6 Best Flanger Plugins 2024 (And 6 Best FREE Flangers)

Top 6 Flanger Plugins (And 5 Best FREE Flanger Emulators) - Integraudio.com

In this roundup, we will talk about the best flanger plugins in 2024 as well as 6 of the best free flanger effects, so let’s get on it!

The flanger is a time-based effect that creates a whooshing sound.  It’s more complex than a simple delay but still relatively easy to use. This effect has been used in countless songs over the years to give them an otherworldly feel and add an extra dimension to the sound.

In a nutshell, here are the best flanger plugins in 2024:

1. Eventide Instant Flanger Mk II

2. Arturia Flanger BL-20

3. D16 Group Antresol

4. Audiority Electric Matter

5. Brainworx ADA Flanger

6. MeldaProduction MFlangerMB

The flanger effect is one of the most widely used audio effects and can be heard on countless recordings of different styles and genres.  However, even though it’s used on so many things, flanging is not often evident for everyone to hear it. Instead, most of the time, engineers and producers use it as a subtlety, turning it into one of many texture layers that make a recording sound good.

On the other hand, sound designers often use it along with different effects, like chorus and phasers, in many creative ways to fabricate specific sounds that go with a particular feeling or image they need to represent. Flangers can also be the start of an entirely different effect than what we’re used to hearing due to the experimentation with its parameters.

Top 6 Flanger Plugins 2024

1. Eventide Instant Flanger Mk II

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

Instant Flanger is an analog recreation of the original Instant Flanger from 1979.

The Eventide Instant Flanger Mk II combines two classic effectsthe Flanger and the phaser. It has a rich psychedelic sound with a very musical distortion that works terrific on a clean rock guitar; it would sound like David Gilmour’s guitar tone in Pink Floyd’s “Hey You” song. 

This hardware emulator features controls for sweep rate and feedback and a select switch that allows you to choose between analog or digital modes. Let’s take a look at this plugin’s key features.

Eventide Instant Flanger Mk II Review - Top 6 Flanger Plugins (And 5 Best FREE Flanger Emulators) | Integraudio.com

Key Features:

  • 3 Different flavors

Instant Flanger Mk II offers you three flanging modes: shallow, deep, or wide. The Shallow mode is perfect for subtle flanging, while the Deep mode can create a more dramatic effect. The Wide mode gives you that classic jet plane flange sound. You can also adjust the flanger’s rate, and depth controls to change the sound.

  • Bounce Knob

The bounce knob replicates the effect of the tape’s reel motors bouncing when you release them after slowing them down. Unlike the original Instant Flanger, which used an LFO to modulate the delay time, this updated version uses a feedback loop which significantly enhances its sound.

The high-frequency roll-off and low-frequency resonance controls have also been updated to provide more tonal variation.

  • Modulation sources

The Instant Flanger can be controlled by four modulation sources that you can combine for even more variety. The oscillator mode, which is straight-up classic LFO flanging with a variable rate, the manual control mode, gives you manual control over the delay time.

The envelope follower mode controls the flanging by the level of the input signal, and finally, the remote mode enables MIDI control over the flanging.

Eventide Instant Flanger Mk II Presets Demo

Compatibility:

Supports Windows 8 and higher, Supports macOS 10.9 or higher, runs on 32 and 64 bit, and comes in VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

Eventide’s Instant Flanger MkII plugin emulates hardware from the ’70s and ’80s and features warm analog-like characteristics. For both live and studio situations, this plugin will deliver outstanding results with an analog flavor, but keep in mind it’s not too subtle.

Eventide’s Instant Flanger MkII plugin also features an adjustable stereo width control to allow users to adjust the sound to their liking.

2. Arturia Flanger BL-20

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

Arturia Flanger BL-20 lets you create your own control patterns.

The Arturia Flanger BL-20 plugin is a recreation of the legendary BEL BF-20 stereo flanger, a single-oscillator flanger with variable depth control, and a modulation frequency knob from the ’70s. The interface is intuitive and straightforward, allowing you to adjust the effect quickly, and it’s a great plugin for scoring and EDM producers.

If you want to get flanging effects right in the DAW of your choice, then this plugin is worth checking out, so let’s see some of the essential features of this release. Instant Flanger is an analog recreation of the original Instant Flanger from 1979.

Arturia Flanger BL-20 Review - Top 6 Flanger Plugins (And 5 Best FREE Flanger Emulators) | Integraudio.com

Key Features:

  • Stereo Enhancer:

It has a stereo enhancer, which can operate in either mono or stereo mode. You can use the stereo enhancer in mono mode to enhance the bass response of a mix. In stereo mode, the left and right channels are processed separately to produce a wide, three-dimensional sound that enhances the sense of space.

