How Modulators Work; Breakpoints And Grab Handles - Arturia ACID V User Manual

5.2. How Modulators work

As we said, Modulators in Acid V can work like envelopes, LFOs, or like a mad scientist
combined both into a hybrid and gave it superpowers. Basically, they make it easier than
ever to turn what you see on the graph into what you hear.

5.2.1. Breakpoints and grab handles

A breakpoint is circled in red; a grab handle in yellow
Modulators let you create any curve or shape of modulation you want beginning with two
simple tools: breakpoints and grab handles . A breakpoint is a point in time at which the
modulation changes direction. (Actually, it doesn't have to — you could use a breakpoint as
a spot where, for example, the curve increases or decreases in steepness — but changing
direction is usually what a breakpoint is for.)
Left-click on the graph to add a breakpoint. Right-click on the point to delete it.
Between any two breakpoints is a grab handle that you can drag to change the shape or
intensity of the curve between those two points. Leaving a handle in mid-position would
create a more or less straight line between points. Dragging it as far as it will go in a
direction generally creates a steep "knee" shape.
Between grab handles and breakpoints, any shape can be created, from a simple sine wave
for an LFO to a conventional synth-style ADSR to extremely complex shapes.
43 Arturia - User Manual Acid V - ADVANCED VIEW PART 2 - MODULATORS