Ok, time for round 2! As you might remember, a while back I painstakingly cloned and matched a real MXR Phase 90 in the Axe-Fx IIIs phaser block. Since then, we've gotten a total overhaul of both the phaser and flanger block. I finally found the time to redo the Phase 90 (actually a Phase 95) and a MXR flanger.
I've also spent quite a lot of time figuring out what makes the famous Maestro EP3 Echoplex tape delay sound the way it does, and will throw that into the preset as well. All clones are done using technical knowledge, audio and sound clips, help from others, real time analyser, spectrogram and way too much time... Now, on to the pedals!
MXR Phase 95
Both script and block logo versions. I've decided to use the LFO high cut to not have to twiddle with the depth knob when changing the rate. The real pedal goes from around 0.125 Hz to 9.6 Hz.
MXR Flanger
MXR M117R flanger. The flanger in the actual preset is set to what the EVH button does on the EVH flanger. So it's a grey box flanger, with the "Unchained" settings.
Maestro EP3 Echoplex
This one was way harder than I expected. Thank god for Audioritys excellent PlexiTape plugin, which is close to perfect compared to the real deal. I had to chose between matching the very first repeat, the subsequent ones, or the self oscillation. I could get one pretty much dead on, but not all three at with the same settings in the delay block. In the end, I managed the get a nice compromise between all three. EQ and modulation (wow and flutter) are matched to using a brand new tape, although I did dial in a bit more modulation (because I like it that way).
If you'd like to emulate a worn machine with an old tape, Increase the depth of both LFOs further (especially the second one for the flutter), and reduce the high cut frequency. Or, as this particular EP3 is a very dark unit, you can increase the low and high cut frequencies for a brighter tone.
NOTE: The delay block will go into self oscillation if the feedback is set much above 40%, very similar to a real Echoplex. Reduce master feedback if you want to avoid this.
The Preset
Modified Friedman HBE factory preset, nothing special amp-wise. Scene names are pretty self explanatory. It's attached at the bottom of this post.
Sound Clips
Phase 95 script (pink noise demo). Pedal first, then Axe.
MXR flanger. Flanger after distortion for maximum effect. The order is dry, pedal, then Axe. Settings are manual and width, 12 o'clock. Speed, 10 o'clock. Regen, 3 o'clock.
EP3 Echoplex. Audiority PlexiTape first, then Axe.