From ken@kenhall.ca Tue Feb 01 07:52:10 2011
Subject:Re: Can we call it flanging?

Craig,

I think this is an excellent explanation of what David is hearing.

Ken

>
> Dave,
>  
> First, I want to say that I don't see this sound as harmonic beating, I
> hear a distinct flanging effect...  more of a rhythmic EQ shift over a
> period of time which is likely the result of the signal shifting out of
> phase and then returning to normal, and continuing to cycle in this
> manner. 
>  
> Hammond Chorus (including the digital kind our clones create), like a
> leslie sim, is just another effect that acts on pitch in a
> regular/rhythmic manner, so I would fully expect that when Chorus is
> combined with a Leslie on Tremelo, you can find certain frequencies (using
> various tone/note combinations) that will emphasize or create a phasing or
> flanging effect, especially in this world of DIGITAL clones and DIGITAL
> leslie sims.   
>  
> My guess is that you don't hear this effect on a real Hammond/Leslie
> because neither the vibrato scanner or the leslie motors spins with the
> kind of precision that our digital clones and digital leslie sims have. I
> would fully expect that the RPM of leslie motors and Hammond motors vary
> enough that these odd phasing/flanging effects can't establish themselves
> with the kind of regularity that we hear in this clip of your Ventilator
> and XK3C. We basically don't hear these effects because the variation in
> real physical motor speeds cause them to be more random and they simply
> add to the wonderful rich tone that we hear. 
>  
> Maybe the solution is to add more randomness to these chorus and leslie
> effects in our clones to avoid these secondary and unwanted effects
> and maybe you can minimize this affect by adjusting the vibrato/chorus
> speed on your XK3c (I think you can do that).
>  
> David you are right, the Ventilator is still a kickass leslie sim.. and
> it's by far the best leslie sim that has ever been mass produced.. is it
> perfect..? Perhaps not, but it's the closest thing to perfection that
> exists today!!
>  
> That said, if I ever get stuck playing that chord, with that drawbar
> setting, for the length of time necessary to notice that FLANGING effect,
> I hope lightning strikes me ;-) 
>