Phaser vs Chorus vs Flanger: What's The Difference? ft. Tore Mogensen

It can often be difficult to know the difference between Phaser, Chorus, Flanger effects. While visiting TC Electronic I asked Tore to help explain how these modulation effects differ from one another.
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[@BawlsMahoney]

Phaser: WWWOOOWWWOOOWWWOOO Flanger: SHHHWWWEEEEWWWSHHHWWEEEWWWSHH Chorus: OOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOO

[@budthornsberry5148]

Ajit V. Pai accurate

[@wesleyzimmerman94]

JARED DINES

[@kanetolley]

phaser: oh yeah yeah yeah oh yeah yeah flanger: oh yeah yeah oh yeah yeah oh yeah yeah chorus: oh yeah yeah oh yeah yeah oh yeah

[@aljaberhk]

@@kanetolley unfunny

[@jean12301]

@@kanetolley stfu

[@EarlOfMaladyCrescent]

Massive thanks to you two! Subbed. Years ago, when I first came across phaser & flanger, the way someone told me how a phaser works...it turns out is how a FLANGER works! I've spent years wondering about the flanger, but phaser is the one I didn't understand. After watching this, (I did have to read up on phaser for more info), but I finally get it now! What I read is that the signal without the moving spikes isn't actually dry. It has an "All pass filter" on it, which moves certain frequencies out of phase. Those frequencies sound normal & dry, until the spikes from the other signal pass over.

[@Gongasoso]

Anybody else think pedals should be named after what they do to sound? Tremolo - Stutter Box Vibrato - De-Re-Tuna Chorus - Multi-player Phaser - Quack-a-Chew Flanger - Doppler Wheeze Wah - StepWhiner Reverb - Room Filler Delay - Repeater Pitch Shifter - Lo-ki Harmoniser Octaver - Hi-Lo Cloner Compressor - EatMe/DrinkMe Balancer EQ - Toneweaver Overdrive - Brass Throater Distortion - Howl n' Growler Fuzz - RoarBot Glitcher Looper - Friend Simulator

[@themightymcb7310]

Gongasoso lol the looper

[@LucasSpurrell]

This is hilarious! Haha

[@henriquemontalvao8492]

Wah-wah-Wah-wah

[@scottlapier4797]

Lol, I've always wanted to make an onomatopoeia/idiosyncratic pedal: like the volume control is labelled "loud" and goes from no to yes, etc.

[@MegaSkycap]

Ha.... those are like the names Line 6 uses

[@raulperez2308]

#stillcompletelyfuckinggayforcolin

[@johnw4115]

Im gay but not for colin lmao

[@raulperez2308]

Zed1967 that's so fucking metal

[@SuperHell666666]

Tore looks like Colin put through a Viking machine

[@Dad.................]

And set to 1.5x size

[@markhammer643]

Speaking as a psychologist, whose first flanger was purchased in 1977, one of the primary *perceptual* differences between chorus and flanging is what we pay most attention to, as listeners. When the delay time is quite short, what we notice most are the notches and peaks - i.e., the "comb filtering". When the delay time is extended a little more, our attention focuses on the pitch variations, without perceiving it as a delay. With even more delay time added, we would begin to focus more attention on the "dualness" created by the modulated signal (think Pat Metheny here). As well, the delay range covered by chorus, and especially the fact that the shortest delay time achieved is often nearer the middle range of many flangers, results in a glut of notches and peaks at *all* times. In contrast, when flangers are at their shortest delay times, comb filtering may be confined to only the uppermost part of the audio signal, such that downward sweep begins to sound like more of the signal is becoming "infected". And THAT captures our attention, in a way that does not happen with chorus. Another psychological principle that plays a role here is how MUCH modulation is required in order for the an auditory effect to be audible. You will note that chorus pedals will never sweep as slowly as flangers or phasers. That's because changes in comb filtering can be perceived when they move slowly, but small changes in pitch cannot be. They need to be modulated more quickly to be heard/perceived. Although Uni-Vibes are derived from phasers, because they produce broad shallow "dips", rather than focussed notches, they also don't hold up particularly well when swept very slowly. So you'll find their speed range will generally be comparable to chorus pedals, and never as slow as a flanger or phaser. One of the factors infrequently discussed with respect to these three effects is the nature of the modulating waveform. Many such modulation pedals use a plain vanilla triangle waveform. That is, the upsweep is as linear as the downsweep; up and down, up and down. But some of the most desirable pedals use other types of waveforms to modulate the signal. For instance, the venerable Boss CE-1 used a different waveform for the vibrato than it does for the chorus. The EHX Electric Mistress historically used a waveform that tended to deccellerate as it swept downward, and accelerated in the upward sweep. The early Small Stone phasers used a similar waveform for slow sweep, and a triangular waveform for the faster mode. When your focus is going to be the location of the notches and peaks, you want a slower tour through the mids and bass than through the upper treble. At faster speeds (needed for chorus) a standard triangle wave is quite adequate. Many of us are familiar with the idea of potentiometer "taper". That is how much audible change results from rotating a pot X degrees. And many have experienced the outcome of mistakenly installing the "wrong" taper (though correct value). For example, an amp whose volume seems to go from nothing to near full blast between the 7:00 and 9:00 position with little change as you turn up even higher. The need for appropriate taper is a consequence of how our hearing and perception works. Similarly, the manner in which these effects are swept, including the speed, the shape/nature of the sweep, and width or span of the sweep, is a function of the sort of "taper" our hearing requires for these effects to be best enjoyed, and most musically useful.

