felix inferious has a post up what makes a Serge modular different from others. It's a fascinating read and useful if you are not familiar with Serge systems. Note that it is written from the perspective of someone researching a system. If you've ever had GAS (gear acquisition syndrom) and have researched a synth ad nauseam, you will appreciate this post. The following is just an excerpt so do check out the full post for more.
"That brings me to my next advantage of the Serge. Functional density. In Serge-land, they call this "patch programmability". Depending on how you patch a particular function block, you can achieve different results. The "Smooth / Stepped Generator" (SSG) for example, can not only be a S+H, but also a VC slew limiter, VC LFO (triangle and square), clock, LPF/LPG, lo-fi VCO, zero-crossing detector, and more with any combinations of these (that's right, most of those functions only require one half of the module!). This module is even one-upped by the "Dual Slope Generator" (DSG) which has an unprecedented number of patch programmable functions, yet on the surface, it's just an AD envelope generator. It's this "patch programmability" that really attracts me to the Serge system. The flexibility and range of sounds possible in even a single panel (or even M-odule) is rather astounding."
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
6 comments:
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One of the things that makes it different for me - no numeric scales around the knobs. Take VCOs - on a VCS3, you get a Vernier frequency dial. Moog 921 gives you a calibrated knob, rotary switch & two range switches. TipTop z3000 - digital readout. Serge VCOs? Tiny knobs with a graphic swoosh round them. So, electronically, brilliant but ergonomically - any DIYer could do better.
ReplyDeleteWho needs scales when you got 2 ears.
ReplyDeleteI think my Buchla 144 and 158 sucks to because they got no scales.
Well, if you want to document what you do, so you can return to it on some future date, it's pretty handy to note down the values. And if your music involves maths or generative systems as a starting point, then you also need accurate numeric control. So, having calibration doesn't impinge on those who play it by ear, but it's a huge benefit nevertheless.
ReplyDeleteIt's not just scales though. It's about having more accurate controls (verniers, range switches, etc) for parameters like frequency where you need the extra precision, as opposed to other less key values.
The Buchla VCOs you mention do at least give you bigger knobs for frequency but take the 261e - calibration up the wazoo. Maybe Mr Buchla also thinks a little human interface design is a good idea?
I think you should play with a Serge first perhaps. Wiard doesn't got scales to.
ReplyDeleteWiard Serge and Buchla are my top 3 favorite modulars and they all don't have scales on their knobs. It doesn't matter at all if the knob points at 3 or 4. What matters is that it sounds right.
we're both right!
ReplyDeleteyou're both wrong! ;)
ReplyDelete