SergeModular

>>> I think Serge , EMS , Buchla ,Wiard etc. all employ & embody a
>>> distinct personallity. sometimes expecting them to be jack of all
>>> trades , is knowing they'll be master of none . ?????

>> Serge is so good I don't think it is too much to ask.
>
> I dont follow this logic....why should it be a carthorse &
> racehorse ...why a Bentley & a mini-cooper ?

I DO follow this logic - I think Chris is saying that he personally would
like something as high quality as Serge to do what most other high quality
'products' do: they do the simple things extremely well.

It's not something I am particularly bothered about - I like the esoteric
nature of the Serge - but the logic is quite simple.

>> I enjoy using it so much I virtually use it for everything and
> would hate to
>> have to base every composition around the esoteric qualities alone.
>> It doesn't seem to me that difficult or expensive to introduce a
> different
>> sounding filter. Nobody has accused Wiard or Fenix of pandering to
> the Moog
>> sound.

I've said this before but its worth repeating - I'm glad the Serge doesn't
have a 'moog-style' filter... I like synths to have their own individual
character. My synths all have strong personalities that differ strongly from
each other - but then I am lucky enough to afford a Serge + other gear.

Impressed as I am by the recording I'm now listening to (Subotnick's '4
Butterflies') composed exclusively on a Buchla system, I could not get by
with just a Serge for my purposes. Admittedly I do use the Audio Input of my
Minimoog a lot for the Moog-filter sound but I still like my Serge as it is.

> The Fenix sounds nothing like Moog stuff . The filters are all
> differant to Moog standard.

I don't think Chris was saying the Fenix does sound like Moog stuff.

>> It comes up so often I guess the filter issue is now quite tedious.
>> On the other hand it seems to be (apart from prices) the
> only 'weakness'
>> anyone ever expresses about the system.

Chris - talking of 'weaknesses' I still think the biggest 'weakness' is
having to buy an entire panel at a time rather than individual modules!

> I find the filters to be versatile & usefull in ways an Oscar
> (i.m.o. -better than the moog........) or other synths cannot manage.
> you cant have your cake & eat it....

Well, I'm not going to say one filter type or synth is 'better' than another
but I do think the Serge filter is incredibly useful in 'trigger' mode. I
haven't ever had the chance to hear the 'percussion' mode on the ARP 2500
multimode filter or any other ringing filters - anybody like to comment on
any differences between the models using this particular feature??

Is a ringing filter a ringing filter? or does the Serge VCFQ have a wider
range of perc sounds, etc, etc??

>> I agree with those who point to everything else a Serge can do but
> it's not
>> always possible to have thousands of dollars tied up in a cutting
> edge,
>> electronic sound machine. For the want of another filter it would
> be easier
>> to create run of the mill sounds as well.

> Run of the mill ? you said it . Serge have very wisely I.M.O. avoided
> all the cliched moog/tb303 drivel .

Surely most cliched music is drivel regardless of whether a Moog or TB303
was used? Let's not slag off certain types of sound or synths - its
pointless. I love both these instruments in certain circumstances...

> I dont think history will be as
> kind to Moog as he would have peeple beleeve.....I.M.O.

Interesting... I am a huge fan of the classic Moog sound when programmed by
certain 'artists' but personally I was very disappointed with the
Moogerfooger range design-wise. I just don't like the pedal format. I think
they have a good range of features and they are very reasonably priced. I
haven't heard them so I can't comment on the sound - but I wish they had
been made to fit in a modular panel format.

It will be interesting to see what the forthcoming Big Briar Performance
Synth has in store...

>> Why not? It's evident that Malcolm Cecil patched some simple sounds
>> occasionally on Tonto.....even using the odd Moog filter.

Ahhh.. my favourite synth sound... especially in the hands of Stevie...
speaking of which, Subotnick's finished - time for Fulfillingness First
Finale...

Kirk.