There are many ways you can enhance your sound. You can buy the right amp, the right cables, and then add in some choice pedals.
All of these are great ways to build a sound that is all your own, but the best way and the way that offers the most versatility is the pedal.
In this guide, we will look at the best guitar phaser pedals and some important information you will need during your decision-making process.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Guitar Phaser Pedals
Table of Contents
What is a Phaser Pedal and What Does it Do?
The phaser pedal is a more modern pedal and is often digital. Though there is a model that uses the vintage internal arts for a more iconic and recognizable sound, these will have less sound stage but offer a more clean and traditional sound.
This pedal takes the sound of your guitar and divides it into separate signals. One will be sent through the all-pass filter; this will transform the phase. The second aspect is sent through dry. The level of transformation is dependent on the parameters of the frequency you set.
What is the Difference Between a Flanger and a Phaser?
Many people do not see the difference at first, but there is a clear difference. The most significant way that a flanger differs from a phaser is that the flanger has a bit more of a tinny sound. The phaser is more organic. Phasers create swirling and swooshing effects instead of the meta jet-like sound of a flanger.
What to Look For When Buying a Phaser Pedal
When you are starting the process of making your pedal selection, you will want to know what to look for. What features and functions make a great phaser pedal? That is why we have pulled together the three main things that you should consider when making this crucial musical decision.
Customization
The main reason you are looking for a pedal is to offer an alternative to the natural tone of your guitar. You can stay simple with a phaser pedal and go with the bare bones, or you can get a bit more intense and look for one that offers tons of control over your effects. At the bare minimum, you should be able to customize and control the speed, depth, and resonance.
Circuitry
Phaser pedals come in two forms: analog and digital. The analog circuitry used in the analog models offers a more vintage sound. They produce clean tones. If you want a little more depth and substance, you might want to go with the digital phaser option.
Use
Phaser is one of the more basic modulation pedals, but some are not easy to use. You will want to play and experiment when you get yours so that you can get the most out of your investment. If you are a new user of a phaser pedal, you may want to go with a simpler model first and then work your way up to more difficult pedals after a little time.
Comparison Chart of the Best Guitar Phaser Pedals
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Review of the Best Guitar Phaser Pedals
Now that you are armed with the knowledge you need to help you with your final decision, we can take a look at our list of the best guitar phaser pedals.
Best Overall:
MXR Phase 90
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Though some have an issue with the speed rate when comparing to other fantastic models from MXR, most guitarists that have included this in their chain have a lot of great things to say. The thing that stands out the most is their appreciation for the inclusion of things like the LED light for on/off.
Why it Stands Out to Us
For us, the sound quality is spectacular. The entire soundscape is sensational, but the rich mid-tones give your sound that classic rock edge. The build is durable while still looking cool. There is a lot to love about this model, and that is why we chose it as our best overall phaser pedal.
Who Will Use This Most
This model could lend its amazing capabilities to any guitarist out there, but the gigging guitarist that wants to rock that clean, classic rock sound will get the most from this MXR model. Just looking at headroom and clarity afforded the guitarist is reason enough for this guitarist to take advantage of this phaser pedal.
Bottom Line
Sometimes sticking with what brought you to the party is the smartest decision. That is why this model is so spectacular it takes everything we loved about the original model and adds a few extras to round out the design and sound capabilities. This is why we had to include it on our list.
Runner-up:
TC Electronic Helix Phaser Pedal
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers have a lot to say about this phaser pedal, and most of it is good. They seem to really love the multiple controls to help control the phasing. Though some do feel that it will take a bit of time for most to get the hang of the controls, for the most part, this pedal gets a big two thumbs up.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The thing that really stands out the most for us is the craftability of sound through this pedal. The inclusion of three separate modes (vintage, Toneprint, and smooth) allows you to build out your sound to your own specification. It also allows for versatility of play as well.
Who Will Use This Most
This digital phaser is a great piece but will definitely benefit the more modern player. This player uses MIDI tech and DAW for the music creation, and this pedal will perfectly blend with this system of music creation. With its online app, modern guitarists will get the most out of all their devices, particularly the smart ones.
Bottom Line
There is a lot that this pedal brings to the game. From everything from its true bypass build and buffering capability to its downloadable app for Toneprint transferal, you get a pedal that sounds vintage but performs modern, and that makes this a great choice.
Best for the Money:
EarthQuaker Devices Grand Orbiter V2
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This pedal from EarthQuaker devices has all the guitarists that have purchased it saying great things. Though this pedal is quite large, according to most of them, they say that it is well worth a little pedal chain rearrangement to garner the great sounds that this phaser is capable of.
