Bass Guitar Effects – Modulation
In this article we look at modulation. The effects units in this article modulate or manipulate the original sound in some way to produce a different sound. We will look at the three most common types of effects in this category: Chorus, Phase Shifters and Flangers.
When we talk about signal modulation, we are referring to changes to its Volume, Phase (timing), or Frequency (Pitch). The effects units discussed here modulate the phase, frequency, or both. A common problem with all modulation effects for bass is that they can make the lower notes sound muddy. To overcome this, the better units allow you to set the frequency, below which no modulation effect will be applied.
Chorus
These units take the signal from your bass guitar and divide it in two. One half of the signal is then modulated (the pitch is changed) . It is then mixed back with the unmodified signal. The result sounds as though there is more than one instrument being played – hence the name chorus. This effect will fill out the sound a little. This is useful if your band has only a single guitar or keyboard player.
Phase Shifter
The Phase Shifter or Phaser is an effect unit that, splits the signal similarly to the Chorus effect, but this time it is the the phase that is modulated. When the two slightly out of phase signals are combined, it produces a swooshing or roaring sound a little like the sound from an aircraft’s jet engines. Adding a little phase shifting to your sound once in a while for carefully selected songs will definitely get you noticed.
Flanger
Flanging could be described as a more aggressive form of phase shifting. Again the input signal is split in two. When the two signals are mixed back together, one of the signals is delayed slightly and then slowly speeded up until the two signals are identical. This is repeated to produce the flanging sound. The name comes from the days when it was created by slowing down a tape during recording by pressing against the edge or flange of the tape reel. Flanging is a bass guitar effect that will add a nice touch of color to your sound if used sparingly.
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