[@anthonyarredondo2682]

Man ! You almost wrote a book here ! Lol ! Thanks though !!😆😆😆😆😆😆😆

[@stevelemur6113]

Thank you for the explanations of perception and the info on wave form modulation.

[@glennlilley8608]

And for those who favour Pithy?

[@L.DOT.P.]

Love it

[@JaQuicker]

I was totally about to say that, you beat me to it

[@sbargs]

Jesus, that white balance is killing me

[@rblyle382]

It's really brutal

[@martinkrauser4029]

every video should be this and this should be a new meme brutal white balance == metal

[@sofiedrek4118]

Sunny or not; Scandinavia makes you snow-blind. No escaping that.

[@dzhellek]

On the other hand, he really could be that pale. Scotland isn't known for it's sunny days.

[@TokyoXtreme]

It’s okay to be white.

[@janminor1172]

#PedalJesus

[@Alvarohc777]

This guy looks like Chad Channing

[@pjn2432]

But how does this help me to be "haired"?? Just kidding lol keep making videos dude they are fucking awesome

[@LordPadriac]

Don't ever say "you wouldn't use that sound" because at least 25% of the people watching this video just heard the sound they've been looking for and you'll be hearing that sound on half the indie records out this year.

[@mikeharnett2410]

Very very interesting. All I know is what my recording engineer father taught me, and that was the term "Flanger" came from a recording technique where the engineer would drag his thumb along the edge of the reel-to-reel take-up flange causing a subtle warbling upon playback. This could then be re-recorded along with the original clean track, and when properly done it created a perfect "flange" effect. Engineers in those days did much more than simply "ride gain". Thanks for another information packed video. And thanks to Tore too.

[@zachary4670]

Mike Harnett that’s what I’ve always heard

[@bananabread2458]

Take a shot every time tore says "yea"

[@hansfranz8795]

Isn't that the vsauce shirt from one of the curiosity boxes?

[@BudgetPedalChap]

This helped me understand the differences between the 3 rather than just going ‘yeah, well this ones is more of a zzzzzwwwoooosh, where as that one is more of a woooaaaaaawwooooaaaawooooaaaaww’ Keep up the good work dude

[@stompfolks]

but it's not the real thing, youre mistaken

[@colehara]

When I hear a guy with a Scottish accent talking about a phaser I'm thinking more of Star Trek.

[@ChrisCaccamiseMusic]

Well, now I’m curious to hear a phaser without the dry signal.

[@ChaosPootato]

You can probably emulate that by boosting a frequency on an EQ and then sweeping the peak back and forth (as far as I understood how it works)

[@kameronpattison5880]

Wouldn’t it just sound like a wah pedal?

[@ChrisCaccamiseMusic]

I understood it to be similar to the way a wah works but with 4 peaks (or 8 or 10) instead of one. Mix that with an LFO rather than an expression pedal and it’s might be pretty cool. Probably similar in functionality to the EHX Blurst but again, with 4 peaks. Worth a try. Speaking of wah, though, I wonder what a wah would sound like blended with an unaltered signal in parallel...

[@driesvanoosten4417]

A phaser without dry signal will sound just like the dry signal. The wet signal gies through a so-called all-pass filter. A filter that only changes phase. And you can't hear the phase. Until you mix it with the dry signal!

[@stompfolks]

@@driesvanoosten4417 all filter pass filters frequencies nothing to do with phase phaser mix dry signal with inverse phase signal, through all pass filters; the LFO acts differently depending on the frequency range

[@brucecharlie8613]

ambulance effect is a Doppler effect technicaly - a Doppler pedal lol

[@TheRantingsofaMadman]

He said he didn't really know why chorus changed the pitch but then talks about the Doppler effect, well that is why so really he does know lol. The sound wave is being slightly crushed and pulled by the delay. I've heard the same effect when changing the settings on an analog delay pedal. Great video and very informative all around.

[@kidkique]

It's hard to pull off a rock and roll image and a knowledgeable image simultaneously 😉

[@TomTobin67]

Well, the old saying is true. You don't have to see how the sausages are made.

