Xfer Records Serum V1.2.8b6 WiN MacOSX [VERIFIED]: What's New and What's Improved in the Latest Version
Xfer Records Serum V1.2.8b6 WiN MacOSX [VERIFIED]: A Review of the Ultimate Wavetable Synthesizer
If you are looking for a powerful and versatile wavetable synthesizer that allows you to create and manipulate sounds with high-quality results, you might want to check out Serum by Xfer Records. Serum is one of the most popular and acclaimed software synthesizers on the market, used by professional producers and hobbyists alike. It offers a wide range of features and options that make it suitable for any genre and style of music.
Xfer Records Serum V1.2.8b6 WiN MacOSX [VERIFIED]
In this article, we will review the latest version of Serum: V1.2.8b6, which is verified by Xfer Records as a stable and bug-free update. We will also show you how to install and activate Serum on your computer, how to use it as a beginner, and how to master it as an advanced user. By the end of this article, you will have a comprehensive overview of what Serum can do for you and your music.
How to Install and Activate Serum
Before you can start using Serum, you need to make sure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements and that it is compatible with your digital audio workstation (DAW). Here are the specifications for Windows and Mac OS X:
Operating System
CPU
RAM
Hard Disk Space
DAW
Windows 7 or higher (64-bit)
Intel Core i3 or higher (SSE2 compatible)
4 GB or more
300 MB or more
VST2 or VST3 compatible host software
Mac OS X 10.8 or higher (64-bit)
Intel Core i3 or higher (SSE2 compatible)
4 GB or more
300 MB or more
AU or VST2 compatible host software
To download and install Serum on your computer, you need to purchase it from the official website of Xfer Records or from an authorized reseller. The price of Serum is $189 USD, but you can also opt for a Rent-to-Own program from Splice.com, which allows you to pay $9.99 USD per month until you own the license. Once you have purchased or rented Serum, you will receive an email with a download link and a serial number. You can also access these from your Xfer Records or Splice account. To install Serum on your computer, follow these steps: - Download the installer file from the link provided in the email or from your account. - Run the installer file and follow the instructions on the screen. You can choose the destination folder and the plugin format (VST2, VST3, or AU) that you want to install. - Once the installation is complete, launch your DAW and scan for new plugins. You should see Serum in your plugin list. - To activate Serum, open it in your DAW and enter your serial number when prompted. You can also activate it online by logging into your Xfer Records or Splice account and clicking on the Activate button next to Serum. How to Use Serum: A Beginner's Guide
Now that you have installed and activated Serum, you are ready to start using it. Serum is a wavetable synthesizer, which means that it uses wavetables as the main sound source. A wavetable is a collection of single-cycle waveforms that can be scanned and morphed to create different timbres and harmonics. Serum allows you to load, edit, and create your own wavetables using its powerful wavetable editor.
Serum has a user-friendly and intuitive interface that consists of four main sections: the Oscillators, the Filters, the Envelopes/LFOs/Mod Matrix, and the Effects. Let's take a look at each section and how to use them.
The Oscillators
The oscillators are where you load and manipulate the wavetables. Serum has two main oscillators (A and B) and a sub oscillator. Each oscillator has its own set of controls and options that allow you to shape the sound in various ways.
To load a wavetable, click on the menu button next to the oscillator name and choose from the categories and subcategories that appear. You can also drag and drop wavetables from your computer or from other sources into the oscillator window. Serum comes with over 450 factory wavetables that cover a wide range of sounds and styles.
Once you have loaded a wavetable, you can use the following controls and options to modify it:
Wavetable Position: This knob allows you to scan through the different waveforms in the wavetable. You can also modulate this parameter with an envelope or an LFO to create movement and variation in the sound.
Warp: This menu allows you to apply different warp modes to the wavetable, such as Bend, Sync, Flip, Mirror, Quantize, Remap, and more. These modes alter the shape and phase of the waveform in various ways, creating new harmonics and timbres.
Warp Knob: This knob allows you to adjust the amount and direction of the warp mode applied to the wavetable. You can also modulate this parameter with an envelope or an LFO to create dynamic changes in the sound.
Pan: This knob allows you to adjust the stereo width and position of the oscillator in the mix. You can also modulate this parameter with an envelope or an LFO to create stereo movement and width in the sound.
Level: This knob allows you to adjust the volume of the oscillator in the mix. You can also modulate this parameter with an envelope or an LFO to create amplitude modulation and volume changes in the sound.
Unison: This knob allows you to increase the number of voices of the oscillator, creating a thicker and richer sound. You can also adjust the detune, blend, phase, random, width, and stack parameters of the unison mode by clicking on the menu button next to it.
Octave: This knob allows you to transpose the pitch of the oscillator by octaves.
Semi: This knob allows you to transpose the pitch of the oscillator by semitones.
Fine: This knob allows you to fine-tune the pitch of the oscillator by cents.
Phase: This knob allows you to adjust the phase of the oscillator, which determines the starting point of the waveform. You can also modulate this parameter with an envelope or an LFO to create phase modulation and phase changes in the sound.
