Immerse yourself in the era of classic guitar sound with the D-Charged Phase 90 plugin – a virtual emulation of the legendary MXR Phase 90 phaser effect pedal. This VST plugin for Windows from developer D-Charged embodies the warm, pulsating sound that has become an integral part of thousands of hit recordings of various genres – from rock and funk to psychedelia and electronica. If you’re looking for that signature “sweep” and modulation that adds depth, movement, and a cosmic atmosphere to your instruments, the Phase 90 from D-Charged is exactly what you need.
What is a phaser effect?
A phaser effect (phaser or phase shifter) is a type of sound modulation that creates a characteristic “rotation” or “sweep” of the sound. It is achieved by splitting the audio signal into two copies. One copy remains unchanged, while the other is passed through a series of filters (the so-called “phase steps”) that shift the phase of certain frequencies. Then, these two copies are mixed together. When the signals are phase-shifted, some frequencies are amplified and others are attenuated through interference (constructive and destructive). Changing this phase shift over time (usually using a low-frequency oscillator – LFO) creates a dynamic “comb” filter that moves across the frequency spectrum, producing the same recognizable “sweep” or “pulsation”.
Legend of the MXR Phase 90
The original MXR Phase 90 pedal, released in 1974, quickly became one of the most popular and influential modulation effects in music history. Its simplicity (only one “Speed” knob) combined with a rich, full sound made it a favorite among guitarists, keyboardists, and bass guitarists. It can be heard on recordings by legendary artists such as Eddie Van Halen (his famous “brown sound” was largely shaped with the help of the Phase 90), David Gilmour, Jimmy Page, as well as in a multitude of funk, R&B and disco tracks, where the phaser was often used on keyboard instruments, especially Rhodes electric pianos and synthesizers. The warm, analog character of the original pedal and its unique four-stage phase shift created a sound that has become a classic.
D-Charged Phase 90 VST: Reproduction of vintage charm
The D-Charged Phase 90 plugin aims to recreate that iconic vintage sound. The developer D-Charged carefully emulated the original pedal’s circuit to convey its warm, organic character and unique dynamic response. This VST offers the same simple interface – usually one or more knobs to control the modulation speed (Speed or Rate), making it extremely intuitive to use. Despite its simplicity of control, the plugin is capable of generating a wide range of phase effects: from slow, atmospheric waves that add volume and depth to the sound, to fast, tremolo pulsations that can make the sound aggressive and psychedelic. The emulation retains the non-linear characteristics of the original analog circuit, which adds “liveliness” and harmonic richness to the sound.
How to use D-Charged Phase 90 in your music
This vintage phaser is a versatile tool for any producer or musician. Here are some ideas on how you can integrate the D-Charged Phase 90 into your tracks:
- Guitar: Classic application. Add it to a clean or slightly overdriven guitar sound to create psychedelic textures, funk rhythms, or solos with a vocal character.
- Electric piano (Rhodes, Wurlitzer): Unsurpassed combination! Phaser adds fantastic movement and “wow” effect to classic electric piano sounds, perfect for funk, soul, and R&B.
- Synthesizers: Use it to add modulation to pads, leads, or arpeggios. This can make static synth sounds more lively and interesting.
- Vocals: With caution, the phaser can add unique spaciousness and atmosphere to vocal parts, especially in experimental genres.
- Bass guitar: Phaser can give the bass interesting pulsation and groove, especially in funk or disco tracks.
- Drums and percussion: Experiment with adding a light phaser to percussion loops or even the entire drum bus to create unique rhythmic textures.
Thanks to its vintage nature, the D-Charged Phase 90 is great where warm, analog character and classic modulation are needed.
The plugin is available in VST format and is compatible with Windows (Win32) operating systems. It easily integrates into most modern DAWs.
D-Charged Phase 90 is not just another effects plugin, it’s a piece of music history in your digital studio. It offers an authentic reproduction of the sound of the legendary MXR Phase 90 pedal, adding warmth, movement and a unique vintage charm to your tracks. Whether you’re creating classic rock, funk, electronic music or something completely new, this phaser can be the secret ingredient for your unique sound. Download it today and experience the magic of vintage modulation!