  • BBD Warmth:

The Flanger BL-20 replicates an authentic bucket-brigade device circuitry to emulate its analog older brother’s characteristic warm response. It provides you with a smooth analog sound but with all of the advantages of the digital world.

  • Advanced Controls:

The plugin adds a new dimension to the familiar flanger. This pedal goes beyond the standard principles of flangers by adding cutting-edge controls that encourage users to explore the potentials of the sound, like the hi-pass filter and the LFO shaper, which allow you to switch between sine, square, sawtooth, and reverse sawtooth.

You can also trigger the envelope follower using external sources.

  • Presets:

This release provides you with 28 presets, which are all excellent for different textures, and you can switch between three modulation sources: LFO, ENV (including internal and external), and manual, or try different combinations of them.

Tutorials - Flanger BL-20 | ARTURIA

Compatibility:

Supports Windows 8.1 and higher, Supports macOS 10.13 or higher, runs on 64 bit, and comes in VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

Flanger BL-20 is an excellent emulation of the original hardware that takes the best out of the analog version and its digital recreation. It sounds great and gives you plenty of tweaking possibilities to get the best of your creativity going.

Related Reading:

Top 14 Arturia Plugins For Musicians 

3. D16 Group Antresol

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

D16 recreated the iconic Mistress flanger and added independent stereo controls and complete LFO control.

Antresol is based on the classic flanger pedal by Electro-Harmonix from 1976, one of the most iconic guitar pedals used by Pink Floyd’s legendary guitarist, David Gilmour, as part of his tone.

The new version of the effect is a clone of the vintage device and includes some additional features. It rounds up the low-end and works particularly well with percussive elements of any kind. Its independent stereo controls allow you to create a very cool sense of space and depth.

The plugin’s GUI is simple and self-explaining, and its sound is authentic and warm, with no unwanted artifacts. Its simple interface will make it easy to use on stage or in a studio environment. It’s also a lightweight tool that will not consume a lot of CPU and has no noticeable latency. 

Let’s see what it can do!

D16 Group Antresol Review - Top 6 Flanger Plugins (And 5 Best FREE Flanger Emulators) | Integraudio.com

Key Features:

  • New and improved:

D16 group went the extra mile when making their emulation of the legendary Antresol Flanger. They’ve given us a ton of new functions like selectable and unlikable L/R or M/S processing modes, a tag-based preset browser, individual stereo channel controls, and even a “mistress” mode that makes it work the same as its analog version.

  • Tempo sync:

The LFO in Antresol can optionally synchronize the frequency and phase of oscillation with the host application’s tempo. The Tempo Sync parameter is used to activate this function. You can set it to one out of four values: off, full, triplet, and dotted.

  • Store your presets:

Antresol comes with several presets, but the exciting part is that you can store your own. The plugin has a tag-based browser that allows you to keep your presets as files on your computer. Each time you load it, Antresol scans these folders, and all presets are consolidated in a linear structure in the browser.

You only need to hold your ctrl key (command key in macOS) and hit thesave button above to store your presets.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ–Az8-wAs

Compatibility:

Supports Windows 7 and higher, Supports macOS 10.9 or higher, runs on 32 and 64 bit, and comes in VST2, AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

The Antresol is a good flanger plugin for anyone looking to make their tracks sound more interesting. It does what it’s supposed to do, and there are no issues with stability or performance. The GUI is straightforward, with a clean layout and an easy-to-use interface.

In addition to those great features, Antresol also comes with high-quality presets designed by professional sound designers.

4. Audiority Electric Matter

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

6 Best Flanger Plugins 2024 (And 6 Best FREE Flangers) - 2024 Update

Electric Matter is a meticulously designed emulation of the renowned Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Electric Mistress.

This iconic flanger and filter matrix pedal from the late 1970s relied on the Reticon SAD1024 BBD chip; artists from all genres have chosen this flanger for its capacity to add subtle, dreamy nuances to lead lines or to replicate the mesmerizing rotation effect of a Leslie speaker.

It has a great LFO and VCO circuitry that broadens the palette of possible settings so electric Matter progresses beyond its hardware counterpart by eliminating typical complications such as diminished tonality and volume reduction.

Key Features:

  • BBD Analog Flanger Simulation

At the heart of Electric Matter lies its BBD Analog Flanger Simulation, meticulously designed to reproduce the lush, characteristic tone of the classic bucket-brigade device (BBD) flangers. This feature emulates the analog delay lines used in the original units, creating sweeping sonic textures that give flange effects their unique feel.

