Chow Phaser
chow phaser
Chow Phaser is an open-source phaser plugin inspired by the legendary Schulte Compact Phasing ‘A’,
reimagined through a modern digital lens. Rather than offering a straight emulation, it expands on the original concept with flexible routing, nonlinear processing, and detailed modulation control.
The result is a phaser that can deliver smooth vintage sweep, unstable analogue-style motion, or aggressive, dirty modulation depending on how far you push it.
System Requirements:
- 64-bit
- VST 2 / 3
- Windows
- macOS
Mono & Stereo Processing Architecture
Chow Phaser is available in both Mono and Stereo versions, each designed with clear intent.
The Mono version converts incoming audio to mono before generating a stereo output, making it ideal for widening single-source material such as basses, leads, or vocals.
The Stereo version processes left and right channels independently, preserving stereo detail while allowing deeper spatial modulation.
Channel linking is handled intuitively by holding Shift while adjusting parameters, making it easy to keep both sides in sync or deliberately offset them for wider, more animated results.
This dual-architecture approach makes Chow Phaser adaptable across both mixing and sound-design contexts.
Feedback, Modulation & Nonlinear Colour
The signal path is divided into feedback and modulation stages, each with its own depth control. Both stages are driven by a shared LFO, whose behaviour is shaped by frequency, depth, and a distinctive skew parameter.
This skew control models the non-linear response of light-dependent resistors, introducing asymmetry and organic movement that feels closer to vintage analogue hardware than static digital modulation.
For added character, Chow Phaser includes drive, dirt, and thrash controls within the feedback stage.
These introduce varying degrees of nonlinearity, from subtle warmth to unstable, gritty phase feedback.
The number of modulation filter stages can also be adjusted, allowing the effect to range from gentle movement to dense, resonant phasing.
Workflow & Open-Source Design
Despite its depth, Chow Phaser remains approachable. Controls are clearly laid out, CPU usage is modest, and the plugin behaves predictably across a wide range of settings.
As an open-source project, it reflects ChowDSP’s focus on transparency and technical experimentation, offering producers a phaser that is both educational and musically useful.
It’s equally suited to classic applications like pads and guitars or more experimental uses where phase instability and nonlinear behaviour become part of the sound.
Key Features:
A flexible phaser built around analogue behaviour and modern DSP.
- Inspired by the Schulte Compact Phasing ‘A’
- Dedicated Mono and Stereo plugin versions
- Independent feedback and modulation stages
- Shared LFO with depth, frequency, skew, and 10× multiplier
- Nonlinear processing with drive, dirt, and thrash controls
- Open-source design with modern DSP architecture
FAQ
Skew alters the LFO shape to mimic the asymmetric response of light-dependent resistors, creating more organic and unpredictable modulation.
It separates feedback and modulation stages, adds nonlinear processing, and offers deeper control over LFO behaviour while retaining vintage-inspired movement.
Use Mono when you want to widen a single source. Use Stereo to preserve and enhance existing stereo material with independent channel processing.
The drive, dirt, and thrash controls range from subtle analogue warmth to unstable, gritty feedback textures suitable for experimental sound design.
