In the effect world there are some standout effects, there are some always on effects, and there are some oddball effects which defy all sonic logic. The flanger is one of those stand out effects that has a real presence when engaged. Used properly, and sometimes improperly it creates a remarkable audio landscape.
The guys over at Six String Bliss have dubbed 2009 the year of the flanger so I thought I would do my part and take you along as we uncover this unique modulation effect.
First, the history. Flanging was originally achieved by recording a track to two separate machines at the same time. The two tracks were then mixed together on to a single track. An engineer would put his finger on the flange of one of the tape machines slowing it down slightly causing it to be out of sync with the other machine. The two out of sync signals mixed together created sweep of the audio singal.
Electronics later replaced the mechanical means to create the flanging sound. Now there are seemingly unlimited choices in the flanger market from the inexpensive mass produced to the boutique hand built pedals.The sound can range anywhere from the flat jet plane sounding flange similar to the old tape machine sound to thick, modulated flanging bordering on chorus.
So what exactly does it sound like? Well here are a few choice songs in which the flanger is used.
Heart -Barracuda
Not only does this song just plain rock, but the use of flanger in the opening riffs as well as the solo highlight how musical this effect can be.
Live-Lightning Crashes
The slow sweep of the flanger on the intro of this song sets the mood for the somber lyrics.
Ozzy-Bark At The Moon
Jake E. Lee's use of the flanger on the solo of this song helped accentuate the lighting licks that created what is in my opinion one of the best solo's in the guitar world.
Van Halen -Unchained (Album Version)
I just had to include both of these. Eddie's use of the flange on these songs truly lets the effect shine. He really isn't playing anything when the flange is engaged, just scraping the strings and letting the effect do the work.
So there you have it. The rock and roll world would be somewhat less exciting sonically if the flanger were not invented. Now go get your flange on.
Scott
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1 comment:
Well done Sir! One other aspect about the flanger seems to be that although they have fallen out of vogue with guitar players lately they seem to be enjoying a rebirth with some vocalists.
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