Phaser block

Contents
1 Available on which products
2 Channels or X/Y switching
3 Phaser algorithm
4 Phaser types and effects
4.1 45 and 90 types
4.2 Uni-Vibe types
4.3 Barber Pole
4.4 Bi-Phase
4.5 Bad Stone
4.6 Maestro Phaser
4.7 Morley Pro Phaser
4.8 Korg PHS-1
4.9 Ultra-Super-Mega Phaser
4.10 Step Phaser
4.11 Simulating a MXR Phaser 100
5 Mono or stereo Phaser
6 Thump when engaging the Phaser
7 Parameters
7.1 Parameters table
7.2 Level
7.3 Mix
7.4 Order
7.5 Feedback Tap
7.6 LFO Bypass Reset
7.7 Start Frequency

Available on which products

Axe-Fx III: 2 blocks
FM3: 2 blocks
 Axe-Fx II: 2 blocks
AX8: 1 block
FX8: 2 blocks

Channels or X/Y switching

Axe-Fx III and FM3: 4 channels
Axe-Fx II: X/Y
AX8: X/Y
FX8: X/Y

Phaser algorithm
Firmware Ares 12 completely overhauled the Phaser block:

1. "The Frequency parameter on the Basic page has been replaced by a "Manual" knob. It functions similar
to the Flanger’s Manual control. To manually control the phasing set Depth to zero. The sensitivity of the
Manual control is inversely proportional to Depth and the Manual control is disabled when Depth is at
maximum.
2. The Depth control mixes the LFO and Manual controls. When Depth is at minimum the phase shifter
frequency is controlled entirely by Manual. When Depth is at maximum the frequency is controlled solely
by the LFO.
3. There are now separate Minimum Frequency and Maximum Frequency parameters. These set the
minimum and maximum frequency when the Depth is at maximum and Manual is at minimum. These are
updated when the type is changed.
4. There are four "VCR Types” (Voltage Controlled Resistor). LINEAR is a simple linear mapping of LFO
voltage to frequency. EXPONENTIAL gives an exponential response which can be more "musical"
because the notches will move more linearly with the logarithm of frequency. JFET simulates the
response of a Junction Field Effect Transistor when used as a variable resistor (as is commonly done in
phaser pedals). PHOTOCELL simulates the response of a CdS photocell.
5. The "Exponent" parameter controls the exponent for the EXPONENTIAL type. A value of 1.0 is "ideal"
and results in the notches sweeping linearly with log(frequency). Higher values cause the frequency to
dwell at higher frequencies and then decrease rapidly towards the lower frequencies. Lower values cause
the frequency to dwell at lower frequencies.
6. The VCR Bias parameter controls the bias point of the virtual VCR. A value of zero biases the VCR
optimally. Negative values result in the VCR entering cutoff (infinite resistance).
7. When using the PHOTOCELL VCR Type the attack and release times of the photocell can be configured
using the Photocell Attack and Photocell Release parameters. Typical photocells used in phasers have an
attack time of 5 ms and a release time of 35 ms but there is a bit of variation between photocell types.
Shorter release times result in a “lumpier” response.
8. The Feedback Point parameter now allows setting the feedback to any point in the phase shifter chain. A
value of ‘0’ indicates prior to the beginning of the phase shifter chain. A value of ‘1’ indicates into the
first stage and so on. Both positive and negative values of feedback are allowed. When adding feedback
experiment with the Mix value. Increasing the Mix can achieve rich, hybrid vibrato/phase sounds.
9. Up to 12 phase shift stages are allowed in multiples of two stages. As the number of stages is increased
more notches occur in the spectrum. Experiment with the Minimum and Maximum Frequency values to
move the notches in the spectrum.
10. Most of the models are configured for mono operation with the LFO Phase set to 0.0. This is suitable for
 use before an Amp block. Placing the Phaser block after the Amp and Cab blocks allows for stereo
phasing. Use the LFO Phase parameter to vary the phase of the right channel LFO in relation to the left.
11. The Barberpole algorithm has also been completely reworked yielding more convincing “infinite
phasing”.
12. NOTE: Due to the comprehensive nature of the changes any existing presets will have the Phaser block
reset to default values for the selected type. This can change the sound of existing presets that use the
Phaser block and those presets should be auditioned and adjusted accordingly."

