> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://manual.minimal.audio/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://manual.minimal.audio/current-manual/modulation/modulation-system.md). # Modulation System *** ## Overview Minimal Audio's modulation system is centered around the modulation control bar, located in the middle of both the Engine and Effects views. Here, you can quickly view all modulators, assign modulation via drag-and-drop, access the mod matrix, change a modulator’s type, and open modulator views for further editing.
*** 1. Click the **Matrix** button to open the full modulation matrix. Here, you can view and edit all modulation connections at once, and filter them by source or destination. Learn more on the [Mod Matrix](/current-manual/modulation/mod-matrix.md) page. 2. Click on a modulator to open its panel and adjust its settings. Additionally, you can copy and paste modulators by holding Option (macOS) or Alt (Windows) while dragging and dropping. 3. You can assign modulation by dragging and dropping onto the circular icon. Modulation can also be assigned via the Mod Matrix or by right-clicking on a control and selecting "Add Modulator." 4. The nine central modulator types can be swapped by clicking the modulator’s name. Options include [Envelope](/current-manual/modulation/envelope.md), [LFO](/current-manual/modulation/morphing-lfo.md), [Curve](/current-manual/modulation/curve-sequencer.md), and [Follower](/current-manual/modulation/envelope-follower.md). Swapping modulator types will preserve all existing modulation assignments, allowing you to easily alter the movement throughout a patch. 5. On the right side of the modulation control bar, you'll find the [Keyboard and MPE Modulators](/current-manual/modulation/keyboard-and-mpe-modulators.md), which offer immediate access to modulation sources like velocity and pitch bend. To access the MPE mode option, open the key modulator panel. When MPE mode is active, all six keyboard modulators switch to MPE controls, such as Strike and Slide. Learn more about how to [enable MPE](/current-manual/additional-settings/enable-mpe-support.md). *** ## Modulation assignments Once a modulation connection is created, most modulation settings can be adjusted directly from the knob or slider. Additional settings can be edited in the [Mod Matrix](/current-manual/modulation/mod-matrix.md) or by right-clicking on the control. ### Modulation Amount
Once modulation is assigned, a circular "modulation slider" appears next to the control. This slider allows you to adjust how much modulation is applied to the parameter. * Drag the modulation slider to adjust the modulation depth. * Right-click to access options for bipolar modulation, connection bypass, or to update the modulation assignment. * Option-Shift-click (macOS) or Alt-Shift-click (Windows) on the modulation slider to toggle bipolar mode. * You can also drag another modulator onto the modulation slider to modulate the connection’s depth. ### Depth Modulation
"Depth Modulation" refers to modulating the amount of one modulation connection using another modulator. A common example would be using a macro knob to control how much an LFO modulates a parameter. You can create a depth modulation connection by dragging and dropping any modulator onto an existing modulation slider or by using the [Mod Matrix](/current-manual/modulation/mod-matrix.md). * Once assigned, you can control the depth modulation amount by dragging the modulation slider. To adjust the original modulation as if no depth modulation were assigned, hold the Shift key and drag the modulation slider. * Right-click to access options for bipolar modulation and to update the modulation assignment. ### Multiple Modulation Assignments
Once multiple modulators are assigned to a parameter, a "▼" icon will appear next to the control. Clicking this icon opens a popup where you can select which modulation slider to display for editing. Selecting a modulator will also highlight that modulation throughout the plugin and open the modulator panel when possible. More information on modulator highlighting is provided below. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://manual.minimal.audio/current-manual/modulation/modulation-system.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.