The LFO
Waveform shapes, host-synced or free-running, with per-destination depth. A Pro feature.
The LFO is a per-pad low-frequency oscillator that sweeps your granular and playback parameters in a repeating cycle. Each pad has its own LFO, and you choose how far it pushes each destination. It is one of the two sources in the modulation matrix, alongside the modulation envelope.
You will find the LFO on the LFO tab of the pad properties panel — the same area that hosts the LINEAR, GRAN, and ENV tabs. Select a pad first, then open the tab.
Shape
Pick the LFO’s waveform from the row of shape buttons at the top of the tab:
| Button | Shape |
|---|---|
| SIN | Sine — smooth, rounded sweep |
| TRI | Triangle — linear ramp up and down |
| SAW | Saw — ramp then snap |
| SQR | Square — hard jump between two values |
| S&H | Sample & Hold — stepped random values |
| RND | Smooth Random — drifting random curve |
The default shape is SIN.
Rate
The SYNC / FREE toggle sets how the LFO measures its speed.
Host-synced (SYNC)
In SYNC mode the LFO locks to the project (or AUv3 host) tempo, so the cycle stays in time as the BPM changes. Choose the length of one cycle from the division menu:
1/16, 1/8, 1/8. (dotted), 1/4, 1/4. (dotted), 1/2, 1/2. (dotted), 1 (one bar), and 2 (two bars).
The default division is 1/4 (one beat per cycle).
Free-running (FREE)
In FREE mode the RATE slider sets the speed directly in Hertz, independent of tempo.
| Control | What it does | Range / default |
|---|---|---|
| RATE | Free-running LFO speed | 0.05 – 30 Hz, default 1.00 Hz |
Reset on trigger
The RESET ON TRIGGER switch decides whether the LFO restarts its cycle each time the pad is played. With it on (the default), every hit begins from the same point in the waveform, so the modulation is consistent and rhythmic. Turn it off to let the LFO free-wheel, giving each hit a different starting phase for a looser, more evolving feel.
Destinations and depth
Below the source controls is the DESTINATIONS list. Each row is a parameter the LFO can move, with its own bipolar depth control from -1 to +1. Positive and negative depths push the parameter in opposite directions, and a depth of 0 means the LFO leaves that destination alone. You can drive several destinations from the same LFO at once.
The available destinations are:
- GRAIN POS, GRAIN SIZE, GRAIN PCH, GRAIN DEN — the core granular parameters
- VOLUME and PAN — the pad’s level and stereo position
- PITCH (st) — playback pitch in semitones
- START — the linear playback start point
To see how the LFO and the modulation envelope combine across all destinations, read The Modulation Matrix.
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