Modulating the Sound of the ES1

The ES1 offers a number of simple, yet flexible, modulation routing options. Modulation is used to add animation to your sound over time, making it more interesting, lively, or realistic. A good example of this type of sonic animation is the vibrato used by orchestral string players.

Figure. Modulation section.
  • LFO parameters: Used to modulate other ES1 parameters. See Using the ES1 LFO.
  • Router: Allows you to choose which ES1 parameters are modulated. See Using the ES1 Router below.
  • Modulation Envelope: A dedicated modulation control source, it can directly control other ES1 parameters, or it can control the LFO level. See Using the ES1 Mod Envelope.

Using the ES1 Router

The router is used to determine which of the ES1 parameters are modulated by the LFO (see Using the ES1 LFO) and/or by the Modulation Envelope (see Using the ES1 Mod Envelope). The parameter target buttons in the left column enable LFO modulation, and the ones in the right column set the target for the Modulation Envelope.

Figure. Modulation Router.
  • Pitch buttons: Turn on to modulate the pitch—the frequency—of the oscillators.
  • Pulse Width buttons: Turn on to modulate the pulse width of the pulse wave.
  • Mix buttons: Turn on to modulate the mix between the primary and sub-oscillators.
  • Cutoff buttons: Turn on to modulate the cutoff frequency of the filter.
  • Resonance buttons: Turn on to modulate the resonance of the filter.
  • Volume buttons: Turn on to modulate the main volume.
  • Filter FM button (modulation envelope only): Turn on to use the triangle wave of the oscillator to modulate the filter cutoff frequency. This modulation can result in a pseudo-distortion of the sound, or it can create metallic, FM-style sounds. The latter occurs when the only signal you can hear is the self-oscillation of the resonating filter (see Driving the ES1 Filter to Self-Oscillation).
  • LFO Amp (modulation envelope only): Turn on to modulate the overall amount of LFO modulation.

Using the ES1 LFO

The LFO (low frequency oscillator) generates an adjustable, cyclic waveform that can be used to modulate other ES1 parameters (as discussed in Using the ES1 Router).

Figure. LFO parameters.
  • Wave knob: Sets the LFO waveform. You can choose from triangle, ascending and descending sawtooth, square wave, sample & hold (random), and a lagged, smoothly changing random wave. Each of these waveforms cycles in its own way, providing different types of modulation. You can also assign a side chain signal as a modulation source (EXT). Choose the side chain source channel strip from the Side Chain menu at the top of the plug-in window.
  • Rate slider and field: Defines the speed—the frequency—of the LFO waveform cycles.
    • If you set values to the left of zero, the LFO phase is locked to the tempo of the host application—with phase lengths adjustable between 1/96 bar and 32 bars. If you select values to the right of zero, the LFO phase runs freely.

    • When set to zero, the LFO outputs at a constant and full level, which allows you to manually control the LFO speed with your keyboard’s modulation wheel. This could be useful, for example, if you wanted to change the pulse width by moving your keyboard’s modulation wheel. The pulse width would be chosen as the LFO modulation target (left router column), and the modulation intensity range would be determined by the Int via Whl setting.

  • Int via Whl slider: The upper arrow defines the intensity of the LFO modulation if the modulation wheel (MIDI controller 1) is set to its maximum value. The lower arrow defines the amount of LFO modulation if the modulation wheel is set to zero. The distance between the arrows—shown by a green bar—indicates the range of your keyboard’s modulation wheel. You can simultaneously adjust the modulation range and intensity by dragging the green bar, thus moving both arrows at once. Note that as you do so, the arrows retain their relative distance from each other.

Using the ES1 Mod Envelope

The modulation envelope allows you to set a percussive type of decay envelope by choosing low values, or attack type envelopes with high values.

Figure. Modulation Envelope.
  • Form slider and field: Allows you to fade in (attack) or fade out (decay) the modulation. When set to the full position, the modulation envelope is turned off.
  • Int via Vel slider: The top arrow controls the upper modulation intensity setting for the modulation envelope—if you strike a key with the hardest fortissimo (velocity = 127). The bottom arrow controls the lower modulation intensity setting for the modulation envelope—if you strike a key with the softest pianissimo (velocity = 1). The green bar between the arrows displays the impact of velocity sensitivity on the intensity of the modulation envelope. You can simultaneously adjust the modulation range and intensity by dragging the green bar, thus moving both arrows at once. Note that as you do so, the arrows retain their relative distance from each other.

Controlling ES1 Parameters and the LFO with the Mod Envelope

The Modulation Envelope can directly modulate the parameter chosen in the router. It essentially determines the time it takes for the modulation to fade in or fade out. At its center position, which can be accessed by clicking the middle mark, the modulation intensity is static—no fade in or fade out will occur. When set to its full value, it delivers a constant level.

To modulate a parameter with velocity
  1. Select a modulation destination (Pulse Width, for example).

  2. Set Form to full, and adjust the Int via Vel parameter as needed.

    This results in a velocity-sensitive modulation of the oscillator pulse width.

    More interestingly, the Modulation Envelope can directly control the LFO level when you click the LFO Amplitude button in the right column of the router.

To fade the LFO modulation in or out
  • Choose a positive Form value (towards attack) to fade in the LFO modulation. The higher the value, the longer it takes for you to hear the modulation.

  • Choose a negative value (towards decay) to fade out the LFO modulation. The lower the value (closer to full), the shorter the fade out time is.

    LFO control with envelopes is most often used for delayed vibrato, which is a technique many instrumentalists and singers employ to intonate longer notes.

To set up a delayed vibrato
  1. Position the Form parameter toward the right (attack).

  2. Choose Pitch as the LFO target (left column).

  3. Choose the triangular wave as the LFO waveform.

  4. Select an LFO Rate of about 5 Hz.

  5. Set the upper Int via Wheel arrow to a low value, and the lower arrow to 0.