- Learn which flanger VST plugin is best for your production needs.
- Learn the key features to consider when browsing different flanger plugins.
- Learn what the right flanger VST plugin can do to enhance your productions.
When looking for the best flanger plugin, there are so many options that it can be hard to know where to start. Finding a plugin that can achieve the sounds you are trying to emulate is important.
This article will provide a breakdown of the best flanger VST plugins on the market for various needs. We will consider:
- Features
- Versatility
- Price
What Are The Best Flanger VST Plugins?
The Arturia Flanger BL-20 is our top pick due to its advanced settings and accessible price point. The best value plugin is the MeldaProduction MFlangerMB, while the
Below, we’ve reviewed these three plugins and two others with a breakdown of each plugin’s features and prices.
- Arturia Flanger BL-20
- Eventide Instant Flanger Mk II
- MeldaProduction MFlangerMB
- D16 Group Antresol
- KiloHearts Flanger
1. Arturia Flanger BL-20 (Our Pick!)
Based on a beloved vintage hardware unit, the Arturia Flanger BL-20 plug-in uses bucket-brigade device (BBD) circuitry replication to deliver a stunningly authentic emulation of the deliciously warm and sparkling analog response of the elusive studio classic.
The Arturia Flanger BL-20 is our pick for the best flanger VST plugin on the market. The combination of high-quality performance and competitive pricing is what sets this plugin apart from its competition.
Arturia BL-20 Special Features
- Zero Crossing Mode
- This mode inverts the polarity of the modulated signal and delays the dry signal, resulting in a slightly grittier effect.
- Envelope Follower
- This follows the envelope of an external source so that a different track controls the sound of the track with the flanger on it.
- Advanced Additional Controls
- Hi-Pass Filter
- Function Generator
- Waveform Visualizer
- Auto LFO Shape (Additional LFO Shapes)
- Original Triangle
- Sign
- Square
- Ramp Waveforms
- Compatible with:
- Windows (8.1 and higher)
- Mac (10.13 or higher)
- 64-bit
- VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX formats
Arturia BL-20 Flanger Review
Designed by Arturia, the Flanger BL-20 is both intuitive and straightforward. This plugin perfectly emulates the single-oscillator flanger of the classic BEL BF-20 stereo model from the 1970s, used by great artists such as Phil Collins, The Rolling Stones, and Yes.
The extensive versatility of the Arturia Flanger BL-20 makes this plugin the optimal choice for audio modulation and control. With a variable depth control and a modulation frequency knob, this next-generation plugin lets you create your own control patterns for maximum flexibility.
With a price of $99, you are getting both quality and value with this unique and advanced flanger plugin.
2. Eventide Instant Flanger Mk II (Best Premium)
Originally released in 1975 as a rackmount unit, the Instant Flanger is a versatile tool that’s capable of stereo sweetening, subtle modulations, double tracking, and extreme flanging with equal aplomb.
The Eventide Instant Flanger Mk II is the premium, top-of-the-line plugin on today’s market. This authentic emulation of
Eventide Mk II Features
- Bounce Knob
- This emulation of a tape machine’s bounce-back effect imitates the speed recovery of reel motors when you release them after slowing them down.
- Four Combinable Modulation Modes
- Oscillator Mode
- Manual Control Mode
- Envelope Follower Mode
- Remote Mode
- Different Flanging Modes
- Add flavor to your audio while also adjusting the flanger’s rate and depth controls:
- Shallow
- Deep
- Wide
- Add flavor to your audio while also adjusting the flanger’s rate and depth controls:
- Compatible with:
- Windows (8 and higher)
- Mac (10.9 or higher)
- 32-bit and 64-bit
- VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX formats
The
Eventide Instant Flanger Mk II Review
The combination of diverse features and state-of-the-art hardware makes this plugin nothing short of exceptional. From the bounce knob to the different modulation and flanging modes, this plugin delivers outstanding results for any music creator, no matter the genre.
Artists such as Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, and Cyndi Lauper used the original 1975 version of this product, and the plugin is just as versatile today.
With pseudo-stereo, you can add depth to lifeless mono tracks. Using low-cut and wide mode on the plugin, you can enhance the spatial presence of background vocals. By using negative depth, you can add psychedelic flair to cymbals.
3. MeldaProduction MFlangerMB (Best Value)
Add depth, character, and analog-style saturation to your sonic compositions with the MFlangerMB plug-in from MeldaProduction. Unlike flanger pedals, the MFlangerMB offers that quintessential jet-plane sweep for more than just guitars.
The affordability of the MeldaProduction MFlangerMB makes it a great option for anyone looking for a high-quality product while shopping on a budget.
