Modulation Plugins

Chorus, flanger, phaser, tremolo, vibrato. Add movement and animation to sounds through cyclic modulation.

Overview

Property	Value
Control Count	3-6
Complexity	Low to Medium
Visualizer	Blob, Particles, Wave Line
Layout	Hero or Asymmetric

Typical Controls

Control	Widget	Range	Evocative Name
Rate	Knob	0.1-20 Hz	SPEED, RATE, TEMPO
Depth	Knob	0-100%	DEPTH, AMOUNT, SWING
Feedback	Knob	0-100%	REGEN, FEEDBACK, RES
Mix	Knob	0-100%	BLEND, WET, MIX
Shape	Toggle	Sine/Tri/Square	WAVE, SHAPE

Recommended Visualizer

Primary: Blob or Particles

• Organic movement matches modulation
• Shows the pulsing/cycling nature
• Creative aesthetic

Alternative: Wave Line - shows LFO waveform shape

Layout Pattern

Recommended: Hero Element or Asymmetric

Hero Layout

┌─────────────────────────────┐
│          DRIFT              │
│                             │
│        [  RATE  ]           │
│         (large)             │
│                             │
│     [blob visualizer]       │
│                             │
│  [depth] [feedback] [mix]   │
└─────────────────────────────┘

Asymmetric Layout

┌─────────────────────────────┐
│ SWIRL            [bypass]   │
│                             │
│   [RATE]    [blob]          │
│   [DEPTH]                   │
│                             │
│        [feedback]  [mix]    │
└─────────────────────────────┘

Example Plugins

• Chorus - Detuned copies for thickness
• Flanger - Short delay with feedback
• Phaser - Phase-shifted copies
• Tremolo - Volume modulation
• Vibrato - Pitch modulation
• Rotary Speaker - Leslie cabinet simulation
• Ring Modulator - Frequency multiplication

Design Tips

Rate is Primary

• The main control users adjust
• Consider tempo sync option
• Visual feedback helps (blob pulsing)

Show the Modulation

• Blob visualizer shows the rate/depth
• Users can “see” the movement
• Organic visualizers match modulation

Depth for Intensity

• Controls how much effect is applied
• 0% = no modulation
• 100% = full effect

Control Names

Technical	Evocative Options
Rate	SPEED, RATE, PULSE, TEMPO, SWIRL
Depth	AMOUNT, DEPTH, SWING, RANGE, INTENSITY
Feedback	REGEN, FEEDBACK, RESONANCE, RING
Mix	BLEND, WET, MIX
Shape	WAVE, SHAPE, MODE

Color Suggestions

Chorus

• Accent: Blue, cyan
• Background: Dark blue
• Vibe: Spacious, shimmering

Flanger

• Accent: Purple, magenta
• Background: Dark purple
• Vibe: Jet, metallic, swooshing

Phaser

• Accent: Green, teal
• Background: Dark green
• Vibe: Psychedelic, swirling

Tremolo

• Accent: Orange, warm
• Background: Dark brown
• Vibe: Vintage, warm

Common Mistakes

❌ No tempo sync option for rate ❌ No visual feedback of modulation ❌ Depth range too limited ❌ No stereo options

✅ Tempo sync for musical use ✅ Visual shows the movement ✅ Full depth range ✅ Stereo width/spread option

Variations

Simple Chorus

Controls: Rate, depth, mix
Visualizer: Blob (small)
Control count: 3
Size: Small (260×300)

Flanger

Controls: Rate, depth, feedback, manual, mix
Visualizer: Wave Line or Blob
Control count: 5
Size: Medium (340×360)
Aesthetic: Metallic, swooshing

Phaser

Controls: Rate, depth, stages, feedback, mix
Visualizer: Blob (psychedelic colors)
Control count: 5
Size: Medium (340×360)
Aesthetic: Psychedelic, vintage

Tremolo

Controls: Rate, depth, shape, stereo, mix
Visualizer: Blob or none
Control count: 5
Size: Small-Medium (300×340)
Aesthetic: Vintage, warm

Vibrato

Controls: Rate, depth, shape
Visualizer: Wave Line (shows LFO)
Control count: 3
Size: Small (260×280)