SergeModular

> I also heard often the earlier systems were more common (in that time) in

that

> they were FAR less stable (less so than most contemporary VCOs)

The early VCOs had a clever but simple expo converter. I can't
see any obvious temperature compensation, but maybe I'll
breadboard one sometime and see how it behaves.

I don't think any of the early modules had 1v/octave inputs. The
early Oscillators had a reversable attenuator on the CV inputs
so they could be scaled from approx 1/2v per octave to -1/2v
per octave - very Buchla.

The early controller was the "Programmer", a sort of manual
sequencer with three rows of four pots and four push buttons
to play it, so 1v/octave wasn't an issue. Serge updated his
designs in the late 1970s, adding 1v/octave control, and
some of the earlier modules were published as construction
projects in Synapse (under the pseudonym Arpad Benares).

> and the filters had a by FAR warmer sound than the later
> (when is later?) VCFQ.

I've only seen a poor quality schematic of the very early
VCF, never a front panel picture. The circuit looks a bit
like the Oberheim SEM filter, so it should sound quite
warm. No 1v/octave or VC Q though...

> > early Envelope Generator appears to have some
> > interesting features - there seen to be 4 or 5 trigger
> > inputs and outputs.

> I would be very interested in info on this; the wide range of different

slope

> generating/ processing models are sort of my favourite subject.

Yes. I can't even find a good picture of that one.

> I think the knobs have been swapped around. The larger ones seem
> to have been standard on all the early modules, but now I think you
> only see then on the NTO and PCO frequency pots. >>

> Not anymore. It's a pity, I would appreciate overall greater knobs on both
> Serge and Wiard systems.

The early Serges had a 1" vertical spacing, so the 3/4" knobs
would fit. Later modules were higher density, so smaller knobs were
needed. I think the larger knobs look better too.



Steve Ridley