New Serge Modulars

Post by **carbon111** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 7:01 am

Well, the cat is out of the bag now! The news has broken on a number of synth-related websites today.

I've been talking with Sound Transform Systems about the new designs and am gathering the requisite information and materials to provide a number of new web resources for these new M-class modules.

I'll be authoring a number of webpages dedicated to the new "M-class" STS Serge designs, starting with the Creature, the smallest self-contained complete Serge synthesizer to date. Similar in concept to the "Animal", though much more compact and a fraction of the cost, the Creature is a powerful modular in its own right though is easily integrated into any 1-volt-per-octave-based modular.

Creature:

Specs, descriptions of functionality, tips & tricks as well as MP3s and photos of the Creature in question will all be available.

There are a number of these new M-odules that can be mixed and matched in two-module rack-mount "boats", each with an integral power supply. These will be the most affordable Serges to date.

Gator:

Powerful sequencers, programmers and utility modules are all part of the new series.

Sequencer A:

Sequencer B:

Because of the increase in Serge-related webpages on my site, they will now all get their own STS Serge Index page on my server...I will let you all know when the site is up and running.

In the meantime, feel free to peruse the Serge Yahoo Forum for updates: http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/SergeModular/

Post by **carbon111** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 8:12 am

By the way, if you're not familiar with the Serge Modular, I have an introduction here:

http://www.carbon111.com/serge.html

I've been an aficionado of Serge for years now!

GeneralBigbag · Post by **GeneralBigbag** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 8:14 am

They look lovely, and also expensive... I need to get some more hours...

Dirk · Post by **Dirk** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 8:29 am

Anyone want to buy my kidney?

neandrewthal · Post by **neandrewthal** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 8:32 am

Fascinating. What's a timegen osc?

Post by **carbon111** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 8:37 am

GeneralBigbag wrote:They look lovely, and also expensive... I need to get some more hours...

They can be expensive though the "Animal" and the "Creature" are complete modular synths in their own right, making ownership of a complete Serge modular synth easier than before.

Of course either one can be used as the starting point of a more complex system as well.

The Creature, though small, is still way more powerful than one might expect (I'll have comprehensive descriptions and example MP3s on the "Creature" page I'm working on)...and its relatively cheap at $1499.

tyrannosaurus mark · Post by **tyrannosaurus mark** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:21 am

carbon111 wrote:
GeneralBigbag wrote:They look lovely, and also expensive... I need to get some more hours...
They can be expensive though the "Animal" and the "Creature" are complete modular synths in their own right, making ownership of a complete Serge modular synth easier than before.

Of course either one can be used as the starting point of a more complex system as well.

The Creature, though small, is still way more powerful than one might expect (I'll have comprehensive descriptions and example MP3s on the "Creature" page I'm working on)...and its relatively cheap at $1499.

But will it help us find that new note between B and C?

crystalmsc · Post by **crystalmsc** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:47 am

carbon111 wrote:Specs, descriptions of functionality, tips & tricks as well as MP3s and photos of the Creature in question will all be available.

looking great so far, I'll be waiting for that. the price sounds reasonable.

masstronaut · Post by **masstronaut** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 12:00 pm

tyrannosaurus mark wrote:But will it help us find that new note between B and C?

I should think it probably will you know.

cebec · Post by **cebec** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 5:11 pm

neandrewthal wrote:Fascinating. What's a timegen osc?

Hi,

The [VC TimeGen Osc] function block has two cells:

The one on the left is free running with an overall "Freq" pot which goes
from 25 sec. to 8.5 KHz in full rotation. The VC range extends this for greater than 2 min to 11.5 kHz.

There are two exponentially scaled CV inputs: one approx 1v/oct and the other +/- scalable that affects the overall frequency, but leaves the two waveforms (see below) constant through the sweep.

The output waveforms are: Blue jack = inverted SAW wave with the
extremely fast rise time of 25 microseconds making it very "alive" (hence
voiced as the Creature's main 'male call') and the Red jack = 50% duty cycle square waveform with the rising edge voiced differently than the falling edge as is the sound of reed instruments (i.e. - bass clarinet). These were both specifically voiced by Rex at STS and provide much for the filter to 'chew' on.

The right cell of this function block is that of the DTG, but has a
softer/smoother voicing while remaining sonically focused. This is the
'feminine voices' calling. The two together, according to Rex, really 'make it happen'.

Hope that helps,
Matt

cebec · Post by **cebec** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 5:31 pm

The VC TimeGen Clock has the left cell Blue jack being an asymmetrical
triangle wave & Red jack being a 50% duty cycle square wave output
which stays constant through the manual "freq' pot range in
combination with the "both" position selected w/ external CV. In
addition, you have the ability to modify the duty cycle (pulsewidth)
of the output(s) using external CV source from either the 'front' or
the 'back' of the pulse by selecting "Rise" or "Fall" on the CV source
select switch. This way you can create syncopation in the rhythm
patches & pulse width mod in the audio range use.

The right cell is like VC TimeGen Osc.

Matt

Sir Ruff · Post by **Sir Ruff** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 6:51 pm

Why are Serge modules (like Buchla) so alien-looking to the non-initiated? I guess that's part of the draw... The Creature unit definitely looks cool if it can truly be used standalone (but I assume one would need a rack and a power supply too?)

looking forward to some demos!

Post by **carbon111** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 6:58 pm

Sir Ruff wrote:Why are Serge modules (like Buchla) so alien-looking to the non-initiated? I guess that's part of the draw...

Its mainly because the functionality is different from what most people are used to but once you "get" the paradigm, you wonder why everybody dosen't do it that way

The Creature unit definitely looks cool if it can truly be used standalone (but I assume one would need a rack and a power supply too?)

Maybe a standalone case of some kind would be nice?

Such a thing will be available.

I'm getting more info together from STS and will release it as soon as I can assemble it in a coherent fashion (and I get the go-ahead).

cebec · Post by **cebec** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 7:00 pm

Part of the reason is no doubt the fact that some of Serge's designs were inspired by Buchla and are 'west coast' in their orientation. Another part of the reason is due to many of the modules being comprised of multiple (sometimes simultaneous) functions and therefore a more general name is often ascribed to them.

Yeah, you'd need an M-boat ($250), and a PS2a ($200). The PS2a powers two boats.

Post by **cornutt** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 8:25 pm

Very interesting. The cost of ordering a whole panel has for a long time been the biggest barrier to more players getting into Serge. This makes it a lot easier to get started.