Synth-DIY Yahoo! Groups Archives

Thread

Alot of serge panels up for auction lately

2002-06-10 by ethanzer0

Hello,

I have been drooling over
the seemingly steady stream
of Serge panels up for auction
lately. Then, I stopped and
asked my self: why are people
dumping their serge panels?

Anybody have any insight?

Thanks,

Ethan

Re: Alot of serge panels up for auction lately

2002-06-10 by Kirk Degiorgio

loads of good gear for sale in general... not just Serge.

ARP 2500, at least 4 Fenix systems, Roland 100m's, a NM Moog 55,
some nice Buchla stuff at AMS, etc, etc - all in recent months.

Must be the economic downturn - or possibly music business downturn
specifically.

I just wish 1 of these many Serge panels currently for sale had the modules
I *really* need. They
always have 1 or 2 I could do with but the rest of the panel I wouldn't
really need. Frustrating - and I'm
sure maybe this is the main reason for the slow uptake on these used panels
(and the fact that many are pre-STS
and maybe buyers - myself included - would prefer to buy new from Rex
despite the extra cost).

I myself can't see it being an issue with Serge in particular.

KD

Show quoted textHide quoted text

> Hello,
>
> I have been drooling over
> the seemingly steady stream
> of Serge panels up for auction
> lately. Then, I stopped and
> asked my self: why are people
> dumping their serge panels?
>
> Anybody have any insight?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ethan
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> SergeModular-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> Keep on Patchin'!
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

Re: Alot of serge panels up for auction lately

2002-06-11 by skuehnl

Hello Kirk,

--- In SergeModular@y..., "Kirk Degiorgio" <kirk.degiorgio@b...>
wrote:

Show quoted textHide quoted text

>
> loads of good gear for sale in general... not just Serge.
>
> ARP 2500, at least 4 Fenix systems, Roland 100m's, a NM Moog 55,
> some nice Buchla stuff at AMS, etc, etc - all in recent months.
>
> Must be the economic downturn - or possibly music business downturn
> specifically.

Hmm, so who are the (rich) people buying all the ARPs and Moogs and
Buchlas? The latter ones are more expensive than ever (like simple
mixing modules for the price of half to 2/3 of a Serge panel). AMS is
the most expensive dealer in the world while having sort of a
monopole on Buchla resales. I know of some systems that were up for
private sale for some time, and most made it to AMS eventually. This
is perhaps an indication for good service. It is also probably an
indication that _both_ the sellers and the buyers aren't exactly
short on money since either party accepts leaving considerable $$ to
AMS for the services.

BTW, what is the module labelled "Sequencer/ outputs" on the lower
panel shown at the following URL?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/ebayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand=ViewItem&item=883
244424&indexURL=0&photoDisplayType=2#ebaylargephotohosting

> I just wish 1 of these many Serge panels currently for sale had the

modules

> I *really* need. They
> always have 1 or 2 I could do with but the rest of the panel I

wouldn't

> really need. Frustrating - and I'm
> sure maybe this is the main reason for the slow uptake on these

used panels

> (and the fact that many are pre-STS
> and maybe buyers - myself included - would prefer to buy new from

Rex

> despite the extra cost).
>
> I myself can't see it being an issue with Serge in particular.
>
> KD
>
> > Hello,
> >
> > I have been drooling over
> > the seemingly steady stream
> > of Serge panels up for auction
> > lately. Then, I stopped and
> > asked my self: why are people
> > dumping their serge panels?
> >
> > Anybody have any insight?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Ethan
> >

Re: Alot of serge panels up for auction lately

2002-06-11 by Chris Whitten

Sebastian et al,

> Hmm, so who are the (rich) people buying all the ARPs and Moogs and
> Buchlas?

A lot of the Arp's and Moog's I've seen recently for sale have been cheaper
than ever. The problem with Serge panels is we all value them too highly. As
a 'used' item they obviously depreciate more than we are willing to
accept.....at least in the current market.

>AMS is
> the most expensive dealer in the world while having sort of a
> monopole on Buchla resales.

