The Anasounds Phase Lag is a vintage-style phaser pedal, handmade in France by Anasounds and housed in a bamboo wood enclosure. Anasounds describes it as an "organic, psychedelic, atmospheric phaser" whose analog modulation sweeps the full frequency range of your signal, from a slow spatialization effect to a vibrato at faster settings1.
The pedal is discontinued. Anasounds marked it as a discontinued product sold while stocks last2, and some of the remaining units were offered as B-stock: the same audio guarantee, but with cosmetic flaws from manufacturing1. A related version, the Phase Lag Optical Phaser, was reviewed by Pedal of the Day in 2018.
What it does and how it sounds
A phaser splits your signal and shifts the phase of one copy across the frequency spectrum, then recombines the two, producing the moving, sweeping notches that give the effect its characteristic whoosh. In the Phase Lag, Anasounds says the modulation "sweeps all the frequencies of your sound wether the rate is slow or fast, from a gorgeous spatialization effect to a vibrato"1. At slow rate settings that reads as a spacious, atmospheric wash; pushed faster, the sweep tightens toward a vibrato-style wobble.
The circuit is fully analog, built on OTA (operational transconductance amplifier) technology with OPA Texas Instruments integrated circuits, which Anasounds credits with both its sound and its effect quality2. A hum and noise filter inside the pedal is part of the power design1.
Controls
The Phase Lag keeps its control set minimal, with two external knobs:
That two-knob layout means the pedal is set up for straightforward use: Rate controls the speed of the modulation, and Regen controls the intensity4.
Power and connections
The Phase Lag runs on an external 9V DC supply with negative polarity, drawing 6.8 mA1. There is no battery option; the pedal is external-supply only2. The low current draw makes it easy to run from a typical pedalboard power supply, and the built-in hum and noise filter is there to keep the power feed quiet1.
No battery compartment: the Phase Lag needs a 9V DC center-negative power supply or equivalent pedalboard output. It cannot run on a 9V battery.
Input impedance is 260 kΩ and output impedance is 440 Ω1, figures that sit comfortably with typical guitar-level gear.
Build and origin
The enclosure is bamboo wood1, a departure from the folded-steel or diecast-aluminum boxes most pedals use. Anasounds builds all of its pedals by hand in France3.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day reviewed the Phase Lag in February 2018 and summed up its character5:
"Organic, psychedelic and atmospheric, three perfect words to describe a near-perfect phase effect4."
Pedal of the Day, 20184
The same review walked through the two controls, confirming Rate as the modulation speed and Regen as the intensity4.
Videos
Anasounds
Pedal of the Day
Strings Shop
Questions
Is the Anasounds Phase Lag discontinued?
Yes. Anasounds lists the Phase Lag as a discontinued product, sold while stocks last. Some remaining units were offered as B-stock, meaning the same audio guarantee but with cosmetic flaws from manufacturing. Finding one new now depends on leftover dealer or maker stock.
Does the Anasounds Phase Lag take a battery?
No. The Phase Lag is powered only by an external 9V DC supply with negative polarity. There is no battery compartment, so it needs a pedalboard power supply or a wall adapter to run.
Is the Phase Lag analog?
Yes. Anasounds describes the modulation as 100% analog, built on OTA (operational transconductance amplifier) technology with OPA Texas Instruments integrated circuits. There is no digital processing in the signal path.
Where is the Anasounds Phase Lag made?
All Anasounds pedals, including the Phase Lag, are handmade in France. The company builds its pedals there rather than outsourcing production.
What is the Phase Lag enclosure made of?
Bamboo wood. The Phase Lag's enclosure is bamboo rather than the more common folded steel or diecast aluminum box, which gives it a distinctive look on a pedalboard.
Sources (5)
- phase lag, Anasounds, 2023-01-18
- phase lag, Anasounds, 2022-07-05
- phase lag, Anasounds, 2019-04-29
- Anasounds Phase Lag Organic Phaser, Pedal of the Day, 2018-02-07
- Anasounds Phase Lag Optical Phaser - Pedal of the Day, Pedal of the Day
