October 2024: Fractal Audio's VP4 Virtual Pedalboard has been added to the wiki.
Difference between revisions of "Tremolo/Panner block"
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'''AX8''': 1 block, X/Y<BR> | '''AX8''': 1 block, X/Y<BR> | ||
'''FX8''': 2 blocks, X/Y | '''FX8''': 2 blocks, X/Y | ||
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| + | [[image:Tremolo block.png|300px]] | ||
=Tremolo/Panner types= | =Tremolo/Panner types= | ||
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| − | |||
# '''Bias Trem''' — Tube simulation algorithm that replicates the bias tremolo in vintage tube amps. As the FM3 does not support Bias Tremolo in the Amp block, use this instead. | # '''Bias Trem''' — Tube simulation algorithm that replicates the bias tremolo in vintage tube amps. As the FM3 does not support Bias Tremolo in the Amp block, use this instead. | ||
| − | # '''Harmonic Trem''' — Recreates the famous sound of the tremolo circuit in the old <q>Brownface</q> amplifiers. This effect splits the spectrum and applies modulation to the two frequency bands. The | + | # '''Harmonic Trem''' — Recreates the famous sound of the tremolo circuit in the old <q>Brownface</q> amplifiers. This effect splits the spectrum and applies modulation to the two frequency bands. The CROSSOVER SLOPE parameter selects the filter order for the crossover. The original circuit used a 6 dB/octave crossover. Higher slopes can give a more intense effect. The crossover frequency can be changed with the CROSSOVER FREQUENCY parameter. Note: unlike most implementations, the Axe-Fx III version is full stereo and can be used before or after the Amp block without losing stereo separation. Additionally, the effect supports LFO PHASE for the left/right which can be used to achieve unique sounds. Furthermore, the effect supports LFO types other than Sine for even more unique sound. |
| + | # '''Neon Trem''' — Based on the optical tremolo in classic <q>Blackface</q> amps which used a neon bulb to illuminate the LDR. | ||
# '''Optical Trem 1''' — Based on optical pedal tremolos where depth controls the intensity of the LED. | # '''Optical Trem 1''' — Based on optical pedal tremolos where depth controls the intensity of the LED. | ||
| − | # '''Optical Trem 2''' — Based on optical pedal tremolos where | + | # '''Optical Trem 2''' — Based on optical pedal tremolos where Depth controls a <q>mixer</q> pot. This type has more <q>throb</q> than Optical Trem 1. |
| − | # ''' | + | # '''Panner''' — Stereo left/right panning. |
| + | # '''VCA Trem''' — Previously known as <q>Tremolo</q>. Based on a voltage-controlled amplifier topology. | ||
The Bias and Harmonic types use nonlinear processing techniques and, as such, may add distortion to the audio signal, just as their tube-based counterparts would. | The Bias and Harmonic types use nonlinear processing techniques and, as such, may add distortion to the audio signal, just as their tube-based counterparts would. | ||
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</blockquote> | </blockquote> | ||
| − | = | + | =Position on the grid= |
| − | 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 of the signal. Adjust the waveform or the | + | 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 of the signal. Adjust the waveform or the DUTY parameter to emphasize the pulse. Or move the Tremolo block to a position after the Amp block. |
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. | 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. | ||
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=Parameters= | =Parameters= | ||
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==LFO Phase (mono/stereo)== | ==LFO Phase (mono/stereo)== | ||
| − | Set LFO | + | Set LFO PHASE to 0 for mono output, and to any other value for stereo output. |
==Depth== | ==Depth== | ||
| − | + | A tremolo's modulation is volume-based, so there's no MIX parameter in the Tremolo block. Use DEPTH instead. | |
<blockquote>'''FRACTAL AUDIO QUOTES'''<HR></blockquote> | <blockquote>'''FRACTAL AUDIO QUOTES'''<HR></blockquote> | ||
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==Start Phase, Trigger Threshold== | ==Start Phase, Trigger Threshold== | ||
| − | To trigger the Tremolo when engaging the block, use the | + | To trigger the Tremolo when engaging the block, use the START PHASE parameter. |
| − | To trigger the Tremolo when hitting the strings (synchronize the Tremolo to your playing): turn up the | + | To trigger the Tremolo when hitting the strings (synchronize the Tremolo to your playing): turn up the TRIGGER THRESHOLD parameter. When the Tremolo is triggered, it will start and the LFO phase will start at the START PHASE value. Turn TRIGGER THRESHOLD all the way down to defeat the trigger. |
| − | In firmware without the | + | In firmware without the TRIGGER THRESHOLD parameter, set RATE to <q>LFO1 SYNC</q>, sync LFO1 to a Tempo, and attach the LFO to the Envelope follower. |
<blockquote> | <blockquote> | ||
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==Bias Tremolo in Amp block== | ==Bias Tremolo in Amp block== | ||
| − | The | + | The Amp block in the Axe-Fx II and III and FM9 provides its own Bias Tremolo. |
==Widen the panning== | ==Widen the panning== | ||
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As an alternative to using the Panner block, attach an LFO to a panning parameter in a block. | As an alternative to using the Panner block, attach an LFO to a panning parameter in a block. | ||
| − | ==Ring Modulator as | + | ==Ring Modulator as Tremolo== |
| − | You can configure the [[Ring Modulator block]] to operate as a tremolo, by turning down | + | You can configure the [[Ring Modulator block]] to operate as a tremolo, by turning down FREQUENCY all the way. |
| − | ==Volume block as | + | ==Volume block as Tremolo== |
| − | Attach the | + | Attach the VOLUME parameter in a Volume block to an LFO to create a tremolo effect. |
| − | ==Tremolo as | + | ==Tremolo as On/Off switch== |
Set the Tremolo block's LFO to Square with Depth at 100%. | Set the Tremolo block's LFO to Square with Depth at 100%. | ||
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==Vox Percussion Tremolo== | ==Vox Percussion Tremolo== | ||
| − | To recreate the Percussion Tremolo effect on old Vox guitars, set LFO | + | To recreate the Percussion Tremolo effect on old Vox guitars, set LFO TYPE to: Saw Down. |
| − | == | + | ==Sync to Metronome== |
See the forum's discussion about <q>[https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/how-to-sync-the-tremolo-to-a-metronome.155954/page-2 How to sync the Tremolo to a Metronome?]</q>. | See the forum's discussion about <q>[https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/how-to-sync-the-tremolo-to-a-metronome.155954/page-2 How to sync the Tremolo to a Metronome?]</q>. | ||
Latest revision as of 09:35, 7 November 2024
Contents
Tremolo/Panner block
Axe-Fx III: 2 blocks, 4 channels
FM3: 2 blocks, 4 channels
FM9: 2 blocks, 4 channels
VP4: 4 blocks, 4 channels
Axe-Fx II: 2 blocks, X/Y
AX8: 1 block, X/Y
FX8: 2 blocks, X/Y
Tremolo/Panner types
- Bias Trem — Tube simulation algorithm that replicates the bias tremolo in vintage tube amps. As the FM3 does not support Bias Tremolo in the Amp block, use this instead.
