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# linux synth tutorial: part 5
- URL: https://wootangent.net/linux-synth-tutorial-part-5/
- Published: 2010-03-16T09:57:01.000Z
- Updated: 2010-03-16T09:57:01.000Z
- Author: Leigh Dyer
- Tags: Linux, Music, Technical, Tutorials, dssi, synth, tutorial, xsynth, #Migrated-1792830072870, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-10-24 08:21

In part 5 of my Linux soft synth tutorial, I look at the concept of modulation -- changing synth parameters over time. We saw an example of this in part 4, where we used an envelope to control the volume of a sound over time; modulation extends this to other parameters, such as the pitch of the oscillators and the filter cutoff. Modulation can use envelopes to change parameters over the length of the sound -- in fact, there's a second envelope in Xsynth-DSSI just for modulation -- or the low frequency oscillator, or LFO, to perform repeating rhythmic changes.

Modulation can produce effects ranging from subtle vibrato through to sweeping soundscapes and alien sound effects. Either way, it's a powerful way to breathe life and movement in to what might otherwise be a dull sound.

High-res Ogg Theora version is [here](http://electronaut.linuxgamers.net/~lsd/music/synthtute/part05%5Fmodulation.ogv?ref=wootangent.net), or watch the Youtube version after the jump!

Due to the length of it all, the Youtube version is in two parts: