Eurorack Serge Implementation Guide

As the subsequent synth DIY community develops on the Internet, Serge will gradually revive. From the Serge DIY community, synth designers and manufacturers (Ken Stone, Elby, 73-75, etc.) who make boards and panels based on circuit diagrams and sell them with the permission of Mr. Serge have begun to appear after 2000. It was.With the explosive rise of the Eurorack format, Serge's DIY module also appeared in the Eurorack version, and Serge's philosophy-inspired Make Noise became a big hit, a concept that Serge had through Eurorack. Will be accepted by current modular users.

Germany's Random * Source is the definitive manufacturer of Eurorack Serge. We actually welcomed Mr. Serge as the "Chief Innovation Officer" and collaborated to start updating and modernizing past modules and developing new 5th generation modules.

With the advent of Random * Source, high quality, manufacturer-manufactured Serge is now much easier to obtain.In addition, Serge was mainly sold as a set panel with several modules, but since it is sold in module units at R * S, you can build a system using only your favorite Serge modules as much as you like. It is now possible.Now is the easiest time to build your own original Serge system.In the next section, we will introduce the points to note and tips for building the original Serge.

Mr. Serge, who is rarely exposed, was interviewed by Waveshaper Media two years ago and has been made public.

Features of Serge Synthesizer

The Serge synthesizer has the following distinctive features:

• It is modularized by dividing it into simple circuits that can be said to be the smallest units that make up a synth.
• It is possible to patch input / output points that are not seemingly musical.
• Each module has a wide time range and can process / generate from 1 millisecond audio to CV that takes 30 seconds to convert.

Thanks to these features, any Serge module can bring out an extremely large number of features depending on the patch.For example, the Slew circuit, which delays voltage changes, is an important module that functions as an oscillator, LFO, filter, divider, etc. in Serge's system.You can clock the sequencer with an oscillator waveform to create harmonics and subharmonics, or apply a filter to the CV to use it as a through.Another feature of Serge is that by using voltage control, the time range can be changed extremely widely, and it is easy to perform a feedback patch that returns the output to the input by utilizing a large number of inputs and outputs.

Core module of Serge system

What module should I start with to deploy the Serge system in Eurorack? In Serge, there are many abstract modules that are programmed by patching, and I think that there are many parts that can only be understood by actually combining and patching.First of all, you can try various patches by using two multifunctional modules such as DSG and SSG, and one or two of your favorite sound related modules (oscillator, filter, wave shaper, etc.).If you choose a module with such a balance, for example, there are the following four.

*The GTO, an updated version of the SSG, will be released in 2023, and the GTS, an updated version of the DSG, will be released in 2024. In addition to adding new functions, the performance at audio rates has been further improved. In the following, please read DSG as GTS and SSG as GTO.

DSGAlso known as DUSG, is the ultimate army knife module in Serge that inspired Make Noise Maths. Even if you have two DSGs, you will be able to use them sufficiently.Separate envelope for VCA to retain multi-DSG potential until the second half of the patchExtended ADSRIt is also good to use.VCFQIs a filter, but it is a famous module suitable for pinging that inputs a short pulse to the filter and oscillates it for a moment to create a percussive sound.As a candidate other than VCFQ with emphasis on the sound processVCM,RESEQCan be mentioned.NTOIs Serge's flagship oscillator, but Serge has many other sources of oscillation, so if accurate tracking isn't important, it's a good idea to remove the NTO and insert a second DSG.SSGIs Serge's Swiss Army knife module next to DSG. It does sample and hold, which DSG cannot (exactly) do, and the Couple output can also be used for zero cross detection.Unique wave shaping is also possible because it supports the audio range. The combination of DSG and SSG is quite powerful, but avoid SSG because it is more difficult than DSG.SEQ8XLAnd DSG can be combined (what you can do with SSG is completely different).

Considering the balance of the system, we have presented a set of four modules and alternatives above, but the VCA function is weak in this set, so as described later, it is better to have at least a VCA, even if it is made by a different company. Alternatively, add a VCM and use the upper level as a VCA. Also,Panel setLooking at the contents of, module selection may also be helpful.

Modules from other manufacturers that are compatible with Serge

The advantage of building Serge with Eurorack is that you can easily install modules made by other companies.Not all Serge modules developed so far exist in Eurorack, so the range of patches will be overwhelmingly widened by including modules from other companies.Assuming a Serge-based system, I chose a relatively simple one in the list below.

When incorporating third-party modules into the Eurorack Serge system, be aware of the difference in voltage range.The Eurorack oscillator is Peak to Peak at 10V (10Vpp), while the Serge output voltage is 4-5Vpp.It is not as small as the line level (~ 2Vpp), but when using it with other companies' products, pass it through a signal booster or attenuator if necessary.

VCA

Since the current R*S Serge only has large VCAs such as the Equal Power Stereo Mixer or VCM, we recommend using a VCA from another manufacturer. It is best to use one that can process CV, boost gain, and has an independent offset (bias) control. The Intellijel Designs Quad VCA can double the output volume with the Boost switch, and the CV input is unity gain at the Serge standard of 5V. Therefore, it is compatible with Serge, and even if you patch an envelope such as DSG to CV in and an output from a Serge module such as NTO to signal in, the output level will be much closer to Eurorack level just by turning on the Boost switch.

Clock divider

The only clock divider available for the R*S Eurorack Serge is the NCOM. If you want a clock divider that is easier to understand when patching, we recommend using a multi-output clock divider. The 4ms RCD is one of the recommended ones for its space-saving design. It has been confirmed to work with the gate from the R*S Serge. The response at audio rates is limited.

Quantizer

If you want to take advantage of Serge's flexibility and also produce sounds along the 12 scales, we recommend installing a quantizer.

Effect spring reverb

Some people may still want an effect, even if it's just a bonus. Compact multi-effects such as Happy Nerding FX Aid are recommended.Spring reverb is also a standard effect in Serge. R * S hasn't released any reverb, so it's a good idea to use Intellijel Springray.

multiple

Originally, 4U Serge uses a banana cable, so you can stack multiple cables and branch the signal.Eurorack can also be done with Tiptop's Stack cable, but it is less durable than banana cable, so if you use a lot of branches, use multiple as well.

4U Serge with banana cable