider or experimenting with the so-called “guitar beat phenomenon,” show the B-TRON III’s potential for quirky, otherworldly sounds. Ultimately, it’s the pedal’s ability to translate playing dynamics into musical movement that sets it apart, making it a fun and inspiring tool for funk aficionados and sonic experimenters alike.