phaser pedal review

So many varied ways to phase for days.

Sweet, distinct phase voice. Resonance, mix, range, and volume controls expand tone-shaping possibilities significantly. High quality.

Expensive.

$279

Spaceman Explorer
spacemaneffects.com

4.5
4.5
4.5
4

Spaceman effects tend to be cherished, treasured, and, in some cases, driven to insane resale market prices because they reliably sound fantastic. But Spaceman pedals are also rare creatures. And even its most popular pedals tend to come and go—often disappearing before real players can beat collectors to the punch. The analog, 6-stage optical Explorer phaser, however, is the unusual Spaceman pedal that is reappearing in the wild after a hiatus. It returns in a more compact enclosure. But this time out the Explorer offers access to six additional waveforms that build on an already expansive modulation vocabulary.

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An analog phaser that walks the waveforms between simplicity and subversive modulations sounds.

Unique features and sounds for its price category. Intuitive. Capable of sounds beyond simple phase. High-quality build.

Might be expensive for players that don't utilize the most unusual sounds.

$250

Sitek Phasia
sitek.rocks

4.5
4.5
4.5
4

It's easy to overlook the expressive potential of a phaser if you use a simple, 1-knob version of the effect. Old horses like the Small Stone and Phase 90 may be perfect in their simplicity. But paradoxically, when you really listen to the depth of those basic pedals' voices—rich with ephemeral, passing overtones and harmonic complexities—you hear how varied and nuanced phase can be with precise wave-shaping control.

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Maestro's smooth, stylish PS-1 inspiresa simple and unique vintage-voiced analog phaser.

Great digital approximations of the Maestro PS-1's smooth, distinctive voice. Open, airy tonality. Nice combo of transparency and distinctive character.

No ramping between speeds.

$149

Mojo Hand FX Mister-O Phaser Shifter
mojohandfx.com

4.5
4.5
5
4.5

Though enormous and limited by modern standards, the original Maestro PS-1 (created by Tom Oberheim in 1971) is the very picture of pedal design elegance. It's also one of the most swirlingly smooth phase circuits to ever exist.

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