Why it Stands Out to Us
When you are dealing with a tight budget, you want to be able to get the most bang for your buck you possibly can. With this phaser pedal, you get exactly that. The features included in this product make it a great option, and that is what stands out to us.
Who Will Use This Most
This unit’s small build and versatility make it an excellent choice for the studio guitarist that is just starting. The ability to use the controls to craft the sound while still being able to afford the pedal will give the new studio artist a leg up over the rest.
Bottom Line
This pedal is built with a true analog design that is capped off with a true bypass. The combination of a constant resonant filter and a fast sweep make this a well-built, high-performance pedal, which just so happens to be budget-friendly as well.
4. AZOR Phaser Guitar Effects Pedal
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This model may not be from one of the bigger names in the musical equipment industry, but the recent buyers have no problem with that. Many feel that it has a nice sound that cuts through the mix. Though there is a bit of noise, guitarists that use this pedal have been able to overlook that.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It is easy to control and well-built, and those are just a few of the things that make this one of the best options on the market today. It offers a classic build and sound with craftable width and speed that will add unique tones.
Who Will Use This Most
This pedal is a great choice for the road traveling guitarist who needs a durable pedal that offers a lot of versatility. The build of the pedal is crafted with high-quality materials that make this unit able to stand up to the rigors of the road, and that is something such guitarists always need.
Bottom Line
The AZOR phaser pedal is a well-made unit that offers an easy to use system that produces high-quality sound. Those are the biggest reasons that it finds itself on our list of the best options on the market today. When you add that plus its affordable price tag, there was never a question.
5. Koogo Analog Phaser Guitar Effect Pedal
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers really enjoy the value they got for the price they paid. They love the versatility afforded by the multiple modes that are built into this pedal. Some find the sound a bit muddy when using the distortion feature. But, in the end, not even that drawback is enough to detract from their appreciation of this pedal.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The reason that this pedal finds its way onto our list is for the craftability of its sound. This makes it a real investment in your musical control and overall performance. The clean tones and the analog phase circuitry make for a warm and smooth sound that is full and rich.
Who Will Use This Most
This pedal is great for the rocker who travels from gig to gig to make money. The durability of this pedal allows for the rough and tumble transport without fear of the unit being damaged. It is lightweight and relatively compact, which makes it even more portable.
Bottom Line
This phaser pedal was an easy choice when we began our list of the best guitar phaser pedals. With its good build design and the careful consideration of what the guitarist needs to mold their sound, this exceptional device was a shoo-in.
Perks of Upgrading Your Phaser Pedal
Having a good selection ready for you to choose from and the knowledge of what to look for doesn’t give you a real look at why you should upgrade to a phaser pedal. A phaser pedal gives you a lot of great perks. Using this pedal, you can elevate your creativity, especially in certain areas. Some of the biggest perks of upgrading to a phaser pedal are:
Verse Fills
You can use these pedals to thicken your sound. It can make even three notes seem like a complete chorus. This will give your bridge or chorus more detail, and therefore your sound will have more depth.
Swells
This pedal can help create a sustained effect. This is often called a chord swell and is best done with a slower song. If you try this with a fast song, you may experience a clash of notes and tones.
Solos
Using the phaser peak, this pedal will richen and deepen your solos. You can use this pedal like you would a boost pedal without gain. This perfect to use instead of distortion. By using this, you can play fewer notes but lend more emotion to the solo.
How to Use a Phaser Pedal
The phaser should be installed in the back of your chain after everything except things like delay and reverb. Having the phaser in this position will mean that everything from distortion to EQ will be affected by this pedal. Changing the order can affect the effects and sound easily.
Once you have the pedal set-up in your chain, you will want to play with the settings. Here are a few controls and some key settings that you can now set up:
Speed
If you set this knob at a low rate, you will get an “open & close” effect. Once you begin to increase the frequency, you will get a sci-fi effect.
Level
This is the knob that controls the amount of the effect that is applied to the sound. If you go to the minimum, you will only get a little movement. If you go high, the sound will be transformed completely.
Depth
This control is what manages the peaks and troughs of the filters. The larger they are, the more the sound is transformed.
Feedback
This control manages the amount of output that gets looped back into the input. This can create amazing effects that give a nice distorted quality.
If you want more information, make sure to check out the video below:
Conclusion
Adding a phaser pedal to your equipment can add a lot of flavor and dynamics to your music. With the knowledge we laid out above, we hope that it helps you make the right decision for your needs. Making sure to get the perfect pedal can be just that right addition to round out your sound, and now you are armed with all the information you need to make the right choice.
