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RBF-10 Flanger
Boss Micro Studio Series Vol.1, 1986:
Superior S/N Ratio Achieved with Built-in Noise Reduction
The RBF-10 is a stereo flanger with its 2 outputs consisting of D+E and D-E. Most conventional flangers are only applicable for guitars and basses due to their tendency to decrease S/N ratio as the direct sound is intensively modified. Overcoming this barrier is the RBF-10’s built-in noise reduction circuitry for noiseless flanging. That means that the RBF-10 can be used with anything from keyboards to vocals. In addition to the RATE and DEPTH controls, there is a MANUAL control for selecting the center frequency of the flanging effect. The FEEDBACK control assists in creating rich flanging effects with normal or inverted phase. With the MIX control, the proportion of direct to the effect sound may be varied. By creatively using these controls, many different sound effects ranging from an intense jet-like whooshing to a pleasant chorus type sound to vibrato may be produced.
CONTROLS
MANUAL: For selecting the center frequency of the flanging effect. Set it to best match your instrument’s tonal characteristics.
RATE: For adjusting the speed of the flanging effect. Turn clock wise for increased speed and counterclockwise to slow it down.
DEPTH: This adjusts the depth of the flanging modulation. Turn clockwise for a deeper-sounding effect and counterclockwise for shallower flanging.
FEEDBACK: For controlling the amount of the feedback signal in normal (NOR) or inverted (INV) phase. Increase the FEEDBACK setting for emphasizing the flanging effect.
MIX: For adjusting the proportion of direct sound to effect sound. Very useful when the RBF-10 is patched into a mixer effects loop.
Point Of Performance
The RBF-10 can produce very intense effects, so good musical sense is required to make optimum use of this unit. Fig. 1 is the setting for “jet” flanging. By inserting a distortion unit just before the RBF-10, that metallic guitar sound so essential to heavy metal music can be produced. When used with a synthesizer, the RBF-10 will really make a lead solo stand out from the rest of the backing. The key here is to increase the FEEDBACK level to a point where the prominent characteristics of flangers are really emphasized. Good examples are represented by Anthony Jackson’s playing, when accentuating the treble on bass, or adding flanging effects to cymbals and other percussion during recording, which is possible with the RBF-10’s superior S/N ratio. The range of exciting applications is limited only by your imagination. Fig. 2 depicts a chorus like setting. The very wide range of control afforded by the RBF-10 enables chorus- and phaser-like sounds to be produced as well.
Trick & Shock
For most flanging effects, normal (NOR) feedback is usually applied. The RBF-10 will even allow you to invert (INV) feedback. This Invert Feedback function is really helpful when you want to create deep resonance effects, without that metallic-sounding characteristic of flangers. The result will be a pleasing, mild sound with slightly unusual flanging effects, somewhat similar to a phaser.
