Before we start answering the question, “what does a phaser pedal do” you need to have the right information about the phaser effect. The passage of guitar signals through series of stages explains a phaser effect’s first stage, while the second stage maintains a dry signal. Both signs are placed back at the end of the signal, creating an output that consists of an out phase and in-phase signal. Switching up the dry to filter signal ratio results in changing the phase’s speed, while altering the pedal phase is considered the only real control users have over pedals. In simpler terms, phasers are modulation effects similar to a chorus pedal or flanger, but depending on the type of phaser you have, sounds get to pass through several stages. Digital phasers have designs with the ability to stimulate a varying number of stages. Now that you know what phasers are, let’s take you to the fun part of it.
What Does A Phaser Pedal Do
The pedal you can trust to give you the freedom to try out your creative side is the phaser pedal, and even though using this pedal encourages creativity, some users believe there are specific times you must use this pedal. I’m afraid I have to disagree with what those users think because since I consider the phaser pedal as a form of expressing creativity, you should be free to explore your creative side regardless of time. However, where do you use a phaser pedal in modern-day music?
For Melodic Verse Fills
We have been getting the question lately, and in modern music, a phaser pedal would do great when used for melodic verse fills. A phaser pedal can be used as a thickening agent, making it seem like you are playing more notes than usual. For example, you are playing three to four notes, and adding your phaser pedal will provide your bridge and chorus with more detail. The phaser pedal also adds extra depth to your chorus and bridge sounds.
For Chord Swells
When a phaser peaks, it creates a sustain most people refer to as a chord swell. When playing a slow song, chord swells words sound better, but when you play songs at fast-paced tempos, they clash with chord swells.
Spicing Up Solos
When a soloing guitarist plays, the phaser pedal adds spice to the solo sounds. Aside from adding spice, phaser pedals add depth to solo sounds. Phaser pedals are useful when playing fewer notes while adding lots of emotion.
Best Settings To Use On A Phaser Pedal
If you are new to phaser pedals, you will find operating its dials confusing. On a phaser pedal, you will find the following controls it;
- Feedback and resolution knob
- Depth knob
- Speed knob
There are no rules regarding operating these knobs, and every user’s experience will differ from each other. Each user’s experience depends on their needs, and no matter what type of phaser pedal you buy, you will always find the speed knob on it. The speed knob’s role is to control peaks and troughs in every sound, and sounds turn chaotic when the speed knob’s volume gets increased too high. Another feature you will find on a phaser pedal is a tap tempo used in selecting a user’s exact speed. Users can also set a phaser speed to equal the rhythm of any song they are playing, and you will not find this option on any phaser pedal. If you come across this feature on any phaser pedal, then go for it.
Expensive phaser pedals come with a wet and dry knob and waveform selection. You can check out the following settings if you want to obtain vintage sounds;
- Stages – 4
- Feedback – 0
- Depth – 8
- Rate – 3
The next settings will do great if what you want is to obtain a modern rock sound;
- Depth – 4
- Rate – 7
- Stages – Between 8 and 10
- Feedback – 0
Changing whatever settings you find on your pedal is possible, but changing the settings will depend on your personal preference and what type of controls you have on the pedal. If you take a good look at the market, you will find out that there are so many phaser pedals on the market with varying prices, features, pros, and cons. If you decide to go for an inexpensive pedal, you should have in mind that you will get a phaser pedal with fewer knobs. Settling for a pedal with fewer knobs doesn’t mean you can’t be creative, but a phaser pedal with few knobs allows you to express the creativity you express on an expensive phaser pedal. You can display the same creativity on an inexpensive pedal.
As we stated at the beginning of this review, phaser pedals are one of the best, exciting, and exciting effect pedals due to their audio signals and electronic design. Bassists, guitarists, and other musicians can benefit immensely from using a phaser pedal, giving you insight into the kind of sounds you should expect from a phaser pedal. Phaser pedals come with a low internal frequency oscillator, which alters already enhanced frequencies slowly. The phaser pedals will delete already enhanced frequencies over time, and from everything we have said about phaser pedals, you will agree with me that they are the best for producing catchy sounds.
Final Thoughts
Phaser pedals can be mixed with other effects or used alone, and when combined with a volume pedal and long delay, users will obtain cool synth sounds. The odd thing about phaser pedals is they sound unique even with distortion, while extremely slow phasing also sounds excellent. Now that you have an idea about what a phaser pedal can do, we advise that you keep an eye out for some of the features we have mentioned that will help you get the best out of your phaser pedal. A bassist or guitarist to witness the phase shift effect, because it has cemented its place in any musical genre. Phasers can do it all, and it doesn’t matter whether you want to add fun character to your sounds or make your sounds get thicker. Phaser effects sound incredible, but manufacturers can also get it wrong, so make sure you have an eye out for some essential features when shopping for a reliable phaser effect pedal.
My name is Johnson Lewis and I am a music coach, producer and Blogger. I enjoy writing about music, instruments, music equipments and I love helping people become better singers.
Leave a Reply