Soundtoys Tremolator - Manual (Page 25)

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Creating a New LFO Shape / Adding “Points” to the Waveform:
Creating a new shape is really pretty easy. To create a new shape you first need to
add a new “point” in the waveform (you’ll notice that the starting shape is a sine
wave with three points: one at each end and one in the middle at the top). To add a
new “point”, simply click anywhere on the green waveform; this will insert a new
point. To remove a point, hold down the option key while clicking on it with the
mouse. To change the shape of the wave, click on the new point and drag it up, down
sideways etc. You will see that the shape of the green waveform line will change
based on where you position the point. Letting go of the mouse will position the
point where you left it. You can create as many points on the waveform you like and
use the “grab/move” operation to reposition any of the points. This process allows
you to create some REALLY complex wave shapes.
Smoothing:
The “Smoothing” control allows you to “round out” the edges in the wave shape
between the points. When smoothing is set to zero (no smoothing), the waveform will
have a stair-step appearance and will jump abruptly from point to point. By increas-
ing the “Smoothing” control you can decrease the abrupt changes between the
points and smooth out the transitions between points by varying amounts. When set
to its maximum value the waveform will be completely smooth.
Smoothing Mode:
The Smoothing Mode determines the “shape” of the smoothing that will be used to
connect the points. This further increases the variety of waveforms you can create
within the LFO Shape Editor. The Smoothing Mode choices are as follows:
Linear: Points are connected using straight lines
Sine: Produces a sinusoidal-like waveform, which is very smooth.
Exp: Produces a “scooped”, curved waveform where the curve is not even but kind of
“rises quickly”, similar in shape to those used in an exponential analog ADSR
envelope
Sym: Produces a curved shape that is even and symmetrical.
Naming and Saving Custom Waveforms:
Once you have edited a shape and created a new LFO waveform, the Shape LED dis-
play will show the word “custom” indicating that a new shape has been created. To
keep your wave shape handiwork from going to data-heaven, you need to save it and
give it a name. Pressing the Save button allows you to name and save the waveform
for future use. Once saved, the new shape will appear in the “Shape” pop-up menu
under the Preset menu entry and can be selected as previously described.