Serum 2 Officially Released – Is It the Best Synth Yet?

Finally, after years of anticipation, Xfer launched the most awaited plugin. Now, with an arpeggiator and clip sequencer, this plugin has become one of the most powerful synth plugins ever.

After an 11-year wait, Serum 2 has finally arrived, generating excitement among music producers and sound designers around the globe. This legendary wavetable synthesizer has been completely redesigned and enhanced with a variety of new features. These include new oscillator types such as multisample, spectral, and granular oscillators, flexible effect routing, an arpeggiator, and a clip sequencer. Most importantly, the update is free for all existing Serum users, highlighting Xfer Records’ commitment to providing lifetime updates.

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What’s New in Serum 2?

Enhanced Wavetable Engine:

Serum 2 boasts a more powerful wavetable engine, offering higher resolution, smoother morphing, and new ways to manipulate waveforms in real time. Expect even richer, more dynamic sounds with minimal CPU impact.

Some of the new enhancements include:

Tuning Modes
Oscillator Controls
Enhanced Unison
Warp Modes, and more

New Oscillator Modes:

As with the original Serum, wavetable oscillators remain at the heart of sound generation in Serum 2

Multisample: Multisample instruments utilize a collection of recordings of actual instruments, which are played across a spectrum of pitches, intensities, and articulations.
Sample: It is a versatile and user-friendly sampler designed for the creative manipulation and playback of audio samples. It is one of the versatile feature that makes this one if the most powerful wavetable synth.
Granular: Granular is an intuitive synthesis mode that manipulates audio samples by breaking them down into tiny segments called grains and then recombining them in various ways to create new textures and sounds. By breaking them down into tiny segments called grains, and then recombining them in various ways to create new textures and sounds.
Spectral: A spectral synthesis mode that manipulates sound by analyzing and resynthesizing the frequency spectrum, creating new sounds with independent control over pitch and time.

Advanced Modulation and Routings Options:

One significant update in Xfer Records Serum 2 is found in the LFO section. It now features a variety of LFO modes, including a new path mode, two chaos modes, and a sample & hold generator. The Path mode, which you may recognize from Rob Papen’s plugins, allows you to draw a path on an XY pad for the modulator to follow. This enables precise automation adjustments, allowing for the creation of very complex modulation patterns. Additionally, the new random modes offer highly dynamic modulations with appealing animations, enhancing the capabilities of the LFO section. Furthermore, you now have four extra macro controls, bringing the total to eight for more versatility in your sound design..

On top of that, the new random modes give you super wild modulations with lovely animations, which is a massive boost for the LFO section. Plus, you get four additional macro controls, giving you eight to work with.

Sequencer & Arpeggiator:

There are two major highlights to note about Serum 2: Steve Duda’s team at Xfer Records has integrated a complete and sophisticated arpeggiator and sequencer. Both of these new features include 12 slots where you can store your own patterns or settings. In the sequencer, you can traditionally draw steps. Additionally, you can choose from preset patterns or import MIDI files. A powerful feature is the ability to switch between individual slots or patterns by pressing the keys on your keyboard.

Performance Optimization:

Serum 2 is designed to be more CPU-efficient, allowing for smoother performance, even in complex projects. This update ensures that producers can use multiple instances of Serum 2 without worrying about system overload.

Is Serum 2 the Best Synth Yet?

With its advancements, Serum 2 is shaping up to be one of the most powerful synths ever made. Whether you’re a beginner looking for an intuitive interface or a pro seeking endless sound design possibilities, this update delivers.

But is it the absolute best? That depends on your workflow. While Serum 2 pushes the boundaries of wavetable synthesis, competitors like Vital, Phase Plant, and Pigments also offer compelling features. However, if you loved Serum 1, this update is an essential upgrade.