Undulator

Undulator is Eventide's interpretation of modulated tremolo, transplanted from their legendary H3000 hardware processor into plugin form. The effect layers feedback-driven delays with amplitude modulation, creating rhythmic textures that sit somewhere between traditional tremolo and granular time-stretching. What distinguishes Undulator from conventional tremolo effects is its multi-tap delay architecture combined with dual modulation sources: an LFO controlling tremolo depth and rate, plus a secondary modulator that adds movement to those parameters themselves.

The signal flow centers on a detuned delay section with variable feedback and spread, run through an AM/FM modulated tremolo. This combination excels at transforming sustaining sources - pads, strings, ambient guitar, extended vocal tones - into evolving, rhythmically active textures. The effect works equally well on transient material, stretching short samples into layered, time-lapsing atmospheres. Tempo sync capabilities ensure predictable rhythmic behavior within a mix, while the Retrig function locks modulation to the wavefront for consistent retriggering.

Undulator occupies a specific niche between tremolo and delay effects. It's most valuable for producers and engineers working in electronic, ambient, and cinematic scoring contexts where textural evolution matters more than traditional rhythmic precision. The Ribbon macro on desktop versions enables real-time parameter sweeps, making the effect performable rather than merely set-and-forget. This tactile control transforms Undulator from a static processor into an expressive tool, particularly useful in live DAW performance and sound design sessions where dynamic morphing of modulation patterns is integral to the composition.