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The term modulation effect refers to an effect used when playing a guitar to alter the sound by continuously changing certain parameters such as volume, tone, or timing. It helps to add depth and interesting additional dimensions to both the sound and the playing. There are many different types of modulation effects that have significantly influenced famous songs by iconic bands and guitarists and have secured a permanent place in the world of electric guitar.
Among electric guitarists, effects such as chorus, phaser, and flanger are undoubtedly some of the most commonly used classics. But other types of effects, such as harmonizers and octavers, which add additional voices to the sound, or combinations of several different modulation effects, are also frequently seen on guitarists' pedalboards.
A chorus is a classic and particularly popular effect that makes the sound appear thicker and fuller. Like a choir with many voices, this effect doubles or triples the guitar sound, slightly altering the pitch and timing of these "copies." This creates a shimmering, "floating" sound that is often used in pop and rock music. You could also say that the chorus effect makes the guitar sound as if multiple guitars are playing simultaneously.
Phaser and flanger are two effects that each produce a distinct modulating sound, but they achieve this in different ways. A phaser works by removing certain frequencies from the original signal and then mixing them back with the original signal, resulting in fluctuations and a kind of "space-filling" or "floating" sound. A flanger, on the other hand, creates a slight delay in the sound, which is then mixed back with the original signal. This produces a metallic-sounding, sweeping tone often described as "played through a fan." Both effects are very popular in music and are especially used in rock music.