> 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/lucid-manual/granular-view/playback-controls.md).

# Playback Controls

### Overview

The **Playback Controls** set how Lucid moves through the captured loop over time. In **Stretch** mode, playback slows down, reverses, or freezes in sync with your project. In **Scrub** mode, you move through the loop by hand or with modulation, resequencing it in new ways. Both modes stay locked to your timeline whenever you want.

![Playback controls.png](attachment:91927110-99b9-4121-8c3b-a9eb68ab7811:Playback_controls.png)

***

### Playback Mode

Selects how captured audio is played back.

* **Stretch:** Time-stretches captured audio while keeping playback synchronized to the timeline or incoming audio. Ideal for freeze effects, rhythmic manipulation, and evolving time-based textures.
* **Scrub:** Lets you manually move through the captured audio. Automate or modulate the playback position to create expressive resequencing and real time performance effects.

### Stretch Mode

Determines what triggers a new stretch.

* **Grid.** Retriggers stretching at tempo-synced intervals, keeping playback aligned with the project timeline.
* **Transient.** Retriggers whenever a transient is detected in the incoming audio, following the natural rhythm of the source material.
* **Manual.** Starts a new stretch each time **Activate** is pressed, making it ideal for live performance, automation, and manual freeze effects.

### Stretch Retrigger

Sets how often stretching retriggers when using **Grid** mode.

Shorter note divisions retrigger more frequently, while longer divisions allow each stretch to continue for a greater duration. If the retrigger interval is shorter than the current Grain Rate, playback may reset before new grains are generated, making the stretch effect inaudible.

### Stretch

Controls how much the captured audio is stretched without affecting its pitch.

At **1x**, audio plays at its original speed. Increasing the value progressively slows playback until the incoming audio is completely frozen. Stretching follows the selected **Stretch Mode**.

{% hint style="info" %}
Push Stretch to maximum and raise Blur to turn any input into a smooth, sustained pad.
{% endhint %}

### Stretch Sync

Locks the **Stretch** control to tempo-synchronized values.

When enabled, stretching snaps to musical divisions for rhythmically aligned playback. When disabled, Stretch can be adjusted continuously for unrestricted time manipulation.

### Stretched BPM

Displays the effective tempo of the stretched audio.

The displayed value is calculated from the project tempo and current Stretch amount. You can also enter a target BPM to automatically set the closest matching Stretch value.

### Stretch Sensitivity

Adjusts how easily incoming transients trigger stretching when using **Transient** mode.

Higher values respond to quieter sounds, while lower values focus only on stronger transients, helping stretching follow the primary rhythm of the source material.

### Scrub Position

Sets the playback position within the captured audio.

Move through the recorded loop manually, or automate and modulate the control to create dynamic playback and time-based effects. The available scrub range depends on the current **Loop Length**.

{% hint style="info" %}
Modulate Scrub Position to build new sequences that stay locked to your loop.
{% endhint %}

### Scrub Mode

Determines how **Scrub Position** moves through the captured audio.

**Free** provides smooth, continuous movement, while synchronized modes snap playback to tempo-based note divisions for rhythmically precise sequencing.

### Scrub Record Hold

Freezes the current recording buffer.

When enabled, incoming audio is no longer recorded, allowing you to manipulate a fixed section of captured audio. Disable Hold to resume recording live input.

### Input Meter

Displays the level of the incoming audio being recorded.

A recording indicator shows when audio is actively being captured. Click the meter to toggle **Scrub Record Hold**, allowing you to freeze or resume recording.

### Stretch Activate

Enables or disables Stretch playback manually.

Disabling Stretch returns playback to the live input. Re-enabling it starts a new stretch from the current input, making it useful for manual triggering, automation, and live performance.

### Reverse

Reverses playback through the captured audio.

When enabled, both the playback position and generated grains play in reverse for a natural reverse effect. In **Manual** mode, enabling Reverse starts a new stretch. In **Grid** and **Transient** modes, playback direction changes immediately.

{% hint style="info" %}
Try combining this with the Grain Delay for unique reverse delay effects.
{% endhint %}

### Reverse Probability

Sets the likelihood that individual grains will play in reverse.

At **0%**, all grains play forward. At **50%**, forward and reverse playback occur equally often. At **100%**, every grain plays in reverse. This affects only the playback direction of each grain, while **Scrub Position** continues to determine where playback begins.

### Reverse Indicator

Displays the current playback direction of generated grains.

Click the forward or reverse indicator to force all grains to play in the selected direction.

### Spray

Randomizes the playback start position of each grain.

Lower values keep grains close to the current playback position, while higher values spread them across a wider section of the captured audio, producing more diffuse and ambient textures.

### Blur

Applies phase randomization to smooth granular playback.

Increasing Blur reduces artifacts during stretching and freezing, creating softer and more natural sounding textures. Lower values preserve a sharper and more defined character.

### Level

Adjusts the volume of newly generated grains.

Because the level is applied as each grain is created, changes occur gradually rather than affecting all currently playing grains immediately.


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