Some of the synths I've seen advertised by Big City Music have had
astronomical price tags. Some of the Japanese outlets are pricey too.
AMS have just sold a two panel (paper faced) Serge system for just over
$1,200. Does that make it the most expensive in the World?
I've bought a few things from Chris Youdell and I know that I've probably
lined his pockets. But there are benefits to buying from a recognised
analogue outlet.
Why he should be so vilified over other traders like Guitar Centre etc I
don't understand.
CW

Re: Alot of serge panels up for auction lately

2002-06-11 by Kirk Degiorgio

> Hmm, so who are the (rich) people buying all the ARPs and Moogs and
> Buchlas?

actually the prices have been pretty reasonable compared to recent years...
£8000 for a
Near Mint Moog System 55, $11,000 for a Near Mint ARP 2500, etc.

The Fenix prices have been high - probably due to rarity, Buchla prices are
always high it seems,
whilst Serge prices have been generally quite low.. with quite a few not
reaching reserve prices.

The latter ones are more expensive than ever (like simple

> mixing modules for the price of half to 2/3 of a Serge panel). AMS is
> the most expensive dealer in the world while having sort of a
> monopole on Buchla resales. I know of some systems that were up for
> private sale for some time, and most made it to AMS eventually. This
> is perhaps an indication for good service. It is also probably an
> indication that _both_ the sellers and the buyers aren't exactly
> short on money since either party accepts leaving considerable $$ to
> AMS for the services.

I've not dealt with AMS so I can't comment. I did offer a private seller
some £££ for his large
Buchla 200 but he wanted double what I offered. I have since seen the system
as 'sold' on the AMS
site so I do know that AMS can get good prices for their seller/clients.

> BTW, what is the module labelled "Sequencer/ outputs" on the lower
> panel shown at the following URL?
> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/ebayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand=ViewItem&item=883
> 244424&indexURL=0&photoDisplayType=2#ebaylargephotohosting

the item is showing up 'invalid item' so I can't say....

KD

Re: Alot of serge panels up for auction lately

2002-06-11 by ringmod45

--- In SergeModular@y..., "skuehnl" <skuehnl@y...> wrote:

Show quoted textHide quoted text

> Hello Kirk,> BTW, what is the module labelled "Sequencer/ outputs"

on the lower

> panel shown at the following URL?
> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/ebayISAPI.dll?

MfcISAPICommand=ViewItem&item=883

> 244424&indexURL=0&photoDisplayType=2#ebaylargephotohosting
>
>

never seen this module before. it must be a custom job. by looking at
it, it has a switch, a couple of inputs and 8 outputs. maybe it takes
a pulse or clock and seqeuntially outputs it to the different
numbered outputs. kind of of like the ASR but for clocks or pulses.
who knows? anyone?
RM

Re: Alot of serge panels up for auction lately

2002-06-11 by John Loffink

That sequencer module is in the late 1970s Serge Catalog that I put on
the Yahoo Serge file site. It has ten pulse outputs.

John Loffink
jloffink@...

Show quoted textHide quoted text

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ringmod45 [mailto:ringmod45@...]
> Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2002 1:22 PM
> To: SergeModular@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [SergeModular] Re: Alot of serge panels up for auction lately
>
> --- In SergeModular@y..., "skuehnl" <skuehnl@y...> wrote:
> > Hello Kirk,> BTW, what is the module labelled "Sequencer/ outputs"
> on the lower
> > panel shown at the following URL?
> > http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/ebayISAPI.dll?
> MfcISAPICommand=ViewItem&item=883
> > 244424&indexURL=0&photoDisplayType=2#ebaylargephotohosting
> >
> >
>
> never seen this module before. it must be a custom job. by looking at
> it, it has a switch, a couple of inputs and 8 outputs. maybe it takes
> a pulse or clock and seqeuntially outputs it to the different
> numbered outputs. kind of of like the ASR but for clocks or pulses.
> who knows? anyone?
> RM
>
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> SergeModular-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> Keep on Patchin'!
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to

http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

Re: Alot of serge panels up for auction lately

2002-06-11 by skuehnl

--- In SergeModular@y..., Chris Whitten <cw.chris@z...> wrote:

