What is a Phase Shifter?

Question

Related to an offboard sound modification device, I believe, and yet I don't know what that is either.

Answer 1

here's a great article on phasers
http://www.harmony-central.com/Effects/Articles/Phase_Shifting/

and a quick answer:
"The phase shifter (or phaser) achieves its distinctive sound by creating one or more notches in the frequency domain that eliminate sounds at the notch frequencies (the flanger also makes use of notches, and it is actually one specific type of phasing). The notches are created by simply filtering the signal, and mixing the filter output with the input signal. The filters can be designed so that we can independently control the location of each notch, the number of notches, and even control the width of the notches. This can lead to many interesting sonic possibilities."

Answer 2

A Phase Shifter is an aduio effect that takes the incoming signal, and changes the wave length to produce new sounds. The usual sounds are swirling and hypnotic effects.
Eddie Van Halen uses the effect quite often, and quite effectively on his songs.
Ain't Talking 'Bout Love, and Eruption are classic examples of this effect.

Answer 3

You know the "Hey Mr. DJ song" by Madonna?
Remember the part when she sings "Music, Music, Music, Music, Music, Music, Music, Music."
She uses a phase shifter there. It makes it sound all funky.