Pulsar Dual LFO
The Pulsar Rack Extension device is a very flexible and versatile dual LFO module. LFOs (Low Frequency Oscillator) are used for generating cyclic modulation signals. A typical example is to have an LFO modulate the pitch of an oscillator to generate vibrato, but there are countless of other applications for LFOs.
Pulsar features two separate LFOs that can be used for modulating parameters in other rack devices. The two LFOs can also modulate each other to generate complex modulation signals. The LFOs in Pulsar can reach way up in the audible frequency range, which opens up for really interesting applications. As an additional feature the LFO rates can also be tracked from a MIDI keyboard.
In Reason the Pulsar Rack Extension device can be found on the Utilities palette.
#Panel parameters
#LFO 1&2 common parameters
#Rate
This controls the LFO rate. The Rate range in Pulsar is very wide and can reach way up in the audio frequency range. The rate is indicated by the lamp to the left above the Rate knob. The rate can also be synced to the sequencer tempo by clicking the Tempo Sync button below the Rate knob (see “Tempo Sync” below). In sync mode, the Rate knob controls the sync resolution.
The LFO 1 Rate can be modulated and/or synced by LFO 2, see “Rate (LFO 2 to LFO 1 Rate)” and “Sync”. The Rates can also be modulated from the Envelope, see “Envelope”. As a special feature, the Rates can also be controlled from a MIDI keyboard, see “KBD Follow”.
Range: 0.06Hz-1.05kHz (synced: 32/4 to 1/64th)
When the Rate is modulated, it can reach far beyond the default frequency range. |
#Waveform selectors
Here you can select one of nine different LFO waveforms. Besides the standard waveforms (sine, triangle, pulse, etc.) there are random, slope and stepped waveforms. The shape of the waveforms are shown in the display.
Note that all waveforms are bipolar, i.e., they generate both positive and negative levels. |
Select waveform for each LFO by clicking the up/down arrow buttons or by clicking and holding in the waveform display and dragging up/down. |
#Level
Here you set the output level of the LFO signal. The LFO 1 Level can be modulated by LFO 2, see “Level (LFO 2 to LFO 1 Level)”. The Levels can also be modulated by the Envelope, see “Envelope”.
#Phase
The Phase control lets you offset the phase of the LFO cycle, i.e. decide where in the cycle the waveform should start. The range of the Phase control is 0-360 degrees:
#Shuffle
The Shuffle function affects two adjacent LFO cycles, in pairs. Increasing the Shuffle value lengthens the first cycle and shortens the second one:
Note that the total length of the cycle pair is always 2 regular cycles, which means that shuffling will work great also in Tempo Sync mode, see “Tempo Sync”.
Range: 50% (no shuffle) to 75%
#Lag
The Lag control acts like a lowpass filter on the LFO signal, making the signal smoother. This is especially noticeable on waveforms with sharp edges or transients like the square, sawtooth and stepped waves. On the sinewave you will barely notice any effect since it’s already smooth by nature.
#Tempo Sync
Click the Tempo Sync button to sync the LFO Rate to the sequencer tempo. This is great for creating animated effects in sync with the song’s tempo. In Tempo Sync mode, the Rate knob controls the sync resolution, see “Rate”.
#LFO 1 specific parameters
#ENV Sync
With ENV Sync active, whatever triggers the Envelope will also restart LFO 1, see “Envelope”.
If Tempo Sync is also active (see “Tempo Sync”) the LFO will continue to sync to the sequencer tempo. However, when you actually press a key or hit the Trig button will affect the LFO cycle start. In some situations this could be perceived as the LFO is losing sync but it’s not; it’s merely the LFO cycle start that is changing.
#LFO 2 specific parameters
#On/Off
Click this to activate LFO 2.
#LFO 2 to LFO 1 modulation parameters
Gain Tool
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Panel reference
Connections
The Line Mixer 6:2
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Example usage
Mixer 14:2
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The Auxiliary Return Section
The Master Fader
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Chaining several Mixer 14:2 devices
Pulsar Dual LFO
Panel parameters
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Using the RPG-8
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Pulsar Dual LFO
#Introduction
The Pulsar Rack Extension device is a very flexible and versatile dual LFO module. LFOs (Low Frequency Oscillator) are used for generating cyclic modulation signals. A typical example is to have an LFO modulate the pitch of an oscillator to generate vibrato, but there are countless of other applications for LFOs.
Pulsar features two separate LFOs that can be used for modulating parameters in other rack devices. The two LFOs can also modulate each other to generate complex modulation signals. The LFOs in Pulsar can reach way up in the audible frequency range, which opens up for really interesting applications. As an additional feature the LFO rates can also be tracked from a MIDI keyboard.
In Reason the Pulsar Rack Extension device can be found on the Utilities palette.
#Panel parameters
#LFO 1&2 common parameters
#Rate
This controls the LFO rate. The Rate range in Pulsar is very wide and can reach way up in the audio frequency range. The rate is indicated by the lamp to the left above the Rate knob. The rate can also be synced to the sequencer tempo by clicking the Tempo Sync button below the Rate knob (see “Tempo Sync” below). In sync mode, the Rate knob controls the sync resolution.
The LFO 1 Rate can be modulated and/or synced by LFO 2, see “Rate (LFO 2 to LFO 1 Rate)” and “Sync”. The Rates can also be modulated from the Envelope, see “Envelope”. As a special feature, the Rates can also be controlled from a MIDI keyboard, see “KBD Follow”.
Range: 0.06Hz-1.05kHz (synced: 32/4 to 1/64th)
When the Rate is modulated, it can reach far beyond the default frequency range. |
#Waveform selectors
Here you can select one of nine different LFO waveforms. Besides the standard waveforms (sine, triangle, pulse, etc.) there are random, slope and stepped waveforms. The shape of the waveforms are shown in the display.
Note that all waveforms are bipolar, i.e., they generate both positive and negative levels. |
Select waveform for each LFO by clicking the up/down arrow buttons or by clicking and holding in the waveform display and dragging up/down. |
