Steve,
I recall reading somewhere that the very earliest Serge
modulars were almost a community affair. Everyone who wanted a synthesizer
gathered in a room with Serge Tcherepin and helped build them.
Your analysis appears to be correct. I have a
mid-late 1970s catalog which shows the old style graphics and most of the older
modules, most modules had text. This means that Serge was already selling
these units to "normal" customers. Here's what I can surmise from the
catalog:
Top row:
Two Oscillators (early type, includes waveshaper) >> Has
a different layout than the catalog, must predate it
Triple Waveshaper
Envelope Generator >> layout is completely different from catalog, as are # of controls/jacks, probably an early version
Quad VCA - later style compared with the rest of the panel) >> matches the catalog, except the center 1/4" jack is swapped with the banana jack
Triple Waveshaper
>> matches catalogTriple Comparator >> matches catalog, except knobs in catalog appear to be older, larger type
Envelope Generator >> layout is completely different from catalog, as are # of controls/jacks, probably an early version
Quad VCA - later style compared with the rest of the panel) >> matches the catalog, except the center 1/4" jack is swapped with the banana jack
Bottom row:
Dual Negative Slew >> graphics in catalog do not have
triangles or semicircles, bottom ouput appears to be LED or 1/8" jack instead of
banana jack
Smooth & Stepped Function >> matches catalog
Variable Slope VCF >> matches catalog
VCA >> matches catalog, except this is a dual module with the Ring, and the Ring/VCA strips are swapped
Ring >> matches catalog, see note on VCA
Variable Q VCF (late style) >> agree
Phaser (late style) >> agree
Variable Bandwidth VCF (late style) >> agree
Smooth & Stepped Function >> matches catalog
Variable Slope VCF >> matches catalog
VCA >> matches catalog, except this is a dual module with the Ring, and the Ring/VCA strips are swapped
Ring >> matches catalog, see note on VCA
Variable Q VCF (late style) >> agree
Phaser (late style) >> agree
Variable Bandwidth VCF (late style) >> agree
This old Serge catalog has the 10 stage sequencer and the triple
bi-directional router, but no peak and trough, multiples, or schmitt
triggers. I hope to post a PDF of that catalog soon, to complement
the 1982 Serge catalog at the Yahoo SergeModule files site.
John Loffink
----- Original Message -----From: Steve RidleySent: Saturday, March 17, 2001 5:13 AMSubject: [SergeModular] Ancient Serges? (long)HelloThis is my first contribution to the list, so there are probablytoo many questions, but here goes...
I've been trying to find out about the earliest Serge modulars, butinformation seems to be a bit scarce. I've only managed to findtwo pics so far. The first is:I assume it is kit built as it contains three different styles of modulelayout on the same panels. I think the modules present are:Top row:Two Oscillators (early type, includes waveshaper)
Triple Waveshaper
Triple Comparator
Envelope Generator
Quad VCA - later style compared with the rest of the panel)Bottom row:Dual Negative Slew
Smooth & Stepped Function
Variable Slope VCF
VCA
Ring
Variable Q VCF (late style)
Phaser (late style)
Variable Bandwidth VCF (late style)If you look very closely at the quad VCA (top right) I think I can faintlysee the outline of holes in the panel behind the panel marking material.Did Serge supply prepunched panels, or is someone covering up theirmistakes - or even upgrading from earlier modules?I've also found this one:I think it's another kit, as the second dual mixer (bottom right) hasn't beencompleted and the general standard of it looks a bit amateurish. Doesanyone know why these early Serges looked yellow? Did they start offthis way, or is it due to the panel material (laminate or film?) ageing?There was also a 1976 Serge pic that used to be on the Synthfool site, butthat's gone now.Does anyone have any better pics of old Serges? I still can't find pics of theearly VCF module, the 10 Stage Pulse Sequencer, the early Schmitt Trigger,Triple Bi-directional Router, multiples or Peak & Trough module. I'm also very
interested in any more information on the very early (1974/1975) VCF andenvelope generators.Any further information (or corrections to this email) gratefully received.Thanks
Steve Ridley
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
SergeModular-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
Keep on Patchin'!
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.