Random: This knob allows you to randomize the phase of the oscillator for each voice, creating a more natural and organic sound. You can also modulate this parameter with an envelope or an LFO to create random phase modulation and phase changes in the sound.
Keytrack: This button allows you to enable or disable the keytracking of the oscillator, which means that the pitch of the oscillator will follow the note that you play on your keyboard. If you disable it, the pitch of the oscillator will remain constant regardless of the note that you play.
The Filters
The filters are where you apply different types of filtering to the oscillators, the sub oscillator, and the noise generator. Serum has two filters (Filter 1 and Filter 2) that can work in parallel or in series. Each filter has its own set of controls and options that allow you to shape the frequency spectrum of the sound in various ways.
To load a filter type, click on the menu button next to the filter name and choose from the categories and subcategories that appear. You can also drag and drop filter types from your computer or from other sources into the filter window. Serum comes with over 250 factory filter types that cover a wide range of sounds and styles.
Once you have loaded a filter type, you can use the following controls and options to modify it:
Cutoff: This knob allows you to adjust the cutoff frequency of the filter, which determines which frequencies are attenuated or boosted by the filter. You can also modulate this parameter with an envelope or an LFO to create filter modulation and frequency changes in the sound.
Resonance: This knob allows you to adjust the resonance of the filter, which determines how much the frequencies near the cutoff frequency are emphasized or suppressed by the filter. You can also modulate this parameter with an envelope or an LFO to create resonance modulation and frequency changes in the sound.
Drive: This knob allows you to adjust the drive of the filter, which determines how much distortion and saturation are applied to the signal by the filter. You can also modulate this parameter with an envelope or an LFO to create drive modulation and distortion changes in the sound.
Fat: This knob allows you to adjust the fatness of the filter, which determines how much the filter boosts the low and high frequencies of the signal. You can also modulate this parameter with an envelope or an LFO to create fatness modulation and frequency changes in the sound.
Mix: This knob allows you to adjust the mix of the filter, which determines how much the filtered signal is blended with the original signal. You can also modulate this parameter with an envelope or an LFO to create mix modulation and filter changes in the sound.
Pan: This knob allows you to adjust the stereo width and position of the filter in the mix. You can also modulate this parameter with an envelope or an LFO to create stereo movement and width in the sound.
Volume: This knob allows you to adjust the volume of the filter in the mix. You can also modulate this parameter with an envelope or an LFO to create amplitude modulation and volume changes in the sound.
Routing: This button allows you to choose the routing of the filter, which determines which sources are affected by the filter. You can choose from A, B, N, S, AB, AN, AS, BN, BS, NS, OFF, or custom routing by clicking on the menu button next to it.
Keytrack: This button allows you to enable or disable the keytracking of the filter, which means that the cutoff frequency of the filter will follow the note that you play on your keyboard. If you disable it, the cutoff frequency of the filter will remain constant regardless of the note that you play.
The Envelopes/LFOs/Mod Matrix
The envelopes, LFOs, and mod matrix are where you apply different types of modulation to the parameters of Serum. Modulation is a process that changes a parameter over time according to a source and a destination. Serum has four envelopes, four LFOs, and a mod matrix that allow you to create complex and dynamic modulation schemes.
To use an envelope, LFO, or mod matrix, follow these steps:
Choose a source: A source is a modulation signal that varies over time according to a shape, a rate, a range, and other settings. You can choose from one of the four envelopes or one of the four LFOs as your source by clicking on their tabs at the bottom of Serum. You can also use other sources such as velocity, aftertouch, pitch bend, mod wheel, macro knobs, MIDI CCs, etc. by using the mod matrix.
Choose a destination: A destination is a parameter that you want to modulate with your source. You can choose from any of the parameters of Serum by clicking on their labels or knobs and dragging them to your source tab. You can also use other destinations such as external parameters of your DAW or other plugins by using the mod matrix.
Adjust the amount and direction: The amount and direction determine how much and in which way your source affects your destination. You can adjust them by dragging up or down on your source tab or by using the mod matrix. You can also invert the direction by clicking on the arrow next to your source tab or by using the mod matrix.
Adjust the settings: The settings determine how your source behaves and interacts with your destination. You can adjust them by clicking on the menu button next to your source tab or by using the mod matrix. You can also access more settings by clicking on the edit button next to your source tab. Some of the settings that you can adjust are shape, rate, sync, delay, rise, attack, decay, sustain, release, smooth, curve, bipolar, aux source, aux amount, etc.
By using the envelopes, LFOs, and mod matrix, you can create a variety of modulation effects such as vibrato, tremolo, wah-wah, filter sweep, pitch bend, volume swell, etc. You can also create more complex and unique modulation effects by combining multiple sources and destinations and by using different settings and modes.
The Effects
The effects are where you apply different types of processing to the signal of Serum. Serum has a built-in effects rack that consists of 10 effects modules that can be arranged in any order and turned on or off individually. Each effect module has its own set of controls and options that allow you to shape the sound in various ways.