By adjusting the delay time, you can emulate everything from the slow, dreamy modulation of classic tape flange to the rapid oscillations of more intense flange effects.

  • Color, Range, and Rate Controls

These are the primary controls for shaping the flanger effect in Electric Matter. The Color control adjusts the overall tonal quality of the flanger, affecting how bright or dark the effect is. This allows for a wide array of tonal possibilities, letting you cater the flanger effect to suit the sound you’re working with.

The Range control, on the other hand, alters the breadth of the flanger sweep, dictating how wide or narrow the movement of the flange effect is. This control allows you to produce everything from broad, sweeping flange effects to narrow, more subtle shifts.

Finally, the Rate control determines the speed of the flanger’s oscillation, setting how quickly or slowly the flange effect sweeps back and forth. By manipulating this control, you can create dynamic flange effects, from slow, evolving textures to rapid, pulsating modulations.

  • Filter Matrix Mode

The Filter Matrix Mode is a unique feature of Electric Matter, offering the ability to freeze the flanger sweep and create static flange effects.

This means you can set the flange effect at a specific point and leave it there, creating resonant, comb-filter-type effects or abstract, metallic textures. This feature provides control and flexibility not typically found in traditional flanger units, opening up new avenues of sonic experimentation.

  • Tempo Sync

The Tempo Sync feature is a significant addition to Electric Matter. This allows the rate of the flange effect to be synced to the tempo of your track, ensuring that the effect moves in time with your music.

This feature is particularly useful for rhythmically complex or tempo-synced flange effects, ensuring that the flange always lands exactly where you want it to in the rhythm of your track.

  • Pre and Post Effect Gain

The Pre and Post Effect Gain controls allow you to balance the volume levels before and after applying the flange effect. This feature is crucial in overcoming the volume drop issues often associated with similar hardware units, providing you with complete control over the loudness of your signal at every stage of the effect chain.

Compatibility:

Audiority Electric Matter is available for Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.12 or higherboth 64-bit only. It comes in VST, AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

Audiority’s Electric Matter is more than just another flanger plugin—it’s a great, comprehensive sound-shaping toolset to become a mainstay in the music producer’s toolkit. Its rich features provide great control, enabling you to cultivate many distinctive flanger effects.

Its strength lies in its ability to perfectly balance the revered analog flanger qualities with the flexibility of digital sound manipulation. This balance allows you to create an almost limitless array of unique sonic textures. In an era of cookie-cutter plugins, Electric Matter shines bright, offering a truly innovative approach to the flanger effect.

5. Brainworx ADA Flanger

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

ADA Flanger is an accurate recreation of the classic A/DA Flanger, one of the first commercially produced flanging effect pedals.

This plugin sounds different from your standard flange plugin because it uses a digital model of a classic analog effect. As the name suggests, it’s based on the classic A/DA Flanger effect that has been around for decades. It has a very musical quality to it. It’s not as aggressive as some other flange plugins, which is good if you want to have more control over the depth and breadth of the effect.

It has three flange modes, you can create some truly unique effects that are nothing short of breathtaking. With its multiple modes, you can quickly go from a subtle, modulated tone to a full-on jet engine effect that will take your mixes to the next level.

Brainworx ADA Flanger Review - Top 6 Flanger Plugins (And 5 Best FREE Flanger Emulators) | Integraudio.com

Key Features:

  • Unique sound:

A/DA Flanger is made after a classic pedal effect of the same name that was particularly famous in the ’80s. The plugin sounds and reacts the same way as both analog pairs, the original from 1979 and the re-issued pedal, making it a great option if you’re aiming for a vintage sound or just trying to add a subtle color to your mixes.

  • High delay ratio:

Knowing that most flanger plugins reach up to a 20:1 delay ratio, Brainworks saw a window of opportunity to make their A/DA Flanger stick out by doubling the offer. The plugin reaches up to a 40:1 delay ratio, giving you a broader pallet of entirely new sounds and possibilities that just aren’t possible with a lower ratio.

  • More control:

A/DA flanger offers a set of control that allows you to be as precise as you can when adjusting the flanger. It includes a threshold control that works as a gating effect, a “manualknob that defines the tonal center of the sweep frequency.

The range modifies the frequency spectrum of the flange, you can also set the speed, and there’s the Enhance knob, a resonance control capable of adding depth and intensity.

