9

Phaser Effect
The Phaser effect combines the original signal with a copy that is slightly out of phase
with the original. This means that the amplitudes of the two signals reach their highest
and lowest points at slightly different times. The timing differences between the two
signals are modulated by two independent LFOs. In addition, the Phaser includes a filter
circuit and a built-in envelope follower that tracks volume changes in the input signal,
generating a dynamic control signal. This control signal alters the sweep range. Sonically,
phasing is used to create whooshing, sweeping sounds that wander through the frequency
spectrum. It is a commonly used guitar effect, but it is suitable for a range of signals.
Phaser Feedback Section
• Filter button: Activates the filter section, which processes the feedback signal.
• LP and HP knobs and fields: Set the cutoff frequency of the filter section’s lowpass (LP)
and highpass (HP) filters.
• Feedback slider and field: Determines the amount of the effect signal that is routed back
into the input of the effect.
Phaser Sweep Section
• Ceiling and Floor sliders and fields: Use the individual slider handles to determine the
frequency range affected by the LFO modulations.
• Order slider and field: Allows you to choose between different phaser algorithms. The
more orders a phaser has, the heavier the effect.
The 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 settings put five different phaser algorithms at your fingertips.
All are modeled on analog circuits, with each designed for a specific application.
You are free to select odd-numbered settings (5, 7, 9, 11), which, strictly speaking, don’t
generate actual phasing. The more subtle comb filtering effects produced by
odd-numbered settings can, however, come in handy on occasion.
• Env Follow slider and field: Determines the impact of incoming signal levels on the
frequency range (as set with the Ceiling and Floor controls).
143Chapter 9 Modulation Effects