Top PHASER And FLANGER Effects Pedal Settings And Songs!

Phaser and flanger are extreme versions of chorus - learn when to use these intense modulation effects and how they differ from each other.

Best phaser example: "Mystery Song" by Status Quo. That sci-fi, Star Trek "phasers" sound - it wobbles the signal dramatically. Makes the sound sweep with that characteristic "whooshing" quality.

Most famous phaser: Van Halen's "Eruption" - the ending showcases phaser in action. It's there throughout adding movement and dimension. Also Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" solo uses phaser to make it swirl and move.

What is phaser? An extreme chorus - pushes the signal more out of phase (hence the name). Creates that sweeping, whooshing quality rather than chorus's gentle thickening. Very distinctive modulation that's either obvious or pointless - there's no subtle phaser application.

When to use phaser: Keep it in the middle of your effects arsenal. It's not an always-on effect like reverb might be, but essential for specific songs. "Shattered" by The Rolling Stones with Ronnie Wood showcases phaser in full effect.

Flanger explained: Even more extreme than phaser. While phaser is "extreme chorus," flanger takes it further with more dramatic sweeping. The difference is subtle but noticeable - flanger has a more jet-plane, flanging quality.

Classic flanger songs:

"Barracuda" by Heart - probably the most famous flanger song. That intro riff needs flanger to sound right. Settings kept subtle but present throughout.

"Unchained" by Van Halen - Eddie used flanger extensively alongside his other effects.

"Life in the Fast Lane" by The Eagles - flanger specifically on the solo section.

"Walking on the Moon" by The Police - Sting/Andy Summers used flanger for texture.

"Spirit of the Radio" by Rush - Alex Lifeson's intro and throughout. Demonstrated with drive pedal to do it justice - the combination of overdrive and flanger creates that classic Rush tone.

Settings approach: Unlike chorus where you might use it heavily, phaser and flanger work best kept in the middle range. Too much becomes unusable; too little is pointless. Find the sweet spot where you can hear the effect clearly but it doesn't dominate.

Relationship to chorus: These are all modulation effects using similar waveforms. Chorus is gentle and thickening, phaser is obvious and sweeping, flanger is dramatic and jet-plane-like. Understanding one helps understand all three - they're different intensities of the same concept.

When to reach for them: Phaser and flanger are specialty effects. Use them when learning classic 70s rock (Van Halen, Heart, Rush, Black Sabbath). They challenge you to play those riffs accurately while managing the effect, making you a better guitar player. The effects aren't crutches - they're part of the arrangement.

Classic 70s quality: Both effects scream 1970s rock. If you're going for that era's sound, experiment with phaser and flanger. Modern music uses them more sparingly, but they're essential for authentic vintage tones.