Operation Manual

NN-XT SAMPLER
182
The LFOs
NN-XT features two Low Frequency Oscillators - LFO 1 and LFO 2. “Normal” oscilla-
tors generate a waveform and a frequency, and produce sound. Low frequency Oscil-
lators on the other hand, also generate a waveform and a frequency, but there are two
major differences:
• LFOs only generate sounds of a low frequency.
• LFOs don’t produce sound, but are instead used for modulating various parame-
ters.
The most typical use of an LFO is to modulate the pitch of a sound (generated by an
oscillator or - in the case of NN-XT - a sample), to produce vibrato.
About the Difference between LFO 1 and LFO 2
There are two fundamental differences between LFO 1 and LFO 2:
D LFO 2 is always key synced, that is, each time you press a key, the LFO
waveform starts over from scratch. LFO 1 can be switched between key
synced and non-key synced modes.
D LFO 2 only has one waveform, triangle.
The following parameters are available for the LFOs:
Rate (LFO 1 and 2)
This knob controls the frequency of the LFO. For a faster modulation rate, turn the
knob to the right.
The Rate knob of LFO 1 is also used for setting the timedivision when synchronizing
the LFO to the song tempo (see below).
Delay (LFO 1 and 2)
This can be used for setting a delay between when a note is played and when the
LFO modulation starts kicking in (gradually). This way, you can make the sound start
unmodulated, and then have the LFO modulation start after you have kept the key(s)
pressed down for a while.
Turn the knob to the right to increase the delay time.
Mode (LFO 1 only)
This lets you set the “operation mode” for the LFO. Click the button to switch be-
tween the available modes:
D Group Rate
In this mode, the LFO will run at the rate set for it’s group in the group section,
rather than at the rate set here (see page 176). This way, all zones in the group will
have the exact same modulation rate.
D Tempo Sync
In this mode, the LFO will be synchronized to the song tempo, in one of 16 possi-
ble time divisions.
! When tempo sync is activated, the Rate knob is used for selecting the de-
sired timedivision. Turn the Rate knob and observe the tool tip for an in-
dication of the timedivision.
D Free Run
In free run mode, the LFO simply runs at the rate set with the Rate parameter. Fur-
thermore, if Key Sync is deactivated, the modulation cycle will not be retriggered
each time you press a key - it will run continuously.
Waveform (LFO 1 only)
Here, you select which type of waveform should be used for modulating the destina-
tion parameters.
Click the button to switch between the following waveforms:
! LFO 2 always uses a triangle waveform.
|Waveform |Description
Triangle This is a smooth waveform, suitable for normal vibrato.
Inverted Sawtooth This produces a “ramp up” cycle. If applied to an oscillator’s fre-
quency, the pitch would sweep up, after which the cycle imme-
diately starts over.
Sawtooth This produces a “ramp down” cycle, the same as above but in-
verted.
Square This produces cycles that abruptly change between two values,
usable for trills etc.
Random Produces random stepped modulation to the destination. Some
vintage analog synths called this feature “sample & hold”.
Soft Random The same as above, but with smooth modulation.