3.5

245MainStage Instruments
MainStage ES2 integrated effects processor
ES2 is equipped with an integrated effects processor. Any changes to the parameters of
these effects are saved with each sound setting.
You can activate only two effects at the same time.
• Distortion
• Choose the Chorus, the Flanger, or the Phaser effect. These effects share the same
control knobs—Intensity and Speed.
A chorus effect is based on a delay line, the output of which is mixed with the original,
dry signal. The short delay time is modulated periodically, resulting in pitch deviations.
The modulated deviations, in conjunction with the original signal pitch, produce the
chorus effect.
A flanger works in a similar fashion to a chorus, but with even shorter delay times. The
output signal is fed back into the input of the delay line. This feedback results in the
creation of harmonic resonances that wander cyclically through the spectrum, giving
the signal a “metallic” sound.
A phaser mixes a delayed and an original signal. The delayed element is derived from
an allpass filter, which applies a frequency-dependent delay to the signal. This is
expressed as a phase angle. The effect is based on a comb filter, which is basically an
array of inharmonic notches—rather than resonances, as with the flanger—that also
wanders through the frequency spectrum.
ES2 Distortion effect parameters
• Soft button: Activate the Distortion effect Soft mode. The distortion circuit sounds
somewhat like a tube overdrive.
• Hard button: Activate the Distortion effect Hard mode. The distortion effect sounds like
a fully transistorized fuzz box.
• Distortion knob: Set the amount of distortion. Turn this knob to zero to disable the
effect.
• Tone knob: Control the treble portion of the distortion signal.