more MXR Flanger q's

[hodad]

I too have a semi-functional MXR Flanger (there was a thread not long ago on this very subject)--It works pretty well as a chorus, but it doesn't flange.  The Regen pot does nothing--all other controls work fine.
My question, I guess, is what makes a flanger flange?  What process takes it from chorus to flanging?  Is it in the regen, or is there something else going on (or not going on, in my case) to make it sound flangey?

Thanks
Tom

[RickL]

The main difference between chorus and flanging is the delay time, chorus uses longer delay times than flanging. Both are modulation effects - the delay time is varied with a LFO (low frequency oscillator) then that delayed signal is recombined with the dry signal to give the effect sound. Without the dry signal being added back into the mix, either will sound like vibrato.

Chorus typically doesn't use any regeneration, although it can, and flanging usually does, but not always. Normally adding more regeneration in a flanger gives the sound a more "metallic" tone.

If your flanger sounds more like a chorus to you and the regeneration control isn't working, it may be as simple as checking the connections to the regeneration pot. All it does is send some of the already delayed signal back to be delayed some more, exactly like the "repeats" control on a delay pedal. If it's disconnected (bad solder joint, break in the wire, bad pot...) no signal will be sent back to be re-delayed.