Chris Whitten <cw.chris@...> wrote:
inspired people to name old Serges "dogs". It's VCOs are only any good for
avante gard, or fixed sequences as they don't follow any decent voltage
curve. It has a rather limited range of modules, probably because there
weren't many to chose from at the time, and generally speaking, 30 years has
been hell on its jacks and old wiring.
Would I swap it for a virtual synth? NO WAY. Instead, I have spent more
hours on it that it is theoretically worth, rewiring modules, repairing
jacks, and just generally repairing and cleaning it up. I also plan to do
some upgrades, including replacing the oscillators with custom made beasts
designed to mimic the better aspects and panel layout of the existing VCOs,
without the lousy tracking.
As you say, there is more to owning an old synth than just the sounds it may
produce.
close, but there will be minor variations. For example, there is no way a
pair of digitally generated oscillators can really match two slightly
detuned real oscillators.
The other problem with software synths is a lot of people will use the
prepackaged examples, and that's about it. We've seen this with classic
Fairlight samples, preprogrammed digital synths, and in non music relates
software, the over use of included effects in Photoshop for example.
Basically, the design of a modular fights this trend. (Infinite resolution!)
Ken
_______________________________________________________________________
Ken Stone sasami@...
Modular Synth PCBs for sale <http://www.blaze.net.au/~sasami/synth/>
Australian Miniature Horses & Ponies <http://www.blaze.net.au/~sasami/>
>Two things that can't be understated either.My Serge is a real "classic" - from 1973. It is probably one of those that
>1. The pride of owning a classic instrument. Have you ever lusted over
>anything virtual for more than a couple of days after you've bought it?
inspired people to name old Serges "dogs". It's VCOs are only any good for
avante gard, or fixed sequences as they don't follow any decent voltage
curve. It has a rather limited range of modules, probably because there
weren't many to chose from at the time, and generally speaking, 30 years has
been hell on its jacks and old wiring.
Would I swap it for a virtual synth? NO WAY. Instead, I have spent more
hours on it that it is theoretically worth, rewiring modules, repairing
jacks, and just generally repairing and cleaning it up. I also plan to do
some upgrades, including replacing the oscillators with custom made beasts
designed to mimic the better aspects and panel layout of the existing VCOs,
without the lousy tracking.
As you say, there is more to owning an old synth than just the sounds it may
produce.
>2. Soul.In electronics, no two modules will ever be identical. Sure they may be very
>Many 'real' instruments have hidden depths IMO. The gritty sound of some
>synths and outboard, yes even the hum or hiss. Again, the unpredictable
>nature of the electronics. It all adds character in my opinion. All these
>elements that come natural to a system like Serge have to be laboriously
>programmed into software.
close, but there will be minor variations. For example, there is no way a
pair of digitally generated oscillators can really match two slightly
detuned real oscillators.
The other problem with software synths is a lot of people will use the
prepackaged examples, and that's about it. We've seen this with classic
Fairlight samples, preprogrammed digital synths, and in non music relates
software, the over use of included effects in Photoshop for example.
Basically, the design of a modular fights this trend. (Infinite resolution!)
Ken
_______________________________________________________________________
Ken Stone sasami@...
Modular Synth PCBs for sale <http://www.blaze.net.au/~sasami/synth/>
Australian Miniature Horses & Ponies <http://www.blaze.net.au/~sasami/>