The PH-2 adds an effect similar to that of a rotary speaker. With a phase shift circuit that provides twelve stages of adjustment for smooth, professional-sounding phasing. Two modes give you completely different tonal characteristics: one for a standard effect, and the other for a deep, rich phased effect ideal for a funky guitar sound.

With Rate you adjust the rate tempo of the phase oscillation or frequency sweep. Depth controls the amount of phase effected signal that is mixed with the direct signal. This can be seen as the width of the sweep. Resonance (Res) controls the amount of phased signal to be resent back in with the dry signal to be re-phased. This is the feedback level. Mode selects between phaser mode 1 or 2. Choose Mode I for a more mellow, broad phase effect. Switch it into Mode 2 for a more in-your-face phase attack.

Boss Pocket Dictionary vol.4 (1987):
The PH-2 Super Phaser enables the player to vary the phase of the original sound and to adjust the phase depth as well as allowing sweep speed variance to an extraordinary degree. The Phase Shift mode control allows 12 stages of adjustment for smoother phase shifting and deeper phase effects. The 2 modes give completely different tonal qualities to suit all guitar, bass guitar and keyboard characteristics and provide phase effects of professional quality.

Using the PH-2

• Mode I gives your sound added depth of phase, ranging from the low frequency bands all the way to the high notes with the 1O-stage phase-shifting circuitry This mode will ensure the maximum effect when chord cutting on your guitar
• Mode II's 12-stage phase-shifting circuitry produces sharp, intense sounds ideally suited for the guitar's muting sounds as well rhythmic clavinet playing and similar styles.
• Sweep speed variance ranges from 100ms all the way to 14 sec are adjusted by the Rate control, while deeper-sounding phase effects are possible with the resonance control engineered to adjust feedback The Depth controls allows notch depth adjustment to create wide-ranging effects ranging from rotary speaker-like effects to harsh jet sounds
• Setting for creating Lee Ritenours favorite backing (Fig 1: Rate 2, Depth 10, Res 7, Mode II)
• Reaggae guitar sound setting (Fig 2: Rate 4, Depth 6, Res 5, Mode II)