ES2 LFO waveforms in MainStage

Choose a waveform for LFO 1 or LFO 2 with the LFO Wave buttons. The table outlines how these waveforms can affect your sounds.

Tip: Try using the waveforms while a modulation routing of Pitch123 (the pitch of all three oscillators) is engaged and running

Waveform				Comments
Triangle				Suitable for vibrato effects.
Sawtooth				Suitable for helicopter and space gun sounds. Intense modulations of oscillator frequencies with a negative (inverse) sawtooth wave lead to “bubbling” sounds. Intense sawtooth modulations of lowpass filter cutoff and resonance creates rhythmic effects. The inverted sawtooth waveform provides a different start point for the modulation cycle.
Rectangle				Rectangular waves periodically switch the LFO between two values. The upper rectangular wave switches between a positive value and zero. The lower wave switches between a positive and a negative value set to the same amount above/below zero. An interesting effect can be achieved by modulating Pitch123 with a suitable modulation intensity that leads to an interval of a fifth. Choose the upper rectangular wave to do so.
Sample & Hold				The bottom two LFO waveforms output random values. A random value is selected at regular intervals, defined by the LFO rate. The upper random wave steps between randomized values—rapid switches between values. The lower random wave is smoothed out, resulting in fluid changes to values. The term Sample & Hold (S & H) refers to the procedure of taking samples from a noise signal at regular intervals. The values of these samples are then held until the next sample is taken. Tip: A random modulation of Pitch123 leads to an effect commonly referred to as a random pitch pattern generator or sample and hold. Try using very high notes, at very high rates and high intensities—you’ll recognize this well-known effect from hundreds of science fiction movies.

Download the guides:

MainStage User Guide: PDF

MainStage Instruments: PDF

MainStage Effects: PDF

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