MXR Phase 95 Settings Guide
The MXR Phase 95 combines the Phase 45 and Phase 90 circuits in a compact enclosure with a Script/Block toggle and a 45/90 toggle. The Phase 90 (used by Eddie Van Halen on the brown-sound recordings) and the Phase 45 (warmer, less phasing stages) are both available, with the Script toggle selecting original vintage-spec operation (warmer, less aggressive) vs. the current-production Block spec. The most comprehensive MXR phaser pedal.
Used by: Eddie Van Halen
The best MXR Phase 95 settings start with: Speed at 3/10. Adjust from there based on your amp, guitar, and room volume. For Classic Rock (Phase 90, EVH): 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
Phase 90 mode (toggle set to 90) — the 4-stage phaser used by Eddie Van Halen on Van Halen I. Speed at 4 produces the medium-speed sweep that characterises Eruption's clean intro and the phased rhythm parts. The Script toggle selects vintage-spec operation; Block mode is more aggressive.
Phase 90 at higher Speed — the fast phaser sweep used in funk and R&B rhythm guitar. At Speed 6 the phase sweep is rhythmically prominent and adds movement to clean chord playing. Used extensively in 1970s funk and disco production.
Phase 45 mode (toggle set to 45) at slow Speed — the 2-stage phaser has a subtler, warmer sweep than the Phase 90. At Speed 2 the sweep is slow enough that it adds gentle movement without the obvious jet-sweep of the Phase 90. Used as an "always-on" subtle modulation.
Phase 45 at medium Speed — the more musical, less prominent alternative to the Phase 90 for rhythm guitar. The 2-stage phaser is less aggressive; at these settings it adds modulation texture without dominating the tone. Suited to players who find the Phase 90 too obvious in a band mix.
Artist Settings
Documented settings used by professional guitarists on this unit.
Van Halen used the Phase 90 (Script logo, vintage spec) on the first five Van Halen albums. The characteristic sweep on Eruption's clean intro section is the most cited example. Script mode is important — the Block-logo Phase 90 has a slightly more modern, aggressive character that doesn't match the original recordings.
Tips & Common Mistakes
- Script vs. Block refers to the logo on original vintage Phase 90 units — Script logo (1974–1981) units used different resistor values (R28) that produce a slightly warmer, less aggressive sweep. The Phase 95's Script/Block toggle replicates this difference. Script = warmer, more vintage; Block = slightly brighter and more aggressive phasing.
FAQ
MXR Phase 95 — Common Questions
Best starting settings for MXR Phase 95: Speed at 3/10. Adjust from there based on your guitar, room, and playing style.
For Classic Rock (Phase 90, EVH): Speed 4/10. Phase 90 mode (toggle set to 90) — the 4-stage phaser used by Eddie Van Halen on Van Halen I. Speed at 4 produces the medium-speed sweep that characterises Eruption's clean intro and the phased rhythm parts. The Script toggle selects vintage-spec operation; Block mode is more aggressive.
For Funk / Rhythm: Speed 6/10. Phase 90 at higher Speed — the fast phaser sweep used in funk and R&B rhythm guitar. At Speed 6 the phase sweep is rhythmically prominent and adds movement to clean chord playing. Used extensively in 1970s funk and disco production.
Speed: Phaser modulation speed (Slow to Fast)
Script vs. Block refers to the logo on original vintage Phase 90 units — Script logo (1974–1981) units used different resistor values (R28) that produce a slightly warmer, less aggressive sweep. The Phase 95's Script/Block toggle replicates this difference. Script = warmer, more vintage; Block = slightly brighter and more aggressive phasing.
Eddie Van Halen settings: Speed 4/10. Van Halen used the Phase 90 (Script logo, vintage spec) on the first five Van Halen albums. The characteristic sweep on Eruption's clean intro section is the most cited example. Script mode is important — the Block-logo Phase 90 has a slightly more modern, aggressive character that doesn't match the original recordings.
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