Modulation

Mod-Sources are sections of the synth that generate values that can be used to automate knobs in Ultra. This is the heart of programming a synth!

A Modulation Link is a connection between a mod-source and a destination knob.

For instance, the velocity mod source is controlled by how hard you play your MIDI keyboard. If you connect velocity to filter cutoff, this would result in a patch where the harder you play, the brighter your patch sounds.

There are many other types of mod sources.

Watch a video

There are 2 ways to create a modulation link:

  • Drag a mod source to a knob
    This small cross icons represent a mod source. Drag this icon to a knob to make a modulation connection. You'll find them in the bottom half of the synth.
  • Launch the mod matrix
    On mod matrix pages, you'll find an Add Mod Link button

Editing Modulated Knobs

Once a knob is modulated, two additional controls appear to the right.

  • Mod range ring
    Once a knob is modulated, a ring will appear around it representing the amount that the mod source will affect it. This is the red line in the image above.
  • Mod range knob
    The small round knob at the top right controls how much the mod source adds to the knob value. Drag it up and down to change the range.
    If you want to subtract from the current knob value instead, drag the range down until the range starts to move anti clockwise from the knob position.
  • Arrow button
    The button in the bottom right Launches the Mod popover window (see below).
  • Polar mode
    Can be enabled by command-shift clicking the knob. In this mode, the bottom of the range is below the knob value and the top of the range above the knob value.
  • The White dot
    Indicates the current value of that the synth engine is using.

There are other types of controls apart from knobs. If they can be modulated, they will also have a Mod Range knob, A Mod range indicator dot, and an Arrow button to launch the Mod popover.

All modulat-able controls will light up while you are dragging a mod source.

The Mod Popover Window

Once a modulation link has been made you can launch a popup window to edit it.

  • Right-click a modulated knob or click the arrow button to show a list of mod sources that are connected to the knob.
  • Right-click a Mod Source drag icon to show the list of knobs that the mod source is connected to.

Both windows are similar, and allow you to edit the links directly without having to launch the Mod Matrix.

Modulation row

  • Trash Button
    Deletes the modulation link
  • Enabled LED switch
    Deactivates the modulation
  • Depth slider
    Performs a similar function to the Mod range knob, allowing you to increase or decrease the amount that the mod source affects the destination
  • Polarity Button
    Lets you switch polarity mode, as described above
  • Invert Left Right Button
    When enabled, the value used by the destination knob on the right channel is the opposite of the value on the left channel. This lets the modulation become stereo. A good example is using an LFO to modulate the pitch cents, where the left channel pitch increases as the right channel pitch decreases.
  • Aux Source Dropdown
    If you choose an aux source, the value of the modulation is multiplied by that source. For example, modulating with an LFO and using an Envelope with a long attack as the Aux Source, would mean the resulting modulation would fade in from nothing, to full.
  • Result graph
    Shows you the modulation level over time. So in the example above, you can see exactly what is happening between the Mod source and the Aux.

Mod target popover

When the popover is launched from a destination knob, there are additional features:

  • Target knob
    Shows the current base value.
  • Target value box
    Shows the current value. Click the box to type in specific values.
  • Stereo Width Slider
    Controls the values of the modulation on the left and right channel of the target.
  • Knob Value Graph
    Shows the value of the knob over time. If you have mod links, it will show you the sum of all of the incoming modulations.

Mod Source Popover

Shows all destinations that the mod source is currently connected to.

You can launch the Mod Matrix from here, to see all modulation links to and from all sources.

Authored on 18 Mar 2025. Last updated 24 Jul 2025 12:40:26 am.

Need more help? Ask a question, share feedback or report a problem:

Contact support