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Favorite Phaser?
- Thread starter skydivingninja
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I haven't tried many but I enjoy the phaser on my Orbital Modulator.
Using a phaser to imitate the EW tone is clever! That man had one of the best tones ever.
Using a phaser to imitate the EW tone is clever! That man had one of the best tones ever.
This one's an oddball, but I love it:
I found it on CL a couple of years ago. Research shows it's an MXR Commande Series phaser from the 80s. That regen knob lets me dial in the depth I want and - most importantly - doesn't suck any of the bass tone out. I was using a Joyo Phase 90 clone, but I kept losing low frequencies.
On the downside, it's very cheap construction-wise. It was made to be an import-fighter and is housed in a black plastic case. The switch is a little iffy sometimes, so I might have it re-housed and upgraded with a better switch.
Also, good call on Eberhard Weber! That's my target phaser tone. It's a shame he can no longer play.
I found it on CL a couple of years ago. Research shows it's an MXR Commande Series phaser from the 80s. That regen knob lets me dial in the depth I want and - most importantly - doesn't suck any of the bass tone out. I was using a Joyo Phase 90 clone, but I kept losing low frequencies.
On the downside, it's very cheap construction-wise. It was made to be an import-fighter and is housed in a black plastic case. The switch is a little iffy sometimes, so I might have it re-housed and upgraded with a better switch.
Also, good call on Eberhard Weber! That's my target phaser tone. It's a shame he can no longer play.
I'm surprised the 95 hasn't gotten more love. 4 different MXR pedals in one mini-stomp, from subtle to way over the top. Love mine and use it all the time.
Darn! THAT was the one I was forgetting! Had one too (sold in a moment of not-so-good judgment)!
That was a NICE one. Can anyone say Anthony Jackson (Money, money, money, money!)?
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is that TOS? set to stun those were awesome, the barowners are much more likely to re-hire your band if you didn't use the 'kill' setting.
I'm a fan of the Moog but have also really come to really like the phaser algorithm in my Eventide H9.
The Eventide H9 phasers have more than enough parameters to control it that you can find just about any phaser in there. Really like the phasers in the Zoom MS-100-BT (all of the modulation/delay/reverb is amazing on that unit). Another box I've been using is a Subdecay Prometheus; I can coax a phaser sound by maxing out the STEP knob and keeping the RATE knob below noon. Very versatile with high/band/low pass filter, up/mid/down sweep and depth/intensity controls as well as frequency to set the center point easily.
I finally remembered which company made the "stun" and "kill" phaser, it's Tortuga Electronics out of Idaho. I'm not sure they make them anymore. They turn up on Reverb, it seems:
Tortuga Standard Issue Phaser
Tortuga Standard Issue Phaser
Michael Schreiber
Commercial User
The KRP-1 from Mode Machines is based on the Schulte Phaser, and according to a test at Amazona in the original form it lacks low-end, but with a little tweak it can sound close to the original - by covering the optocouplers and photo cells, which can be done by Mode Machines at request, according to Amazona.
Test (in German): Invalid Link Removed
TC Helix currently, but due to this thread I'm gas'n a bit for the Grand Orbiter V2 and the SA Lunar. The Helix has two great settings, and then many more available with Toneprint as you all know.
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Appreciate all the replies and advice! Except for y'all recommending a Jet Phaser as if you could find those for around $150.
Lot of love for Source Audio in here, but I did find a Grand Orbiter for a darn good price off of Reverb so I ordered that. If it doesn't scratch the phaser itch I'll be taking the Source Audio plunge.
If you decide to flip it and take the SA plunge, I've got a barely used Lunar I'd be happy to trade for the Orbiter.
Oh man... I used to work at an audio equipment rental company that had a Bi-phase in their inventory, and would spend countless hours of downtime finding new and weirder things to do with that bad boy. If you've never played with a Mutron Bi-Phase, you haven't lived!
I'm a big fan of the Phase 95, because of the aforementioned versatility, but also because it's new and comes with a warranty!
Most of my other phase shifter experiences are with older, "vintage" models, which probably don't meet OP's criteria of "under $150". I.e., see Mutron Bi-phase, above. Also loved the original A/DA Final Phase...which had a very cool idiosyncratic Overdrive option.
And the Univox PHZ-1 -- which had the most un-pedalboard-friendly form factor, but the most ridiculously over-the-top sound -- was a killer piece of kit.
I thought it was generally agreed that AJ used a Maestro PS-1A phase shifter on "For The Love Of Money".* (Same one John Paul Jones used on the electric piano for "No Quarter")
*[edit: contested below]
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Yes, I seriously miss that Bi-phase. If I knew then...
Regarding the Maestro and the O'jays, IIRC, Anthony Jackson talks about opening up the Phase 90 and tweaking a internal control (most likely bias) to get it to sound the way he wanted...
Oh well, they still haven't official let me into the Old Goats' Club, or what ever it is. Maybe if you are right (and I'm wrong), they'll let me join!
- Feb 16, 2008
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- John K Custom Basses
after all these years, still my favorite:
That Eberhard Weber played on those Kate Bush tracks. I never actually owned that album, I was into The Dreaming which I had on cassette...but every woman I knew had Hounds of Love, and actually Running Up That Hill was the theme song of my divorce.
Nice thing about the Phase 95 (aside from the footprint) is that you can loose the mid-bump and volume spike...which were the dealbreakers for me on the Phase 90.
Oh, gotcha.
He's on a number of Kate Bush songs, including "Houdini" from "The Dreaming." Kate Bush always has awesome bass players on her albums. She's got a great ear for bassists! Part of the reason why I love her stuff so much I guess.
