How to make a tremolo effect | Full Guide

How to make a tremolo effect | Full Guide

Movement and motion are the keys to creating an emotion in music - especially in dance and house music.

“How can I create movement?” you might ask.

My simple answer: use a tremolo effect.

In this guide, we will focus on the digital or plugin version of the tremolo effect. Learn how to harness the incredible modulation powers of tremolo.

Use the table of contents below for easier navigation in this exciting guide about the famous tremolo effect. Enjoy!

Table of contents

What is tremolo?
The difference between tremolo and vibrato
Why use a tremolo effect?
Awesome tremolo plugins
Using tremolo in your music projects
How to make a tremolo effect in FL Studio
Creative tremolo techniques
Final thoughts on the tremolo effect

 

Watch the video tutorial

 

What is tremolo?

Tremolo is best characterized as an amplitude or volume modulation effect that applies rhythmic movement to the audio signal.

This “moving” effect is achieved by varying the signal at a constant rate produced by an LFO (Low-Frequency Oscillator).

The LFO produces different waveshapes - most commonly a sine wave, triangle wave or square wave. In some tremolo plugins, you can also choose more random waveforms for the LFO. It gives you very creative results - trust me!

The sine waveform usually creates a more round, lush and strong tremolo effect. Waveforms like triangles or squares generate a more linear, straight or even dramatic modulation of the audio signal.

In other words, the waveform of LFO is moving the audio signal up and down in a specific pattern.

How to control the tremolo effect

The LFO waveform plays an essential role in the tremolo effect. While it guides the volume changes for the audio signal, we also need some ways to control the tremolo effect.

Here are some common controls in most tremolo plugins:

  • Rate or Speed - helps us control how fast the waveform is moving
  • Depth - sets the amount of volume modulation applied to the audio signal
  • Tempo - syncs the LFO rate to the tempo of your music project

These controls of the tremolo plugin can help you sculpt the effect from everything from subtle volume modulation to complete mayhem. The choice is yours!

The LFO rate of the tremolo effect is important - LÄMMERFYR

 

The difference between tremolo and vibrato

These two modulation effects are similar, but not the same.

Tremolo is a modulation effect, that changes and shifts the volume level of an audio signal. It results in a pulsating, trembling, or quivering effect.

Vibrato is a modulation effect, that varies the pitch of the signal. It results in a subtle wavering sound.

Many producers and artists use these two majestic effects in combination to apply some nice movement and modulation to synths, pianos - well even vocals.

I love to use both a tremolo and vibrato effect on an evolving synth pad. It just makes it 10x cooler and more texture rich in my opinion!

In Omnisphere you can add both a tremolo and vibrato effect - LÄMMERFYR

In the synthesizer Omnisphere, you can add both a tremolo and vibrato effect to your sounds. Pretty handy! 

 

Why use a tremolo effect?

There are many benefits of using a tremolo effect in your music.

I have listed some of my personal favourites of the tremolo effect:

  • Adds movement to static sounds
  • Adds excitement to boring sounds
  • Adds texture Adds an “organic” vibe to sounds
  • Gives new sound design options

If I have a sound that lacks a bit of “spice”, a tremolo plugin can be that secret ingredient to flavour it and make it stand out. I’m such a big fan haha!

[Also read]: 10 ways to finish your House music faster

 

Awesome tremolo plugins

There are many tremolo plugins on the market - both free and paid ones.

Each tremolo plugin has its unique features. Before choosing a tremolo plugin, you need consider some factors like ease of use, flexibility, sound quality and weather that the plugin is compatible with your DAW.

Here are some worthy mentions that offer the basic functionality of a tremolo effect - including options for creating more custom effects and sounds.

Tremolo (Guitar Rig) - Native Instruments

This one has to be my absolute favourite tremolo effect plugin. Well - it’s not a plugin. It’s actually a component inside the plugin called Guitar Rig from Native Instruments (awesome multi-effect plugin!)

With the tremolo component, you have all the standard controls: rate, intensity (depth), and sync.

However, it offers a neat Stereo option, which creates a sweet panning effect by adding a phase offset to the modulation between the left and right stereo channels.

This tremolo effect combines volume and panning modulation for maximum movement. Nice!

Discover Guitar Rig 👈

Tremolo from Guitar Rig by Native Instruments is a great tremolo effect and plugin- LÄMMERFYR

Source: www.native-instruments.com

 

VolumeShaper - Cableguys

This next plugin offers a lot of creative freedom when it comes to controlling the behaviour of the tremolo effect.

Introducing: VolumeShaper by Cableguys!

This plugin has so much flexibility to it.

You can draw your own custom waveforms for the tremolo effect - or use the built-in waveforms.

VolumeShaper allows you to split up the frequency range of your input signal into three ranges. Here, you can apply different tremolo settings to the ranges - how cool is that!?

This plugin has the power to bring any sound to rhythmic life.

Discover VolumeShaper 👈

VolumeShaper by Cableguys can also be used for a tremolo effect - LÄMMERFYR

Source: www.cableguys.com

 

Tremolator - Soundtoys

Analog and vintage-style tremolo with beat-synced rhythmic chopping? Sound cool?

Tremolator from Soundtoys might be your next favourite tool in your plugin toolbox!

