Modulation Pedals Explained (Chorus, Phaser, Vibrato, Flanger, Tremolo, Rotary)

This week on the JHS Show, we break down a complicated subject: modulation. By the end of this episode, you're going to understand how modulation works, why this effect goes by roughly a hundred different names and-- most importantly --you'll be better equipped to rock out with your own modulation pedal. You're welcome.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:38 Understanding Modulation
1:03 Tremolo
2:32 Rotary
4:35 Univibe
7:16 Phaser
10:33 Flanger
12:22 Chorus
14:28 Vibrato
16:27 Ring Modulation
19:08 Just Try Stuff!
21:25 Record Time
22:17 Thanks for Watching!

Gear in this Episode:
Boss TR-2 Tremolo
Strymon Lex Rotary
JHS Unicorn V2
MXR Phase 90
MXR M290 Phase 95 Mini Phaser
Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Electric Mistress XO Analog Flanger
Boss CE-2 Chorus
Boss CE-2W Waza Craft Chorus
JHS 3 Series Chorus
Boss VB-2 Vibrato
Boss VB-2W Waza Craft Vibrato
TC Electronics Shaker Vibrato
Electro-Harmonix Ring Thing Sideband Modulator
Line 6 MM4 Modulation Modeler
Boss MD-200 Modulation Multi-Effect
Seuf Guitars Blackguard Tele
JHS "Loud Is More Good Amp"

Record Time:
Alison's Halo - Eyedazzler

Josh’s record player is by U-Turn Audio:

The jams from our episodes are on BandLab! Head over to the link below to jam with us, download the stems, and create your own samples from our sounds... or all of those things.

Check our other channel, JHS Fresh Clips:

#jhs #thejhsshow #modulation

[joebiondo]

I love how Leo Fender confused generations of guitarists by misnaming the vibrato on his guitars, and tremolo on his amps.

[xdoctorblindx]

Legend has it that Elvis never died and he's still sitting at Guitar Center wondering about which modulation pedal to buy to this day.

[kylemilbrandt]

"Goblin-like tones" is probably the best description of ring modulator I've ever heard.

[LeStraTele]

A ring modulator is like having a second guitarist that plays along with you, and ALWAYS hits the wrong notes. Fun.

[iknowyouarh]

Flanger = very short mod delay with feedback
Chorus = short mod delay no feedback
Vibrato = short mod delay no feedback & no dry

[P_Ezi]

Next T shirt:
Flangers will do chorus,
and chorus has vibrato in it,
and univibe is actually a phaser,
but a phaser is not a univibe.

[Agent]

"Somethings have to be experienced." Underrated statement in life.

[brian_mccomedy]

Further explanation for Ring Modulator pedals:
Carrier frequency is what you set on the pedal (i.e. tune it to the note A - 440hz)

Modulator frequency is whatever note the guitar is playing (i.e. play the dominant 5th, like in a power chord, which would be E at 659.25hz)

The pedal takes those two, and mixes in the sum and difference of those frequencies.

So it will generate the sum frequency:
A-440hz + E-659.25hz = C# at 1099hz
(C# is a Major 3rd in the Key of A),

And it will generate the difference between the two frequencies:
A-440hz - E-659.25hz = A at 219hz
(The note A but a lower octave down).

As you can see the frequencies it generates aren't perfectly in tune, and depending what note you play it can sound more or less dissonant.

Other names for it could be:
- microtonal chord generator pedal.
- Unison Bend pedal
- Mathematicians noise rock pedal

Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.

[joshuaandtheruins]

Also, the "ring" in the name "ring mod" comes from the pattern of four diodes at the center of the schematic, that looks like a little square ring. A passive ring mod is an incredibly easy circuit to make, and if you make the carrier an input jack rather than an oscillator, you can combine two guitar signals, white noise, and anything else you want. As Josh noted, it's the effect for you if you are weird!

[TheDrunkenScoundrel]

I actually booked Alison’s Halo at the bar I worked at in Tempe, AZ. SUPER nice people.

[mattstanley]

I’ve said it before ... I’ll say it again .

I love this channel and Josh and all at JHS truly love this industry, the history, The nerdy stuff and the fans !
Thank you Thank you Thank you

[bernardfoshage]

Chorus is a staple on my board. It's ON all the time at a slow speed and moderate depth.
It really adds to the saturation of high gain.

[blackf]

I got my Behringer Ultra Tremolo/Pan UT300 the last month, the reazon why I choice this pedal, aside the cheap price, was the Pan function. Contect it to 2 amplifiers is a complete pleasure.

[natashanyxx]

I like the Moog stand-alone Ring Modulator, the Mooger Fooger.

[amraines]

been using a boss bf2 flanger as a chorus pedal for years. imho it hits the nail perfectly on the head

[DanielViruz]

I know this show is more about the fascination about effects and the sound you can get instead of the background science but I think it would be quite interesting to see a flat note portrayed in a graphic of every pedal effect and see the differences of each effect, that would be an amazing way to see how they work or modulate

[shkibby]

Just checked reverb, Josh's Klon is the cheapest posted pedal.

[antonyedwardson]

My MD-200 arrived 3 days ago and today it features on the JHS show, I couldn’t be prouder!

[NewFalconerRecords]

I've got a Nu>X (call it Nux if you will) Leslie Speaker cab sim pedal called a Roctary (it's got an octave feature as well). Quite inexpensive. Not bad at all. For those on a budget wanting to dip their toe into the Leslie rotating speaker world, it's a pretty good option. I've used it on both keyboards and guitars on recordings and it's more than a bit of fun, got some great results.

[TheBeriking]

In just a few months I went from “modulation? Meh… chorus makes me seasick” to “I’ll try a series 3 chorus and see if I like it…wow it’s actually pretty cool” to “I can’t live without flanger” (got a ThorpyFX Camouflange that is just flat-out tone sorcery), to “I also love phaser and what about harmonic tremolo and oh my god I MUST have a univibe (Hendrix!!!!)…”
Enter the MD500. It’s now practically always on, switching between different modes *in parallel* usually straight into a Charlie Brown for pure sonic bliss.
Probably going to get a unicorn next, as I’m effectively hooked on the vibe.
Hi.I’m Ran. And I am a pedalholic.