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Difference between revisions of "Tremolo/Panner block"

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* when engaging the block: use the Start Phase parameter.
 
* when engaging the block: use the Start Phase parameter.
  
* when hitting the strings (synchronize the Tremolo to your playing): turn up the Trigger Threshold parameter (firmware Ares 12 and later). 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.
+
* when hitting the strings (synchronize the Tremolo to your playing): turn up the Trigger Threshold parameter (firmware Ares 12 and later). When the Tremolo is triggered, it will start and the LFO phase will start at the Start Phase value. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=452RWzbV0tE Demonstration] Turn Trigger Threshold all the way down to defeat the trigger.
  
 
In earlier firmware without trigger Threshold, set Rate to “LFO1 SYNC”, sync LFO1 to a Tempo, and attach the LFO to the Envelope follower.
 
In earlier firmware without trigger Threshold, set Rate to “LFO1 SYNC”, sync LFO1 to a Tempo, and attach the LFO to the Envelope follower.

Revision as of 15:46, 20 July 2021

Tremolo block.png

Available on which products

  • Axe-Fx III: 2 blocks
  • FM3: 2 blocks
  • Axe-Fx II: 2 blocks
  • AX8: 1 block
  • FX8: 2 blocks

Channels or X/Y switching

  • Axe-Fx III and FM3: 4 channels
  • Axe-Fx II Mk I and II: no
  • Axe-Fx II XL and XL+: X/Y
  • AX8: X/Y
  • FX8: X/Y

Tremolo/Panner types

The block provides the following types in firmware Ares and later:

  • Tremolo
  • Panner — stereo panning between left and right
  • Bias Trem — tube emulation algorithm to replicate the bias tremolo used in vintage tube amps. As the FM3 does not support the Amp block’s Bias Tremolo, 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 sounds
  • Optical Trem

Both Bias Trem and Harmonic Trem use nonlinear processing techniques and, as such, may add distortion to the audio signal, just as their tube-based counterparts would.

"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." [1]

Forum discussion about harmonic tremolo

Strymon's white paper on tremolo types

Position of the Tremolo/Panner block 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.

Factory presets

The Tremolo/Panner block is showcased in many factory presets. Search the Factory presets page for "tremolo" or "panner" or "panned".

Parameters

Parameters table

Parameter Axe-Fx III / FM3 Axe-Fx II
Type yes
Rate yes
Tempo yes
Depth yes
Level yes
LFO Type yes
LFO Duty Cycle yes
LFO Phase yes
Start Phase yes
Trigger Threshold yes
Harmonic — Crossover Slope yes
Harmonic — Crossover Freq yes
Panner — Width yes
Panner — Pan Center yes

LFO Phase

Set LFO Phase to 0 for mono output, and to any other value for stereo output.

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." [2]

Triggering the Tremolo

To trigger the Tremolo:

  • when engaging the block: use the Start Phase parameter.
  • when hitting the strings (synchronize the Tremolo to your playing): turn up the Trigger Threshold parameter (firmware Ares 12 and later). When the Tremolo is triggered, it will start and the LFO phase will start at the Start Phase value. Demonstration Turn Trigger Threshold all the way down to defeat the trigger.

In earlier firmware without trigger Threshold, 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".

Tips and tricks

Tremolo in Amp block

The Amp block in the Axe-Fx II and III (not in the AX8 and FM3) provides its own Bias Tremolo.

Widen the Panner

Make the Panner effect appear fuller and wider, by adding the Enhancer block.

Alternative to Panner: LFO

As an alternative to using the Panner block, attach an LFO to a panning parameter in a block.

Ring Modulator as a tremolo

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

Flanger as a tremolo

You can turn a Flanger block into a tremolo.

Tremolo as an On/Off switch

Set the Tremolo's LFO to Square with Depth at 100%.

Shuffle tremolo

Create a "shuffle" tremolo

Vox Percussion Tremolo

To simulate the Percussion Tremolo effect on old Vox guitars, set LFO Type to Saw Down.

Sync tremolo to Metronome

Read this