LoChoVibes
README
LoCho Vibes
LoCho Vibes is a stereo lo-fi chorus and vibrato effect for the Music Thing Modular Workshop Computer.
Inspired by the unstable movement and degraded character of the ZVEX Lo-Fi Junky, this card focuses on animated pitch movement, stereo widening, saturation, compression-style coloration, and degraded cassette-inspired modulation.
Features
- Stereo chorus and vibrato modes
- Triangle, sine, and Random Drift LFO shapes
- Bipolar Character control
- Progressive lo-fi degradation
- Bit-crushing and saturation
- Soft limiting and compression coloration
- Stereo modulated delay architecture
- Stereo chorus widening
- External pulse-clockable LFO
- CV modulation inputs
- Dual animated CV LFO outputs
- Temporary LED overlay for LFO shape selection
Controls
| Control | Function |
|---|---|
| Main | Modulation Rate |
| X | Modulation Depth |
| Y | Character (Lo-Fi ↔ Compression) |
| Switch Up | Vibrato Mode |
| Switch Middle | Chorus Mode |
| Switch Down (momentary) | Cycle LFO Shape |
Inputs & Outputs
| Input / Output | Function |
|---|---|
| Audio In 1 + 2 | Mono summed audio input |
| Audio Out 1 | Left audio output |
| Audio Out 2 | Right audio output |
| CV In 1 | Modulates modulation depth |
| CV In 2 | Modulates Character control |
| Pulse In 1 | External LFO clock input |
| CV Out 1 | Main LFO modulation output |
| CV Out 2 | Inverted LFO modulation output |
External Clocking
LoCho Vibes supports external pulse clocking via Pulse In 1.
When a pulse source is connected:
- the internal LFO synchronizes to incoming clock pulses
- modulation speed follows pulse timing
- clock changes are smoothed internally
- automatic fallback to internal clock occurs if pulses stop
This allows synchronized chorus and vibrato movement from sequencers, clocks, trigger generators, and rhythm systems.
CV Modulation
CV In 1 — Depth Modulation
CV In 1 modulates the X control.
This affects:
- modulation intensity
- stereo width
- chorus movement
- vibrato depth
Incoming CV is attenuated internally for musical response.
CV In 2 — Character Modulation
CV In 2 modulates the Y Character control.
This allows external movement between:
- degraded cassette textures
- neutral response
- compressed and saturated modulation
Slow modulation sources can create evolving texture shifts while faster CV creates animated tonal movement.
CV Outputs
LoCho Vibes outputs the internal modulation waveform as CV.
CV Out 1
Outputs the main LFO.
CV Out 2
Outputs an inverted version of the same LFO.
Applications include:
- filter modulation
- stereo panning
- synchronized movement
- clocked animation
- opposing modulation sources
The outputs always reflect the selected waveform and clock state.
Character Control
Counter-Clockwise — Lo-Fi
Turning the control counter-clockwise progressively introduces:
- reduced signal level
- increasing tape-style saturation
- reduced resolution through bit reduction
- softened transients
- degraded cassette texture
- dirtier and grainier modulation
Center Position — Neutral
At approximately 12 o'clock:
- minimal saturation
- no bit reduction
- no compression coloration
- cleanest modulation response
Clockwise — Compression
Turning clockwise progressively introduces:
- increased input drive
- soft limiting
- stronger saturation
- transient compression
- makeup gain
- denser modulation texture
Higher settings create a louder, more forward sound that resembles heavily driven modulation pedals and compressed tape playback.
Modes
Chorus
In chorus mode:
- dry signal remains blended with the delay line
- stereo modulation widens the image
- modulation varies from restrained and subtle to over the top and chaotic.
Vibrato
In vibrato mode:
- the effect becomes fully wet
- pitch modulation becomes significantly more obvious
- behaviour resembles unstable tape transport and warped cassette playback
At higher depth settings the result can become heavily seasick and degraded.
LFO Shapes
Triangle
Classic linear modulation.
Provides traditional chorus movement and predictable stereo animation.
Sine
Smooth and fluid.
Useful for subtle pitch movement and gentle tape-style wobble.
Random Drift
A combination of slow modulation and random wandering movement. Modulation is affected by the depth knob and speed cotrol
- unstable tape transport behaviour
- slow wandering pitch drift
- imperfect mechanical motion
- less predictable stereo movement
- degraded cassette-style character
This mode is intended to emulate old tape machines that never move quite the same way twice.
Stereo Behaviour
LoCho Vibes converts incoming audio to mono internally before creating a stereo modulation field.
The left and right channels use opposing delay modulation and offset delay times to create:
- stereo widening
- animated movement
- asymmetrical modulation
- tape-style instability
LED Behaviour
Shape Display Overlay
When the switch is tapped downward:
- the LFO shape changes
- LEDs briefly display the selected waveform
- normal LED operation returns automatically
| Shape | LEDs |
|---|---|
| Triangle | LEDs 0–1 |
| Sine | LEDs 2–3 |
| Random Drift | LEDs 4–5 |
Normal Display Mode
| LED | Function |
|---|---|
| LED 0 | Modulation Rate |
| LED 1 | Modulation Depth |
| LED 2 | Lo-Fi Amount |
| LED 3 | Compression Amount |
| LED 4 | LFO Phase |
| LED 5 | Inverted LFO Phase |
LED brightness reflects both parameter values and modulation movement.
Current Status
Actively under development and testing.