Trem Control

Classic tremolo for the 21st century

With intuitive rate controls, flexible shape parameters, and a rich palette of tremolo types, Trem Control may learned from the classic analog tremolo units of the last century, but it also makes possible — for the first time ever — radically new tremolo effects fit for this century. Paired with a crunchy tube summing stage, Trem Control can bring the warmth and vibe along with its wobble, chop, and shake.

Interface Preview

Here’s a screenshot of Trem Control in action. Click anywhere on the interface to jump to a control’s definition below.

Advanced Controls

Controls

Primary Controls

Rate

Rate Mode

Determines how the tremolo rate is set.

Option Discussion
BPM

The tremolo rate is based on the Tempo and Note selection
Hz

The tremolo rate is set in hertz with the Rate control
  • Default Hz

Note

Note sets the tremolo rate using musical durations, ranging from a whole note: 1, to a thirty-second note: 1/32.

Option Symbol
1

1/2 D

1 T

1/2

1/4 D

1/2 T

1/4

1/8 D

1/4 T

1/8

1/16 D

1/8 T

1/16

1/32 D

1/16 T

1/32

The Note control supports clicking, dragging, and the arrow keys.

Use Shift + ← or → to “lock” the current row when changing notes.

Looking for something slower than a whole note, or faster than a thirty-second note? Use the Rate Multiplier to get at those outliers.

Note, Tempo, & Tempo Sync are active when Rate Mode is set to BPM.

  • Min 1
  • Max 1/32
  • Default 1/4

Tempo

Trem Control’s tempo in beats per minute (BPM).

The tempo can be set via tap tempo. Use the T key when the control is highlighted or mouse clicks to tap in your desired tempo.

  • Min 30.0
  • Max 300.0
  • Default 120.0

Tempo Sync

Determines how the Tempo is set: either manually or synced from the host/DAW.

Options: Manual, Synced

  • Default Synced

Rate

Controls the absolute tremolo rate in hertz (Hz).

Rate is active when Rate Mode is set to Hz. Rate can be set via tap tempo: use the T key when the control is highlighted to tap in your desired speed.

  • Min 0.00Hz
  • Max 20.00Hz
  • Default 4.00Hz

Rate Multiplier

Increases or decreases the tremolo rate by a multiple.

Example: 4Hz ⋅ 2x = 8Hz

The Rate Multiplier is active for both BPM & Hz Rate Mode’s.

  • Min 1/4x
  • Max 32x
  • Default 1x

Shape

Depth

Controls how deep the tremolo modulates (i.e. the amount of tremolo).

At 100%, the tremolo modulates from fully “On” (zero attenuation) to fully “Off” (full attenuation).

  • Min 0%
  • Max 100%
  • Default 100%

Wave

Continuously varies the tremolo wave shape from triangle to sine to square.

Both triangle and sine types produce fairly smooth-sounding tremolo. Sine sounds a bit deeper; triangle sounds a bit sharper.

Square wave tremolo produces hard chopping and has the sharpest sound of the three wave types.

  • Min 0%
  • Max 100%
  • Default 50%

Bias

Sort of like a pulse-width control, the Bias causes the tremolo shape to “bend” toward either amplitude extreme.

At 0%, the tremolo shape is biased toward fully “Off” (full attenuation).

At 100%, the tremolo shape is biased toward fully “On” (zero attenuation).

  • Min 0%
  • Max 100%
  • Default 50%

Symmetry

Controls the symmetry of the tremolo modulation’s rise and fall.

At 50%, the tremolo rise and fall are symmetrical and take the same amount of time.

At 0%, the tremolo rise is much faster than its fall — producing a sharper attack.

At 100%, the tremolo rise is much slower than its fall — producing a softer attack.

  • Min 0%
  • Max 100%
  • Default 50%

Vibe

Tube Color

Controls the amount of tube coloration.

0% is totally clean: no harmonic distortion, tonal coloration, or noise.

200% is the exact opposite.

Tube Color includes a meter embedded in the slider. This meter shows the THD (total harmonic distortion) added to the signal, up to 13% THD.

  • Min 0%
  • Max 200%
  • Default 100%

Trem Type

Trem Control offers a couple different tremolo types — each with their own unique sounds and applications.

