Flanger

[jacowoody]

Hi, I'm looking for a Flanger plugin that can capture the sound of the Eagles "Life in the Fast Lane". Any suggestions or tips on how to manipulate a Flanger (I use Cubase 4) to achieve that sound? Thanks, Jacowoody

[mazz]

Since the sound of tape flanging (which I'm pretty sure is what they did on that tune) is comb filtering caused by very small delays, I thought of an idea, I've never tried it myself but it might be worth a try:1. Bounce your mix to stereo2. Make a copy of it and bring both up in a session.3. On the copy, put a delay plugin with a very short delay and no feedback and 100% wet.4. While playing back, manipulate the delay time on the delay plug in. You might hear what you are looking for.As the delays move forward and back in time (in true flanging its created by two tape machines running almost the same speed but always with one or the other ahead or behind due to the motors or the pressure of a finger on the tape flange) the sound goes through "zero" or in other words, where they are in absolute sync for a split second before sliding out again. That "through zero" sound is very difficult to achieve using delays only although there are supposedly plugins that can give that sound.Sorry I can't recommend a plug-in but maybe my wacko idea is worth a try?Mazz

[stick]

That could work Mazz, if the delay plug doesn't glitch or swoop as you change delay values. For flanger I usually use Waves Enigma or MondoMod (from the Gold Bundle).

[andreh]

Mazz, you old analog b@stard! Your age is showing... Many delays plug-ins have modulation built in, so you could set this value to a very low number (or whatever sounds right) and not have to worry about the automation glitch that Stick is referring to.Some plug-ins (such as Line6 Echo Farm, Soundtoys Echo Boy, Massey TD5, & PSP 42) also emulate tape characteristics so they can sound "warmer" or wacky than standard digital delays.André

[mazz]

Ah you young bucks that never had to align a tape machine!! I used to walk to the studio in driving snow, uphill both directions..........

[sgs4u]

in grade 2, I used to skate to school, does that count? flange the whole track dude, it's so retro Quote:Ah you young bucks that never had to align a tape machine!! I used to walk to the studio in driving snow, uphill both directions..........

[ernstinen]

Quote:in grade 2, I used to skate to school, does that count? flange the whole track dude, it's so retro Well, 'I' used to cross-country ski 30 miles across snowy forests to get to school in my native Finland! --- Er, that was my grandfather, but --- Speaking of retro:1. Listen to a ZZ-Top recording like "Gimme All Your Loving." EVERYTHING is flanged, starting with the drum track.2. I have an old Boss analog flanger pedal I could sell you. It's a lovely pink color, and the foot switch doesn't work too well, but it may be just what the doctor ordered! 3. If that's TOO retro, I've got some hardware units like an Alesis Quadraverb 2 which has real nice stereo flanger programs in it. I'll let it go for, say, $1000. Ern

[jacowoody]

Thank you all. Mazz I'm going to give your idea a try. I'm an old analog fart too! My "studio" in New Hampshire back in the 70's had a door kept shut by a rope. If the rope came loose, I had snow inside. The only heat was from the power tubes. I played guitar in open tunings so I could play one fret chords with my mittens on. When I used effect pedals I had to take the batteries out of my heated socks, and those are the good memories.

[mewman]

I've played a few out of tune pianos in clubs that almost sounded flanged if you got drunk enough on the gig...

[Mark Kaufman]

Guess I'm an old fart too...I used to have a razor for splicing."Splicing" is an old analog effect, children.