---
title: Chorus/Flange
url: 'https://www.teachmeaudio.com/mixing/equipment/effects/chorus-flange'
markdown: 'https://www.teachmeaudio.com/mixing/equipment/effects/chorus-flange.md'
date: '2026-10-25'
description: 'Experience the depth and richness of the chorus effect—add harmonic structure to your sound as if multiple layers are playing in unison.'
---

# Chorus/Flange 

Experience the depth and richness of the chorus effect—add harmonic structure to your sound as if multiple layers are playing in unison.

![Analog chorus guitar pedal](https://www.teachmeaudio.com/user/pages/03.mixing/equipment/04.effects/04.chorus-flange/chorus-pedal.webp "Figure 1 - Typical analog chorus and modulation guitar pedal")Figure 1 - Typical analog chorus and modulation guitar pedal

 The **chorus effect** adds a rich, shimmering quality to sounds, simulating the natural acoustic effect of multiple instruments playing the exact same part in unison.

 By introducing a short, modulated delay (typically around 10 ms to 25 ms) and subtly shifting its pitch, a chorus can range from a warm, transparent ensemble thickening to a lush, warbling texture.

Chorus is a production staple for thickening up synthesizer pads, string arrangements, backing vocals, and clean electric guitars.

## How Chorus Works

 A standard chorus effect relies on a combination of time delay and low-frequency oscillator (LFO) modulation:

- **Delay:** Adds physical separation and spatial depth by delaying a copy of the input signal before mixing it back with the dry audio.
- **Modulation Rate & Depth:** Controls the speed and intensity of the pitch shifting, ranging from subtle movement to dramatic chorusing.

## Flanging vs. Chorus

 While chorus uses medium-to-long delays to simulate ensemble unison, **flanging** uses extremely short delays (under 10 ms) combined with a feedback loop.

 This creates sweeping "comb-filter" notches across the frequency spectrum. When fed back into the input, flanging produces a metallic, jet-engine resonance that is widely used on guitars, drum overheads, and cymbals.

## Key Controls Overview

Understanding these core modulation parameters lets you dial in everything from subtle width to intense sweeping textures:

- **Delay:** Sets the baseline delay time (shorter for flanging, longer for chorus).
- **Feedback:** Feeds a portion of the wet output back into the input, intensifying resonance and comb filtering.
- **LFO Rate:** Determines the oscillation speed (frequency) of the modulation sweep.
- **LFO Sync:** Synchronizes the modulation rate directly to your song’s project tempo.
- **LFO Depth (Freq. Mod):** Adjusts the modulation depth, dictating how wide or pronounced the pitch sweep becomes.

## Working Example: Flanger on Clap

**1. Original Clap Beat Without Flange:**

 Listen to the dry clap sound: 

**2. Clap Beat With Flanger Effect Applied:**

 Listen to the clap with a flange effect: 

 [↑ Back to Top](#top)

---

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