Phaser types and effects

45 and 90 types
These types are based on the MXR Phase 90 and Phase 45 pedals.

The "45" uses subtle two-stage phasing, while the "90" type uses more pronounced four-stage phasing.

"Script" refers to the early MXR pedals which had the name printed in script font. They feature a more subdued
sound with higher headroom and greater clarity. The later "Block" pedals are more modern and rely on internal
feedback to create light harmonic distortion and give the effect a more accentuated swoosh.

The "Stripe 90" type is based on the MXR EVH Phase 90, an EVH-specific version of the Phase 90.

EVH's phaser and flanger settings (https://www.flickr.com/photos/10632426@N05/8000160951)

Uni-Vibe types
The Uni-Vibe effect is a special mode of the Phaser block. Engage the Vibe parameter (or select one of the Vibe
types).

Put the effect before the Amp block.

Connect a pedal or switch to the Rate parameter to control speed.

"You need it before the amp if you want the bump." source (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/r
ecommendations-to-achieve-a-good-univibe-sound.104710/#post-1252527)

The "Classic Vibe" type is based on the Fulltone Deja-Vibe. source 1 (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/nee
d-help-with-some-sounds.109156/#post-1305852), source 2 (https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/axe-fx-iii-la
test-11-02-beta-firmware-fc-controller-bug.156947/post-1870477)

Example settings (before firmware Ares 12):

Robin Trower (https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/still-looking-for-that-perfect-fat-robin-trower-univi

be-sound.83367/)
Shin-ei Vibe-Bro (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/vibe.138468/#post-1641918)

Firmware Ares 12 added the "FAS Vibe" model.

 "It's so hard to make a good UniVibe clone. You gotta get the photocells just right. If they're too
slow it won't be lumpy and drippy enough. Too fast and it will thump. Use anything but a photocell
and it just sounds terrible." source (https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/axe-fx-iii-firmware-versi
on-11-02-public-beta-5-beta_4.157025/post-1873902)

More information:

Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Univibe)
Gilmourish.com (http://www.gilmourish.com/?page_id=4537)

Barber Pole
Like the Shepard tone (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepard_tone), this phaser type creates the illusion of a
never-ending upwards cycle. Works best when placed at the end of the signal chain.

Bi-Phase
The "Mutated Twin-Phaser" type (firmware Ares 12 and later) is based on the multifunctional stereo Mutron Bi-
Phase. To achieve a similar sound in earlier firmware, set the Phaser to 6 stages.

Original manual (https://mu-tron.com//wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Bi-Phase-Owners-Manual-Complete.pdf)

Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=wYUPH69I8wc)

Demo by Joris Voorn (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqUN3S6EW3o)

Bad Stone
The "Naughty Rock" type is based on an Electro-Harmonix Bad Stone phaser (https://www.ehx.com/products/b
ad-stone), which uses six stages as opposed to the more famous four-stage EHX Small Stone phaser.

Original controls: Rate, Manual Shift, Feedback, Auto/Manual.

Review in Premier Guitar (https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/22889-electro-harmonix-bad-stone-review)

Demo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0csEWuzbNRg)

Maestro Phaser
The "Virtuoso Phaser" type is based on the venerable Maestro MP-1 phaser, made by Bob Moog. It is assumed
to be the pedal that Jimmy Age used on Led Zeppelin's Nobody's Fault But Mine. It is a six-stage phaser.

Original controls: Balls (depth) and Speed.

Technical service manual (http://www.synfo.nl/servicemanuals/Maestro/MAESTRO-PHASER_SERVICE_MA

NUAL.pdf)

Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjOoMS-qFYo)
Morley Pro Phaser
The "Treadle Phaser" type is based on the large chrome Morley Pro PFA Phaser, with treadle mechanism.

