Flanger Effect - what is it and how does it work
A fully detailed journey into what a flanger effect is, how to use it and when to use it.
Effects
Flanger Effect – what is it and how does it work video tutorial covers all that you will need to know about this wonderful effect.
A flanger is another modulation effect whereby the delayed signal, which is added back to an equal amount of the dry signal, is modulated by using an LFO. If you add the output back into the input (feedback) you get resonance with the comb-filter effect.
Comb-filtering occurs when the delayed signal is combined with the dry direct signal. The comb filter creates peaks and troughs in the frequency response.
If the polarity of the dry signal is the same as the delayed signal we call this positive flanging and if the polarity of the delayed signal is opposite to the polarity of the dry signal we call this negative flanging. If the feedback is greater then you get what we call resonant flanging. The more feedback applied the more resonant the effect. This is a bit like increasing the resonance on a normal filter. Feedback also has phase. If the feedback is in phase then it is called positive phase. If the feedback is out of phase it is called negative feedback. Negative feedback has odd harmonics whereas positive feedback has even harmonics.
Some flangers will have a phase parameter to control the negative and positive phase and this has quite a dramatic effect on the overall effect. Additionally, the phase controls can also alter the degree rates and therefore have a dramatic impact on the way the effect is output.
Possibly one of the most underrated of all studio effects the Flanger is a very versatile effect offering huge sound design scope. Let me run through this effect for you.
In the Flanger Effect – what is it and how does it work video I run a vocal take through two very different plugins – one is the stock Steinberg Cubase Flanger and the other is the mighty FabFilter Timeless delay processor. I explain how a flanger works and what type of settings to use to achieve different flanging textures. I show you how you can use the modulation matrix of a delay process to create various flanging effects.
Plugins used in this video:
Topics covered in this video are:
- What is a Flanger
- What are the Features and to you use them
- Modulated and Delayed Signals
- What is a Modulator
- Low-Frequency Oscillator
- What is Comb Filtering
- Resonance and Modulation
- What are Peaks and Troughs
- Positive and Negative Polarity
- Phase
- Feedback
- Tips and Tricks
If you found this tutorial helpful maybe these will also be of help:
Studio and Multi Effects Masterclass
Using a Flanger to create Stereo Effects
Soundtoys Crystallizer- using Granular Synthesis on Vocals
Delay Effect – Cross Feedback and Style
Using a Delay to create Chorus
Using a Delay to create a Crackle Effect
Using Delay to Manipulate Stereo Width
Delay Effect – what is it and how does it work