Option Discussion
Standard

Amplitude modulation: the tremolo you think of when you think of tremolo
Harmonic

Featured on many classic Fender amps from the mid-century, harmonic tremolo divides the highs and lows, modulating them out of phase to create a gorgeous, intoxicating wobble
Deep Harmonic

A more extreme version of the classic harmonic tremolo — can sound almost like a phasor, or someone shaking a metal sheet
Bass

Modulates the lows only
Treble

Modulates the highs only — great for more subtle tremolo effects
Air

Modulates the highest “air band” frequencies only
Mid/Side

Modulates the mid and side out-of-phase (only available in stereo)
Mid Only

Modulates the mid only (only available in stereo)
Side Only

Modulates the side only (only available in stereo)
  • Default Standard

Master On/Off

Bypasses Trem Control’s processing.

We recommend using the Master On/Off instead of your DAW’s plugin bypass to avoid digital artifacts.

  • Default On

Advanced Controls

The Advanced section offers more precise control and fine adjustment options.

To access Trem Control’s advanced controls, click the ••• icon in the sidebar.

Advanced Shape

Phase Offset

The Phase Offset makes it possible to offset where the modulation peak occurs in time (generally most useful when Trem Control is synced to the beat).

At 0º, the the tremolo’s loudest part is aligned to the downbeat. Offsetting this in time makes it possible create offbeat pulses and other interesting rhythmic effects.

  • Min 0°
  • Max 360°
  • Default 0°

Stereo Phase

The Stereo Phase is just like Phase Offset, except that it only affects one of the stereo channels.

At 0º, the left/right tremolo modulations are exactly the same.

At 180º, they are completely out of phase. This produces a much wider-sounding tremolo effect.

  • Min 0°
  • Max 360°
  • Default 0°

Advanced Rate

Swing

The swing control makes it possible push and pull the tremolo’s rhythm, creating unequal pulses in succession.

A Swing of 0% produces no swing at all — each tremolo pulse is the same length.

Swing values above 0% cause every second pulse to be shorter in time. At 100%, the second pulse is infinitely short, causing the first pulse to be twice as long.

Swing values below 0% cause every second pulse to be longer in time. At 100%, the first pulse is infinitely short, causing the second pulse to be twice as long.

25% gets you classic jazz swing, as notated by ; -25% will get you the inverse, something we call reverse or negative swing, aka .

  • Min -100%
  • Max 100%
  • Default 0%

Misc

Volume Comp

When On, Trem Control’s volume compensation ensures approximately constant RMS level, regardless of the tremolo Depth.

Options: Off, On

  • Default On

Tube Noise Gain

Controls the gain of the tube stage’s noise.

You can quickly turn toggle the noise On or Off by clicking the small sidebar “noise” icon.

The tube stage only produces noise when Tube Color is greater than 0%.

  • Min -96.0dB
  • Max 24.0dB
  • Default 0.0dB

Trim

Input Trim

Enables input gain trimming before the tube summing stage.

This can be used to overdrive the tube stage, producing some gnarly tube distortion and crunch.

  • Min -24.0dB
  • Max 12.0dB
  • Default 0.0dB

Output Trim

Enables output gain trimming after the tube summing stage.

  • Min -24.0dB
  • Max 12.0dB
  • Default 0.0dB

HQ Mode

HQ Mode is our no-holds-barred processing mode where super high quality audio is given priority over CPU usage.

When HQ Mode is turned On, Trem Control uses a higher precision algorithm, providing better spectral resolution at the expense of some added latency (~50 ms) and higher CPU usage.

Option Symbol
Off

On

We recommend using HQ Mode when you need the highest possible quality and don’t mind 2-4x higher CPU usage. An important lead instrument, vocal, or a mastering session is a great place for HQ Mode.

HQ Mode cannot be MIDI mapped since automating it is not recommended.

HQ Mode will require more CPU resources and result in a slightly higher processing delay (latency). To ensure proper delay compensation in your host/DAW, automating HQ Mode is not recommended.

