SergeModular

Firstly I like to say hello....Im new to this forum and new to modular synths in general and
hope to find guidence from Serge owners.

I dont remember when It was I was bitten, but over the last few years I have moved
towards this point in time that finds me here.....

I have considered other modulars, Synthesizer.com mostly but its the stackable banana
jack that makes the most sense to me.....which leaves Serge or Modcan. At first I
dismissed Serge because I could not understand the panel layout and the modules so I
thought Modcan was the way to go, and as confused as I was about the Serge, I was also
very curious....what is this thing! The more I studied the graphic panel layout on the Egres
website .....the Animal, the Blue voice and the Red voice it somehow started to make sense
(perhaps sensing the potiential).....that and reading everything I could find here and on the
web.

The price of admisson is rather steep and as I must start with one panel (perhaps 2 panels
if I have the fiscal nerve) I will get to that question.....in my shoes where would you start or
better yet, where did you start? With my limited understanding the Animal seems to a
"complete" system....again as I understand it the basic synthesis capabilities of
VCO's,LFO, Noise, Sample & Hold, EG,s Filter and VCA are contained within this panel and
alot more or Im sure.

If Im prepared to bite the bullet and go for the other colours (red or blue + CV1or CV2)
minus the sequencers I would have a much more advanced system?

Im in the process of listening to Serge users music and Im quite spellbound by Telomere's
Astral Currents.....theres a quality of sound there that absolutely floors me.....both from
the pleasure that the music gives and the how did he do that.... the bane of musicains who
never are truly able to immerse theselves in the music because of always analysing.....I
speak personally. John Duvals work with Dwellers at the threshold is never far from my cd
player (though a little hard to determine amongst all that beautiful sound what is Serge
and what is not) Also working on get a copy of Michael Stearns "Planetary Unfolding", not
an easy thing.

I realize the lead times on ordering is not good which is why to start with I'd like to go
with pre-configured panels and not custom unless you suggest otherwise

So please offer your suggestions, patch holes in my thinking and generally put me
straight if need be.

PS...my current studio setup is a Juno 60, a Wavestation, Alesis A6 Andromeda and a
Hartmann Neuron VS ( feeling silly mentioning it but just so you know where Im at)

Thanks in advance.

Wishing you all the best,

Jules

Stuart, Florida.

Jules, I dont think you can go wrong with an animal or a red/blue
voice + CV panel to start with. They were designed as a good core of
functionality and Rex may actually have some ready to ship! Although
a few months wait for a custom panel is time to save for the next so
Ive heard : ) This being your first modular synth, maybe a single
Animal panel is a wise choice since this will be new to you and
learning general patching and synthesis with a well rounded "vanilla"
system is easier than on a more exotic machine. You'll get a feel
for what you like or want and then on the next panel you can go
wild. But since you own a few synths already and Im assuming have a
basic understanding of synthesis, maybe a red/blue +CV would be your
route. That will keep you busy for many many many sessions... Cant
go wrong with either. $$ may decide.

To start I think shop panels are the way to go, unless you want
something in particular or have some other system and want to add
onto it. Starting from scratch, I'd go with the flow.. a shop panel
may be easier to unload down the line also.

have fun,
keep us informed..
~Steve