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I recently wrote a guide on the best chorus VST plugin and I said, a chorus occurs when similar sounds with approximately the same time and very similar pitches are perceived as one. A flanger effect is similar to a chorus effect, unlike a chorus effect where two signals are mixed at the same time, a flanger occurs by mixing two identical signals, where one signal is delayed by a small and gradually changing period, usually lesser than 25 milliseconds.
The Waves CLA-76 is a compressor inspired by the mid 60s Class A limiting 1176 amplifier, and is well known for its extremely fast attack and release. The Waves CLA-76 VST plugin gives you both models of the compressor, known as ‘Blacky’ and ‘Bluey’ (hardware versions are the UREI/Universal Audio 1176 Blue Stripe and 1176 Blackface).
So, a flanger is also among the family of a modulation effect, this is because it adds a time-delayed version of the sound to itself, and then vary the size of that delay over time. With this effect, you can create a beautiful and dramatic sound in your mix.
Enough of the gist, in this guide, I’ll recommend the best flanger effect plugins you can use to enhance your music production creativity.
First on the list…
Instant Flanger Mk II is a flanger plugin by Eventide, it is an emulation of the instant Flanger used on David Bowie’s “Ashes to Ashes” and Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time.” With this flanger, you can create a pristine sound of a vintage tape flanging, stereo sweetening, subtle modulation, double-tracking and many more.
Additionally, it has dual outputs that create three different sonic images (shadow, deep and wide), so, with this option, you can create something interesting for example, Combining “Wide” Mode with the “Low Cut” control is an easy way to place multiple harmonies behind the lead. Fine-tune the resonance of your flanging effect by using the “Depth” and “Feedback” controls.
Lastly, it emulates the behavior of a tape machine, where it uses servo motors to run at a constant speed, and when someone behind the gear (engineer) pressed a thumb on the flange and then suddenly let go, the motor servo bounces, this is like pushing down a spring, and when you quickly release your hand, you’ll notice how it bounces, this is just a rough analogy of how it works. With Instant Flanger Mk II you can use its innovative “Bounce” control knob to add similar features, which in turn gives a real-world groove to your mix.
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Antresol by D16 group brings the classic stompbox back to life, whether you are a guitarist, instrumentalist or music producer, you’ll find the Antresol useful in your music toolbox, has it pays careful attention to sonic detail to how it mimics the flanger effect of the classic stompbox of the mid-70s era.
The Antresol flanger also offers users absolute freedom of control over every aspect of the BBD-based delay line (including such nuances as calibration of the linearity of the clocking system or the number of analog memory cells constituting the backbone of the BBD).
On top of that, users also have the option to tweak a plethora of parameters such as on-PCB trimpots which would normally be inaccessible without taking the stompbox apart. the ability to delink the stereo channels and control the most important parameters independently for left and right (or mid/side, depending on selected mode), and more.
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Before you proceed with reading the review of the Flow Flanger plugin, I want you to note that this is only compatible with mac, and won’t work on PC computers! What is latest avast version for mac.
Unlike your traditional flanger effect, Flow can be used for creating an animated flanger and it has a powerful tempo-synchronized sequencer that allows setting different effect frequency, envelope shape and modulation depth per each of its 32 steps.
One thing I love about the Flow plugin is the way the editing tools is programmed, you can create a stepped pattern, complex riffs, random glitches, bubbles and a plethora of other function.
Another useful feature of the Flow flanger is that it displays a live sound waveform and aligns its sequencer graphics with it, this way, you see what you are doing right off the bat. Since every element in its user interface is color-coded and features subtle animations, it makes your workflow unusually easy and enjoyable. Just don’t forget the fact that it only works on macOS.
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Most of my plugin review mostly have kiloHearts plugin, I review them, because they are really good, and super simple at the same time. With their Flanger Snapin plugin, you can create a dramatically cyclic motion in your sound, think of it as a sweeping comb filter.
If you want to be in control of how the flanger effects work, you can adjust the length of the delay manually, and you can also control the modulation. Optionally, this effect can also add a phase shift between the dry and wet signals to create an infinite barber pole-style flanging effect upwards or downwards.
If you want something really simple, and a plugin that would work without having to tweak numerous parameters, then I would highly recommend Flanger Snapin by kiloHearts.
One powerful thing about this kiloHearts is that you can either use it as a regular VST/AU plugin, or you can use it with kiloHearts snapin hosts Multipass and Snap Heap where you can combine effects in amazing ways. This is like having effects in racks, you get the idea.
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Just like the Flanger snapin by Kilohearts, the Eternal is also a very simple one that doesn’t include tons of parameters, just tweak few knobs, and you are set with a nice groovy flanger effect.
Unfortuately, it is only compatible with mac, and won’t work on PC computers!
I have no idea why most of SineVibes plugins (at least the one I have tested) are only compatible with Mac computers, but anyway, onto its features…
It incorporates a barber-pole flanger effect, so, the way it works, is that it goes upward or downwards in a seemingly endless fashion, which is different from a traditional flanger which abruptly has its tone repeatedly go up and down. Sinevibes achieve this effect by using an array of three stereo flangers and six bespoke, thoroughly calibrated low-frequency oscillators.
