As far as the reliability, the only thing that could effect that is the fact
that these were sold as kits then and at that point it could be a
contributing factor. I suggest a good technician to look it over ( wink
wink) for cold solder joints are wires that weren't tinned properly. But as
far as the reliability built into the design and in better terms it's system
construction techniques, the same principles ncorporated then are still used
in STS systems today so there's no difference there outside of one samll
issue:
The early Serge units all had board mounted pots with 1 1/4 inch long shafts
that protruded through clearance holes on the faceplate. Inch long nylon
bushings were slipped over these shafts to quell (most) of the pot shaft
slop caused by them otherwise floating in the faceplate's clearance hole.
As far as maintenance, these older pots are as servicable as the new ones,
and even more so than the one used in the late 70's: the blue plastic
sealed Allen Bradley pots which were notorious for getting dirty and almost
impossible to clean. The only downside to these long shafted pots is while
the nylon bushings help to attenuate the wiggle, it doesn't get rid of it
and because the pots are all connected to the PCBA underneath, wiggling one
tended to make all of the pots on the same PCBA wiggle with it. Kind of
quirky at first, but you get used to it real real quick. The nylon bushings
though really helped to keep this to a minimum.
As far as the versatility, while there wasn't the dearth of modules there is
today, the philosophy didn't change in the later releases - Serge took after
Buchla in the regard of VC possibilities which both system's have a ton of.
Of course the Serge was a bit more versatile than a Buchla with the same
amount of modules due to having only one patch system and in some cases, a
lower tier of instruments - meaning instead of EGs, the Serge afforded the
option of linking a negative and positive slew together to form AR EGs - but
also allowed the _ and +'s to be used by themselves as single phase EGs,
LFO's and even ramp oscillators. Another example was the sequencer - it
had gate outs only. One would oute it's outputs into the programmer to get
an analog sequencer function.
hope this helps,
- P
mrmoemorris wrote:
Serge sounds are as good as their programmer. A good programmer with a good
understanding of synthesis can make all the sounds you describe, but do you
really need a complex modular to make the sounds you want to create?
There are better synths for a first modular because the Serge, especially
the older ones which may lack labelling, can be confusing to the unfamliar.
What are the specs on the system you're getting and what's the price? When
will you be getting it?
that these were sold as kits then and at that point it could be a
contributing factor. I suggest a good technician to look it over ( wink
wink) for cold solder joints are wires that weren't tinned properly. But as
far as the reliability built into the design and in better terms it's system
construction techniques, the same principles ncorporated then are still used
in STS systems today so there's no difference there outside of one samll
issue:
The early Serge units all had board mounted pots with 1 1/4 inch long shafts
that protruded through clearance holes on the faceplate. Inch long nylon
bushings were slipped over these shafts to quell (most) of the pot shaft
slop caused by them otherwise floating in the faceplate's clearance hole.
As far as maintenance, these older pots are as servicable as the new ones,
and even more so than the one used in the late 70's: the blue plastic
sealed Allen Bradley pots which were notorious for getting dirty and almost
impossible to clean. The only downside to these long shafted pots is while
the nylon bushings help to attenuate the wiggle, it doesn't get rid of it
and because the pots are all connected to the PCBA underneath, wiggling one
tended to make all of the pots on the same PCBA wiggle with it. Kind of
quirky at first, but you get used to it real real quick. The nylon bushings
though really helped to keep this to a minimum.
As far as the versatility, while there wasn't the dearth of modules there is
today, the philosophy didn't change in the later releases - Serge took after
Buchla in the regard of VC possibilities which both system's have a ton of.
Of course the Serge was a bit more versatile than a Buchla with the same
amount of modules due to having only one patch system and in some cases, a
lower tier of instruments - meaning instead of EGs, the Serge afforded the
option of linking a negative and positive slew together to form AR EGs - but
also allowed the _ and +'s to be used by themselves as single phase EGs,
LFO's and even ramp oscillators. Another example was the sequencer - it
had gate outs only. One would oute it's outputs into the programmer to get
an analog sequencer function.
hope this helps,
- P
mrmoemorris wrote:
Serge sounds are as good as their programmer. A good programmer with a good
understanding of synthesis can make all the sounds you describe, but do you
really need a complex modular to make the sounds you want to create?
There are better synths for a first modular because the Serge, especially
the older ones which may lack labelling, can be confusing to the unfamliar.
What are the specs on the system you're getting and what's the price? When
will you be getting it?
----- Original Message -----
From: hal3001 <mailto:hal3001@...>
To: SergeModular@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, September 17, 2004 12:11 PM
Subject: [SergeModular] Re: Digest Number 708
ahh, some nice replies. A lot of people talk about the newer serges
though.
the serge i'm going to be getting is from 1972, and it seems those
panels are a little older, and not as versatile as the newer ones?
and also not as reliable?
I'm still going to pick up one, even if the oscs don't track
1v/oct, It's really my first modular, i've owned semi modulars, but
never a full modular. It seems that people are obsessed over
serges. Maybe it's something non quantifiable? :-)
I don't make bug music, i'm basically looking for crazy orgaic
growls, drones, a good lead, maybe a good bass? I think i'm going ot
be adding a few newer oscs to the system, non serge for the 1v/oct
hmm...
-ryan
--- In SergeModular@yahoogroups.com, "cuari7" <medejd@t...> wrote:
> The appeal of it? It's flexibility. Its SOUNDS combines the
exuberant
> weirdness of nonconventional "bug" music-making machines with the
> sharp precission and stability of new generation machines. I have
> tried FM on different brands of neo-modulars (MOTM, dotcom and
> Dopefer) but none give me the rich sounds that I get from my Serge!
> Oh, and the filters...! Plus the multifunctionality of some of its
> modules (like the DTG's, giving you VC-complex EG's, LFO's, VCO's,
> filters, lag processors, pulse generators, etc...).
> I recommend you review the "Wizardry" section on Egres. You'll
fall
> in love with it!
> cuari7
Keep on Patchin'!
Keep on Patchin'!
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