#73

Are the banana cables a big deal? From what I’ve read, they’re just more reliable than euro stackables? Sorry if this has been asked a bunch of times.

#74

I’ll say so, yes, it is a definite advantage to have bananas over stackcables. First of all most everything with Serge requires these kinds of mults, it wouldn’t be Serge otherwise. Second, stackcables which I use in my other system, are much more awkward. Not only do they occupy more space, they’re more limited in how many you can stack and even with the more common “bus chains”, where the maximum stacked = 2, you have to be careful sometimes of not bumping the cables.

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#75

To add to @ht73’s great response - bananas are also much easier to unplug/plug in while playing. And they don’t make a “pop” because they don’t carry ground. Much less fiddley.

You can also really go crazy stacking them and they’re much more robust (good ones anyway).

Edit: one more thing is that you can make connections without actually inserting the cable. This is amazing for playability and improvising.

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#76

Here we go… this is the problem with stackcables, they take up way too much space and this even on a “6U” system with the knobs separated from the patch points. And you can barely see the patch. And heaven forbid you touch one of the cables on one of the main pitch busses the tuning will go haywire because it puts too much pressure on the jack. Have no idea how people survive with these in the smaller Euro format.

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#77

Did you try combining Serge and CL gear? Are the voltage ranges compatible? Been eyeing the new R*S Mantra, the small boat and small power supply make it very appealing.

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#78

Continuing the discussion from Show us your modular system:

Given the energy of the Serge related posts in other threads I thought that it might be time for a home for all things Serge.

This thread can be for 4u, 3u, Serge design and playing methods and philosophy, tips and techniques…

EDIT: Oops! Totally forgot about this older thread. Thanks for the merge :slight_smile:

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#79

A couple things to get the ball rolling:

The magic DUSG, IMO one of the main centrepieces of the Serge system and philosophy. It can be a filter, vca, oscillator, lfo, trigger generator, delay, slew, function/envelope, and more.

http://carbon111.com/alphabet1.html – more details on some patch ideas fort he DUSG.

It’s really at the heart of Serge’s “patch programming” notion - being able to patch a module or set of modules for specific functions at different times.

When I’m done building my system I’ll have 4 DUSGs in it, and I’m not sure it’ll be enough :slight_smile:

There’s a euro-serge version from Random*Source, and there are lots of modules inspired by it (i.e. Swoop, Maths/Function).

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#80

that website has a book:

The Original Serge Guidebook
The late Rich Gold’s excellent Serge Guidebook, originally shipped with systems in the 70s and 80s. Such a wonderful reference to the unique architecture of the Serge Modular system!

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#81

The book is fantastic. The PDF is scans of pages that look like a combination of typewriter and hand drawings of modules and patches… it’s full of great info. I just wish it was searchable :slight_smile:

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#82

Already downloaded it to read later at home in my iPad
Event though i don’t have a Serge (only an unbuilt DUSG and a built ResonantEQ) it might pop up some ideas to try with other modules

#83

i’m no serge user but i find so much inspiration behind all things slope related. the dusg is genuinely the most inspired analog circuit i have ever encountered, totally up there with the archetype moog filter. i’ve often dreamt of a system of just 5 dusg or equiv. my chosen format is modcan b and within that format is the sorta dumbed down dusg in the shape of dual lfo 05b. it is absolutely a serge clone with just a simplified layout and i love the simple ins and outs. it gets me everywhere i need to go and i would never consider a modular system complete without a dusg or clone.

(maths)

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#84

I’ve been curious about the R*S La Bestia II panel lately. Since it’s already a bit pricey for my means, I was wondering how well it (or maybe a different single panel of Serge?) functions on its own with some external sequencing? I do have a Plumbutter and Sidrax, so it wouldn’t be my only banana-eater, but the Serge demos I’ve seen are typically at least two panels, if not pretty big systems. Bestia seems like a pretty decent “Serge Greatest Hits” package from what I can tell, though.

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#85

The La Bestia II was my first panel and I used it more or less on its own for a few months. As the name implies it’s definitely a “best of” type panel, it has all the core modules that really make Serge what it is.

On its own it is great as a single or dual voice, a rhythm generator, and lots more. It also works well with other things, so you could absolutely use it in different ways with you C-L pieces or Eurorack (with a format jumbler).

It’s also a bit of a gateway. I’m almost done building my second panel and have a third boat of individual modules waiting in the queue.

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#86

My fear with trying to get into the 4u thing is finding all the parts and pcbs. Seems like the res Eq panel/pcb is never in stock with random source. It’s also not super clear how you go about building with the larger panels. Do you have to seek out each individual pcb behind the panel on your own?

#87

They’re about to launch a new version of this kit based on updated boards and smd components, it will be much easier to build than the old one.

The panel kits come with all the pcb’s for the entire build. The build guides on the R*S website were good enough to get me through it with a little help from Ralf, who is great at responding to email with assistance. I used a spreadsheet to put together a Mouser order for the components for a whole panel at a time.

Also happy to help out with DIY in this thread…

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#88

hot take: the serge DUSG & VCFS make a better 303 than the 303. a few demonstrations from my IG(please follow me!)



I bet i could get even funkier results with the DUSG as an EG instead of the Contour. I really can’t say enough about the magic of the DUSG and slope generators in general. I’m still trying to understand the differences between Maths and the DUSG in regards to their triggering behavior and general envelope shapes. Maths acts like a fairly standard EG but the DUSG’s Rise and Fall controls act much differently. the shortest envelope times seem to be with the knobs at 12:00, whereas on maths the shortest EG times are on fully CCW. then on the DUSG, turning the rise/fall knobs CCW from noon slows their attack but also shifts the timing of the triggering of the envelope. it’s quite weird, but sounds AMAZING in practice. Anyone have an explanation for this behavior?

I can’t wait to sequence the serge oscillators with the new Rene 2. I have never pre-ordered a module within 8 hours of the full announcement. It’s the first module that i have been genuinely excited about in a long time.

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#89

the thing about maths is that it has that shape knob. serge general slope is linear at heart by design. so the maths is linear too, but it has feedback built into that shape control. i actually have this internally patched on my modcan bastard version too. take the output and feed it to bipolar cv input. negative goes log and positive goes exp. pretty fun and will i think account for the difference shape you mention!

i am however ignorant as to actual serge as i have never deeply used real serge dusg only the copy of a copy of a copy of a copy of a

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#90

It’s been about 15 years since i’ve used a soldering iron. How difficult are the R*S builds? Seems like the best entry to 4u.

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#91

Essentially a standalone mono and it’s plenty to start with. Serge functions are amorphous, and it has a steep learning curve. The La Bestia is pretty much the RS version of the Animal, both I’d say are very rad and fine as standalone synths. The only downside of both (imo) is that you don’t get a “full” DUSG. I also think the self cycling left side of the DTG on the RS design is infuriating but ymmv.

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#92

I’ve never used Serge but getting some time on one at EMS in Stockholm next April. Wondering if I should dip my toe in before then or go in ‘blind’, as it were. Don’t have the cash for a 4u system (yet), but the Euro stuff is tempting since Thonk have full kits in from time to time.

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