  • Exclusive features:

After recreating to the finest detail the sound of the analog pedal, Brainworks didn’t stop and included some cool features of their own. The Wet/Dry Mix control is one of these exclusive features of the plugin, and it allows you to load it as an insert to different elements in the mix and balance how much of the effect you want each time.

You can also tempo-sync with your project session and access dual stereo modes, making A/DA a great tool for stereo enhancement.

A/DA Flanger Teaser
Review ADA Flanger For UAD 2 By Brainworx

Compatibility:

Supports Windows 7 and higher, Supports macOS 10.9 or higher, runs on 64 bit, and comes in VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

Brainwork’s ADA Flanger is a meticulous recreation of a fantastic piece of hardware, and it certainly pays its honors. This pedal emulation is a versatile tool that you can use in any situation. I highly recommend using it for film scoring, vocal effects, or even as a guitar pedal.

Related Reading:

Top 11 Plugins On Plugin Alliance 

6. MeldaProduction MFlangerMB

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

MFlangerMB is a multi-band flanger with different modulators.

MFlangerMB is a new and improved version of the famous MeldaProduction MFlanger plugin. The new plugin features an intuitive user interface, new features such as input and feedback attenuation, band-pass mode, and more.

Besides the basic parameters like rate, feedback, level, etc., you can adjust their modulation sources like LFOs (low-frequency oscillators) and Envelope (ADSR), making this plugin more fun to use. You can control these parameters via MIDI controller or automation if you want.

MeldaProduction MFlangerMB Review - Top 6 Flanger Plugins (And 5 Best FREE Flanger Emulators) | Integraudio.com

Key Features:

  • Dual GUI:

One outstanding characteristic this plugin has is that it provides you with two graphical user interfaces. A simple mode comes by default and has many predefined settings with few controls, and then, there’s an advanced mode that hands you control over everything the MFlangerMB has to offer.

  • Multiband processing:

As the name states, this is a multiband flanger, and you have up to 6 independent bands on three transparent algorithms (analog, linear phase, and hybrid) that you can adjust completely. The plugin also includes peak meters for all bands and master output.

  • Surround Processing:

MFlangerMB is capable of handling not one or two, but up to 8 channels of surround audio. This feature makes the plugin ideal when working with films and games post-production.

  • Randomization:

You can generate random new settings with a single button and go through the nearly infinite possible configurations that you can come up with MFlanger and find one that matches what’s on your mind. Hold Ctrl key (or command in macOS) to access this function, and the plugin will slightly modify the existing settings.

  • Four global modulators:

In all plugin instances, you can have up to four fully-customizable modulators able to modulate any set of parameters. This feature allows you to make the sound move in time instead of being static and adding a distinctive vibe. You can use each modulator as LFO, follower, midi/audio triggered ADSR envelopes, a pitch detector, or even combine them into something new.

Compatibility:

Supports Windows Vista and higher, Supports macOS 10.9 or higher, runs on 32 and 64 bit on Windows and 64bit on macOS,  and comes in VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

MFlangerMB is probably the most complete flanger plugin. You can use it on any project, for any sound, as the plugin gives you infinite possibilities when it comes to possible usages. Definitely worth checking out, especially if you’re a Sound Designer.

Related Reading:

Top 12 MeldaProduction Plugins For Music Production 

The 6 Best Free Flanger Plugins 2024

1. KiloHearts Flanger

More Info & Download

KiloHearts’ Flanger is a very simple, lightweight plugin that you can resize.

KiloHearts’ Flanger is an excellent tool for creative sound design, often used in movie scores and DJ mixes. It brings a high level of customization to the table, allowing you to tweak any setting you desire.

It’s easy to use for beginners or seasoned professionals who want to experiment with something new. The learning curve is pretty short, and after only a few hours of playing around, you’ll understand how everything works. The best part? You can completely customize your flanger effect with this plugin to fit your workflow.

KiloHearts Flanger Review - Top 6 Flanger Plugins (And 5 Best FREE Flanger Emulators) | Integraudio.com

Key Features:

  • Settings panel:

You can access the settings panel by moving your mouse cursor over a small arrow that’s not visible in the screenshot at the top right. Within the settings panel, you also have a randomize button that can be useful when you’re looking for a specific sound but are not quite getting there.

  • Scalable GUI:

This plugin hands you the possibility of resizing its graphic interface. To do this, go to the bottom right corner, and you’ll find a resize handle for scaling the UI to any size. Flanger is as simple as it gets. The GUI keeps everything at hand and gets the job done. You can easily control every aspect of your flanger, which comes in handy when you don’t have the time to tweak and need something that sounds good fast.

