Timeline of recordings with a flanging effect

Flanging is a time-based effects unit that occurs when two identical signals are mixed together, but with one signal time-delayed by a small and gradually changing amount, usually smaller than 20 ms (milliseconds). This produces a swept 'comb filter' effect: peaks and notches are produced in the resultant frequency spectrum, related to each other in a linear harmonic series. Varying the time delay causes these to sweep up and down the frequency spectrum.

Part of the output signal is usually fed back to the input (a 're-circulating delay line'), producing a resonance effect which further enhances the intensity of the peaks and troughs. The phase of the fed-back signal is sometimes inverted, producing another variation on the flanging sound.

A flanger is a device dedicated to creating this sound effect.

	Example of flanging A short sample followed by two flanging versions.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Examples of music recordings with a flanging effect include:

1950s

• "Mammy's Boogie" (1952) by Les Paul. Paul invents the technique in his garage studio using two disk recorders, one with a variable speed control.^[1][2]
• "The Big Hurt" (1959) by Toni Fisher - first hit song with a very discernible flanging effect.^[3]

1960s

• "Telstar" (1963) by The Tornados - the "rocket launch" at the beginning of the song has flanging applied.
• "From Me to You" (1963) by The Beatles - flanging can be heard during a drum fill immediately before the first verse; this came unintentionally during the process of overdubbing harmonica onto the track.^[4]
• "It's Gonna Rain" (1965) by Steve Reich - a flanging effect is among those used on this experimental loop-based tape piece.^[5]
• "The Big Hurt" (1966) by Del Shannon - a flanging effect was also heard on this cover version.^[3]
• "Tomorrow Never Knows" (1966) by The Beatles from the album Revolver
• "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" (1967) by The Beatles from the album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.^[6]
• "Itchycoo Park" (1967) by the Small Faces, psychedelic interludes between chorus and verse (0:50-1:07, 1:40-2:05, 2:20-2:46).^[7] The 1st British single to feature tape flanging (phasing) to accentuate its overt drug references.^[8]
• "Bold as Love" (1967) from the album Axis: Bold as Love by The Jimi Hendrix Experience - the first use of stereo phasing, done by engineer George Chkiantz,^[9] is heard during the coda of the song (2:47^[7]).
• "Blue Jay Way" from the album Magical Mystery Tour (1967) by The Beatles^[10]
• "Green Tambourine" (1967) by The Lemon Pipers^[11]
• "Pictures of Matchstick Men" (1968) by Status Quo^[3][12]
• "Goodnight Sweet Josephine" (1968) by The Yardbirds; out of the two versions released of the song, only the U.S. version features the flanging effect.
• "Rainbow Chaser" (1968) by Nirvana (UK band), phasing throughout the song.^[13]
• "Open My Eyes" by The Nazz from the album The Nazz (1968), featuring Todd Rundgren.^[14]
• "Sky Pilot" (1968) by The Animals^[15]
• "This Wheel's on Fire" (1968) by Julie Driscoll with Brian Auger and the Trinity^[12]
• Strictly Personal (1968) by Captain Beefheart, significant flanging effects on drums, vocals, etc. on the album.^[16]
• In Search of the Lost Chord (1968) by The Moody Blues
• "Old John Robertson", and "Wasn't Born to Follow", by The Byrds, on the album The Notorious Byrd Brothers (1968).^[17]
• Electric Ladyland (1968) by Jimi Hendrix^[3]
• "You Don't Love Me" (1968) by Al Kooper, Mike Bloomfield and Stephen Stills on the album Super Session
• "I Wasn't Born to Follow" (1968) by The Byrds on the album The Notorious Byrd Brothers
• "The Real Thing" (1969) by Russell Morris, an Australian #1 single

