i had a similar issue with the vortex flanger...i loved the flashback, the HoF, and the Ditto, and was offered the Vortex very cheap so i took a chance. I hated it. Very harsh and like you said, artificial sounding. I sold it and immediately went back to my mxr evh flanger. Different pedals do different things, even under the same umbrella of chorus, flange, od, etc. You'll find one that works for you.