Xfer Records has officially released Serum 2, the highly anticipated successor to their renowned wavetable synthesizer. Building upon the original's foundation, Serum 2 introduces a plethora of advanced features and enhancements designed to elevate music production and sound design.
Key Features and Enhancements
- Expanded Oscillator Section: Serum 2 introduces an additional oscillator, bringing the total to three. Each oscillator now supports dual simultaneous warp modes, allowing for intricate sound manipulations. New warp modes, including frequency modulation (FM) and phase distortion, have been added, expanding the sonic palette available to producers.
- Advanced Filter Capabilities: The filter section has been significantly enhanced with the addition of a second filter, allowing for more complex sound sculpting. New filter types, including various modeled filters and a disperser-style "diffuser" filter, have been introduced. The inclusion of a comb filter further expands the creative possibilities, enabling unique tonal characteristics and resonances.
- Revamped Effects Section: Serum 2's effects section has undergone a comprehensive overhaul. Users now have access to three effects channels, each capable of hosting multiple instances of effects. This flexible routing system supports multiband and mid-side processing, offering deeper sound manipulation. Notable additions include a Bode frequency shifter with built-in delay and diffusion controls, as well as a convolution reverb equipped with a diverse array of impulse responses, facilitating the creation of realistic acoustic environments.
- Enhanced Modulation System: The modulation capabilities have been expanded to include up to 10 LFOs, with each LFO offering three chaos modes: Lorenz, Rossler, and Sample & Hold. The new Path LFO mode allows users to draw vector paths, providing X and Y modulation outputs, effectively doubling the modulation sources. Additionally, the modulation remap feature enables users to redefine modulation curves, offering unprecedented control over dynamic changes.
- Integrated Arpeggiator and Clip Sequencer: Serum 2 introduces an arpeggiator and a MIDI clip player, each with key range settings that allow for seamless switching between snapshots. The arpeggiator enhances rhythmic and melodic possibilities, while the clip launcher enables the storage of melodies and rhythms within presets, transforming Serum 2 into a dynamic performance tool.
- User Interface and Compatibility: The user interface has been widened and refined, providing a more intuitive workflow. All presets from Serum 1 are fully compatible with Serum 2, ensuring a smooth transition for existing users. A "Serum 1 compatibility" toggle in the global tab ensures exact replication of previous presets, preserving the integrity of legacy projects.
Availability and Pricing
Serum 2 is available in VST3, AU, and AAX formats for macOS (High Sierra and later for Intel, Big Sur and later for Apple Silicon) and Windows (Windows 10 and above). It comes with over 626 presets and 288 wavetables, providing an extensive library for immediate creativity. A demo version is available for both macOS and Windows, with a 15-minute session limit.
The introductory price is $189 until June 1st, after which it will return to the regular price of $249. Notably, existing Serum 1 users receive the upgrade to Serum 2 free of charge, honoring Xfer Records' commitment to lifetime free updates.
Purchase Link
To purchase Serum 2 or download the demo version, visit the official Xfer Records website.
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