MXR gear on the Anagram

MXR started in Rochester, New York, in the early 1970s and made some of the first compact effects pedals sold in large numbers. The Phase 90 and the Dyna Comp are its best known designs. Both are simple, with one or two knobs, and both are still made today.

Cognate Audio describes Cognate Cursive as a circuit-level model of the four-stage JFET phaser in the little orange box. That can only be the Phase 90, and the badge reads confirmed. Cursive stretches the idea to sixteen stages and adds envelope and barber-pole modes, plus a crossover that keeps the bass lows dry.

Darkglass's built-in Pheral 91 Phaser is likely the Phase 90 or the gentler Phase 45, inferred from the name. HariyamaLab names no pedal for Dinah, but its two-knob OTA design matches the Dyna Comp and the Ross compressor, so it is likely too.

Cognate Audio also says one mode of Cognate Hologram is inspired by MXR's Model 126 Flanger/Doubler.

The Phase 90 gives a slow, liquid swirl that suits funk rhythm parts and clean bass lines. The Dyna Comp squeezes notes hard and adds sustain, with that slightly clicky attack heard on lots of country and funk guitar.

On bass, phasers can thin out the low end, so look for a crossover or a mix control. Cursive has one built in. With Dinah, the Sensitivity knob moves threshold, gain and timing together, so go slowly with it.

Try Pheral 91 Phaser first, since it is built in. If you want more stages and a proper bass crossover, move on to Cognate Cursive.