1970s

• Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy (1970) by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band^[18]
• "Silly Sally" from the album Just a Poke (1970) by Sweet Smoke, drum solo.
• "Celtic rock", from the album Open Road (1970), by Donovan
• The Man Who Sold the World (1970) by David Bowie^[19]
• "The Mule", from the album Fireball (1971), by Deep Purple, guitar solo at 2:56.
• "Nathan Jones" (1971) by The Supremes
• "Tank" (1971) by Emerson, Lake & Palmer, during the end of the drum solo.
• "After Forever" (1971) by Black Sabbath, on the intro.
• "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" (1971) by Paul and Linda McCartney, Guitar transition at "Admiral Halsey" section.
• "Lookin' at Tomorrow (A Welfare Song)" (1971) by The Beach Boys
• "Master of the Universe" (1971) by Hawkwind
• DJ Walter Gibbons, at the Galaxy 21 night club on 23rd Street near the Hotel Chelsea in Manhattan (open from 1972–1976), was phasing records-playing two records at the same time to create a flange effect. The technique was picked up by future skilled DJs.^[20]
• "Listen to the Music", from the album Toulouse Street (1972) by The Doobie Brothers^[21]
• "Mexico" (1972) by Les Humphries Singers, from the album Mexico.
• "Rocks Off" (1972) by The Rolling Stones, during the bridge.
• "Days Gone By (1973) by Joe Walsh, at the end, from the album The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get.
• "Super Trouper" (1973), by Deep Purple, during the chorus.
• The last instrumental part of "In Every Dream Home a Heartache" and "The Bogus Man" (1973) from the Roxy Music album For Your Pleasure, as well as "Amazona" (1973) and "Out of the Blue" (1974) from the Roxy Music albums Stranded and Country Life, respectively.
• "Part V" of Oxygène by Jean Michel Jarre is played primarily on the Farfisa organ heavily treated with an Electric Mistress flanger pedal.
• "Bridge of Sighs" (1974) by Robin Trower - using a Univox Univibe.^[22]
• "Killer Queen" (1974) by Queen, reel tape phasing on the vocal line "dynamite with a laser beam", as well as the fade-out.^[23]
• "It Begins With A Blessing / Once I Awakened / But It Ends With A Curse" by Kevin Ayers on The Confessions of Dr. Dream and Other Stories 1974
• Young Americans (1975) by David Bowie
• "Daddy Don't Live In That New York City No More" from the album Katy Lied (1975) by Steely Dan, on Donald Fagen's lead vocal.^[24]
• "Evil Woman" (1975) by Electric Light Orchestra, on the string interlude before the third chorus (a reversed string section from "Nightrider").^[25]
• "Station to Station" (1976) by David Bowie, flanging on the minute-long opening train sound effect.^[26]
• A New World Record (1976) by Electric Light Orchestra
• "I Feel Love" (1977) by Donna Summer. Producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte use a flange effect on the Top 10 disco hit.^[27]
• Low (1977) and "Heroes" (1977), including the track "V-2 Schneider" by David Bowie^[28]
• "Barracuda" (1977) by Heart, on rhythm guitars.
• "Life in the Fast Lane" (1977) by The Eagles, on the bridge (3:38^[7]) of the song.^[15]
• Trans-Europe Express (1977) by Kraftwerk, using an Eventide FL-201 Instant Flanger^[29]
• "You're All I've Got Tonight" (1978), The Cars, features a heavily flanged tom-tom drum intro.
• "Black Betty" (1977), Ram Jam. Cymbal crashes are flanged throughout the song.
• "Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love" (1978), Van Halen. Intro guitar riff and distorted harmonics in the bridge are flanged.
• "Hong Kong Garden" (1978) by Siouxsie and the Banshees. Guitarist John McKay uses an MXR flanger.^[30]
• The recurring guitar in "New York Groove" (1978) by Ace Frehley
• "La Do Da" and "Anytime" (1978) by Journey; both tracks are from the album Infinity.
• "Peg" (1978), Steely Dan. A flanger on a heavy feedback setting can be heard in the background of the intro (and again when it's repeated at the bridge); the electric piano playing the three main chords during the verses is also flanged.
• "Are You Receiving" (1979) by Killing Joke, features heavy flanging before the final chorus.
• "Run Like Hell" (1979) by Pink Floyd, the guitars.
• Reggatta de Blanc (1979) by The Police. Guitarist Andy Summers sets a light flange on his guitar using an Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress pedal.^[31]
• The introduction to "Making Plans for Nigel" (1979) by XTC.
• "Novelty" (b-side of "Transmission", 1979) by Joy Division.

