Ensemble Effect

The Ensemble combines up to eight chorus effects. Two standard LFOs and one random LFO (which generates random modulations) enable you to create complex modulations. The Ensemble’s graphic display visually represents what is happening with the processed signals.

The Ensemble effect can add a great deal of richness and movement to sounds, particularly when you use a high number of voices. It is very useful for thickening parts, but it can also be used to emulate more extreme pitch variations between voices, resulting in a detuned quality to processed material.

Figure. Ensemble effect window.
  • Intensity sliders and fields: Set the amount of modulation for each LFO.
  • Rate knobs and fields: Control the frequency of each LFO.
  • Voices slider and field: Determines how many individual chorus instances are used and, therefore, how many voices, or signals, are generated in addition to the original signal.
  • Graphic display: Indicates the shape and intensity of the modulations.
  • Phase knob and field: Controls the phase relationship between the individual voice modulations. The value you choose here is dependent on the number of voices, which is why it is shown as a percentage value rather than in degrees. The value 100 (or −100) indicates the greatest possible distance between the modulation phases of all voices.
  • Spread slider and field: Distributes voices across the stereo field. Set a value of 200% to artificially expand the stereo base. Note that monaural compatibility may suffer if you choose to do this.
  • Mix slider and field: Determines the balance between dry and wet signals.
  • Effect Volume knob and field: Determines the level of the effects signal. This is a useful tool that compensates for changes in volume caused by changes to the Voices parameter.