An audio effect that creates a sweeping, whooshing sound by mixing a signal with a slightly delayed copy of itself, where the delay time varies continuously. This produces a characteristic jet-like or underwater sound quality.
Named after the technique of placing a finger on the flange (rim) of a tape reel to create slight speed variations, developed in the 1960s. The effect was later recreated electronically, but the name stuck from its manual tape manipulation origins.
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