I am a newcomer to the SERGE world with Eurorack modules from Random * Source. I came to it fleeing from the compulsive purchase of modules from different brands. I arrived fleeing the chaos of colors, shapes and infinite options available. And I have to say that I am VERY happy with the path I have taken. I have not abandoned the eurorack world because for my work process I consider it essential to work with previously recorded samples to be manipulated later (via ER301) or to generate random note sequences to create chords (via TELETYPE). The reality is that after a little more than a month with these modules, I am no longer interested in ANYTHING that any other brand can bring to the market. I have stopped compulsively watching ads, videos, tutorials or demos of modules from other brands. I am no longer interested in them, and now I spend much more time creating and listening to what others create. Nor am I very interested in what tools other artists create with. Everyone has their own, and I finally think I’ve started to see my modular system as an instrument.
I think that the main problem of the modular world is that the original advantage that this system had (that of being able to connect the audio or CV outputs in the way that one considers, instead of being configured at the factory), has been transformed into “You can make your own system by choosing from more than 4000 different modules from more than 300 manufacturers.” This leads to significant mental exhaustion, since one lives in a permanent search. It is really toxic, at least for me.
On the other hand, the discussion of whether 3U or 4U also seems a bit banal to me. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, and I think the important thing is to know that the limitations of each system are good in the long run. In addition, this would lead us to think that we are all the same and we think in the same way. For me it is important that my system can be easily transported, but for someone else the larger size of the modules and the separation between knobs may be a priority.
In any case, for me the SERGE system has made me see that a series of apparently simple, simple parts, without thousands of jacks or potentiometers (the DUSG is a very significant sample of a tremendously dense module but at the same time simple in its design ) can together create EXTREMELY COMPLEX sounds.
Many friends have asked me “but what can you do with SERGE that you cannot do with other modules, such as MAKENOISE or INTELLIJELL?”. When they ask me this I answer "If we put the best wine that we can think of, on the one hand in a crystal glass and on the other in a disposable plastic glass, undoubtedly the wine will be the same, but the experience will not be the same. And if the experience is not the same, the wine will not taste the same to us ".
