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Working with LFOs

LFOs (Low Frequency Oscillator) are used to create modulation of property values over time. The properties of the LFO are:

Interface Element

Description

Depth

The amplitude variation of the oscillator. Maximum amplitude is 1.0.

Default value: 100
Range: 0 to 100
Units: %

Frequency

The number of cycles per second.

Default value: 1
Range: 0 to 20000
Units: Hz

Waveform

The shape of the modulator, from among the following options:

  • Sine

  • Triangle

  • Square

  • Saw up

  • Saw down

  • Random: Selecting Random will randomly apply a level each time the modulator runs.

Default value: Sine

Smoothing

Low-pass filter over the waveform to smooth hard edges.

Default value: 0
Range: 0 to 100
Units: %

PWM

The width of the pulse wave; only applies to the Square waveform.

Default value: 50
Range: 0 to 100
Units: %

Attack

The time it takes for the oscillator to reach full amplitude.

Default value: 0
Range: 0 to 100000
Units: s

Initial Phase Offset

The initial phase of the oscillator waveform.

Default value: 0
Range: -180 to 180
Units: °

Scope

Define how LFO instances are created:

  • Voice: An instance of LFO is created for every sound/object playback.

  • Note/Event: An instance of LFO is created for every playing instance, or note when used in MIDI context.

  • Game Object: An instance of LFO is created for each game object.

  • Global: A single LFO is created for the whole project.

Default value: Note or Event

In Wwise, some properties are additive (such as Voice Volume and Voice Pitch), and some are exclusive. When adding an LFO on the additive properties, the LFO modulation is added to the current value of the property. When adding an LFO on the exclusive properties, the LFO modulation replaces the current value of the property.

To modulate the Voice Volume with an LFO:

  1. In the Project Explorer, select an object to add LFO.

  2. In the Property Editor, go to the RTPC tab.

  3. In the RTPC list, click the [>>] button.

  4. From the selector menu, select Voice Volume.

  5. Click the X-axis selector button.

  6. From the selector menu, select LFO > Default (Custom).

  7. Click the […] button to edit the LFO properties.

  8. Edit the curve to set the range of modulation.

LFO objects can be created as Custom or ShareSet. Custom objects are stored in-place, directly inside the object that has it. ShareSets are stored in a separate work-unit and can be re-used across objects.

[Caution] Caution

LFO and Envelope modulators' processing time depends on their RTPC usage. For most properties, a modulator is evaluated once per audio control frame. However, for the property Voice Volume, these modulators are evaluated at every audio sample frame. Use them selectively because they can consume a significant amount of a platform's memory and CPU.

[Note] Note

The RTPC cursors for LFO and Envelope modulators do not tell you their specific values at any point in time since they are determined by the modulator's internal properties.


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