Show quoted textHide quoted text

> Sebastian et al,
> > Hmm, so who are the (rich) people buying all the ARPs and Moogs

and

> > Buchlas?
> A lot of the Arp's and Moog's I've seen recently for sale have been

cheaper

> than ever. The problem with Serge panels is we all value them too

highly. As

> a 'used' item they obviously depreciate more than we are willing to
> accept.....at least in the current market.
> >AMS is
> > the most expensive dealer in the world while having sort of a
> > monopole on Buchla resales.
> Some of the synths I've seen advertised by Big City Music have had
> astronomical price tags. Some of the Japanese outlets are pricey

too.

> AMS have just sold a two panel (paper faced) Serge system for just

over

> $1,200. Does that make it the most expensive in the World?

I meant Buchlas mainly.

> I've bought a few things from Chris Youdell and I know that I've

probably

> lined his pockets. But there are benefits to buying from a

recognised

> analogue outlet.
> Why he should be so vilified over other traders like Guitar Centre

etc I

> don't understand.
> CW

Why you may think I was trying to vilify AMS I don't understand. I
did mention the service aspect.

SK

Re: Alot of serge panels up for auction lately

2002-06-12 by ringmod45

hi john, thanks for the info. the ebay picture was not very clear. i
can see the potential for a module like this one. it is definitely
going to be included in a possible 3 or 4 panel sequencer system i am
planning to order. have you ever used one? if so, could you please
give us a few details concerning the module. thanks in advance.

regards,
RM

Show quoted textHide quoted text

--- In SergeModular@y..., "John Loffink" <jloffink@a...> wrote:
> That sequencer module is in the late 1970s Serge Catalog that I put
on
> the Yahoo Serge file site. It has ten pulse outputs.
>
> John Loffink
> jloffink@a...
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: ringmod45 [mailto:ringmod45@y...]
> > Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2002 1:22 PM
> > To: SergeModular@y...
> > Subject: [SergeModular] Re: Alot of serge panels up for auction
lately
> >
> > --- In SergeModular@y..., "skuehnl" <skuehnl@y...> wrote:
> > > Hello Kirk,> BTW, what is the module labelled "Sequencer/
outputs"
> > on the lower
> > > panel shown at the following URL?
> > > http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/ebayISAPI.dll?
> > MfcISAPICommand=ViewItem&item=883
> > > 244424&indexURL=0&photoDisplayType=2#ebaylargephotohosting
> > >
> > >
> >
> > never seen this module before. it must be a custom job. by
looking at
> > it, it has a switch, a couple of inputs and 8 outputs. maybe it
takes
> > a pulse or clock and seqeuntially outputs it to the different
> > numbered outputs. kind of of like the ASR but for clocks or
pulses.
> > who knows? anyone?
> > RM
> >
> >
> > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > SergeModular-unsubscribe@y...
> >
> > Keep on Patchin'!
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

Re: Alot of serge panels up for auction lately

2002-06-12 by John Loffink

I've never used one. This module isn't offered by Rex unless he's
willing to do one offs. You might want to take another look at that
system on ebay.

John Loffink
jloffink@...

Show quoted textHide quoted text

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ringmod45 [mailto:ringmod45@...]
> Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2002 11:19 PM
> To: SergeModular@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [SergeModular] Re: Alot of serge panels up for auction lately
>
> hi john, thanks for the info. the ebay picture was not very clear. i
> can see the potential for a module like this one. it is definitely
> going to be included in a possible 3 or 4 panel sequencer system i am
> planning to order. have you ever used one? if so, could you please
> give us a few details concerning the module. thanks in advance.
>
> regards,
> RM
>

Re: Alot of serge panels up for auction lately

2002-06-12 by Kirk Degiorgio

> A lot of the Arp's and Moog's I've seen recently for sale have been

cheaper

> than ever. The problem with Serge panels is we all value them too highly.

