LFO Tool
by Xfer Records · Modulation · Volume / filter LFO
vst3s Score 8.7/10 · rated #4 of 10 modulation & movement
The classic drawn-curve sidechain tool. Draw a volume, filter or pan shape with a point-and-tension editor, and pump basses and pads in time without routing a real sidechain.
It can also send its curves out as MIDI CC to control other plugins.
Best for: Bass, Keys & Synths, Drums. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Hip-Hop & Trap.
Keywords: bass, MIDI-controllable, sidechain input, CPU-light, pumping, pads, synths, classic, auto-pan, drums, mixing, tremolo, wobble.
What it does
LFO Tool is Xfer Records' LFO plugin for shaping volume, filter and pan with drawn curves, best known as a sidechain substitute.
- Curve editor: points with adjustable tension, up to 12 graphs stored in one preset, plus a menu of preset shapes and your own saved ones.
- What it moves: up to four graphs run at once, controlling volume, filter cutoff and resonance, and pan.
- Timing: rate in BPM (with optional swing) or Hz, synced sample-accurately to the host.
- MIDI: it can send MIDI CC out to control other synths, effects or hardware, and graphs can be switched with MIDI notes or automation.
- Light on CPU: written in C++ with a small footprint, so it can go on many tracks.
The current version is 1.5. The demo runs for 15 minutes at a time.
Source: Xfer Records product page
When to use it
LFO Tool is the long-standing classic for tempo-synced ducking. It does less than ShaperBox 3 (no delay, distortion or multiband) and, unlike ShaperBox 3 and Duck 2, it can't retrigger from incoming audio transients. What it offers is a fast, readable curve editor, very low CPU use and MIDI CC output.
- Best for: sidechain-style pumping on bass, pads and full buses, tremolo and auto-pan, and wobble-style filter movement.
- Genres: EDM, house, future bass, dubstep, hip-hop and trap.
- Look elsewhere if: you want multiband ducking or transient-triggered shapes (Duck 2, ShaperBox 3), or a more modern interface.
- Tip: use the MIDI CC output to drive a synth's cutoff from the same curve that ducks the bass.
What producers say
A staple in electronic production, although newer tools have overtaken it on features.
- Cymatics called it one of the most user-friendly FX utilities around and a must-have for producers, but noted it isn't "sleek looking" and can't be triggered from audio.
- Integraudio (2024) compared it with Cableguys VolumeShaper 6: the reviewer preferred LFO Tool's workflow and low CPU use, but judged VolumeShaper more capable and better value.
- Gripes: a dated look and a feature set that hasn't grown much compared with newer shapers.
Where to buy
- Xfer Records: $49.95
Tutorials and reviews
- How to Sidechain with LFO Tool (Stop using compressors!)
- How to use Xfer's LFO Tool
- How to sidechain with LFOTool
- Xfer Records LFOTool custom LFO shaper Plugin Tutorial With Rob Jones
- LFO Tool From Xfer Records - Show & Tell With Rob Talbott
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