1980s

• "Memories of Green" from the album See You Later (1980) by Vangelis. A Steinway grand piano was put through an Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress flanger pedal.^[32] The effect is used throughout the piece.
• "And the Cradle Will Rock..." (1980) on guitar and electric piano, and "Unchained" (1981) on guitar by Van Halen, using an MXR Flanger^[33]
• In almost all the songs from the album Av. Larco (1980) by Frágil.
• "I'm Alive" from the soundtrack to the movie Xanadu by Electric Light Orchestra.
• "Freeze-Frame" from the album Freeze Frame (1981) by The J. Geils Band - ending.
• "(Just Like) Starting Over" (1980) by John Lennon, on the final line of the song.
• "Israel" (1980), "Christine" (1980) and "Dear Prudence" (1983) by Siouxsie and the Banshees
• "Tempus Fugit", Yes, (1980), from Drama. Steve Howe's Stratocaster fills are flanged, as is Chris Squire's bass during the verses.
• "Charlie Don't Surf" (1980) by The Clash on their album Sandinista!
• All albums by The Cure released in the 1980s feature flanging effects in some capacity, usually on guitar, but also on bass ('The Holy Hour' from 'Faith'), keyboards ('Cold' from 'Pornography') and drums ('Prayers For Rain' from 'Disintegration').
• Zenyatta Mondatta by The Police. Andy Summers used a slow rate setting on his Electro Harmonix Electric Mistress flanger pedal, particularly on the song "Don't Stand So Close to Me".
• "The Spirit of Radio" (1980) by Rush, on the main guitar riff in the song.
• "Flying High Again" (1981) from the album Diary of a Madman by Ozzy Osbourne, second and third choruses.
• "Hear About It Later" (1981), by Van Halen, on Fair Warning. Intro is clean-tone flanged guitar playing arpeggios.
• "Unchained" (1981), by Van Halen, on Fair Warning. Classic example of sweeping flange on intro and choruses. This song has sold countless MXR M117 Flangers.
• "Heavy Metal (Takin' a Ride)" by Don Felder, on the lead guitar in the song, as heard in the 1981 animated movie Heavy Metal.
• "It Never Rains" from the album Love Over Gold (1982) by Dire Straits, on the instrumental outro.
• "Third Uncle" from the album The Sky's Gone Out (1982) and "She's in Parties" (1983) by Bauhaus, guitar effects.
• "Abacab" (1982) by Genesis on Three Sides Live. The ending guitar solo by Mike Rutherford uses flanging effect.
• "Drowning Witch" (1982) from the album Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch by Frank Zappa, using a MicMix Dynaflanger on the guitar.^[34]
• "The Number of the Beast" (1982) by Iron Maiden, intro.
• "Live Wire" (1982) by Mötley Crüe, brief instrumental break before the bridge.
• "You Little Fool" (1982) by Elvis Costello, from the album Imperial Bedroom.
• "Rock You Like a Hurricane" (1984) by Scorpions
• "Atom Smasher", from the album King of the Dead (1984) by Cirith Ungol, second half of the solo.
• "The Confessor", from Joe Walsh's eponymous album, features heavy flanging on the electric guitar part.
• "Head Over Heels" (1985) by Tears for Fears, on the drums before the final chorus and on the final chord where Roland Orzabal sings "...time flies."
• "She Sells Sanctuary" (1985) by The Cult, intro riff
• "Wake" (1985) by The Sisters of Mercy, most songs in this concert feature some flanger, in particular "Fix/Knocking on Heaven's Door" with a heavy "helicopter" flanger on the bass.
• "Satch Boogie", from the album Surfing with the Alien (1987) by Joe Satriani, on the guitar after the solo.
• "Freak Scene" from the album Bug (1988) by Dinosaur Jr, using the Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress flanger.
• "Sowing the Seeds of Love" (1989) by Tears for Fears, drums at the start.
• "Made of Stone" (1989) by The Stone Roses, on the bridge riff (3:30^[7]).
• "Evil Spells" (1989) by Morbid Angel, first verse.