> a 'used' item they obviously depreciate more than we are willing to
> accept.....at least in the current market.

My theory behind the relatively low Serge panel prices is that many of the
panels
are taken from larger systems and do not always appeal to newcomers or
existing owners
adding to systems because of the module compliment.

Due to the 'whole panel at once' design, Serge systems tend to grow into
very personal and highly customised
instruments with more pre-planning required than any system offering
seperate modules. I have been tempted
to bid for some of these used panels but I always conclude that I wouldn't
have chosen half the modules and my system
may become 'unbalanced' giving me a feeling that I would be getting cheaper
panels just for the sake of it.

Also - of course Serge is not like ARP, Buchla, etc in that it is still
being manufactured - therefore
most buyers may prefer to pay a little extra and order new from Rex. Due to
the expense involved in
building a Serge system it goes without saying that many existing owners
probably have enough funds
to not really care about getting slightly cheaper used panels - and would
prefer to order new panels with the exact compliment
of modules required.

I could only see used Serge panels selling for good prices if a potential
buyer found a panel exactly to his needs / the buyer
was in such a hurry that he doesn't want to wait for STS to build a new one
/ the panel had a rare customised or discontinued module /
the panel really was *alot* cheaper than a new equivalent from STS / the
buyer just wants as many panels as possible regardless of module compliment.

and finally, don't forget for many Serge is still too open-ended, esoteric,
underground, expensive, etc, etc - that's if most people outside
the usual forums even know/care what a Serge is... ;-)

kd

Re: Alot of serge panels up for auction lately

2002-06-12 by John Loffink

Very well stated. Once you start a Serge system the module selection
becomes a very personal choice. Many of the panels up for sale have been
fairly odd configurations, and certainly represented very personal
choices for their original owners.

John Loffink
jloffink@...

Show quoted textHide quoted text

> My theory behind the relatively low Serge panel prices is that many of

the

> panels
> are taken from larger systems and do not always appeal to newcomers or
> existing owners
> adding to systems because of the module compliment.
>
> Due to the 'whole panel at once' design, Serge systems tend to grow

into

> very personal and highly customised
> instruments with more pre-planning required than any system offering
> seperate modules. I have been tempted
> to bid for some of these used panels but I always conclude that I

wouldn't

> have chosen half the modules and my system
> may become 'unbalanced' giving me a feeling that I would be getting
> cheaper
> panels just for the sake of it.
>
> Also - of course Serge is not like ARP, Buchla, etc in that it is

still

> being manufactured - therefore
> most buyers may prefer to pay a little extra and order new from Rex.

Due

> to
> the expense involved in
> building a Serge system it goes without saying that many existing

owners

> probably have enough funds
> to not really care about getting slightly cheaper used panels - and

would

> prefer to order new panels with the exact compliment
> of modules required.
>
> I could only see used Serge panels selling for good prices if a

potential

> buyer found a panel exactly to his needs / the buyer
> was in such a hurry that he doesn't want to wait for STS to build a

new

> one
> / the panel had a rare customised or discontinued module /
> the panel really was *alot* cheaper than a new equivalent from STS /

the

> buyer just wants as many panels as possible regardless of module
> compliment.
>
> and finally, don't forget for many Serge is still too open-ended,
> esoteric,
> underground, expensive, etc, etc - that's if most people outside
> the usual forums even know/care what a Serge is... ;-)
>
> kd
>

Re: Alot of serge panels up for auction lately

2002-06-12 by ethanzer0

> Also - of course Serge is not like ARP, Buchla, etc in that it is
> still

I have read elsewhere that audities.org
was considering a production run of some
Buchla modules with the Don's blessing.

Has anyone else heard of this?

