3 tips for adding more motion into your modular synth patches using LFOS! 👀
LFOS, or low frequency oscillators, are a great tool in sound design & synthesis for giving motion and shape to your music — but one question I get a lot from students who are just starting out is:
“How can I make patches that have more variation? When I use a basic LFO, like a sine or square wave, everything starts to sound repetitive and predictable.”
Even the most basic LFO wave shapes can be used to create really dynamic, expressive patches with lots of internal motion and shape — it’s all about how you combine them together!
Here are 3 simple tricks you can try for using basic LFOs to create more motion & shape in your patches:
1️⃣ run 2 LFOs at different speeds to modulate 2 parameters of sound
2️⃣ mix 2 different LFO wave shapes together to create a more complex modulation source
3️⃣ use one LFO to modulate a 2nd LFO (aka modulating the modulator!) this can create a really nice ebb and flow in your patches
Watch the video for demos of each idea in action!✨
Let me know below if you’re going to try any of these out, or if you have any of your own favorite LFO-related techniques! ❤️👇