Controls on the original pedal:

Phase Travel: controls the depth/amplitude of the modulation (the size of the range in which the effect
sweeps)
Center: sets the position of the effect when the LFO is in the center position or controls the effect when
the LFO is switched off
Harmonic Emphasis: sets the amount of effected signal fed back into the effect (for a stronger effect)

Korg PHS-1
The "Borg Phaser" type is based on the black-with-orange Korg PHS-1.

Controls on the original pedal:

Speed
Intensity

Original manual (https://cdn.korg.com/us/support/download/files/ec1c9973ed509cc6c8b3cd9b3050d520.pdf?re

sponse-content-disposition=inline%3Bfilename%2A%3DUTF-8%27%27PHS-1_OM_E.pdf&response-content-
type=application%2Fpdf%3B)

Ultra-Super-Mega Phaser
Custom phaser type by FAS.

Step Phaser
Firmware Ares 12 and later:

To simulate a stepped phaser, set Depth to 0, attach the Manual control to the Sequencer. You can use the Min
and Max values in the controller as well as the Minimum Frequency and Maximum Frequency settings on the
Phaser block to tune the effect.

Or use the LFO Quantize parameter.

Earlier firmware:

To simulate a stepped phaser, set Depth to 0, attach Frequency Start to the Sequencer, set Min and Max and
adjust the Sequencer faders.

Simulating a MXR Phaser 100

"You can get pretty close with a 10th order phaser. I could add a parameter that selects the number
 of stage to modulate but I don't think it's necessary, simply reduce the sweep depth." source (https://
forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/phase-100.157825/post-1882545)

Mono or stereo Phaser

The Phaser defaults to mono to prevent phase problems when used before an Amp block.

To make it stereo, change the LFO Phase setting and place it after Drive, Amp and Cab.

Thump when engaging the Phaser

Engaging some effects, like Wah or Phaser, can cause a "thump" in the sound. This may be caused by
impedance switching. To solve this, change Input Impedance from "Auto" to "1M". The above doesn't apply to
Fractal Audio processors with a fixed (not adjustable) input impedance. Read this: Input impedance

Parameters
Parameters table
 Parameter Axe-Fx III / FM3 Axe-Fx II AX8 / FX8

Type yes

Rate yes

Tempo yes

Depth yes

Feedback yes

Start Frequency yes

Phaser Mode yes

Order yes

Frequency Span yes

LFO Type yes

LFO Phase yes

LFO Quantize (firmware Ares 12 and later) yes

Bulb Bias yes

Feedback Tap yes

Tone yes

LFO Reset on Bypass yes

Barberpole — Sweep Direction yes

Barberpole — Filter Q yes

Level
"Phasers cause notches in the spectrum which can reduce the apparent volume. It depends on the
frequency content. Overdriven sounds have more content and will be affected more. The Level
knob allows you to compensate for this." source (https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/phaser-lev
el-too-low.139671/post-1656156)

Mix
"Real phaser pedals never achieve exactly 50%. In my testing I found that a higher mix can sound
better, especially when using feedback." source (https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/axe-fx-iii-fi
rmware-version-12-00-public-beta.157741/post-1881578)

Order
The Order parameter lets you change the number of phaser stages.

Feedback Tap
 "There is no feedback on a Script 90." source (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/phaser-type-fe
edback-tap-incorrect-for-script-90-type.52270/#post-669003)

LFO Bypass Reset

If LFO Bypass Reset is set to anything other than Off, LFO will be reset to the selected phase whenever the
block is bypassed. This allows synchronizing the sweep to the engagement of the effect.

Start Frequency
"Another fun phaser trick is to set DEPTH to 0 and assign the Frequency Start to an expression
pedal." source (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/stereo-8-stage-phaser-holy-crap.142326/#post
-1685205)

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This page was last edited on 24 February 2020, at 07:22.