The LFO in EFM1 could be used both to modulate the FM intensity and as we saw earlier, it can be used to modulate the pitch to create a vibrato effect. Just as a reminder, LFO, that stands for Low-Frequency Oscillator. So it's an oscillator that generates a periodic signal like oscillators do, but instead of it being an audible signal, it's one that automates the movement of some parameter. So in this case, we can modulate the FM intensity, if I move this control to the right. Remember, the FM intensity is this knob here in the center. Or if I move this to the left, it's going to be a pitch modulation, and therefore create a vibrato effect.
In the center, this LFO isn't active. So to reset this to the center position, I can click on the O above the knob or I can just Option+Click on it, and it moves it back the center. So right now I'll play the notes so you can hear where we are starting. (music playing) Okay, so there's a little bit of FM modulation happening, and we have got the Modulation envelope with some activity going on. Let's bring in the LFO amount for FM intensity. (music playing) So now I have got a little bit of modulation and as I increase the amount, you can hear it's a more pronounced effect. (music playing) And I can adjust the speed of that here with the Rate control.
(music playing) If I want to do a long change, I can set it to slow rate, or I can speed it up. If I go really fast, I get sort of distorted overdriven sound. But the problem is is that even if it works for one note, it doesn't necessarily mean it is going to sound good on every note. So this doesn't really track pitch too well. (music playing) As we looked at earlier too, if we take this to the left, we'll get vibrato.
(music playing) Sometimes with vibrato effect it's nice to have just a small amount. (music playing) Because then it's more of a subtle effect and has more of a nostalgic sound. (music playing) It's pretty out of control. So as you can see, the LFO is a great way to add a more periodic type of modulation that's constant to the sound, whereas the envelope is great for doing like a one-time modulation where the FM intensity is adjusted or the modulator pitch is adjusted.
The LFO is really great because it's a continuous modulation, so it's a way to add consistent movement to the sound. Next, let's take a look at how we can add more bass with sub oscillator and thicken the sound with the stereo de-tune in Unison.
Author
Updated
3/14/2012Released
11/9/2011Virtual Instruments with Logic Pro will be updating on a monthly basis, eventually covering all the virtual instruments in the application. Look for the latest movies here and on the lynda.com blog.
- Setting up Logic Pro for using virtual instruments
- Configuring MIDI controllers
- Composing with virtual instruments envelopes
- Tweaking the overdrive and chorus
- Creating movement with LFOs (Low Frequency Oscillators)
- Understanding FM synthesis basics
- Changing the timbre and shifting the formants of the vocoder
- Constructing custom sampler kits
- Exploring the tonewheel organ, electric piano, and Ultrabeat drum synthesizer
Skill Level Intermediate
Duration
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Introduction
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Welcome2m 17s
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1. The ES M Monophonic Synthesizer
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Using the oscillator3m 4s
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Composing with the ES M5m 49s
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2. The ES E Ensemble Synthesizer
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Selecting a waveform2m 9s
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Using the Vibrato/PWM dial2m 15s
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Composing with the ES E6m 43s
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3. The ES P Polyphonic Synthesizer
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Composing with the ES P8m 23s
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4. The ES1 Software Synthesizer
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Tweaking the filter6m 36s
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Creating movement with the LFO14m 18s
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Composing with the ES19m 20s
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5. The EFM1 FM Synthesizer
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Getting started with EFM11m 51s
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Setting the carrier pitch2m 56s
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Adding movement with the LFO2m 59s
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Composing with the EFM110m 17s
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6. The EVOC 20 PolySynth
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Composing with the EVOC 2012m 45s
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7. ES2
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Getting Started with ES23m 33s
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Series or Parallel?6m 34s
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Composing with the ES210m 26s
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8. EXS24 Sampler
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Getting Started with EXS243m 29s
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Composing with the EXS249m 5s
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9. EVB3 Tonewheel Organ
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Using the EVB3 effects5m 43s
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Composing with the EVB311m 27s
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10. EVP88 Electric Piano
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Getting Started with EVP882m 46s
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Selecting a piano model1m 17s
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Musical example6m 37s
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11. EVD6 Electric Clav
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Getting Started with EVD62m 29s
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Using the EVD6 Effects5m 24s
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Composing with the EVD69m 27s
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12. The Sculpture Modeling Synthesizer
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Sculpting with the filter7m 37s
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Understanding the Body EQ6m 34s
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Employing the Morph Envelope9m 48s
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Composing with Sculpture10m 52s
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13. Ultrabeat Drum Synth and Step Sequencer
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Shaping with the envelopes7m 21s
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Building a kick drum8m 18s
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Synthesizing a snare drum8m 31s
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Creating a hi-hat4m 34s
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Utilizing the side chain9m 2s
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Composing with Ultrabeat14m 13s
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14. Klopfgeist
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Conclusion
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What's next?1m 12s
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Video: Adding movement with the LFO