Flanger pedal in stereo

refuogee

Hey Guys,

I wanted to know if anyone had used their stereo able Flanger pedals with two amps and what were the results?

We are busy mixing our album and adding Flange to the second guitar (in doses) fills up some sonic space which is quite nice, I was thinking about doing this live possibly, me as only guitar using a stereo flange with two amps. What will happen, will the flange effect swirl between both or what? Do you think this would be a good thing to do live other than the damn mission of lugging around two amps (still have to think if its worth it)

Alternative would be to use a looper and flange for the second amp to double up parts under solos etc...

Any other suggestions? I have heard stereo delay can do something similar?

Any pedal suggestions? I see the Stereo Electric Mistress and think why not? Anyone know who stocks these in SA?

Thank you in advance ?

Jayhell

Correct me if I'm wrong, but most places mix in mono and or it's so loud that stereo doesn't really matter. I could be wrong. If you're not using your own engineer, asking for that at some venues would be like asking for a Big mac without a patty. It is doable, but will cause some sighs in your direction from the engineer.

It should flange between the two amp and sounds uber cool. I have a boss BF-3 and it does that, but by using it in stereo and only using one output creates a great tremolo/flange effect. My favorite flange by far. Using more than one amp is not unheard of and you will get nice tones and the possibilities are endless. Just don't be disappointing when you lug all your stuff somewhere and the sound guy says it's not possible.

refuogee

Hey Jay,

I appreciate the feedback and do agree that sound people probably wont love me and if its mixed in mono there wont be much use.

Thanks for the tip though, I will still look into using it on my own guitar then as a sonic filler.

AlanRatcliffe

I prefer short delays to flanging or chorus, but it's a taste thing. Many types of modulation, delay and reverb will have stereo outs.

Stereo live doesn't make much sense, because so few of your audience will be in the stereo sweet spot - most will hear different mixes if you mix in stereo. Soundfolk tend to mix in mono and treat the left and right channels as different zones (so you can, for instance, keep sensible levels on the bar side while still pumping towards the dance floor). Most will only mic up one amp, so you miss half the info anyway.

I gigged with Twin and AC15 for a very short while (with an A/B switch for clean and dirt respectively), but it was way too cumbersome - too big for most venues, big to transport and too heavy for my skinny little body. Sounds glorious, but just not worth the extra effort and hassle in the long run.

refuogee

Thanks Alan.

Yeah I've heard all the horror stories.

Do you think a Flange on one amp to be used to 'fatten' one guitar sound up will do the job? Or as you mentioned should I rather use a short delay?

The effect will be quite minimal.

AlanRatcliffe

Yeah, any modulation will fatten up a sound, even in mono.

BTW - Another thing you have to watch out for with stereo is cancellation when it's summed to mono.

Jayhell

But would modulation like, let's say a phaser, not solve the phase problem in mono? It will move in and out of phase, right?

Allan, would you apply the same principles as with recording 2 identical tracks in a studio set-up?

AlanRatcliffe

It depends on how the stereo imaging is achieved in a specific pedal. Many are pseudo-stereo, which is achieved by just flipping the polarity in one channel. Pseudo stereo does not sum to mono well as the two cancel out (the mono output just uses one channel). True stereo modulates both channels separately so they can be summed further down the chain or at a mixing desk with no issues.

A lot of the usual studio methods of mixing apply to live mixing. The biggest thing to remember (aside from the stereo/mono thing) are the differences between PA and studio/hi-fi systems. PAs have more power, punch and throw, as well as an extended low end. However, they are not as precise and detailed as hi-fi, so tighter, less detailed, more in-your-face sounds mix better than big, spacious, finely detailed ones.

petercornell

I recorded a band called Fat City back in the late 80s, Johnny Blundell was the axe-wielder.

I was always impressed with his live sound, and he used 2 (Gibson?) Lab Series L5 amps with a stereo chorus splitting them. The speed was virtually at zero or the slowest speed, and the depth was about half. There was no back-and-forthing with the image but it gave a really nice spread.

The amps were placed on either side of the drummer and his sound really kicked ass.

I even wrote an article about it for Top 40 magazine...

Peter

AlanRatcliffe

petercornell wrote: I recorded a band called Fat City back in the late 80s, Johnny Blundell was the axe-wielder.

Wonderful player!

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