- What does a phaser do?
- What is the difference between a phaser and a flanger?
- We review 5 of the best phaser and phase shifting VST plugins that are available on the market!
Phasers can create everything from a swirling tones to completely alien-like sounds. Although they can be used on any instrument, phasers are mostly used for guitars.
Phasers have a similar sound to chorus and flanger effects, but do not modulate a delay line like a chorus or flanger does. This gives them a cleaner, less “doubled-up” sound.
Phasers are generally made with allpass filters, which shift only the phase of certain frequencies. Then, when this is added back into the dry signal, distinctive notches are created.
What are the Best Phaser VST Plugins?
- Soundtoys PhaseMistress
- One of the most versatile phaser plugins
- Offers classic vintage phasers
- Easy-to-use
- CHOW Phaser
- Free, but great quality phaser effect
- Simple and minimalistic layout
- Both mono and stereo versions available
- Instant Phaser Mk II
- The highest-quality phaser plugin
- Based on a legendary hardware
- Still relevant and stunning to this day
PhaseMistress captures the sounds of legendary phasers and packs them into one plug-in that takes this creative effect to the next level.
CHOW Phaser is an open-source phaser effect, based very loosely on the classic Shulte Compact Phasing "A".
Outfitted with a complete host of control options, the Instant Phaser Mk II is out of the rack and into your plugin arsenal.
SoundToys PhaseMistress is our pick for the best overall phaser VST plugin because it’s been the go-to phaser for many professionals and has tons of presets and versatility.
Chow Phaser is our best value pick, and it’s a powerful and minimalistic phaser that is totally free.
And finally, Eventide Instant Phaser Mk II is our premium pick. This is a digital version of the legendary
And now here are our top 5 picks for the best phaser VST plugins that are available on the market today:
- SoundToys PhaseMistress (Our Pick)
- Chow Phaser (Best Value)
- Eventide Instant Phaser Mk II (Premium Option)
- Softube Fix Phaser
- D16 Fartozan 2
1. SoundToys PhaseMistress
PhaseMistress captures the sounds of legendary phasers and packs them into one plug-in that takes this creative effect to the next level.
- One of the most versatile phaser plugins
- Offers classic vintage phasers
- Easy-to-use
SoundToys PhaseMistress is a phaser VST plugin of the highest quality. It’s a super versatile plugin that can be considered the “industry standard” phaser VST.
With so much modulation and customization available, PhaseMistress is our pick for the best phaser VST plugin.
Overview
SoundToys is a company famed for its vintage-style plugins including EchoBoy, Little AlterBoy, Devil-Loc, Little Plate, and Tremolator.
PhaseMistress is another masterful plugin in this lineage. SoundToys have studied some of the best phasers like the Bi-Phase,
With all these types available in just one plugin, the SoundToys PhaseMistress will be the only phaser plugin you ever use.
Features
PhaseMistress comes with a staggering 69 presets, and every single preset can be tweaked to your liking. You can choose from 2 to 24 stages, and this essentially changes how many notches you hear in the effect.
Alongside a traditional LFO, you also get Random, Step, and Rhythm modulation shapes. With a fairly simple layout, despite its depth, tweaking this plugin won’t give you too many headaches!
Also, PhaseMistress has a tap-tempo feature, and you can even shape the rhythm of the phasing effect from shuffle to swing.
It’s a truly modern phaser masterpiece for different styles of music from pop, disco, jazz-fusion, rock to funk!
Verdict
SoundToys PhaseMistress is a super versatile and modern phaser VST plugin that has amazing emulations of some of the most famous vintage phasers in history.
- Check out our full review of the Soundtoys 5 Bundle
2. Chow Phaser
CHOW Phaser is an open-source phaser effect, based very loosely on the classic Shulte Compact Phasing "A".
- Free, but great quality phaser effect
- Simple and minimalistic layout
- Both mono and stereo versions available
Chow Phaser is a free plugin that offers a great vintage phaser sound. This plugin was modeled after the Schulte Compact Phasing A, which was a legendary analog phaser back in the 1970s.
Overview
Chow Phaser is from Chow DSP, which is run by musician Justin Chowdhury. Their goal is to provide excellent plugins for free and inspire musicians to create.
Along with some of their other plugins like the Chow Kick and Chow Tape Model, the Chow Phaser is simple, effective, and straight-to-the-point.