To use an effect module, follow these steps:
Choose an effect type: An effect type is a processing algorithm that applies a specific effect to the signal. You can choose from one of the 10 effect types by clicking on the menu button next to the effect module name. The effect types are Hyper/Dimension, Distortion, Flanger, Phaser, Chorus, Delay, Compressor, Reverb, EQ, and Filter.
Adjust the parameters: The parameters determine how the effect type affects the signal. You can adjust them by using the knobs and buttons on the effect module. You can also modulate them with an envelope or an LFO by dragging them to your source tab or by using the mod matrix.
Adjust the mix and volume: The mix and volume determine how much the effect module is blended with the original signal and how loud it is in the mix. You can adjust them by using the mix knob and the volume knob on the effect module. You can also modulate them with an envelope or an LFO by dragging them to your source tab or by using the mod matrix.
Adjust the order and bypass: The order and bypass determine how the effect modules are arranged in the effects rack and whether they are turned on or off. You can adjust them by dragging and dropping the effect modules in the effects rack or by clicking on the power button next to the effect module name. You can also use the global bypass button at the top of the effects rack to turn off all the effect modules at once.
By using the effect modules, you can create a variety of effects such as reverb, delay, chorus, distortion, compression, EQ, filtering, etc. You can also create more complex and unique effects by combining multiple effect modules and by using different parameters and modes.
How to Master Serum: Advanced Tips and Tricks
Now that you have learned the basics of how to use Serum, you might want to take your skills to the next level and learn some advanced tips and tricks that will help you create more professional and creative sounds. Here are some of the things that you can do with Serum that will make you a master of wavetable synthesis:
Use the Wavetable Editor
One of the most powerful features of Serum is its wavetable editor, which allows you to create your own custom wavetables from scratch or from any audio source. You can access the wavetable editor by clicking on the pencil icon next to the oscillator name. The wavetable editor has four main modes: Single, Draw, FFT, and Image. Each mode has its own set of tools and options that allow you to manipulate the waveform in various ways.
In Single mode, you can edit one waveform at a time by using the tools such as Add/Remove, Smooth, Fade, Normalize, DC Offset, etc. You can also import or export single-cycle waveforms from your computer or from other sources.
In Draw mode, you can draw your own waveform by using your mouse or a drawing tablet. You can also use the tools such as Grid, Snap, Line, Curve, Harmonics, etc. to create different shapes and patterns.
In FFT mode, you can edit the frequency spectrum of the waveform by using the tools such as FFT Size, FFT Window, FFT Smoothing, FFT Shift, etc. You can also import or export audio files from your computer or from other sources and convert them into wavetables.
In Image mode, you can import or export images from your computer or from other sources and convert them into wavetables. You can also use the tools such as Brightness, Contrast, Gamma, Invert, Flip, Rotate, etc. to modify the image.
By using the wavetable editor, you can create endless possibilities of sounds and timbres that are unique and original. You can also save your custom wavetables in your user folder and use them in your projects.
Use the Warp Modes
Another powerful feature of Serum is its warp modes, which allow you to apply different types of transformations to the wavetable. You can access the warp modes by clicking on the menu button next to the warp knob on each oscillator. There are 16 warp modes available: Off, Bend +/-, Bend +/- Exp, Asym +/-, Asym +/- Exp, Sync, Sync Norm, Flip, Mirror, Quantize, Quantize Exp, Remap, Remap Exp, FM (from A/B), AM (from A/B), RM (from A/B), and PM (from A/B). Each warp mode has a different effect on the shape and phase of the waveform, creating new harmonics and timbres. You can adjust the amount and direction of the warp mode by using the warp knob on each oscillator. You can also modulate the warp knob with an envelope or an LFO to create dynamic changes in the sound. Some of the warp modes that you can use are: - Bend +/-: This mode bends the waveform up or down along the horizontal axis, creating a pitch shift effect. - Sync: This mode resets the phase of the waveform at a specified rate, creating a harmonic distortion effect. - FM (from A/B): This mode modulates the frequency of the waveform by another oscillator, creating a complex and rich sound. - Remap: This mode remaps the amplitude of the waveform by a custom curve, creating a waveshaping effect. By using the warp modes, you can create a variety of sounds and timbres that are not possible with the original wavetable. You can also combine different warp modes and wavetables to create more complex and unique sounds.
Use the Multiband Compressor
One of the most useful effects modules in Serum is the multiband compressor, which allows you to compress and enhance the signal of Serum in three frequency bands: low, mid, and high. You can access the multiband compressor by clicking on the menu button next to the compressor module name and choosing Multiband from the list.
The multiband compressor has four main controls: Threshold, Ratio, Attack, and Release. These controls determine how much and how fast the compression is applied to each frequency band. You can also adjust the gain and pan of each frequency band by using the knobs below them.
The multiband compressor also has a special feature called OTT (Over The Top), which is a preset that applies extreme compression and enhancement to each frequency band. You can activate OTT by clicking on the button next to it. You can also adjust the amount of OTT by using the depth knob next to it. By using the multiband compressor, you can create a louder and fuller sound that stands out in the mix. You can also use it to balance and enhance the frequency spectrum of your sound. OTT is especially useful for creating aggressive and punchy sounds that are suitable for genres such as d