- Harmonic Trem — Recreates the famous sound of the tremolo circuit in the old
Brownface
amplifiers. This effect splits the spectrum and applies modulation to the two frequency bands. The CROSSOVER SLOPE parameter selects the filter order for the crossover. The original circuit used a 6 dB/octave crossover. Higher slopes can give a more intense effect. The crossover frequency can be changed with the CROSSOVER FREQUENCY parameter. Note: unlike most implementations, the Axe-Fx III version is full stereo and can be used before or after the Amp block without losing stereo separation. Additionally, the effect supports LFO PHASE for the left/right which can be used to achieve unique sounds. Furthermore, the effect supports LFO types other than Sine for even more unique sound. - Neon Trem — Based on the optical tremolo in classic
Blackface
amps which used a neon bulb to illuminate the LDR. - Optical Trem 1 — Based on optical pedal tremolos where depth controls the intensity of the LED.
- Optical Trem 2 — Based on optical pedal tremolos where Depth controls a
mixer
pot. This type has morethrob
than Optical Trem 1. - Panner — Stereo left/right panning.
- VCA Trem — Previously known as
Tremolo
. Based on a voltage-controlled amplifier topology.
The Bias and Harmonic types use nonlinear processing techniques and, as such, may add distortion to the audio signal, just as their tube-based counterparts would.
For more information see:
- The forum's discussion:
The Flint Tremolo Done Right
- Strymon's white paper:
Amplifier Tremolo TechnologyPaper
FRACTAL AUDIO QUOTES
[1] I like the Harmonic Trem on clean and light crunch before an amp. It takes on a slight phaser vibe. Another cool thing to try is to put it near the end of the chain and set the LFO Phase to 180. Funky stereo tremolo.
Position on the grid
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 of the signal. Adjust the waveform or the DUTY parameter to emphasize the pulse. Or move the Tremolo block to a position after the Amp block.
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.
Parameters
LFO Phase (mono/stereo)
Set LFO PHASE to 0 for mono output, and to any other value for stereo output.
Depth
A tremolo's modulation is volume-based, so there's no MIX parameter in the Tremolo block. Use DEPTH instead.
FRACTAL AUDIO QUOTES
[2] Mix makes no sense in a tremolo as it is the same as reducing the depth.
Duty
Use this parameter to change the character of the tremolo peaks from a regular tremolo to electronic blobs
.
Start Phase, Trigger Threshold
To trigger the Tremolo when engaging the block, use the START PHASE parameter.
To trigger the Tremolo when hitting the strings (synchronize the Tremolo to your playing): turn up the TRIGGER THRESHOLD parameter. When the Tremolo is triggered, it will start and the LFO phase will start at the START PHASE value. Turn TRIGGER THRESHOLD all the way down to defeat the trigger.
In firmware without the TRIGGER THRESHOLD parameter, set RATE to LFO1 SYNC
, sync LFO1 to a Tempo, and attach the LFO to the Envelope follower.
FRACTAL AUDIO QUOTES
[3] You can adjust where in the waveform it starts with the Start Phase control.
Tips, tricks and troubleshooting
Factory presets
The Tremolo/Panner block is showcased in many factory presets. Search the Factory presets page for tremolo
or panner
or panned
.
Bias Tremolo in Amp block
The Amp block in the Axe-Fx II and III and FM9 provides its own Bias Tremolo.
Widen the panning
Make the Panner effect appear fuller and wider, by adding the Enhancer block.
Alternative for Panner
As an alternative to using the Panner block, attach an LFO to a panning parameter in a block.
Ring Modulator as Tremolo
You can configure the Ring Modulator block to operate as a tremolo, by turning down FREQUENCY all the way.
Volume block as Tremolo
Attach the VOLUME parameter in a Volume block to an LFO to create a tremolo effect.
Tremolo as On/Off switch
Set the Tremolo block's LFO to Square with Depth at 100%.
Shuffle tremolo
See the forum's Shuffle tremolo tempo?
discussion.
Vox Percussion Tremolo
To recreate the Percussion Tremolo effect on old Vox guitars, set LFO TYPE to: Saw Down.
Sync to Metronome
See the forum's discussion about How to sync the Tremolo to a Metronome?
.