1990s

• "Painkiller" (1990) by Judas Priest, right at the end of the song as it fades out.
• "Entre Dos Tierras" from the album Senderos de Traición (1990) by Héroes del Silencio.
• "Can't Stop This Thing We Started" (1991) by Bryan Adams, in the second and third bar and the last chorus.
• "Killing in the Name" (1991) by Rage Against the Machine
• The percussion in the musical sequences of I'm Too Sexy (1991) by chart-topping British band Right Said Fred.
• "Money Can't Buy It" from the album Diva (1992) by Annie Lennox, on the lead vocal on the bridge.^[3]
• "Popscene" (1992) by Blur, on the opening/main guitar riff.^[35]
• "Scentless Apprentice" & "Radio-Friendly Unit Shifter" (1993) by Nirvana, using an Electro-Harmonix poly chorus on the guitar.^[36]
• "Are You Gonna Go My Way" (1993) and "Believe" (1993) by Lenny Kravitz
• "Trip", from the album Numb (1993) by Hammerbox
• "Bring It On" from the album Seal (1994) by Seal, on the lead vocal during the bridge.^[3]
• "Moving" (1993) and "Killing Of A Flash Boy" (1994), by Suede
• "Clubbed to Death (Kurayamino Variation)" (1995) by Rob Dougan
• "Love", from the album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995), and "Pulseczar" by The Smashing Pumpkins
• "Bad Horsie" from the EP Alien Love Secrets (1995) by Steve Vai, the end of the song uses a real tape flange.^[37]
• "Ella Usó Mi Cabeza Como Un Revólver" (1995) by Soda Stereo, mostly on drums and guitars.
• "The Reflecting God", from the album Antichrist Superstar (1996) by Marilyn Manson, uses a noticeable flanging effect.
• She Knows It, from the soundtrack to the 1996 film That Thing You Do!, by The Wonders
• The guitars in the chorus of "Nobody Knows," from the 1996 album Presents Author Unknown by Jason Falkner
• "Pepper" (1996) by Butthole Surfers
• "Forty-Six & 2" and "Ænema", from the album Ænima (1996) by Tool
• "I'm Alive" (1996) by Stretch & Vern whole track through flanger
• Intro to "Tubthumping" (1997) by Chumbawamba.
• "Everyone Dies" (1998) by Cold, throughout entire song
• "If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next" (1998) by Manic Street Preachers, on the beginning.
  • Before that, the bridge of "Ifwhiteamericatoldthetruthforonedayitsworldwouldfallapart" (1994) featured a flange effect.
• Introduction to "Breakout" (1999) by Foo Fighters.
• The lead-in to the title track from the album Europop (1999) by Eiffel 65.
• The intro to "Dance of Eternity", from the album Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory (1999) by Dream Theater.
• The clean intro to "Breadline", from the album Risk (1999) by Megadeth.
• "Insomniac" by Echobelly, near the end of the second chorus.

2000s-2010s

• "Bodom After Midnight" (2000) by Children of Bodom
• "Around the World (La La La La La)" (2000) by ATC
• "No One" (w/ Sierra Swan) (2000) by Cold
• "Don't Panic" (2000) by Coldplay
• "Prostitute Flange" (2007) by Lil Wayne
• "Stellar" (2000) by Incubus
• "Deanne the Arsonist" (2002) by Atreyu
• "Anthems for a Seventeen Year-Old Girl", from the album You Forgot It in People (2002) by Broken Social Scene, on the vocals.
• "Honestly" (2002) by Zwan
• "Feeling This" (2003) by Blink-182, the beginning drum riff. The band has said the flanging effect was done using tape.
• "It's My Life" (2003) by No Doubt
• "Stockholm Syndrome" (2003) by Muse, on rhythm guitar.
• "Pessimiste", from the album Dix Infernal (2003) by Moi dix Mois, on the main riff.
• "Suffocate" (2003) by Cold
• "Dakota" (2005) by Stereophonics
• "Next Contestant" from the album All the Right Reasons (2005) by Nickelback
• The opening pick-scraping riff to "Can't Repeat" (2005) by The Offspring
• "I Want You to Fly" (2005) by Paul McCartney; used on the second half of the song. This song was released as one of the non-album tracks included on the "Jenny Wren" CD singles.
• Morningwood (2006) by Morningwood, on many of the guitar parts.^[38]
• "Dani California" (2006) by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, tape phasing on the drum fill that segues into the guitar solo (3:47^[7]).^[39]
• "My Apocalypse" by Metallica. Kirk Hammett uses an MXR EVH signature flanger on his solo guitar part.
• "Joker & the Thief" (2006) by Wolfmother
• "S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W (2010) by My Chemical Romance on lead vocals, influenced by The Beatles' song, "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds"
• "Crazy Horse" by Black Label Society; guitarist Zakk Wylde used an Eddie Van Halen flanger on the main guitar riff^[40]
• "Nothing That Has Happened So Far Has Been Anything We Could Control" by Tame Impala
• "Saligia" (2011) by Origin

References