Here we compile flanger pedals at the best value for money to make you want to acquire a flanger pedal effect to experiment… and create the future tube tomorrow!
The flanger pedal is among the most obvious and possibly most intimidating guitar effects we have today. That said, a decent flanger pedal can change the way you experience the guitar’s timbre. This effect has the power to alter its tone to a point where it is almost psychedelic.
Let’s show you what we think are the best flanger pedals. Later, we will talk in detail and try to explain this effect in the most objective way possible. Considering how much wrong information circulates about this effect, this is almost necessary.
What exactly is a flanger?
The original flanging was achieved by passing a tape from one reel to the other and slowly desynchronizing during this process. Naturally, modern flanger pedals do not use this method as it would be extremely inefficient. Instead, a good majority of modern models rely on digital technologies to achieve the same. Another of its attributes is its great versatility. They can be forced to sound like other effects, such as a laser or a chorus. As you can imagine, this has caused quite a bit of confusion among guitarists, especially among those who are starting to use guitar effects.
If you want to know more about the factors, see our guide dedicated to this effect. Despite its chameleonic nature, the most common way to use flangers is to create that psychedelic sweeping effect.
Typical controls of a Flanger pedal
The three most common controls are:
- Rate / Speed: sets the speed and number of fluctuations in the delay. To the minimum, its characteristic jet sound is obtained.
- Depth / Mix: determines the amount of signal processed over the original signal. This control is found in most existing stompboxes.
- Feedback: represents the amount of output signal that will be reused in the input. At high levels, it distorts the effect.
Choosing a flanger pedal
So far, we could have given you the impression that flangers are dangerous in some ways. While all the above is still standing, it is necessary to understand the value and potential that this type of effect brings to your music, your guitar, and your pedalboard. We are talking about a force multiplier. One that can add a lot of range to both its tone and its inspiration.
Despite being characterized as guitar effects most of the time, flangers have found a massive fan base among vocalists and bassists. In the case of the first, a good flanger can change the tone of a song in several ways. The bass applications are also equally interesting. Since the bass is more often a background instrument in a sense that does not dominate the mix, you can be more aggressive with flanging. The result is the underlying heat in a song that otherwise sounds quite normal.
The key to using flanger pedals is that experimentation is key. Each pedal is different in its way, although most of them offer similar results. Mastering the pedal, you can open doors that you never knew existed in the first place. That is why we offer you those that, in our opinion, are the best flanger pedals on the market.
Electro-Harmonix Stereo Electric Mistress
Electro-Harmonix makes some of the best guitar effects pedals on the market, without a doubt. Most of its most popular models are analog, so it is a big problem when they decide to digitize. The Electro-Harmonix Stereo Electric Mistress belongs to that small group of digital pedals manufactured by this brand.
However, it has proven to be a real match even for the most popular analog flangers. With the addition of a built-in chorus and an appropriate stereo output, Electric Mistress is a true multi-tool.
In use, it offers a type of tone that many will have difficulty in determining whether it is digital or analog. That’s how far Electro-Harmonix went. At this price, it is too good to ignore.
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Donner Jet Convolution Flanger
Donner’s guitar effects are known for a couple of things. Two of the most prominent are its small size and performance that exceeds its weight category. Donner Jet Convolution fits this bill almost perfectly.
For a cheap flanger, it offers a lot of quality in all the right places. Donner has made it super easy to use even for those who are new in this regard. On top of that, instead of going with integrated manual control, they have turned it into a separate mode.
In the end, the Donner Jet Convolution flanger is compact, practical, consistent, and surprisingly affordable. If you need a solid and economical flanger, this pedal is one of the best economical range flanger pedals.
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Mooer Eleclady Classic Analog Flanger pedal
In its approach (laudable or not) to make accessible famous circuits at bargain prices, the Chinese manufacturer Mooer did not do things in half with his ElecLady.
The pedal starts again what made the success of the Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress, by offering the same number of controls (3 knobs plus a dual-mode switch), in a simpler format to fit on the supplied pedalboards.
If Mooer does as usual a little deadlock on the quality of the box, the essential is there (an input, an output, a 9v power supply by sector or battery). And the sound is clearly at the height of his elder (even if we denote a pedal sound is a little hotter and less experimental possibilities).
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TC Electronic Vortex Flanger
TC Electronic is easily one of the least orthodox effects companies on the market. Where most have promised their loyalty to analog designs, TC Electronic has almost completely changed its focus toward the digital world.
Its Vortex flanger represents an example of what the TC approach is capable of offering. It is a pedal with a lot of reach and unique versatility. Even at a basic level, it has a great impact, with its stereo inputs and outputs, and lots of controls.
But once two different flanger modes and TonePrint technology are added, things get interesting very quickly. If you want something capable, but different from the average, this is the pedal for you.
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Boss BF-3 Flanger Guitar Effects Pedal
Boss guitar and pedal effects are known for providing a solid bet at a reasonable price. That would be a way to describe the Boss BF-3 flanger.
Its usual reputation is the amount of versatility it offers the user. Not only do they include a lot of modes in this model, but Boss has also made BF-3 compatible with the bass.
Then we have the addition of a tapping tempo function that makes synchronizing the effect with the music easier. The icing is the performance, which is solid everywhere. Overall, Boss has taken a proven design and has done even better without increasing the price too much of what we can consider one of the best flanger pedals.
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MXR M-117R
The MXR flangers have been around for a long time, growing a lot over the years. Some models turned out to be better than others, but for the most part, MXR flangers offered solid performance.
A pedal that stands out these days is the MXR M117R. It is simple, easy to use, but ultimately effective if you need a suitable flanger. Its Spartan design is what attracts the majority of users. In a world of effects pedals that are too complicated, a basic model like the M117R is a breath of fresh air.
Especially if it is also one of the best flangers available today. Those behind a pointless pedal should take a look at this bad boy.
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Joyo JF-07 Classic
Joyo is one of several brands that dominate the affordable market. Your Joyo JF-07 Classic Flanger has proven to be one of the most affordable flanger pedals you can find right now.
At first glance, it seems something that should cost much more. Joyo has paid equal attention to both the performance and design of JF-07. Under the elegant exterior, there is a well-balanced flanger that offers the right tone for those with a limited budget.
What makes it so attractive is the scope it brings to the table, as well as its overall strength. If you are looking for a good flanger for beginners, this may be your best option at this time.
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How to use a flanger pedal?
The flanger is part of the family of modulation effects (as well as chorus and phaser) and is usually placed after the effects of wah-wah and distortion but before reverberation. By cons, it can be inserted before or after the delay stage, according to his tastes and the effect that we want to get (it’s most pronounced when the delay pedal is before). You can see the order of guitar pedals here.