Flanger by Kilohearts – Sweeping Comb Filter

Compatibility:

Supports Windows 7 and higher, Supports macOS 10.7 or higher, runs on 32 and 64 bit, and comes in VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

KiloHearts Flanger is an excellent example of how to use the principles of frequency modulation to create an interesting sound. This is a straightforward plugin, and it has fantastic sound. It is highly recommended for sound designers and music producers.

2. Imaginando DLYM

More Info & Download

Imaginando DLYM is a delay modulation plugin that can dramatically change the sound.

Imaginando DLYM is a free stereo flanger effect with a characteristic sound and lets you sync the sweep rate to your host tempo. The plugin was designed to be used by electronic musicians. It can create everything from subtle reverb-like effects to extreme experimental sounds.

Imaginaldo DLYM - The 5 Best FREE Flanger Plugins | Integraudio.com

Key Features:

  • Intuitive UI:

Imaginando DLYM comes with a minimalistic, easy-in-the-eye user interface made to enhance the creative workflow. It gives you two different processing modes to choose from (analog emulation and dimension style), stereo spreading, and crossover controls that make it stand out from other plugins that offer typical flanger/chorus settings.

  • Presets manager:

DLYM includes as many as 20 presets and patches featuring various analog and digital chorused flanger sounds to give you a solid start point. You can also create and store your settings by clicking on the floppy disk at the top of the interface.

Compatibility:

Supports Windows 10 and higher, Supports macOS 10.13 or higher, runs on 64 bit, and comes in VSTAU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

Imaginando DLYM is an incredible free plugin that will give you perfect-sounding flange effects. The plugin comes with two types of flangers. Each variant has its distinct sound characteristics, so you can choose which one best fits the musical genre you’re working on.

The plugin works great on synthesizers, and it’s highly recommended for EDM producers and sound designers.

Related Reading:

Top 10 FREE Delay Plugins For Musicians (VST, AU, AAX)

3. Valhalla Space Modulator

More Info & Download

Valhalla Space Modulator can help you create an entire atmosphere in seconds.

Valhalla’s Space Modulator has a lot to offer and is one of the best flangers available in the market. The plugin provides six different modulation modes11 different filter types, and an exciting Color control that lets you change the sound of your music in real-time.

The plugin comes with a great preset manager and offers a variety of excellent presets to get you started.

Valhalla Space Modulator - The 5 Best FREE Flanger Plugins | Integraudio.com

Key Features:

  • Easy to use:

Valhalla Space Modulator has a knob-based interface and five different parameters: mix, rate, depth, feedback, and manual. It also includes eleven different flanging algorithms and can create unique and weird flanging sounds worth checking out.

The GUI is almost the same as other Valhalla DSP releases, so you already know how it works if you have used any of these great-sounding plugins before.

  • Flanging modes:

Space Modulator lets you choose between four different flanging modes. TZF+ mode (Through-Zero Flanging) will give you the sound of several delay signals added together. Doubler mode adds two detuned voices with a wide stereo spread.

The Tri-mode is an antiphase triangle wave modulation. Finally, the Up mode emulates a unidirectional barber pole flanging with a slight pitch shift.

Compatibility:

Supports Windows 7 and higher, Supports macOS 10.8 or higher, runs on 64 bit, and comes in VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

The Valhalla Space Modulator is an easy-to-use but powerful plugin that will give your tracks a professional sound. It contains ten different reverbsdelaysmodulators, and time effects. All of these can be used together or separately for creating unique effects.

This remarkable, lofi-sounding plugin works incredibly well for creating a wide variety of sounds. It’s incredible for enhancing your production or bringing a track to life.

This plugin is also great for adding extra dimension to your productions, and it works great when paired with other Valhalla plugins.

4. HY-ChoFla

More Info & Download

HY-ChoFla is a plugin that offers you two different modulation effects in the same interface.

HY-ChoFla was designed to be simple, and at the same time, very usable and versatile. HY-ChoFla’s most notable feature is its simplicity; no controls are redundant. All of them were designed to provide the most typical flanging effects that can be useful in everyday music production.

It can produce rich chorused flanged effects. It contains an adjustable lowpass filterLFO with speed and depth controls, feedback controlstereo widthfeedback randomizerand effect mix.

HY-ChoFla - The 5 Best FREE Flanger Plugins | Integraudio.com

Key Features:

  • Self-explaining GUI:

Cho/Fla features an easy-to-use, straightforward user interface that gives you everything you need to modify the effect and keep going. It’s pretty practical and very similar for both effect modes. Switch the mode from chorus to flanger, control rate, depth, feedback, width, and delay time to construct the sound you need on your music production.