Thanks again,

Ethan

Re: Alot of serge panels up for auction lately

2002-06-12 by Kirk Degiorgio

let's hope so..... more analogue up for grabs the better!

i have Reaktor v3 and a 4 panel Serge. I think they compliment each other
and certainly wouldn't sell my Serge because of any software developments...
but if
others feel the need to.. great!

reaktor + laptop is also such a cheap option that i didn't have to sell
anything
to invest in it.....

i am not convinced this is the major reason for the amount of analogue gear
for sale
right now... the 80's was different - early digital gear was still costly
enough for buyers to
consider trading in their analogue gear to help fund new purchases but with
cheap software
like Reaktor it's not an issue.

i still tend to think its largely down to the slippery slope the music
industry is going down in general...

when my Dad starts messing around with kazaa and stuff instead of buying
cd's i know somethings
a changin' !

btw - when I spend hours patching the Serge it is a purely pleasurable and
educational experience... building
ensembles in Reaktor gives me brainache after 15mins......;-)

kd

Show quoted textHide quoted text

> hm,
>
> sure there are people taking the opposite path (digital -> analog) but
> still: with software like super collider (now for free) using a computer

> a very interesting route to go and it is cheaper: buy an ibook with an
> internal cd-burner and you're more or less done. and most of this software
> made its way into public awareness in the last 2 years. not to forget: it

> de rigeuer to use software synthesis so the followers of fashion that went
> and bought analog synths some years ago might sell their gear and buy the
> last powerbook (or sony vaio or whatever).
>
> joerg
>
>
>
>
> >>> Rentenanstalt/Swiss Life - Official Partner Expo.02 <<<
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> SergeModular-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> Keep on Patchin'!
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

Re: Alot of serge panels up for auction lately

2002-06-12 by Kirk Degiorgio

me too.

I sold my K2000 to make way for a Doepfer Modular... got hooked and sold
that
to get some Serge panels...

if anything Reaktor is a better replacement for my Wave - the Wavetable
ensembles are
superb - but Reaktor is still missing that 'x' factor that I get from the
Waves analogue filters
and intuitive interface.

6-8 patchcords used......... hmmmmm

kd

Show quoted textHide quoted text

> Funny, I took exactly the opposite path. The Kurzweil VAST architecture
> in the K2X00 and Native Instrument's Reaktor revived my interest in
> modular synthesis. VAST has excellent programmability. I once created a
> patch that played diatonic scales from the modulation wheel and
> sequences from the keyboard. But eventually you hit a brick wall in
> resources.
>
> Reaktor is more promising because resources are essentially unlimited as
> long as you have CPU processing power. However, version 2.3 broke my
> system for 9 months due to an obscure sound card driver problem. Every
> software update or OS update or sound card change or CPU upgrade
> basically risks something else breaking. The latest I've heard is that
> the Pentium IV has a floating point problem when calculating small
> values in reverbs and delays. Other stuff: It's difficult to map the
> control surface to something that's readily useable and comprehensible.
> And doing "chaos" type patches with multiple feedback paths crashes
> Reaktor. It just can't handle it no matter how many tweaks or delays
> you put in the path to fix it.
>
> On the other hand, I bought a Serge panel from a guy who said he was
> going all digital. When I went through the box I found he had only
> opened 6-8 of 20 patch cords for his panel. He was not a real power
> user, in my opinion. So maybe that's the people you're talking about.
>
> John Loffink
> jloffink@...
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Junger Joerg [mailto:Joerg.Junger@...]
> > Sent: Wednesday, June 12, 2002 6:31 AM
> > To: 'SergeModular@yahoogroups.com'
> > Subject: AW: [SergeModular] Re: Alot of serge panels up for auction
> lately
> >
> > hm.
> >
> > there may be another reason why more systems show up recently: a lot
> of
> > people go back to digital. with all the sound generation software
> > available
> > today (max/msp, reactor etc) and very powerful computers going for
> > relatively cheap. then it's tempting to sell gear that represent a lot
> of
> > money and that you feel you will not use anymore. maybe a bit like the
> > situation in the 80ties.
> >
> > joerg
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> SergeModular-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> Keep on Patchin'!
>
>
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>
>

Re: Alot of serge panels up for auction lately

2002-06-12 by Kirk Degiorgio

i know... point taken.