MFlangerMB Features
- Automatic Gain Compensation (AGC)
-
- Ensures the output and input sound equally as loud.
- Helps avoid clipping, which leads to unpleasant distortion.
- Analog-style saturation
- Imitates the sound of analog tape machines for a warm, vintage sound.
- Randomization capabilities to keep the plugin from sounding static and boring:
- Complete Full Randomization
- Small Randomization
- Smart Randomization
- Up to 16x upsampling
- Allows the plugin to run at a higher sample rate and avoid the unpleasant aliasing effect
- Compatible with:
- Windows (Vista and higher)
- Mac (10.9 or higher)
- 32-bit and 64-bit
- VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX formats
MeldaProduction FlangerMB Review
This powerful multi-band flanger allows its users to carefully manipulate different parameters in pursuit of the perfect sound.
Affordability matched with high-quality performance and unique features is what you get with the MeldaProduction MFlangerMB. This versatile plugin is great for music production, but it’s also a sound designer’s dream with its versatility and multi-band processing.
Listed for just $52, the MeldaProduction MFlangerMB gives the best value of the bunch.
4. D16 Group Antresol
The D16 Group Antresol flanger plug-in drenches your guitar riffs and synth lines in a rich character that harkens back to those familiar bucket brigade device-style effects stompboxes of yesteryear.
Balanced with power, control, and sonic flexibility, the D16 Group Antresol flanger plugin produces a sound that emulates the nuances of the classic analog flanger pedal.
Antresol Features
- Modeling of Bucket Brigade Device (BBD)
- Discrete-time analog delay line with a warm, vintage sound.
- Intuitive, versatile interface
- Nearly every parameter can be controlled and automated
- The plugin offers a user-friendly interface that makes signal flow easier to understand
- Three Distinct Characters
- Mistress: Emulating the Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress pedal
- Linear: Frequency response dynamics behave in a linear form
- Concave: Dynamics change in proportion to the time delay
- Compatible with:
- Windows (7 and higher)
- Mac (10.9 or higher)
- 32-bit and 64-bit
- VST2, AU, and AAX formats
D16 Group Antresol Review
The D16 Group Antresol resurrected the classic Mistress flanger sound from the 70s, adding independent stereo controls and complete LFO control.
With a great DJ-type effect as well an excellent sweetener for keyboard pads, the possibilities are endless with the D16 Group Antresol. No matter how you use the D16 Group Antresol, you will find yourself amazed by all the capabilities this plugin offers.
Selling for just below $50, this new edition Antresol plugin is a nice bargain for the power it provides.
5. KiloHearts Flanger
Kilohearts' Flanger Creates a flanging effect by mixing the audio with a slightly delayed version of itself. The length of the delay can be adjusted manually and modulated.
Offering full automation of every parameter including delay, depth, rate, and much more, the KiloHearts Flanger is the total-control flanger. This flanger plugin is a simplistic yet diverse audio manipulation tool.
KiloHearts Features
- KiloHearts Snapin Family
Use Kilohearts Snapin hosts such as Snap Heap, Multipass, and Phase Plant to build different processing chains in a streamlined environment.
- Full Automation for nine parameters:
- Delay
- Depth
- Rate
- Scroll
- Offset
- Motion
- Spread
- Feedback
- Mix
- Compatible with:
- Windows (7 and higher)
- Mac (10.7 or higher)
- 32-bit and 64-bit
- VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX formats
KiloHearts Flanger Review
Bringing classic comb-filtering effects to any track in your session, the KiloHearts Flanger adds drama and movement to vocals, instruments, and whatever else you throw at it.
User-friendly for both beginners and professionals, this resizable plugin is perfect for any producer or sound designer’s DAW setup. A great add-on if you already have experience using Kilohearts Snapin hosts, this plugin also works well alongside other brands’ plugins.
Listed for just below $30, the KiloHearts Flanger is the most affordable option compared to the other plugins on this list.
FAQ
What is a flanger?
A flanger is a type of audio effect that creates a swirling, sweeping sound by mixing two identical audio signals together, with one signal slightly delayed and then modulated in time. The resulting sound is a “whooshing” or “jet plane” effect often used in music production and sound design.
How does a flanger effect work?
The effect is created by taking an audio signal and duplicating it, then delaying the duplicate signal by a very small amount (usually a few milliseconds). The delayed signal is then modulated in time, with the delay time being varied up and down at a set rate. The two signals are then mixed together, creating the characteristic sweeping sound.
What can you use a flanger effect on?
Flangers are often used in music production to add movement and interest to a track, particularly on guitars, drums, and synths. They can be used subtly to add depth and dimension to a sound, or more heavily to create a dramatic effect.