  • Default Off

Specs

Supported Channel Configurations

Input Channel # Output Channel #
1 1
1 2
2 2

Acknowledgements

Annlie Huang / Chris Conover / Daniel Saban / Diana Zheng / Don Gunn / Garreth Spinn / Jack Stratton / TaeHo Park / Tyler Duncan

Authors

Devin Kerr / Rob Stenson / Jasper Duba / Noah Dayan

Translators

TaeHo Park / Tiago Frúgoli / Gustavo Guzmán / Reda Kermach / Noah Dayan / Gal Cohen / Sydney Bolton / Enrico Cirene

About Goodhertz Plugins

User Interface

Goodhertz plugins are made to be workhorse tools that sound amazing. We’ve put a lot of thought and care into the audio quality and plugin usability, and for that reason, we’ve opted for simple and direct controls & interfaces that don’t rely on photorealistic knobs or ornamental screw heads to communicate their meaning.

We’ve also decided to only include meters and graphs when we feel they will directly lead to a better sonic result. Meters/graphs can consume significant CPU resources, and we firmly believe that if it sounds good, it is good.

Our meters can be reset at any time using the “Reset Meters” button (in certain plugins) and manually enabled or disabled via the “Enable Metering” User Preference.

Preset Bar

Button Action
Undo the last parameter change.
Redo the last parameter change.
Switch to the previous preset.
“Preset Name” Opens the preset drawer (Option/Alt + Click to reset all plugin settings to preset).
Switch to the next preset.
Selects the A settings state.
This copies the current settings to the opposite A/B state; i.e. if you’re on the A state, clicking the arrow will copy those settings to the B state.
Selects the B settings state.

Toolbar

Introduced in version 3.10, the toolbar at the bottom of the plugin holds a handful of shortcut buttons.

Icon Action
Opens preferences menu
Shows diagnostic information
Opens plugin manual in your default web browser
Opens a URL representation of the current plugin control state (Command/Ctrl + Click to copy the URL to the clipboard)
Opens language-selection menu
Opens MIDI Learn menu
Shrink interface
Enlarge interface

Keyboard Shortcuts

Action Keyboard Shortcut
Enter New Parameter Value Once you’ve tapped or double-tapped a control, type in a value, then hit Enter, Return, or Tab
Increment Parameter Value ↑ or → arrow keys
Decrement Parameter Value ↓ or ← arrow keys
Jump to Next Parameter Tab
Jump to Previous Parameter Shift + Tab or ` (backtick)
Escape Parameter Focus / Close any Open Drawers Esc
Tap Tempo t or Click (N.B. For this to work, you must have a BPM or milliseconds control selected.)
Save Preset n (N.B. For this to work, the preset panel must be open.)
Set Preset as Favorite f (N.B. For this to work, the preset panel must be open.)
Edit Preset e (N.B. For this to work, the preset panel must be open.)
Update Preset u (N.B. For this to work, the preset panel must be open.)
Delete Preset Delete (N.B. For this to work, the preset panel must be open.)

Right-Click Actions

Action Instruction
Read about Control in manual Right-Click & select “Show in Plugin Manual”
Reset Control to Default Right-Click & select “Reset to Factory Default Value”
Lock Control when switching presets Right-Click & select “Lock When Switching Presets”
Copy current plugin settings to clipboard Right-Click & select “Copy as URL to Clipboard”
Paste all plugin settings from clipboard Right-Click & select “Paste From Clipboard”
Reset all plugin settings to Defaults Right-Click & select “Reset All to Defaults”
Reset all plugin metering Right-Click & select “Reset Meters” (only available in certain plugins)
Reset all plugin settings to Preset Right-Click & select “Reset to [preset] Preset”
Update Preset with current plugin settings Right-Click & select “Update [preset] Preset”
Create new Preset with current plugin settings Right-Click & select “Create New Preset”
Go to the plugin’s manual page Right-Click & select “Read [plugin name] Manual”