sorry if i sounded argumentative :-)

kd

Show quoted textHide quoted text

> i didn't want to argue against the bad economical situation as a reason

for

> increased gear sale, instead i tried to come up with more potential
> explanations besides that ;).
>
> joerg
>
>
>
>
> >>> Rentenanstalt/Swiss Life - Official Partner Expo.02 <<<
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> SergeModular-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> Keep on Patchin'!
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

Re: Alot of serge panels up for auction lately

2002-06-12 by DarkStr717@aol.com

In a message dated 6/10/02 11:23:25 AM, ethanzer0@... writes:

<<
I have been drooling over
the seemingly steady stream
of Serge panels up for auction
lately. Then, I stopped and
asked my self: why are people
dumping their serge panels?

Anybody have any insight? >>

Yea..... I need the money!!! hahah
JD

Re: Alot of serge panels up for auction lately

2002-06-12 by DarkStr717@aol.com

In a message dated 6/10/02 11:51:39 AM, kirk.degiorgio@... writes:

<< I just wish 1 of these many Serge panels currently for sale had the modules
I *really* need. >>

What do you really need???.... maybe i have something that works for you that
i don't mind parting with. hahaha
JD

Re: Alot of serge panels up for auction lately

2002-06-12 by DarkStr717@aol.com

In a message dated 6/12/02 1:53:37 AM, kirk.degiorgio@... writes:

<< My theory behind the relatively low Serge panel prices is that many of the
panels
are taken from larger systems and do not always appeal to newcomers or
existing owners
adding to systems because of the module compliment. >>

This is exactly the case. It is the main reason why i have so much trouble
selling panels when i want to reconfigure. Most of my panels only make sense
within the context of where they are sitting in the system
John D

Re: Alot of serge panels up for auction lately

2002-06-12 by Kirk Degiorgio

PRNV - ADSR - RES EQ - BOOL - SQP8

I just want to add stereo external processing capabilities and stereo res
eq'ing (hence
I need another PRNV and RES EQ), I need another ADSR and could do with the
inverters
on the Bool - may as well fill out the rest of the panel with another
sequencer (to make more use of the Bool logic functions too)

got anything STS era close to this spec?? (a smaller sequencer + a VCFQ
another ADSR or PDIV wouldn't be so bad
for me either).....

kd

Show quoted textHide quoted text

>
> In a message dated 6/10/02 11:51:39 AM, kirk.degiorgio@...

writes:

>
> << I just wish 1 of these many Serge panels currently for sale had the

modules

> I *really* need. >>
>
> What do you really need???.... maybe i have something that works for you

that

> i don't mind parting with. hahaha
> JD
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> SergeModular-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> Keep on Patchin'!
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

Re: Alot of serge panels up for auction lately

2002-06-12 by M. Blake Wilson

Kirk Degiorgio wrote:

PRNV - ADSR - RES EQ - BOOL - SQP8
I just want to add stereo external processing capabilities and stereo res
eq'ing (hence
I need another PRNV and RES EQ), I need another ADSR and could do with the
inverters
on the Bool - may as well fill out the rest of the panel with another
sequencer (to make more use of the Bool logic functions too)

you're where i was with my last panel, kirk:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SergeModular/files/mixer1.jpg
the bottom panel features stereo PRNV, stereo C/M (modded for 1/4" ins and dual exponential ins), and stereo RES with 1/4" ins.
no, its not for sale, and btw it was the most expensive of all my panels.
b.
ps: i need another ENV too, so i bought a blacet w/ VC over all stages.

--
M. BLAKE WILSON, ATTORNEY @ LAW
phone: 619 234-2200
fax: 619 234-2219
email: mbwlaw@...
website: http://www.mattwilsonlaw.com

Re: Alot of serge panels up for auction lately

2002-06-14 by sasami@hotkey.net.au

Chris Whitten <cw.chris@...> wrote:

>Two things that can't be understated either.
>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?

My Serge is a real "classic" - from 1973. It is probably one of those that
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.
>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.

In electronics, no two modules will ever be identical. Sure they may be very
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/>