Flanger
A sweeping, jet-like modulation effect created by mixing your signal with a very short, continuously varying copy of itself.
What it does
The Flanger uses a very short delay (typically under 10 ms) and modulates the delay time with a slow oscillation. This creates a series of peaks and notches in the frequency response (called a comb filter) that sweeps up and down the frequency spectrum. The result is the recognisable "jet swoosh" or "through a hollow metal tube" sound — from subtle warmth to dramatic, dramatic sweeps. Adding Feedback intensifies the peaks and notches, making the effect more metallic and resonant.
Parameters
| Parameter | Range | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rate | 0.05–5 Hz | 0.25 Hz | Speed of the modulation sweep. Slow Rate = long, gradual sweep; fast Rate = rapid wobble. Most useful flanger sounds range from 0.1–1 Hz |
| Depth | 0–5 ms | 2 ms | How much the delay time changes with each sweep cycle. More Depth = a wider, more dramatic sweep |
| Delay | 0.1–5 ms | 1 ms | The base delay time (the shortest point in the sweep cycle). Shorter Delay = tighter, more chorus-like; longer Delay = more flanger character |
| Feedback | 0–95% | 20% | Feeds the flanged signal back on itself, intensifying the peaks and notches. Low Feedback = subtle sweep; high Feedback = aggressive, resonant metallic sweep |
| Mix | 0–100% | 50% | Blends the flanged (wet) signal with the dry. 50% gives the classic flanger balance |
Tips
- Slow Rate + higher Feedback gives the classic jet-engine flanger sweep — iconic on electric guitar rhythm parts.
- Low Feedback and slow Rate produces a more subtle, chorus-adjacent thickening that is less immediately recognisable as flanger.
- Flanger tends to work better at low to moderate gain — high-gain tones can interact with the effect in unpredictable ways. Use it on clean and crunch settings for the clearest effect.
- The Depth and Feedback controls are the two most characterful knobs — experiment with these first after setting Rate.
- Place flanger after the amp and cabinet in the chain.