LFOs

HALion Sonic offers two polyphonic and two monophonic LFOs. Polyphonic means the LFOs are calculated per voice, allowing for independent modulations with each triggered note. You can use this to create a richer sound, for example, with an independent pitch modulation per note. Monophonic means the LFOs are calculated only once per layer. The same modulation is sent to all voices simultaneously. The LFOs can be assigned freely in the modulation matrix.

• Click P1 or P2 to show the settings for the corresponding polyphonic LFO.

• Click M1 or M2 to show the settings for the corresponding monophonic LFO.

You can adjust the times of the envelope in the graphical editor by dragging nodes left or right.

• The first node adjusts the Delay time.

• The second node adjusts the Fade In time.

• The third node adjusts the Hold time.

• The fourth node adjusts the Fade Out time.

Parameters for Monophonic and Polyphonic LFOs

LFO Waveform and Shape

• Sine produces smooth modulation, suitable for vibrato or tremolo. Shape adds additional harmonics to the waveform.

• Triangle is similar to Sine. Shape continuously changes the triangle waveform to a trapezoid.

• Saw produces a ramp cycle. Shape continuously changes the waveform from ramp down to triangle to ramp up.

• Pulse produces stepped modulation, where the modulation switches abruptly between two values. Shape continuously changes the ratio between the high and low state of the waveform. If Shape is set to 50 %, a square wave is produced.

• Ramp is similar to the Saw waveform. Shape increasingly puts silence before the sawtooth ramp up begins.

• Log produces a logarithmic modulation. Shape continuously changes the logarithmic curvature from negative to positive.

• S & H 1 produces randomly stepped modulation, where each step is different. Shape puts ramps between the steps and changes the S & H into a smooth random signal when fully turned right.

• S & H 2 is similar to S & H 1. The steps alternate between random high and low values. Shape puts ramps between the steps and changes the S & H into a smooth random signal when fully turned right.

Sync Mode

The Sync Mode is used to match the LFO to the tempo of the host application.

• Select Off to adjust the speed of the modulation in Hertz.

• Select Tempo + Retrig to adjust the speed of the modulation in fractions of beats. You can also set dotted and triplet note values. The restart behavior of the LFO depends on the Retrigger Mode.

• Select Tempo + Beat to adjust the speed of the modulation in fractions of beats. You can also set dotted and triplet note values. The LFO restarts with the transport of the host and lines up to the beats of the project. The Retrigger Mode setting is not taken into account.

Note

The behavior of the Frequency parameter changes with the selected option.

Retrigger Mode (Monophonic LFOs)

Determines whether the LFO is restarted when a note is triggered. If this is set to First Note or Each Note, the waveform starts at the position specified by the Phase parameter.

• If this is set to Off, the LFO runs freely.

• If this is set to First Note, the LFO restarts when a note is triggered and no other notes are held.

• If this is set to Each Note, the LFO restarts each time a note is triggered.

Frequency

Controls the frequency of the modulation, that is, the speed of the LFO.

Phase

Sets the initial phase of the waveform when the LFO is retriggered.

Rnd (Random Phase)

If this button is activated, each note starts with a randomized start phase.

Note

The Phase control cannot be used if Rnd is activated.

Additional Parameters for Polyphonic LFOs

Retrigger Mode

Determines whether the LFO is restarted when a note is triggered. The waveform restarts at the position set with the Phase parameter.

The polyphonic LFOs can switch between On and Off.

• If this parameter is set to Off, the LFO runs freely.

• If this parameter is set to On, the LFO starts with each triggered note.

Envelope Mode

Allows you to specify how the LFO envelope reacts to your playing on the keyboard. The One Shot modes do not react to note-off events.

• Select One Shot to play the envelope from start to end in the time specified by the Delay, Fade In, Hold, and Fade Out parameters.

• One Shot + Sustain is similar to One Shot. The Delay and Fade In parameters are always applied when you play a note. The Hold and Fade Out parameters are not available.

• If Hold + Fade Out is selected and you play a note, the Delay and Fade In parameters are applied. The envelope fades out after the time specified by the Hold parameter or when a key is released. Releasing a key during the fade in starts the fade out from the current level.

• If Sustain + Fade Out is selected and you play a note, the Delay and Fade In parameters are applied. The Hold parameter is not available. The fade out is applied when releasing the key. Releasing a key during the fade in starts the fade out from the current level.

• If Sustain is selected and you play a note, the Delay and Fade In parameters are applied. The Hold and Fade Out parameters are not available. Releasing a key during the fade in sustains the current level. This prevents a change in modulation when a key is released.

Inv (Invert Envelope)

If this parameter is activated, the behavior of the LFO envelope is inverted, that is, the LFO modulation starts at its maximum level and decreases to zero in the time specified by the Fade In parameter. After the Hold time has elapsed, or when the key is released, the modulation increases to its maximum level in the time specified by the Fade Out parameter.

Delay

Determines the delay time between the moment you play a note and the moment the LFO comes into effect.

Fade In

Determines how long the LFO takes to fade in after the note was triggered and the Delay time has elapsed.

Hold

Determines the amount of time the LFO is running before the fade out begins.

Note

Hold is only available for the envelope modes One Shot and Hold + Fade Out.

Fade Out

Determines how long the LFO takes to fade out after the hold time has elapsed or a note has been released.

Note

To deactivate the fade out, use the envelope modes One Shot + Sustain or Sustain. This ensures that the modulation does not change when a note is released.

LFO Tab for Loop Layers

Loop layers offer a monophonic LFO with adjustable depth for Pitch, Cutoff, and Pan.

For loop layers, the following additional parameters are available:

Pitch

Adjusts how much the LFO affects the pitch of the slices.

Cutoff

Adjusts how much the LFO affects the cutoff of the slices.

Pan

Adjusts how much the LFO affects the pan of the slices.

When using the LFO of loop layers, the following applies:

• The modulation of Pitch, Cutoff, and Pan goes to all slices simultaneously. The modulation depth cannot be set separately per slice.

• The filter must be activated to hear the modulation of the Cutoff.