This tremolo plugin is made to emulate effects found in classic hardware.

It has a powerful and programmable Rhythm Editor that lets you create custom waveform patterns for the tremolo effect.

Definitely go check this one out if you are in the mood for some modulation fun!

Discover Tremolator 👈

Tremolator by Soundtoys is a powerful tremolo effect plugin - LÄMMERFYR

Source: www.soundtoys.com

 

Using tremolo in your music projects

To master the tremolo effect in your music projects, there are a couple of guidelines that can assist you.

Pick the right LFO waveform

One of the first settings of the tremolo to nail has to be the waveform pattern. Figure out what kind of vibe and movement you are going for.

Do you want an obvious heavy rhythmic pattern? Or a more subtle and smooth movement? Maybe, something in between?

Experiment with different waveforms - and try to go beyond the standard waveforms like sine, triangle or square. There might be uncharted territory of the tremolo effect, that you should discover.

Picking the LFO waveform that fits your taste is the first step.

Dial in the rate sweet spot

The next step is to determine the speed of the tremolo. The rate knob is a trusty companion to the waveform. They influence each other.

I like a slow tremolo rate on sustained sounds like strings or synth pads. It makes the volume move up and down in a more smooth and fluent way.

For synth melodies or cymbal loops, I like to play around at a faster rate. It yields a face-paced rhythm to the sound.

There is no right or wrong - experimentation is the key!

Use the rate of the tremolo plugin to control the speed of the effect - LÄMMERFYR

Control the depth

Lastly, adjusting the depth or intensity of the tremolo effect is like the foundation of a house. The depth parameter decides how notable the tremolo effect is on the audio input signal.

It is like a gatekeeper. Deciding how much of the tremolo effect is being let into the music production party.

Sometimes the gatekeeper will be like:

“You shall not pass!” (Haha - couldn’t help myself)

Anyway, applying the right amount of depth can be a tricky task. You just have to try out different values to discover that lovely sweet spot!

[Also read]: How to find your signature sound

 

How to make a tremolo effect in FL Studio

I hope this guide caught the attention of some fellow FL Studio users (fingers crossed)

Well, in FL Studio a tiny stock plugin has the ability to create a tremolo effect.

That plugin is called: Fruity PanOmatic!

Fruity PanOMatic can create a quick tremolo effect - LÄMMERFYR

It’s a simple plugin with a pan knob, a volume knob, and a LFO section

Set up a quick tremolo effect

  • Set the LFO to trigger volume (VOL)
  • Choose a waveform (I go with a sine)
  • Dial in desired speed/rate (SPD)
  • Adjust the tremolo amount (AMT)

There you have it - an FL Studio tremolo effect in what… 18 seconds haha!

[Also read]: How to make a deep house track in 9 steps

 

Creative tremolo techniques

Let's go a couple of steps further in the realm of tremolo effects.

I have noted some creative tremolo techniques that you can utilize in your next music project.

Automate the rate knob

Let's say you slapped a tremolo plugin on a synth pad. It’s cool and all. But we could make it cooler and bring even more life to the sound.

Behold: automate the LFO rate knob!

According to what DAW you are using, creating automation events or clips may work a bit differently.

In FL Studio, you can create an automation clip by recording automation events for any parameter.

We do that for the rate knob.

Now, we can do all sorts of things.

Let's say we want to transition from a slow rate in the breakdown of our song to a really fast rate for the build-up towards our EDM-styled drop.

Automate the rate knob of the tremolo plugin - LÄMMERFYR

I’ll then draw an upward-going shape for the automation clip.

Now our tremolo effect will go from subtle and smooth to dramatic and even intense. Wicked!

Personally, I think this is a great way to build tension. Especially, towards a drop or main section of your song.

Try it out!

Use reverb or delay together with tremolo

Okay - we can join forces with other effects like reverb or delay.

Let’s say you have a Wurlitzer e-piano melody playing.

First, in the effect chain, add a tremolo plugin.

Set the rate to medium fast and sync it to the tempo of your project. Use a 1/8th rhythm for the LFO waveform syncing. The depth should be rather high, so the tremolo effect is obvious.

Next, place a delay plugin after the tremolo and set the wet amount to around 40%. Let’s sync the delay to a 1/4 beat and set it to ping-pong mode for a bit of stereo action.

Fruity Reverb - LÄMMERFYR

Lastly, we place a hall reverb plugin at the end of the chain. Set the decay to somewhere between 1.5 sec to 2.5 sec. The reverb decay should not be too long. Set the wet amount to 25%.

Nice! The tremolo effect can now feed into the delay and reverb. Resulting in a rhythmic sound that plays well together with the delay and reverb.

TIP: Try to increase or decrease the speed/rate of the tremolo effect to change the rhythm and movement of our e-piano melody.

[Also read]: Better House Hihats? - Use Auto-panning

 

Final thoughts on the tremolo effect

We arrived at the end of this guide.

Hopefully, you have a better understanding of what tremolo is and how it can be used in your music productions.

Tremolo is such an underrated effect if you ask me. Mastering the use of this modulation effect can yield some pretty amazing and unique results.

Jump on the tremolo wagon and start playing around with this effect. You will not be disappointed.

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The best

Martin / LÄMMERFYR

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