Optical tremolo

Production Signature

Optical tremolo is an amplitude modulation effect achieved using an optical circuit, typically found in guitar amplifiers, to rhythmically pulse the volume of an audio signal. The resulting modulation imparts a smooth, undulating motion to the sound without altering its pitch. It is commonly used to introduce rhythmic movement to sustained parts while keeping them distinct from dry elements.

How the songs in the archive use it

In I Wanna Be Yours by Arctic Monkeys, an electric guitar tracked through a tube amplifier with deep optical tremolo is placed in the stereo periphery to provide rhythmic movement, fill the chorus background, and answer vocal lines.

How to do it in Logic Pro

Optical tremolo rhythmically modulates amplitude using smooth, rounded curves reminiscent of vintage tube amp optical circuits. Use it on electric guitars, electric pianos, or synths to add hypnotic, undulating motion.

  1. Insert Tremolo on the track's channel strip.
  2. Engage Sync to lock the amplitude pulsing to the project tempo grid.
  3. Set Rate to the desired musical division.
  4. Adjust Depth to control how drastically the signal volume drops during each cycle.
  5. Increase Smoothing to round off the modulation curve into a soft optical wave.
Plug-inControlValueListen for
TremoloDepth60noticeable yet natural volume pulsation
TremoloSmoothing50soft, undulating opto-style swell
TremoloSymmetry50even rise and fall of volume

A general method with Logic Pro's own plug-ins. Control names are checked against Apple's manual; the values are starting points, so adjust them by ear.

Songs that use it (1)

What each track sheet's analysis found, with the sheet's own score. Analysis, not verified credits.

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