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March 2024: all pages have been checked and are up-to-date

Tremolo/Panner block

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Tremolo block.png

Available on which Fractal Audio products

  • Axe-Fx III: 2 blocks
  • Axe-Fx II: 2 blocks
  • AX8: 1 block
  • FX8: 2 blocks

X/Y and channels

  • Axe-Fx III: 4 channels
  • Axe-Fx II Mk I and II: no
  • Axe-Fx II XL and XL+: X/Y
  • AX8: X/Y
  • FX8: X/Y

Position of the Tremolo/Panner block

If the Tremolo block is placed before the Amp block and there's a lot of amp gain, the tremolo effect will be less noticeable because of the compression. Adjust the waveform or the Duty parameter to emphasize the pulse. Or move the block to a position after the Amp block.

Panner effect

The Panner pans the signal left and right, just like a ping pong delay. This requires the signal not being summed to mono after the Tremolo/Panner block.

You can make the Panner effect appear “fuller” and “wider” by adding the Stereo Enhancer behind it.

Parameters

Parameters table

Parameter Axe-Fx III Axe-Fx II AX8, FX8
Type yes
Rate yes
Tempo yes
Depth yes
LFO Type yes
LFO Duty Cycle yes
LFO Phase yes
Start Phase yes
Crossover Slope, Freq yes
Panner — Width yes
Panner — Pan Center yes

Depth

There's no Mix parameter In the Tremolo block. Depth is the same as Mix, because a tremolo's modulation is volume-based.

"Mix makes no sense in a tremolo as it is the same as reducing the depth." source

Start Phase

You can make the Tremolo start on the beat (triggered) by using the Start Phase parameter. This applies to engaging the effect, not to hitting the strings.

To align the Tremolo to the moment that you hit the strings, set Rate to “LFO1 SYNC”, sync LFO1 to a Tempo, and attach the LFO to the Envelope follower.

Duty

Use this parameter to change the character of the tremolo peaks, from a regular tremolo to electronic "blobs".

Special Tremolo effects

Tremolo in Amp block

The Amp block provides its own Bias Tremolo effect. Its effect depends on the specific amp model.

Read more: Amp block.

Ring Modulator as a tremolo

You can configure the Ring Modulator to operate as a tremolo, by turning down Frequency all the way.

Flanger as a tremolo

You can even turn a Flanger into a tremolo.

Shuffle tremolo

Create a "shuffle" tremolo

Flint tremolo

Create a "Flint" harmonic tremolo

Strymon's white paper about tremolo types