User Guide

CHAPTER 5

Modules

The principle behind low frequency oscillation as a means of modulating a signal, as opposed to

adding to it, is that its frequency is lower than the audible frequency of the human ear (20Hz–

20kHz) i.e., the frequency is low enough so that it isn‘t heard as a tone.

A low frequency oscillator can be routed to control a variety of different parameters, for example

the frequency of the audio oscillator, the phase, panning, ﬁlter frequency, or the velocity of the

synthesizer’s output. For instance, when routed to pitch, an LFO serves to simulate vibrato, and

when an LFO modulates amplitude (volume), it creates tremolo.

On most synthesizers and sound modules, there are several different ways in which the user can alter

the effect produced by the LFO. These may include a variety of different waveforms, a rate control,

routing options (as described above), a tempo sync feature, and an option to control the amount by

which the LFO will modulate the audio signal.

Electronic musicians use LFO for a variety of applications, ranging from adding simple vibrato or

tremolo to a melody, to more complex applications such as triggering gate envelopes. Differences

between LFO rates also account for a number of commonly heard effects in modern music

- for instance, a very low rate can be used to modulate ﬁlter frequency, thereby providing the

characteristic gradual sensation of the sound becoming clearer or closer to the listener. Alternatively,

a high rate can be used for bizarre ‚rippling‘ sound effects (indeed, another important use of LFO

would be for various sound effects used in ﬁlms). However, these effects are difﬁcult to describe,

instead they are more understandable simply when heard.

You can choose between the following waveforms: sine, triangle, square, saw and random.

The „retr.“ (retrigger) button lets you select if you want to start the LFO progression always from

the beginning for each newly played note.

The LFO parameters in detail:

Frequency:

Here you can assign the number of waveform repetitions per second and thus the tempo of the LFO

in hertz. 1.00 Hz = one complete waveform repetition per second.

Sync:

Use this option to synchronize the tempo of your LFO to your host application or to Independence

internally. If activated, the frequency input ﬁeld will change into a pull-down menu where you can

speciﬁcally select the kind of synchronization.

Delay:

Here you can assign a delay to your LFO. Combine this option with an additional AHDSR curve to

create a fade-in of your LFO.