ALESIS QS8.1 - Manual (Page 95)

Part 6: Editing Effects
QS7.1/QS8.1 Reference Manual 89
MONO FLANGE
First used in the 1960s, “flanging” was achieved by using two tape recorders to
record and play back the same material at the same time. By alternately slowing
down one tape machine, and then the other, an interesting phase cancellation could
be generated. There is a much-repeated legend that this slowing down was done by
pressing fingertips againsts the flanges of the tape supply reels, hence the effect’s
name. But nobody actually knows for sure.
Flanging is achieved by splitting a signal and giving one part of it a variable time-
delay. (This is similar to Chorusing, except here we use the LFO to modulate delay
time instead of pitch.) The delayed signal is then mixed back with the original sound
to produce that well-known “swooshing” or “doppler tunnel” sound.
As with Chorusing, the Flanging algorithm offers great things to play with. The
speed and depth of the LFO can be varied, and part of the signal can be fed back into
itself to make the effect stronger. This feedback setting can be either “Normal” or
“Inverted”. Try using “Inverted” for a more dramatic flange.
STEREO FLANGE
In a Stereo Flange, the signal is split into three parts: a dry signal and separate left
and right signals, each with its own delay. While one channel flanges up the other
channel automatically flanges down, making the effect more pronounced.