[@johanhansson4574]

TC electronics that doesn't help repair shops with schematics. Don't buy their stuff you won't be able to repair it.

[@TualCor]

The upside down sticker on the laptop bothers me more then it should....

[@MrDulvalius69]

Man....whats up with this guys hair line?

[@yopglomusic8872]

I was wondering the same thing.

[@DScythe888]

to be fair, Colin has the same thing going on it's just less noticeable. It's nice to see people with similar hair not giving a shit and just doing what they want, as you don't have many styling options with that kind of hairline

[@yopglomusic8872]

I say if you have a widow's peak, just embrace it. It's pretty cool, actually

[@KimonFrousios]

I thought he was going for the look of The Hound from GoT...

[@luukderuijter1332]

With the flanger, the wet signal when the delay modulates you speed it up and slow it down, Changing the pitch

[@evane2808]

How are you liking that power supply?

[@ftatman]

I have a T-Rex Fuel Tank Junior. It is excellent. My only gripe is that the connectors are not perfect 90 degree right angles; they're slightly angled and it can make things awkward, depending on your setup.

[@jacolux]

After who have played in a rock band in the 80s I almost never use any of those. I love tremolo.

[@georgek5665]

The lighting is really off

[@khronscave]

Colour grading, rather...

[@georgek5665]

Yeah I give it a C-

[@samdeelrock]

watching this... then a certain kind of point " eros ramazzotti" ...wtf 😂 funny part is that I m from Italy

[@stjepangojko1884]

But where is the 4th version of chorus/flanger/phaser??? The Uni Vibe! Why no univibe?

[@neonlost]

This stuff is very useful for music producers.

[@KimonFrousios]

So the phaser is a cousin of the wah, while the other two are cousins of the delay. Interesting.

[@nsc217]

F’in Doppler effect caused me to get a speeding ticket before I even passed the policeman

[@daniels1293]

tc electronic makes some really nice pedals, i have a one of those vortex flangers and its a really nice pedal, i would recommend these pedals to anyone.

[@Twirlyhead]

Maybe I'm showing my age but I like flangers.

[@bornscumbag2297]

Nigga in the purple look like McCauley Culkins heroin days

[@Ianochez]

this guy knows his stuff, that's really cool you manage to invite him talk about it in your channel... very nice!

[@bornscumbag2297]

Damn nigga in purple god damn , u still have yo job frfr

[@crigonalgaming1258]

Fuck... This cam quality is delicious

[@TheTinMan123]

Very informative, same hairdresser 🤘

[@Jenswsmjens]

Very clear explanation!

[@stompfolks]

some mistakes talking about the differences beetwin all those gears

[@ScienceofLoud]

Please inform us all of the mistakes. It will be useful to learn.

[@davidsommerville2213]

Ok, better discussion. I’m still fuzzy, but my understanding is a bit better. I wish he would have stayed with the ambulance discussion to provide a common basis for everything. But thanks, I’m a little clearer...but still looking...

[@notorioustampaton]

Their hair lines mirror each other. ...

[@KnapfordMaster98]

Woah, what kind of guitar is that? Looks amazing!

[@zachary4670]

KnapfordMaster98 probably one he made

[@carlc2597]

Yay yak yak yak yak yak yak yak.............play the fucking guitar

[@ScienceofLoud]

Then you wouldn't learn anything. That's the problem with you kids these days, instant gratification but no willingness to actually learn.

[@Dobroz99]

So if I turn the feedback off on the flanger it’s chorus?

[@ScienceofLoud]

Yes, that's correct

[@achrisofalltrades5620]

The difference is... They both need more gain... N less mids...

[@gulagwithahumanface4471]

I love the Danish.

[@noobpro9759]

A celt and a dan both speaking to each other in a language not their first about electronics and wave forms. Something feels odd here. But I like it.

[@reverendayglow]

That was good, but I think you could still have other interviews on this subject. The subject seemed far from finished.

[@gustavourbina7262]

I can't hear it

[@danieljensen2626]

Should have played some Van Halen to demonstrate! And if you are delaying a signal by a modulated amount but still playing the whole thing back you have to speed up and slow down the wet signal, which is exactly what a pitch shift is anyway.

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

A good post would be how to replicate a 'vibe' sound using your existing pedals - e.g. how not spending in excess of 200 spondoolies on a dedicated vibe pedal. Personally, I have experimented with a chorus and tremolo pedal, But my favourite thus far was using the chorus with a flanger.

[@kimotamusic5532]

Left guy put his hair on the left side, right guy put his hair on the right side. Now they can morph together.😎

[@scarletsailor]

Low volume.

[@xneurianx]

This looks like an early 90's school video. WORDS. AND. PICTURES.

[@vadlasletta]

I guess that with a little bit of tweeking you can get five effects out of a delay: delay, chorus, vibrato, flanger and flanger without The dry signal.

