With modulation effects like chorus, flanger and phaser, you can lift the sound of your guitar or bass to another level, making it fuller, broader or even extra-dimensional.
The Right Chorus, Flanger or Phaser for Your Guitar
The three most popular 'mod' effects amongst guitarists are chorus, flanger and phaser, where chorus is probably the most well-known. The chorus effect widens the sound of a guitar, making it seem like there are two guitars instead of one by copying the original signal before adding a second signal that continuously shifts in pitch compared to the source signal. The flanger effect goes one step further and simulates the effect of two recording tapes, where one of the two tapes is slowed down to make the signal sound like an aeroplane, for instance. Phaser-style pedals also change the pitch of doubled notes but, as the name suggests, the phase of the second sound is tweaked as well. In some cases, the original sound drops out at certain time intervals to create even crazier phaser effects like the well-known Uni-Vibe. Both chorus and flanger as well as flanger and phaser slightly overlap in terms of sound effects, so let your ears decide which of these effects matches your pedalboard set-up the best.
Vibrato, Tremolo and Rotary Stompboxes
Besides chorus, flanger and phaser, there are another three classic modulation effects: vibrato, tremolo and rotary. As standard, modulation effects alter the original signal based on tempo or time intervals. Vibratos use the secondary signal of a chorus pedal, changing its pitch and leaving your clean signal out entirely. Tremolo effects, on the other hand, leave the pitch untouched but tweak and vary the volume of your signal, while rotary stompboxes are designed to emulate the whirling sound of a leslie speaker cabinet. Looking for more ways to add an atmospheric touch to your guitar sound? Check out our filter, wah and pitch-shift pedals!
