By default, one of course sets a flange to (among other things) occur at a regular interval and reach a certain volume.

I'm trying to find a way to manipulate a flange that will let me create irregular variations in the speed and volume. Essentially, what I want is the ability to apply an adsr envelope to each "stage" of the flange, so the notes can float back into hearing without a regular sine wave pattern, or any regular shape. (To be able to set these parameters, not control them manually.)

I suspect that the way to do this is well known. But not by me. Any suggestions?

I'm intrigued by this Ratshack Reverb that's advertised above sometimes on a banner here. I've been meaning to write them to ask if it's REALLY like the RS 'reverb' I had back in the late 80's. This box was horrid at reverb - BUT was amazing at slapback delays AND the most wild manual flange effects ever acheived! Big dumb me gave my unit away because I foolishly thought a Lexicon or Ensoniq rack could replicate this effect much better... They can't.

But if this Ratshack Reverb does what I think it's supposed to do - you're set for some totally F'd up flange textures.

Jake Jackson wrote:

I'm trying to find a way to manipulate a flange that will let me create irregular variations in the speed and volume. Any suggestions?

It's definitely not exactly what you're looking for in terms of programmability, but my plugins Throbber and Four-Way Zone have unusual waveforms that can drive flangers. You might give them a try.

Judging from the interface, it only lets you set and manually change the delay, number of repeats, and volume.

I'm looking for something that will let me set varying delays and volumes. And ideally, create an adsr for each repeat.

Anyone know if the Kurzweil VAST or effects engines would let me create this?

My response above was about the Ratshack Reverb. (Haven't looked at the other program yet.) Thanks for the suggestions.

There aren't too many VSTFX that would do this type of thing. The only 2 that spring to mind immediately are QuantumFX and the FX within Crystal, although I would imagine there are a few modular VSTi that should be able to apply envelopes to delay time. I suppose Synthedit could do it too, maybe.

Most modFX generally only have access to LFOs rather than envelopes.

With Crystal you're limited to 4 delays (which should be enough though) but also it doesn't have exteranl access to the FX - but you can sample whatever sound you want to use the FX on, and load them into Crystal as Soundfonts. So there's definitely a workaround there. And you have extremely flexible envelopes to use on delay time - upto 9 breakpoints on each one and all either syncable or free running.

QuantumFX - I haven't used them for a while, but pretty sure there are envelopes available, and there's no limit to the number of delay lines you can use.

Ohmboyz would also be able to do it to some degree. Only 2 delay lines available with access to the LFOs, but the LFOs have a good enough choice that it would work - the secret would be to have no feedback and set the LFO time to desired envelope length that you want, so that it only plays one cycle. Not true envelope note on triggering control though.

Ephonic's Retrodelay can also apply an envelope to delay time, but it's global; you can't use different envelopes on each delay line.

I've never really played around with the PSP Lexicon delay thingy...someone here may be able to confirm that it has envelopes for delay time? It's probably a good bet.

Thanks. It will take me some time to go through this list and try out all the demos.