[@michaelgrosser1657]

Guys pleez tawk to us and not to each other very poor audio......I had to bail before finishing...too bad

[@jackallen6261]

I have built in phase on my Peavey Heritage and set at a low level with a fair amount of repeat doing string slides sounds like someone's muffled voice in another room. Muted and unintelligible, but it actually sounds really cool!

[@jacobbockover1628]

So I have a question does a phase shifter. Actually shift your signal in and out of phase

[@aleksup6965]

I finally understood what a Phaser does...After years of confusion. Thank you ahahah

[@avgmaster1]

Heavy Metal power ballads ruined Chorus for me.

[@robcerasuolo9207]

That sound at 15:09 reminded me of a slide whistle, especially if you use a drinking glass and a straw to make that sound.

[@silasschramm]

anyone else using Serum and watching this for some clarity?

[@budthornsberry5148]

I wanna hear all of them all the way up at the same time with ALL THE GAIN!!

[@MrHollywood611]

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Kinda like Meshuggah’s guitar tech.

[@inlasttonowhere4459]

I found this video very insightful, thank you gentlemen

[@grizelda4526]

Love your videos. I learn so much from them. Thank you.

[@joleneloveland2942]

Would the change in pitch, be do perhaps, to a feedback type of effect?

[@SaberToothGary]

Waiting for Tore to breakout with a claymore!

[@JB-xo8sr]

Wayne's World, party time, excellent!

[@mesoanarchy]

What kind of guitar is that with the Strat looking headstock?

[@solsnirshaool3234]

What do you think about the dreamscape pedal?

[@kevinhicks3214]

And the stereo output... What does that do...???

[@Oshyyfabb]

He reminds me of sir Sandor Clegane. Anyone?

[@davidbarlow431]

Great vid, answered a lot of questions.

[@toni4032_]

Seth MacFarlane grew a beard and long hair, and now teaches about modulation FX

[@TheJoern]

Great explanation! I think I finally understand the difference! The only thing I'm missing is an explanation of the terms "thru zero", "+ zero" and "- zero"... this video gave me an idea, but I really want to know if I'm right!

[@stompfolks]

but these are wrong explanations, not entirely wrong but that's enough TZF through zero flange can be achieved by delaying the dry signal so the wet signal comes before and made a dramatic sound

[@jeffs1271]

Colin looks like a young Steve Morse.

[@Aeronaut1975]

Is the focus broken on your camera?

[@HermelJaworski]

Really cool video! Could you also explain the difference between chorus and detune? Thanks!

[@ChrisCaccamiseMusic]

Hermel J. Chorus modulates the delayed signal to continually alter the pitch back and forth whereas a Detune has no modulation. It alters the pitch of your delayed signal by a small amount and leaves it.

[@LucasSpurrell]

Love this. Very informative

[@Alfredo78666]

Flaaaanja meets Hair a sound!

[@JackstandJohnny]

Holy shit the Scot is 3 feet tall.

[@crashzero6517]

another awesome video :)

[@bearsleethere6996]

so ironic how quiet this video is

[@Pauly421]

Wow I'm really amazed at how crap the audio is here, even though you used lapel mics on both people speaking #impressivelyshit

[@damndamo1058]

Looks like we got an audiophile here fellas

[@chainyrabbit]

Am I the only one wanting for them to kiss???

[@jlgis77]

great vid....big help...

[@ruiseartalcorn]

Interesting stuff :)

[@oseenerby3031]

more gaaaaiiiiinnnn... .

[@jacktowers7533]

I need that Tele-Paul

[@thegronchotico]

Eros Ramazotti?

[@biometrix1000]

Thank you..

[@aerospaztic1384]

The Hound!

[@J.Escudero]

Pedal Jesus!

[@Ege-h6u]

thanks man!

[@VOYAGEUR-YT]

After watching this I'm even more confused about which one I should get.

[@ChrisCaccamiseMusic]

RealGamerManz It depends on what you play and how you intend to use it. I like phaser for funky rhythm or before Overdrive for those VH-inspired tones. Chorus is perfect for clean single note-runs, big chordal patterns and giant leads when placed after Overdrive. Flanger will get you in the chorus territory for similar applications but also can do that big jet swoosh and tape flanging (at least some of them can). Tape flange can sometimes get sort of close to a phaser-ish tone so my vote would be for the Flanger. I have the TC Vortex and will probably keep it forever. It’s awesome!

[@VOYAGEUR-YT]

Chris Caccamise Cool thanks dude. I was thinking I should probably get the flanger or chorus. I like Mastodon's sound. They have really heavy riffs but some vintage sounding sections with cool effects on them like this. That's kind of what I'm going for.

[@hadleymanmusic]

De armond tornado!

[@MrHollywood611]

*Yeah*