3.5

235MainStage Effects
MainStage Tremolo effect
Tremolo modulates the amplitude of the incoming signal, resulting in periodic volume
changes. Tremolo is commonly used in vintage guitar combo amps, where it is sometimes
incorrectly referred to as vibrato. The graphic waveform display shows all parameters
except Rate.
Tremolo parameters
• Sync button: Synchronize the modulation speed with the project tempo. Choose musical
note values with the Rate knob.
• Rate knob and field: Set the frequency of the LFO.
• Depth knob and field: Determine the modulation amount.
• Smoothing slider and field: Change the shape of the LFO waveform. Also see Symmetry.
• Offset field: Set the amount of left or right movement for the modulation (cycle). This
results in small or large tremolo variations.
• Symmetry field: Skew the balance toward the upward or downward phase of waveform
cycles.
Note: If Symmetry is set to 50% and Smoothing to 0%, the LFO waveform becomes
rectangular. The timing of the highest volume signal is then equal to the timing of the
lowest volume signal, with the switch between both states occurring abruptly.
• Phase field: Control the phase relationship between individual channel modulations in
stereo signals. At 0, modulation values are reached simultaneously for both channels. At
values of 180 or −180, there is the greatest possible distance between the modulation
phases of both channels.
• Waveform display: Shows and lets you edit modulation Offset, Symmetry, and Phase.
• Modulation is represented by a repeating waveform cycle for each channel. The
height represents the LFO intensity, or depth. Adjust the Depth knob to change. Two
green handles and two blue handles let you control Offset, Symmetry, and Phase
values.
• Offset: Drag the field or the green handle at the left of any waveform cycle to set left
or right modulation movement.
• Symmetry: Drag the field or the green handle at the right of any waveform cycle to
set the balance between upward or downward waveform phases.
• Phase: Drag the field or either blue handle of any waveform cycle to control phase
relationship between channel modulations.