Contrail
Flanger, inspired by tape and studio flanging.
Contrail is the jet-plane whoosh of tape flanging: positive or negative Feedback, a Manual control for the centre of the sweep, and stereo spread.
The controls
- Rate
- How fast it sweeps, 0.02 to 5 Hz.
- Depth
- How far it sweeps.
- Manual
- The centre of the sweep, 0.2 to 8 ms: sets where the whoosh sits.
- Feedback
- Positive for a ringing, metallic sound; negative for a hollow, through-zero feel.
- Stereo
- The phase between left and right, 0 to 180 degrees: wider movement.
- Mix
- How much flanging.
Best for
- Drums and overheads: the classic jet whoosh
- Guitar: psychedelic sweeps
- Vocals: special-effect moments
- Synths and pads: movement
Starting points
Load Contrail, set these, then adjust by ear. In the plugin, Level match helps you judge the sound, not the loudness.
Jet drums
Rate 0.15, Depth 80, Manual 1.6, Feedback 60, Stereo 90, Mix 50%
Hollow guitar
Rate 0.3, Depth 60, Manual 2.5, Feedback -50, Stereo 120, Mix 50%
Subtle movement
Rate 0.08, Depth 40, Manual 4, Feedback 20, Stereo 90, Mix 30%
Hints and tips
- Automate Manual for the hand-on-the-tape-reel effect.
- Slow Rate (0.05 to 0.2 Hz) is the classic, dramatic sweep.
- Negative Feedback sounds hollow; positive rings: try both.
Chains it works best in
Every Original works in a chain with the others and with members' hardware. These are good places to start.
- Contrail then Spoolhaus: a vintage tape-flanged drum bus
- Contrail then Platen: a psychedelic guitar
- Fettle then Contrail: flanged, punchy drums
Watch out for
- High Feedback with high Mix: piercing. Lower one of them.
Contrail is free
Like every DigMusiK plugin, Contrail is free for registered members: it's part of the platform, so the chains you hand on and send for approval play the same for everyone. Try it in your studio, on your own mix.