Right-Click Preferences

Action Explanation
Language Switch the display language of text elements in Goodhertz plugins. We currently support the following languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), and Arabic.
Always Open Advanced Pane By default, this is Off — i.e. when the plugins open, they do not show you the advanced controls available by hitting the ••• button in the sidebar. If you’d like to always see the advanced controls, enable this preference.
Control Granularity By default, all Goodhertz controls move in small increments when dragged. If you prefer controls to operate with larger increments by default, change this option to Coarse. N.B. This will swap the behavior of the Shift mouse modifier - i.e. Shift-dragging will move a control with standard granularity when set to Coarse.
Dark Mode Allows you to choose the color palette used for displaying the interface. If you prefer the look of dark colors (or work in a darker environment) enable this option. The Auto option will automatically adjust the color scheme depending on the system preferences of your machine (Mac only).
Enable Hover Markers By default, this is On — i.e. all controls will show markers on hover. If you find this behavior unnecessary, deselect this option and no markers will be shown.
Enable Metering By default, this is On — i.e. in normal operation, all audio meters and visualizations available in Goodhertz plugins are enabled and running. If you’d like to turn them off and disable all metering and visualization, deselect this option. And to turn them back on, simply reselect it. N.B. If you’re struggling to use a large number of Goodhertz plugins on an older processor with an integrated GPU, sometimes disabling metering can help.
Enable Scroll Input By default, all Goodhertz sliders can be scrolled in addition to dragged. If you find this behavior unnecessary, deselect this option and no scrolling events will be used to control Goodhertz sliders.
Enable Tooltips By default, this is On — i.e. all controls will show a tooltip on hover. If you find this behavior unnecessary, deselect this option and no tooltips will be shown.
GPU Acceleration By default, this is Enabled — i.e. the GPU will be prioritized whenever possible to improve graphics performance. If your graphics card does not support GPU acceleration, this preference will be automatically set to Reduced. N.B. If you experience graphics issues, disabling this preference may help.
Keyboard Focus By default, you can get keyboard focus on any Goodhertz control with a single click. Change this option to ensure keyboard focus only occurs on double clicks.
Window Size Enlarge or shrink the Goodhertz plugin window by selecting an option here. This will save your preference for all instances of this plugin.
Diagnostics Displays general information about the plugin and the configuration of your system for diagnostic purposes. If you experience any issues with the plugin, it can be helpful to include this information when contacting us. N.B. Clicking this window will copy the contents to the clipboard.
MIDI Learn Configure the mapping used to control parameters via MIDI messages. To assign a MIDI number to a control, enable MIDI Learn and send a MIDI message while a control is focused. To remove an assigned mapping, click on a mapping entry in the list or select Clear All to reset the entire mapping. N.B. You can assign different types of MIDI messages including Pitch Bend, Note, and CC messages.

Mouse Modifiers

Action Combination (Mac) Combination (Windows)
Reset Parameter to Default Value Option + Click Alt + Click
Move Control with Coarse Precision Shift + Drag Shift + Drag
Move Control with Fine Precision Command + Drag Ctrl + Drag
Move Control with Normal Precision Drag Drag

Automation

Unintentional digital clicks and pops are the worst. They happen for lots of reasons and often end up wasting your time with needless revisions or mastering surgery. When they go unnoticed, they can make their way onto commercial albums and releases.

Plugin automation is a common cause of clicks and pops. Sweeping an EQ band, changing a delay setting, and even automating a plugin bypass can cause digital artifacts if poorly handled.

This is not true for Goodhertz plugins. Any parameter in a Goodhertz plugin, even on/off switches, can be automated freely and smoothly without clicks, pops, or zipper noises (unless otherwise noted). You can push them, pull them, LFO them — whatever you do, they’ll handle it gracefully.

Since our Master On/Off controls won’t create artifacts, we recommend that you use them rather than your DAW-supplied plugin bypass if you want to disable plugin processing.

Plugin Settings

Goodhertz plugin settings can be copied and pasted as text urls, which look like this: https://goodhertz.com/vulf-comp/3.0.9?cm=0&wf=0&lf=100&lfc=50

To copy and paste, right click anywhere on the plugin interface and select either the copy or the paste option.

E.g. If you paste “https://goodhertz.com/vulf-comp/3.0.9?cm=0&wf=0&lf=100&lfc=50” into Vulf Compressor it will recall the settings associated with that url. This way you can easily send an exact plugin setting to someone — in an email or even a tweet — without any guesswork or screenshots.”

System Requirements

Mac OS X ≥ 10.13

Audio Unit 64-Bit, VST 64-Bit, VST3 64-Bit, or AAX 64-Bit host

Windows ≥ 10

VST 64-Bit, VST3 64-Bit, or AAX 64-Bit host

Contact Support

To send plugin feedback, please e-mail us at feedback@goodhertz.com.

If you have a quick question, send us a tweet @Goodhertz. We’re often able to respond faster to tweets than emails.

If you’re having trouble, experiencing a technical issue, or you think you’ve found a bug, please email support@goodhertz.com.

Find all our contact info & bug-reporting protocol on the contact page.