Retro Synth Glide/Autobend, LFOs, and envelopes are known as modulation generators. These modulation sources are used to control modulation targets, such as oscillator pitch or filter cutoff.
The Volume Envelope is dedicated to control of the sound level over time. The Filter Envelope controls the filter over time. See Retro Synth envelopes.
The LFO is used as a source for multiple modulation targets. The Vibrato modulation source is dedicated to control of oscillator pitch. See Retro Synth LFO and Vibrato.
Glide—also known as portamento—and Autobend are hardwired to control oscillator pitch. See Retro Synth Glide and Autobend.
You should make use of all modulation options because they can help you to create expressive performances.
If you’re new to synthesizers and the concepts behind modulation generators, such as LFOs and envelopes, see Synthesizer basics overview.
The Analog, Sync, and Wavetable oscillator waveform shapes can be modulated by following these steps. In the FM synth engine, you can modulate the FM or Harmonic amount (or both).
In MainStage, move the control toward LFO or Filter Env. Positions further away from the centered (off) position make waveform modulation more intense.
Adjust the controls of the LFO (click the LFO tab if the Vibrato pane is visible) and Filter Env sections. See LFO and Vibrato and envelopes.
If you are using the LFO, select a waveform.
If the (LFO) Sync switch is turned off:
Adjust the Via Amount slider to the right of the waveform graphic to set the maximum modulation intensity (the highest LFO speed).
Move your MIDI keyboard modulation wheel to change the LFO speed. If you don’t want to use your keyboard modulation wheel, click the Via pop-up menu to assign a different MIDI controller.
If you are using the Filter Envelope, drag the handles to set the attack, decay, sustain, and release values. Drag the Velocity slider to set the sensitivity of envelope modulation by velocity.
In MainStage, rotate the Vibrato knob to set the amount of vibrato (pitch modulation).
Click the Vibrato tab if the LFO pane is visible.
Select a vibrato waveform.
If the Sync switch is turned off, drag the Rate note to set the vibrato speed. If the Sync switch is turned on, vibrato speed is controlled by the MainStage tempo. See LFO and Vibrato.
If the (Vibrato) Sync switch is turned off:
Adjust the Via Amount slider to the right of the waveform graphic to set the maximum modulation intensity (the highest vibrato speed).
Move your MIDI keyboard modulation wheel to change the vibrato speed. If you don’t want to use your keyboard modulation wheel, click the Via pop-up menu to assign a different MIDI controller.
