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1. Getting started with HoRNet FreMo

1 Having copied the FreMo Zip file from the DVD or downloaded it from the FileSilo page, unpack it to access the VST, Audio Units and AAX libraries for Mac, and VST and AAX libraries for PC. To install them, copy them to the relevant plugins folders on your system. 2 Insert FreMo onto your source signal of choice – drums, basses and synths are particularly viable targets, but anything’s fair game, really. The interface couldn’t be much more straightforward, comprising just five controls. You’ll notice that there aren’t any presets, either – that’s because it’s a highly source-specific effect that needs to be tweaked in context. 3 The first thing to be aware of is the Mod Amount dial, as this is the rough equivalent of a level control for the wet signal, determining how much processing is actually brought to bear. At 1%, FreMo is effectively deactivated, and at 100% it’s at full-tilt maximum. 4 By default, Mod Amount is set to 50%, which is a good starting point. To deepen the effect, though, turn it clockwise or click the percentage value and enter a number up to 100. If the high frequencies start to become overbearing, turning Mod Amount down should be the first thing you do. 5 The Oscillator Frequency dial sets the base frequency of the internal carrier oscillator, which is used to modulate the input signal by multiplying the two together. It ranges from 200Hz to 2000Hz, and the effect of raising it is an obvious increase in harmonics around the specified frequency. 6 The Frequency Multiplier knob multiplies the oscillator frequency by anywhere from 0.1x to 10x, giving it an actual range of 20Hz to 20kHz. This one makes a particularly good target for DAW automation – set a centre frequency for the oscillator, then step the Frequency Multiplier up and down to generate melodic progressions. 7 FreMo’s oscillator features a selection of four analogue-style waveforms, governing the shape and thus sound of the frequency modulation applied to the input signal: Sine, Triangle, Square and Saw. It’s worth trying all of them on any given sound source, but in general terms, Sine and Triangle are the more gentle of the four. 8 The Follow Pitch button bypasses the Oscillator Frequency control and instead tunes the oscillator to the tracked pitch of the input signal. How successful the plugin is at doing this accurately depends on the characteristics of the source, but the results are always interesting, even with unpitched drums and percussion. 9 With Follow Pitch activated, the Frequency Multiplier knob can be used to bring out tuned harmonics based on the source signal. Full integer increases will be create musically related shifts – octaves, half octaves, etc – while the points in between deliver more dissonant sounds.