  • Control knobs:

The plugin has some exciting functions such as changing the feedback polarity on both effects, tempo-sync, and hands you the possibility of changing the waveform of the LFO and smoothing the output. You can also use this plugin as an insert and adjust the amount with the dry/wet knobs. All these controls affect only the wet signal.

Compatibility:

Supports Windows 7 and higher, runs on 32 and 64 bit, and comes in VST format.

Summary:

HY-CHO/FLA is good freeware for music producers and engineers that love using flangers. They use the flanger to make sounds more dramatic and more exciting. This plugin is a great solution for startup music producers with a tight budget looking to add a distinctive sound to their music.

5. TAL Flanger

More Info & Download

TAL-Flanger is a simple plugin to add obvious and musical flanging to your music.

The TAL-Flanger plugin is a great way to add a dramatic and attractive effect to your tracks. It emulates the sound of famous Flangers such as the MXR Flanger but has its unique features. It’s like a flange unit but way more flexible, and you can also sync it to the session’s tempo.

TAL flanger - The 5 Best FREE Flanger Plugins | Integraudio.com

Key Features:

  • Easy GUI:

TAL Software developed the most straightforward user interface to device a suitable plugin for amateurs, musicians, producers, and engineers. You only have a couple of knobs and a tempo-sync function, and that’s enough to let your creativity do its thing.

  • Analog-based sound:

As suggested by the UI, TAL-Flanger’s sound is inspired on an analog flanger effect rack, which grants it a lightly distorted, very musical sound. Additionally, the tempo-sync function and the feedback control knob have some asymmetric analog-like components that provide more accuracy to the analog emulation.

Compatibility:

Supports Windows XP and higher, Supports macOS 10.6 or higher, runs on 32 and 64 bit, and comes in VST, and AU formats.

Summary:

The TAL-Flanger plugin is one of the best tools you can get to make your music sound professional. It’s simple enough for beginners, but even professionals like to mess around with it. This plugin is great for music producers and engineers.

6. Blue Cat’s Flanger

More Info & Download

Blue Cat’s Flanger is a versatile free plugin that can go from harsh and metallic to smooth and soft.

Blue Cat Audio’s Flanger is a free VST plugin capable of producing various effects, from subtle to extreme. It’s a great-sounding plugin with a variety of modulation options and an intuitive user interface.

It is a unique plugin with two different modes: the first mode resembles a traditional stereo flanger, whereas the second mode turns the plugin into a powerful frequency-modulation tool.

While many of the plugins on Blue Cat Audio’s website are aimed at more advanced users, Flanger is one of the few plugins they offer that is great for beginners.

Blue Cat’s Flanger - The 5 Best FREE Flanger Plugins | Integraudio.com

Key Features:

  • Customizable UI:

Provides the users with an opportunity to change the plugin’s skin, adjust transparency, and activate/deactivate it at will. Also, when the plugin is fed with silence, it smoothly shuts down any processing and optimizes your DAW’s CPU usage.

  • Simple and effective:

Despite the simpleness shown in Blue Cat’s Flanger user interface, the plugin gives us many possibilities to use it freely. It has complete midi control and automation support that includes midi learn and advanced response control. You can also switch between triangle or sine LFO shape and bypass with absolute silence.

Compatibility:

Supports Windows 7 and higher, Supports macOS 10.7 or higher, runs on 32 and 64 bit, and comes in VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

The main advantage of the Blue Cat Audio’s Flanger is its versatility. You can use it for simple flanging effects. Still, it can also emulate the most popular vintage flangers (and many other effect boxes) thanks to its variable mode section that allows you to select the flanger type.

The user interface of Flanger is very easy to use, thanks to the large interactive knobs that provide direct control over the parameters. A “randomize” button, with its associated knob, helps you explore new sonic textures.

3 Bonuses:

1. NI Mod Pack

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

NI Mod Pack brings you three modulation effects and a convincingly analog sound.

NI Effect Series Mod Pack is a new product by Native Instruments that aims to bring the world of modular effects into the digital domain. Modular effects offer limitless possibilities and hands-on control, but they’re traditionally bulky and challenging to use. 

The NI Effect Series aims to bring the power and flexibility of modular effects into the modern era by delivering high-quality sound in a plugin format.

The NI Effect Series consists of three different pluginsChorusPhaser, and Flanger; each has its distinct sound and style.

