MXR Phase 90 Settings Guide
Eddie Van Halen's phaser. Four-stage phasing with a single knob. Simple and musical.
The best MXR Phase 90 settings start with: Speed at 3/10. Adjust from there based on your amp, guitar, and room volume. For Rock: Speed 4/10.
⚡ Start Here — Recommended Settings
| Control | Starting Position | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 3/10 | Slow → Fast |
These are universal starting points. Adjust based on your amp, guitar, and room. Scroll down for genre-specific settings and artist-documented positions.
What Each Control Does
Recommended Starting Settings
Safe starting positions for any style. Adjust from here based on your amp and room.
All values on a 0–10 scale. These are starting points — fine-tune by ear.
Settings by Genre
Moderate speed. Adds width without becoming obvious.
Faster sweep for the funky phased rhythm guitar sound.
Very slow sweep — almost imperceptible motion that adds life.
Artist Settings
Documented settings used by professional guitarists on this unit.
EVH set the Phase 90 slow — around 9 o'clock. The phase is subtle, not obvious.
Tips & Common Mistakes
- The Phase 90 is most effective before the amp rather than in the effects loop — it colours the drive stage.
- Slow settings (9-10 o'clock) are the most musical — faster settings quickly become obvious.
- There is an "R28" resistor modification that gives a warmer, smoother vintage character (the "script" sound).
FAQ
MXR Phase 90 — Common Questions
Best starting settings for MXR Phase 90: Speed at 3/10. Adjust from there based on your guitar, room, and playing style.
For Rock: Speed 4/10. Moderate speed. Adds width without becoming obvious.
For Funk: Speed 7/10. Faster sweep for the funky phased rhythm guitar sound.
Speed: Rate of the phase sweep. EVH setting: about 9 o'clock (slow). (Slow to Fast)
The Phase 90 is most effective before the amp rather than in the effects loop — it colours the drive stage. Slow settings (9-10 o'clock) are the most musical — faster settings quickly become obvious. There is an "R28" resistor modification that gives a warmer, smoother vintage character (the "script" sound).
Eddie Van Halen settings: Speed 3/10. EVH set the Phase 90 slow — around 9 o'clock. The phase is subtle, not obvious.