Advanced modulation missing, or am I missing it?

[mabian]

Hello,

trying to practice with Pigments 6 and its advanced modulation capabilities.

I am trying to modulate the master volume with velocity or modulate Macro 1 with a random LFO… both seem currently no available?

Is that correct?

Any way to work around these missing capabilities, other than modulating separately the single components to the same macro control?

Thanks,
Mmario

[LBH]

Hi @mabian,

You can modulate the Master volume using the AMP MOD. It’s just below the Master volume and FILTER ROUTING at the right side of Pigments.
Please consult the manual section “15.2. VCA section” about this. The manual provide images as well.

You can for example also modulate the Engines and Filters Volumes.

Modulating a Master Volume can quickly lead to overdrive. Modulating within a fixed Master volume setting can be safer.

You can not modulate a Macro directly.
But keep in mind that you can use the modulation sidechain feature to sidechain each of the parameters a Macro control.
You can also reassign or copy parameters from one modulator to another like described in this post of mine:

[Feature request] More than 4 Macros / Modulatable Macros

Hi @Zip_oLeighter , Yes that have also been wished for from the beginning of Pigments life. Actually i think i was the first back then to suggest the Macro modulation we dicuss in this topic. I’m just saying that there might be reasons why it’s not possible today. Arturia have along the way added the possibilities to both Reassign and Copy modulations from one modulator to another - like to the MW modultor with ease. We have a whole menu of options as can be read about in the manual section 1…

You can for example use a LFO as sidechain input for the Macros parameters.
Or you can assign the parameters to the LFO modulator. You can in this case even use a Macro as sidechain input for the parameters the LFO modulate.
Regarding the modulation sidechain feature please consult the manual section “19.2.5. Sidechains”. There is more about it in the manual.

All in all you should be able to get the result you look for. Just not by directly modulating a Macro with for example a LFO.

[mabian]

Thank you for that. I have checked the manual, not sure messing with the Amp Mod is straightforward (actually it sets the “sensitivity” of the volume with regard to another main modulator, not quite the same in my opinion.

About the sidechain modulation, I guess I have to check it in detail.
Overall it seems I can get what I’m looking for, even though I find it a lot trickier I’d have expected from a powerful modulation-centric product like Pigments.

• Mario

[LBH]

You are welcome.

@mabian

I have checked the manual, not sure messing with the Amp Mod is straightforward (actually it sets the “sensitivity” of the volume with regard to another main modulator, not quite the same in my opinion.

I’m not sure what you mean by this.
If you click the text belov the AMP MOD knob, then you can select a modulator.
Beside this you can also modulate the Knob with another modulator, if you wish.

I think perhaps it also can be about a mindset about modulation.

[mabian]

Got it but… I think the Amp Mod is not an actual level control.

If you set it to 0%, all notes will sound the same - max - level no matter the value of the main modulator.
If you set it to 100%, notes level depends on the main modulator value (by default it’s velocity). This doesn’t change the overall volume, rather “flattens” the level differences depending to the main modulator values progressively as the Amp Mod value goes toward 0%.

• Mario

[LBH]

Hi again @mabian,

@mabian

I think the Amp Mod is not an actual level control.

It’s a level modulator. It does’nt add level to the existing max level. That’s also level control but within a already set max level. I think this is where the mindset matters.

@mabian

If you set it to 0%, all notes will sound the same - max - level no matter the value of the main modulator.

Because the knob is Modulation Amount. That mean no modulation at 0%.

@mabian

If you set it to 100%, notes level depends on the main modulator value (by default it’s velocity). This doesn’t change the overall volume, rather “flattens” the level differences depending to the main modulator values progressively as the Amp Mod value goes toward 0%.

Yes as it’s the Modulator Source. And as said it does’nt add level. But it still set level.

Can you give an example off what you mean you can’t accomplish?

Or is it only about the AMP MOD does’nt add level? Modulating level this way prevent overdriving the output. If you add level, then you’ll have to reduce the Master Volume or other Volume controls to prevent overdriving the output if a modulation add level.

As i wrote, then you also can modulate other volume parameters, if that work better for you. Just not the Master Volume parameter.

There are many creative possibilities in Pigments the way it work.

EDIT -
BTW: I think many overlook the possibilities that modulator sidechain and also the Combinators offer.
Pigments modulation system is advanced and creative.
EDIT END

[LBH]

Hi again @mabian,

Just a tip in case this is what you are missing.
This is just one example.
You can for example use a Combinator as a level control, that you can modulate like this:

1. Select a Combinator as Source for your AMP MOD.
2. Set the AMP MOD Amount to max (1).
3. In the chosen Combinator select OFFSET as type-
4. Set the Combinators Source to none.
5. Now the Combinators Amount knob control the level and you can modulate the knob.

[Voider_2049]

Why don’t you just share your patch, it’s much easier if people can look into your programming.

[drmad]

You can also modulate all volume parameters wih a single source, giving you even more control…