NI Mod Pack Review - Top 6 Flanger Plugins (And 5 Best FREE Flanger Emulators) | Integraudio.com

Key Features:

  • Chorus modes:

Choral is the chorus effect component included in this effect pack and lets you switch between four different sound modes. The Universal mode provides a clean, modern digital sound. Synth mode has a resembling sound of a series of synthesizers from the ’80s that were famous for their “unison” chorusing function.

The ensemble mode resembles the BBD chorus section of a legendary string synth from the late ’70s. Lastly, the Dimension mode takes its sound from a classic rackmount chorus.

  • Flair modes:

Just like Choral, Flair gives you the possibility of choosing one of three modes: Standard mode keeps each voice behaving like any other flanger effect. The In Thru mode, which duplicates each voice at its particular pitch without modulating the duplicates, makes the flanging more evident as the modulation increases.

Last but not least, we have the In Scan mode, which plays the voices consecutively with an order set by one of three waveforms.

  • Sound enhancement:

Flair also includes sound-enhancing features such as Detune to offset the pitch of the flanging, and feedback, which thickens the flanging, including adjustable damping control and softening the effect at high feedback values.

  • ULTRA:

Ultra is a feature available in Phasis, the third component of this package. By engaging ULTRA, you raise the maximum modulation speed from 8.37KHZ up to 477.3KHZ, enabling you to create FM-style effects and even transform white noise into an entirely new sound.

Walkthrough: FLAIR from EFFECTS SERIES – MOD PACK | Native Instruments

Compatibility:

Supports Windows 10 and higher, Supports macOS 10.14 or higher, runs on 64 bit, and comes in VST, AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

The NI Effect Mod Pack is a budget-friendly collection of modulation effects. It can produce rich, expressive sounds that are simply not possible with conventional synthesis methods. The only limitation is your creativity. This pack includes chorusphaser, and flanger effects.

Use each effect independently or in combination with any other effect included in the collection. All three components offer top-notch sound quality and can adapt to any need.

Related Reading:

Top 20 Native Instruments Plugins & Kontakt Libraries

2. Waves Kaleidoscopes

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

Kaleidoscopes is a modulation super-suite that has two effect engines. As you can see from the image, plugin is packed with Phaser, Flanger, Chorus and Tremolo effects.

Kaleidoscope can be used as a stand-alone effect or as a send/return effect. The plugin provides you with infinite possibilities to play around with, including parallel effect processing and design.

You can even create your own modulations by drawing in the built-in modulation designer. The best feature that Kaleidoscope has to offer is its intelligent triggering, which provides a real-time dynamic response to your playing. This plugin is an absolute bomb, so let’s dive deeper into its features.

Waves Kaleidoscopes Review - Top 6 Flanger Plugins (And 5 Best FREE Flanger Emulators) | Integraudio.com

Key Features:

  • Analog inspiration:

Waves audio took a bunch of famous vintage analog units, pedals, and tape FX from different eras and modeled them into Kaleidoscopes. They’ve made a literal “best of” collection to give this plugin a unique sound response packed up in a versatile, powerful tool.

  • Serial or Parallel effect processing:

Kaleidoscopes has a so-called Dual Cascade architecture that gives you two different effect engines. This feature enables the possibility of both serial and parallel processing, allowing you to either feed one engine into the other or keep them both active and achieve broader textures.

  • Intelligent triggering:

Waves Audio is always thinking about their buyers, which is why they’ve developed an intelligent triggering for musicians to use this plugin as part of their effect board. The input-sensitive envelopes respond dynamically to your playing, modifying its character in real-time based on your performance.

Waves Kaleidoscopes Analog Modulation Plugin: First Look & Demo

Compatibility:

Supports Windows 10 and higher, Supports macOS 10.14 or higher, runs on 64 bit, and comes in VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

Kaleidoscopes by Waves Audio is the plugin monster for modulation effects. Its Dual Cascade architecture alone is an exclusive feature of this release and gives you infinite possibilities to create the result you want just like you want it. This plugin is a masterpiece sound design tool, but you can adapt it to use it for whatever you want. 

Intelligent triggering is a great feature for musicians to use as an effect. It has a smooth analog sound that enables producers to create subtle analog-based textures that captivate whoever is listening. That is just the tip of the iceberg, so you should check it out.

Related Reading:

20 Best Waves Plugins For Mixing, Mastering & Producing

3. Audio Damage Quatro Mod

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

Quatro Mod is an all-in-one solution to modulation.

