Sampler LFO waveforms in MainStage
You can use the LFO Waveform pop-up menu to choose different LFO waveforms. The table outlines how these waveforms can affect your sounds. See Sampler LFO overview.
Tip: Try different waveforms while a modulation routing of Pitch is engaged and running to better understand how they affect the sound.
Waveform | Comments | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sine | Well-suited for vibrato effects. | ||||||||||
Triangle | Well-suited for subtle modulations, particularly on pad, string, and other sustained sounds. | ||||||||||
Sawtooth | Well-suited for helicopter and space gun sounds. Intense modulations of pitch with a bipolar sawtooth wave lead to bubbling sounds. Intense sawtooth modulations of lowpass filter cutoff and resonance create rhythmic effects. Interesting results can be generated by changing the start point of the modulation cycle with the Phase field. | ||||||||||
Square | Use of square/rectangle waves periodically switches the LFO between two values. The upper wave cycle switches between a positive value and 0. The lower wave cycle switches between a positive and a negative value set to the same amount above or below 0. You can achieve an interesting effect by modulating the Pitch target with a suitable modulation intensity that leads to an interval of a fifth. | ||||||||||
Random | The two Random waveforms output random values. A random value is selected at regular intervals, as defined by the LFO Rate parameter. The Random waveform steps between randomized values (rapid switches between values). The Smoothed Random wave moves more fluidly between values. Tip: A random modulation of Pitch leads to an effect commonly referred to as a random pitch pattern generator or sample and hold. Try using very high notes, at very high rates and high intensities—you’ll recognize this well-known effect from hundreds of science fiction movies. | ||||||||||