Synthesis Bakis Sirros, aka Parallel Worlds, sends word via the synth forum that a new Serge M-odule has been released:

Its the ‘KlangShifter’ m-odule.

it includes the following modules (from left to Right):

DTG (Dual Transient Generator), MIX PRO (Mixer Processor), FREQUENCY SHIFTER, C/M (a Gate switch, plus lin and exp attenuators), X-Fader.

the official price is 2400 USD.

it is a great m-odule for anyone wanting to get the Serge Frequency shifter module in M-format, plus of course , vc-dual envelope generation, vc-slewing, vc-audio/trigger dividing, vc-gate delay, envelope following, cv mixing/scaling/offseting, vc-X-fading, audio vca, attenuation (exp. and lin.) and manual gate generation

If  you’ve used the Serge Klangshifter, leave a comment with your thoughts on it!

Serge has introduced a new Serge M-odule, the Dual ‘Q’ Filter M-odule.

Price is 1600 USD

Here are the details, via Bakis Sirros:

It contains the following modules (from Left to Right):

AC-coupled 3-channel audio mixer, Variable Q VCF, Variable Q VCF, Dual VCA (one vca is AC-coupled the other vca is DC-coupled), and a Mix Processor (DC-coupled).

with that M-odule, you can create various filtering slopes (12db and even 24db, with a patch described in detail here):  http://www.serge-fans.com/wiz_filt.htm ) and also, of course, you get various filter responses (BP, LP, HP, Notch).

the VCFQ module has a slope of 12db/oct.

the filters can be patched to self-oscillate and they have a trigger In socket, for exciting them to produce various percussive sounds.

By exciting the resonant filters in ‘Lo’ mode, you can use them as interesting modulation sources.

by combining them in parallel, you can get a twin Q peak also. or, by connecting them in series, you can get a BP filter with variable bandwidth and twin Q peaks also, etc…

also you get two vca’s for your audio, AM, and inter-patch modulation index needs, plus a mix processor for scaling, mixing and inverting cv’s.

If you’ve used the Serge Dual ‘Q’ Filter M-odule, leave a comment with your thoughts.

Shade is scheduled for release on March 23rd, 2009, and looks like it will be a treat for fans of synth music.

Sirros notes:

This album is full of analogue modular synths, including the Serge modular music system, Analogue Systems RS-Integrator modular, Doepfer A100 modular, Arp 2600, EMS VCS3, Technosaurus Selector system D, Livewire/Plan B/Harvestman modular, Metalbox/CGS modular, Analogue Solutions Concussor modular, Korg MS50, Oberheim 4 Voice modular, etc…

Shade is the studio album follow-up to Obsessive Surrealism (DiN26 – 2007) and is the fifth CD release by Parallel Worlds (the main musical project of Greek electronic musician Bakis Sirros).

via Bakis Sirros in the synth forum

Parallel World’s Bakis Sirros sends word that Serge can offer their shop panels and M-class series M-odules with a more colorful knob scheme:

as Rex says: 

“The colour coded knobs are an option for newly ordered M-class m-odules and Shop series panels and are provided to our STS clients at no additional charge. 

Retrofits to systems already in the field will be handled by payment & 
exchange arrangements between STS clients and myself addressed on per case 
basis.” 

look at the photos section of the SMOG yahoo group (in the m-class series folder) for my CV processor and Wave Processor m-odules that follow this knob colour scheme. 

in detail: 
Black knobs are for offsets and audio (AC) attenuators, and Blue Knobs are for cv (DC) attenuators. 
(the Red knobs are just added to my m-odule for fun, they are not included in the new knob colour scheme.) 

thanks, 
Bakis.

Knob color schemes aren’t a big deal for most modular synth owners – but if (or when) your modular synth starts to get large, color coding can be handy.

Bakis Sirros, above in his studio, is a synthesis and composer and DIN recording artist, as Parallel Worlds. 

Sirros’ work is in the tradition of classic synth music artists like Klaus Schulze, Robert Rich, Steve Roach and Tangerine Dream. 

He talked about his love of modular synthesizers, especially Eurorack modules, in a recent interview with Analogue Haven:

The Eurorack format modular, at this point, has the biggest and most interesting variety of modules available.

You can have ’standard’ analogue subtracitve synthesis modules, countless different filters and oscillators, plus wierd and extreme modules to really ‘warp’ your patch! Also, you have a greaty variety of hybrid modules (like the Analogue Systems additive and wavetable module, the Harvestman modules, the latest vc bit crusher from Doepfer, vc sampler modules, etc.). All these give me so many soundshaping tools that i cannot find in big jack format modulars. Also I need as much space as possible, to fit the dozens of modules i use in my patches and this would require a huge space to accomplish with big jack format modulars.

I like the smaller format modulars because they allow you to have many modules in a small space. I would not want to go back and forth in the studio to patch a gigantic modular having big jacks. So the Euro format, the Frac Rack format and the Banana modulars (Serge) are my choice.

Btw, I also have a Technosaurus Selector System D that is a big jack modular and use it very often. but i only have one of these. All my other modulars are more compact to allow for complexity within a manageable space. apart from the euro rack format, i also really like my lately aqccuired serge modular. banana jacks give me so much patching freedom, being able to mult a signal countless times within a patch! especially useful for trigger and gate signals.

For the gear porn freaks – here’s another look at Sirros’ studio:

Sirros also moderates the Yahoo Doepfer group.

You can find out more about Sirros and his music at his MySpace page and at the Parallel Worlds site. 

via Bakis Sirros; images by antonis chaniotis

Synthesist Bakis Sirros sends word that a couple of new Serge Modular synth modules have been announced:

The Dual ADSR m-odule (includes two Extended ADSR modules, a Dual Comparator, and a Dual Transient Gen.) Price is 1600 USD

The Wave Processor m-odule (includes Ring Modulator module, Triple Waveshaper module, Wavemultipliers module, Xfader module, Mixer module). Price is 2000 USD.

Sketches and Pictures in the Photo section of the Yahoo! Serge Modular Users Group and in the Egres website.

Modular synthesist Bakis Sirros sends word via the forum of new demo clips for the Analogue Systems RS370 Polyphonic Harmonic Generator, a 6-voice polyphonic harmonic generator and wavetable synthesizer.

You can preview some of the sound clips below. More demo clips are available at the Big City Music site.

RS370 Features:

• 6-voice polyphonic harmonic generator and wavetable synthesizer (currently with 16 wave banks)
• 4 generator per note additive synthesis engine.
• Fully functional multi-channel MIDI to CV converter with 4 programmable controller outputs and assignable gate function for programming S-trigger and standard triggers, mixed triggers and MIDI clock.
• A useful arpeggiator and the ability to travel through the custom user-stored harmonics and factory-stored waveforms via voltage control.
• 2 independent LFOs that can be free-running or synced to MIDI with multiple step divisions.
• Six 10-stage envelope generators (with full voltage control of each parameter) which are available as outputs to control external filters.
• User can view harmonic changes during additive programming and during morphing of wavebanks.
• Array of outputs and inputs for complex patching within the module itself as well as other voltage sources within a modular system.