I've been playing around with Cubase 5 a lot, and I've recently noticed that adjusting the "cutoff" feature on some synthesizers' LFO section really creates a cool effect.

So with that, I'm curious as to whether or not it's possible to modulate the cutoff levels, so that it adjusts itself up and down on its own. It would also help if someone could help me find alternative ways to set a cutoff, rather than on a VST plugin... I've looked around, but I guess I haven't looked around hard enough?

I look forward to any responses!

     --XFactor--

Most synths have one or more LFOs or Low Frequency Oscillators. These can be used to modulate many different things depending on the synths capabilities, but there is generally an option to map the lfo to cutoff or filter frequency.

Also, if you are working on general audio and not just within a synth module, you can record automation and adjust the cutoff knob of your filter as necessarily. Or you can draw in automation in a repeated pattern (a simple triangle wave would be pretty easy to draw)

And lastly, if you want to escape VST filters altogether, you just need to understand that the cutoff knob you are playing with is just a LPF or low pass filter. I don't know if you are familiar with EQs or not, but this is where you designate a frequency and bandwith (or 'Q') and all frequencies above the designated one will be attenuated or cut entirely. The shape of the curve depends on the gain and Q setting. Therefore, if you want to create this effect without using a VST filter, simply pull open your EQ, turn on the band on the far right (high) side of the graph, change it from notch or high shelf to lowpass or highcut. Then you can automate the frequency of that EQ band and achieve the same effect.

Hi WDK and thanks for giving me some insight into modulating cutoffs!

The synth I'm using currently is the Sawer VSTi from Image-Line (specifically Lo-Fi avenger as the VST). I understand what you mean by "mapping" out a cutoff/filter freq., and it has worked... to an extent, that is.

I don't think I'm going to be using the VST filters much (after many failed attempts), so I tried out the EQ... In Cubase, there's a insert within the 'Filters' folder, and I selected Q. I opened it up and started playing around, eventually getting the effect that I wanted.

However, the problem still exists. As you mentioned, how can I map/automate the frequency of the EQ? I've taken a couple of screenshots to show you what I mean.

What I want to begin with:


What I want to end with:


The effect I'm wanting to hear is the frequency moving up to the high point gradually, and then moving to the low point in the same manner.

Thank you for your help so far, WillyDavidK!

     --XFactor--

try select the right track, rightclick and choose 'show automation' /choose  'more' , see if u find the eq mid1 of the avenger, i dont know, i dont have  avenger.
anyway with cubases own track eq you cán choose the parameter u need for it (in my case EQ 3 freq), and draw the line in the automation track (below the real track)

when i play i see the eq changin as i drawed in the pic, sounds like a wah :P


(if the pic doesnt work, its in my foto album on here)

hope i got it right and solves your problem

Thank you! Yes, I actually figured out how to do it by manipulating the VST itself! I knew before that the R and W meant Read and Write, but I never knew what they actually meant - so I looked them up and it was exactly what I was looking for. So basically, if you have a VST (say, a synthesizer that lets you make wobble bass) but you want to change the freq. of the wobbling during the song, I hit read and write (enable them) and play the song, while having the VST open and adjusting those knobs to get different frequencies throughout. Going back to what you posted though MaxdB, I've seen that method used before, just no one ever explained it! Thank you once again for posting that! (I'll post a song soon that shows my first few attempts at producing varying freq. of wobble bass!)

Cheers!

       --XFactor--

yeah lets hear some results , i am dieing to hear what a wobbling bass is :P
your welcome of course

and reading is só informative :p 
also youtube teaches a lot in these, u know?

grtz