A hydraulic motor system for improved frequency response includes a hydraulic variator (100) having a pump (101) and a motor (102), wherein the pump (101) includes a variable angle swash plate (103), and the system further includes an electric actuator (112, 420) for controlling an angle or torque of the swash plate (103), thereby controlling the motor output characteristics. The electric actuator (112, 420) for controlling the variable angle swash plate (103) may comprise a linear electric motor, ball screw drive or a rotary electric motor (420). In an example, the rotary electric motor (420) tilts the swash plate (103) by applying a torque to the swash plate (103) at a point away from its tilt axis. In a further example, the rotary electric motor (420) tilts the swash plate (103) via a worm drive or ball screw drive.