Phazor
Key Features
- Authentic Access Virus phaser emulation with carefully matched controls and behavior
- Selectable 1 to 6 stage all-pass filters for varying phasing intensity and complexity
- LFO-driven modulation with adjustable depth and rate for precise sweep control
- Stereo spread control for wide, immersive phasing effects across the stereo field
- Feedback control that ranges from subtle coloration to aggressive, near-distorted tones
- Dry/wet mix knob for parallel blending of the processed and original signal
- Extremely low CPU usage allowing multiple instances without performance impact
Description
Phazor by Adam Szabo is a phaser effect plugin meticulously modeled after the phaser circuit found in the Access Virus hardware synthesizer. Every control has been carefully tuned to match the behavior of the original hardware, delivering that signature Virus-style phase shifting with convincing accuracy.
The plugin offers selectable 1 to 6 stage all-pass filters driven by an internal LFO, with dedicated frequency, feedback, and stereo spread controls. A depth and rate section shapes the LFO modulation, while a mix knob lets you dial in the perfect balance between dry and processed signal.
Originally released in 2012 as a 32-bit Windows VST, Phazor was rebuilt with native 64-bit support for both Windows and macOS in 2016. The updated version maintains the same interface and sound character while gaining AU format compatibility and modern DAW support.
Despite its compact interface, Phazor produces an impressively wide range of phasing effects. Subtle phase shifts, deep swirling sweeps, and aggressive near-distorted tones are all within reach by adjusting the stage count and feedback amount.
CPU usage is minimal even with multiple instances running in a project, making it practical for heavy sessions. Users consistently praise the sound quality, with many considering it the definitive phaser plugin for reproducing that distinctive Virus-era digital phase character.
Phazor is available in VST and AU formats for Windows and macOS, in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Version 1.0.1 is the latest release.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does Phazor compare to the actual Access Virus phaser?
Adam Szabo devoted significant effort to matching every control and sonic characteristic of the Virus phaser. Users and reviewers consistently report that the emulation is spot-on, faithfully reproducing the distinctive digital phasing character of the hardware.
Can Phazor sync to the host DAW tempo?
No, Phazor only operates in free-running LFO mode with manual rate adjustment. There is no tempo-sync option, so you need to set the LFO rate by ear to match your project's tempo.
What is the difference between the stage settings?
The stage selector controls how many all-pass filter stages are used, from 1 to 6. Lower stage counts produce subtle, gentle phasing, while higher counts create deeper, more pronounced sweep effects with additional notches in the frequency spectrum.
Does Phazor work in Apple Silicon DAWs?
Phazor is available as a native 64-bit AU and VST plugin for macOS. Users report it works well in AU format on Mac, though the developer page does not specifically list Apple Silicon as a supported architecture.