Features
Chow Phaser can be broken up into feedback and modulation, and the amount of processing can be controlled by these two knobs.
The LFO levels are controllable by Depth, Frequency, and Skew knobs. There’s also a Stages knob, which can control filter stages, and additional parameters like Drive, Dirt, and Thrash for more creative phaser effects.
These additional controls really help Chow Phaser stand out from other phaser plugins.
Verdict
Chow Phaser might not look as fancy as some of the other plugins on this list, but if you’re after a minimalistic phaser VST plugin that is straight to the point, Chow Phaser is for you.
3. Eventide Instant Phaser Mk II
Outfitted with a complete host of control options, the Instant Phaser Mk II is out of the rack and into your plugin arsenal.
- The highest-quality phaser plugin
- Based on a legendary hardware
- Still relevant and stunning to this day
Eventide Instant Phaser Mk II is our premium pick, and it’s based on the legendary phaser by the same name.
The original
The VST Plugin version captures the classic analog sound and the smooth modulation of the original
Overview
The
Eventide Instant Phaser has been reborn into a modern version while still keeping its analog sound, and if you want the highest quality phaser available on the market,
Features
Visually,
While keeping all the original parameters and knobs, Eventide added a whole new section to make it even more versatile.
The basic three mods of this plugin are Shallow, Deep, and Wide, and each has its characteristic color.
The Wide mode predictably will allow you to get a wider sound by adding fading effects in the left and right channels.
Another revolutionary tool is the Age knob, which you can use to go from an older vintage sound to a fresher, modern sound. It also comes with a side chain function, allowing you to implement inter-track mingling with this feature.
Verdict
This revival of the classic Instant Phaser offers both high-quality vintage phaser sounds as well as more modern effects.
The
4. Softube Fix Phaser
Coming from the ever-fertile mind of audio legend Paul Wolff, Fix Phaser is a clean and easy-to-navigate plugin that loses none of that quintessential 70s/80s sound.
- Catchy layout with easy-to-use settings
- Subtle to wild frequency sweeps
- Great for experimental use
Softube Fix Phaser is another monstrous phaser that is capable of so many phaser modulation effects from various stages, from sweeps to tones.
Overview
Fix Phaser is another modern piece of phaser plugin that allows you to go to outer space.
It’s extremely simple in its design and with straightforward knobs and parameters, it’s a great phaser plugin to explore different sounds.
If you ever wanted all the crazy phaser sound effects, the Softube Fix Phaser would be a great choice.
Features
Softube Fix Phaser comes with three modes – Normal, Effect, and Wide.
Normal mode is the most subtle mode, and the wide mode allows you to turn lifeless mono tracks into stereo soundscapes. This feature is very useful for reviving boring mono tracks.
We love the Fix Phaser because it’s the most easy-to-use phaser plugin on this list, and each knob is easily understandable, so you know what you get.
The clear Mix knob on the far left controls the overall levels. You can choose from 5 different stages and use the Sweep knob if you want to take your track to space.
Verdict
For space-like whooshing effects and versatility packed into 6 knobs, the Softube Fix Phaser is another great option.
5. D16 Fazortan 2
Fazortan 2 is the new incarnation of Controllable Space Phaser, which is part of D16's SilverLine Collection.
- Get your songs in the style of Jean-Michel Jarre
- Instant 70s vibe
- Classic, but versatile with lots of options
D16 Fazortan 2 is a hugely popular phaser plugin for electronic musicians and it’s best known for emulating the sound of Jean-Michel Jarre.
Overview
D16 Group is a Polish company known for their beautiful synthesizers, drum machines, and various effects.
As part of their SilverLine Collection products, the Fazortan 2 plugin was released. The Fazortan 2 plugin replicates an analog phaser, and it also comes with modern features to help boost your musical creativity.
Features
Fazortan 2 is great for electronic musicians, and the plugin almost acts like a synthesizer. In Fazortan 2, you get an option to work with various waveforms like random, hyper-triangle, triangle, and sinusoidal.
Unlike other plugins, you get an option to control two LFOs at the same time, and there are a variety of stretch contours to further tweak the sound to your taste.
There is also a Rotating Speaker effect available on this plugin, and it’s a great tool for keyboardists and guitarists to explore.
Verdict
D16 Fazortan 2 is a versatile and analog-sounding phaser plugin that is great for all genres, but especially well-suited for electronic musicians.