Audio Damage Quatro Mod is a fantastic plugin that can deliver complex modulation effects to any audio source. You can select four modulation effects, including flangerchorus, diffusor, and a frequency shifter. You can also map these effects to any knob or switch on your MIDI controller for added functionality. This way, you will be able to control the amount of effect added in real-time.

As expected from an Audio Damage product, the sound quality is top-notch. Its user interface is very simple to navigate and keeps everything at hand. Keep on reading to find out more about the key features this plugin has to offer.

Audio Damage Quatro Mod Review - Top 6 Flanger Plugins (And 5 Best FREE Flanger Emulators) | Integraudio.com

Key Features:

  • Through-zero flanger:

The built-in flanger effect in Quatro Mod features a Haas effect offset control and enables you to invert feedback to create a wider sense of space. This feature is a killer for film scoring because you can create a deep, immersive atmosphere by playing with the offset to affect the stereo image.

  • Chrous Mode:

The chorus mode is based on Audio Damage’s original plugin, Fluid. It has six delayed lines modulated at different rates, which creates its characteristic thick stereo chorus sound. 

  • Diffusor FX:

Quatro Mod’s diffusor is the recreation of their original Vapor plugin. It works as a diffusion block from a reverb, but it’s rewired to create a chorus sound. This diffusor works amazingly on drums. I suggest trying it out in room mics, snares, or applied subtly on overheads.

  • Frequency Shift:

The frequency shift (“freqshift”) mode differs from all other modulation effects that come with Quatro Mod, as it was modeled after one of Audio Damage’s Eurorack-format hardware modules. It’s recommended to use this mode in pads, synths, or any mid-frequency-based instrument, but you can try it out on any signal and see how it works.

Compatibility:

Supports Windows 8.1 and higher, Supports macOS 10.8 or higher, runs on 32 and 64 bit, and comes in VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

Quatro Mod by Audio Damage is a plugin with everything you need to create innovative textures for your music, scores, and sound effects. It delivers an easy-on-the-eye layout and four great-sounding modulators that can go from a subtle color on your vocals to a crazy dark ambiance on your score.

This plugin is a killer for sound designersbut it’s also great for music production and mixing.

How does Flanger work?

A flanger works by mixing two identical signals, one of them is dry, but the second is delayed with a very short delay time and modulated with an LFO (low filter envelope). The sum of these two signals creates interference and a series of notches in the frequency spectrum. This alteration of the frequency spectrum is known as a comb filter.

These notches will usually occur in harmonic-related intervals in the upper frequencies, and they can be moved around the spectrum by tweaking the LFO parameters. Another parameter found in the flanger processors is the feedback.

Its function is to send the output back to the input to receive more processing. This recirculation of the delay will produce a resonance effect that will accentuate the notches and give a different timber to the flanger.

How do you use the flanger effect in your music?

You can use a flanger effect on any track to create a unique texture, for example, on specific instruments, like guitars, bass, or piano. That will get your listeners to pay attention to that instrument and notice something they might not have before.

Another way to use a flanger effect is in a subtle way in the background of a song and blend it to your overall sound. That will give it an interesting touch. You can also use it on vocals and raps, especially if you’re mixing.

Who invented flanger?

The invention of the flanger is usually attributed to Les Paul. In the late 1940s, he came up with this technique by using two disk recorders and manipulating one of them with variable speed control. Nonetheless, the first recording where we can actually hear a flanger effect is on The Big Hurt, by Toni Fisher (1959).

Does flanger go before or after chorus?

Flanger and Chorus are modulation effects that similarly use delay variations, but they’re different because of the length of the delay time required to create the sound; a chorus needs the longest delay times while a flanger needs the least.

Conclusion

We’ve reached the end of this list. All of these plugins are what we consider to be the best out there. Each one has unique functions that will facilitate an easy adaptation to whatever might be your workflow.

Nonetheless, let’s recap for a second about all of this information to help you out when making a decision.

The best tools on this list for sound designers are the Arturia BL-20Melda Production’s MFlangerMB, KiloHearts’ Flanger, Imaginando DLYM, D16’s Antresol, and Quatro Mod, by Audio Damage.

Some tools just work perfectly with everything because they have so many different characteristics that you can quickly adapt them to any given case. Waves Audio’s Kaleidoscopes, Valhalla Space Modulator, and NI Mod Pack are perfect examples for absolute versatility and adaptation.

Finally, some tools are simply perfect for music producers and mix engineers. Such tools exist to deliver a more musical flanger that gets the job done without much complication. Eventide’s Instant Fanger, Blue Cat’s Flanger, TAL-Flanger, Brainworks A/DA Flanger, and the HY-Cho/Fla are the best for the task.

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