With two distinct flanger tones thanks to positive or negative feedback, this plugin puts a whole arsenal of unique airy, bubbly and even psychedelic effects in your hands, enjoy and make a great tune with this one, just note that it only works on mac.
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Unlike Eternal that works only with macOS, Space Invader is compatible with both Windows and Mac computers.
With Space Invader, you can create a rhythmical host synced flanger effects or precisely times riser that spans multiple bars. My favorite feature of this plugin is the fact that you can set the flanging speed from 1/32-bar to 32 bars, including strange, triplet and dotted feel. Note that this would only work when in sync-mode.
What if you are not in sync mode?
Well, you can see the flanging speed in hertz and use the trigger-button to reset the flanger’s internal LFO, allowing you to control the flanger’s start point using automation. On top of that, you can choose between three different LFO shapes, and have the option to introduce flutter and 90 degrees LFO offset for a wide stereo effect. Best site for free vst plugins. If you are looking for something simple and at the same time complex, Space Invader by denise gives you full control of how you can control flanging effect, and other useful nuggets to accompany you into creating something great.
According to denise, these are some use cases of using the flanger plugin:
1. “You are trying to use a flanger on a guitar or synth part, but there is no way to get the flanging effect to rhythmically lock with your track”. Regular flanger plugins don’t give you any options to sync the flanging effect to your tracks. The denise Space Invader let’s you sync the flanging effect to the host tempo and bar position, allowing you to create rhythmical flanging effects that lock to your track.
2. “You want to use a slow evolving flanger to spice up a built-up section that spans multiple bars, but you can’t get the flanging effect’s timing right”. Regular flanger plugins just start randomly, and don’t give you control over the lfo phase. The denise Space Invader lets you sync the flanging effect to the host for fixed BPM productions – spanning multiple bars – but also let’s you reset the flanger’s lfo phase, allowing you to start the flanging effect at any point in time.
3. “You like the sound of a flanger, but find the effect too linear and repetitive to use in your mix”. Most flangers create very predictable movement, and can get boring quite fast. The denise Space Invader lets you re-trigger the lfo start-phase, allowing you to create any flanging rhythm you like using automation. Combined with the additional flip, split and flutter functions, this gives you unlimited options to create fresh and exciting flanging effects.
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The last flanger plugin on our list is the EFEKTOR FL3606 Flanger by Kuassa, it creates a swooshing sound dubbed as the ‘jet engine’ effect, which includes:
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Available in formats for all major DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations), RSPhaseShifter incorporates double precision internal processing, and algorithms optimized for highest fidelity. Providing a fast, convenient means of aligning individual mix elements for best subjective results, RSPhaseShifter also offers a delta mode, to preview isolated audio reflecting only the content that has been altered by signal processing. This extends the application to the control of frequency–dependent stereo spread for MS workflows.
Product features include very high resolution, realtime adjustment of resonant frequency, gain compensation, and phase angle from 15 to 360°. MIRROR and FLIP modes speed the selection of two channel settings, while the compact layout of the UI, which echoes the original W2324 module, is crafted for low visual fatigue. Sample rates from 44.1 to 384 kHz are supported, as is the AU format along with VST2/VST3 and AAX plug–in formats for macOS and Windows.
RSPhaseShifter was created in conjunction with Roger Schult/German Audio Lab, and is a painstaking, 64 bit digital realization of Schult’s trusted Phase Shifter W2324 analog module, not a model or simulation. RSPhaseShifter’s analog–style controls are the same as those found on the W2324 hardware, with improvements only available in the digital domain.
Creating a high fidelity, phase shifted version of the input, RSPhaseShifter provides a fast, convenient and musical means of aligning individual mix elements for best subjective results. Friedemann Tischmeyer, President and co–founder of MAAT Inc., said that “…key differentiators are accuracy of the signal processing, and musicality of the result. When multiple sources compete rather than complement, RSPhaseShifter should be the choice for a fast, intuitive, easy to use and effective remedy.” Tischmeyer pointed out that the clean output was part of the design. “This tool’s value is more about what it does (phase manipulation)…so we left out stuff like fake transformer color, hum or Johnson Noise. There are lots of colorful plug–ins, we simply provide convenient access to the useful functionality along with a classic API Lunchbox look.”
Basel–based Blessed State Mastering specializes in transparent and accurate handling of client’s work, in keeping with the Swiss penchant for precision. Founder Patrick Stauffer is always on the lookout for top shelf gear, and the qualities he found in RSPhaseShifter align with his exacting values. “I am amazed about the possibilities offered by the RSPhaseShifter,” Stauffer said recently. “I use it for my mastering and it magically opens up problem songs, with super sweet highs. I would pay twice as much for that tool! Thumbs up!”
RSPhaseShifter features
True, linear scale in 15° steps, start at 15 and go to 180°.
Realtime adjustment of phase angle, resonant frequency, gain.
MIRROR and FLIP modes speed stereo setting selection.
δ (DELTA) mode for modifying stereo spread in an MS workflow.
All standard formats: AU, VST & AAX Mac/Win.
Optimized internal 64 bit processing for highest fidelity.
Operates at all standard sample rates, from 44.1 to 384 kHz.
Compatible with standard OSs; macOS, Windows.
Low fatigue visual design.
Compact layout.