User Manual

5.2.3. The low frequency oscillator
The LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator – or LFO on the Mini V) possesses more or less the same
characteristics of the classic oscillator but it only produces frequencies lower than 20 Hz. In
other words, you won’t hear the pitch of its sound.
It will create a cyclic modulation on the setting to which it is connected.
For example:
• If the sine waveform of an LFO modulates the volume of an amplifier, the sound
will increase in volume then disappear in a varying manner following the speed
(the frequency) of this LFO. This will produce a tremolo effect.
• A sine waveform on an LFO modulating the frequency of an oscillator would
produce a vibrato effect.
• With an LFO sinusoid wave modulating the cut-off frequency of a slightly
resonant low-pass filter, you will obtain a “wah wah” effect.

The original model does not contain any dedicated LFO. You can use the third oscillator in low
frequency (“Lo” position of the “Range” selector) to modulate the filter and oscillators’ frequency. The
signal of the third oscillator can be mixed with the noise signal to create some random modulations.
Now to finish, here is the diagram of a complete synthesis voice on the Mini V containing:
• 3 oscillators (VCO)
• 1 noise module
• 1 mixer (mixing of the 3 VCO and the noise generator)
• 1 low-pass filter (VCF)
• 1 amplifier (VCA)
• 2 envelopes (one for the filter and the other for the VCA)
• 1 LFO
The LFO module of the
Mini V
Arturia - User Manual Mini V - THE BASICS OF SUBTRACTIVE SYNTHESIS 68