Serum 2: The Next Evolution in Sound Design

Serum 2 Image

Serum 2 is a next gen Sound Design VST. Expanding the legacy of "Serum 1", Vst we all love, Serum 2 introduces new oscillators, multiple new effects and the ability to stack them, a built-in clip sequencer and much, much more, all wrapped in an intuitive interface that stays fond to the good old Serum 1 interface.

Serum 2 delivers the tools and flexibility to shape your sound in any direction, just like its predecessor, but in a more open end way: spectral resynthesis, cinematic textures, evolving basses and more. It’s a free upgrade existing Serum 1 users, with lifetime free updates included.

Why Serum 2?

According to the Xfer team, the vision behind Serum has always been clear: high-fidelity sound, a creatively inspiring and familiar interface, and the ability to go as deep as your sound design demands. Serum 2 pushes that philosophy further, adding well optimized synthesis engines, a reworked FX suite, multi-sampling and more.

Core Features

Wavetable Oscillator

  • Smooth Interpolation Mode: Seamless frame blending without morphing needed.
  • Supports FM, Phase Distortion, Ring Modulation, and more.
  • Dual warp functionality per oscillator for extreme customization.

 

Multisample Oscillator

  • sfz-based playback of real world instruments.
  • Comes with a global multisample library: orchestras, choirs, guitars, pianos, and more.

 

Sample Oscillator

  • Advanced sample playback: looping with snap detection, modulation, slicing, tape stop-style effects, and more.

 

Granular Oscillator

  • Rich granular synthesis capabilities for transforming or enhancing raw samples.

 

Spectral Oscillator

  • Real-time harmonic resynthesis of samples.
  • Advanced time and frequency control using transient detection.
  • Personally, one of the features we love the most.

What’s New in Serum 2

  • Third Primary Oscillator: Expanding the sound engine to five simultaneous sources including Sub and Noise.
  • Busses: Pan, volume and routing for each oscillator, 11 new filters, improved FX and visual feedback.
  • Enhanced Multi-Sampler Engine: Load, layer, and sequence real instruments with ease. Excited to see what future Sound Designers will achieve with this feature.
  • New Clip Module: Built-in piano roll with DAW sync, clip banking, and MIDI sequencing.
  • Expanded Content Library: Over 626 presets, 288 wavetables, plus new IRs, samples, and templates.
  • Upgraded Serum FX Suite: Many more Effects and finally, the ability to stack them, making post-processing almost obsolete

Compatibility & Requirements

Plugin Formats: VST3, AU, AAX (64-bit only)

Operating Systems:
- Windows 10 or later
- macOS High Sierra+ (Intel) / Big Sur+ (Apple Silicon)

Host Requirements: 64 bit VST3, AU or AAX compatible host software.

Looking for Next-Level Serum 2 Presets? Meet STREET RACER.

STREET RACER Preset Pack

To truly experience the power of Serum 2, presets matter, and that’s where STREET RACER comes in.

STREET RACER is a premium preset pack designed exclusively for Serum 2 by our team at Parallel Touch Audio, engineered for EDM, DnB, Hyperpop, Electro and underground club music. It includes 130 presets, no recycled Serum 1 sounds, each one crafted to stand out and inspire instantly.

What’s Inside STREET RACER

  • 130 custom Serum 2 presets (81 Basses, 14 Leads, 14 Synths, 9 Chords, 5 Plucks, 5 FXs, 2 Arps)
  • All 8 Macros assigned for full customization
  • Fully designed FX chains for every preset (no post-processing needed)
  • Genres: EDM, Drum & Bass, Hyperpop, Club Music
  • Influences: Skrillex, Noisia, JDM Street Racing

Built for Serum 2.0.18 and compatible with all future versions.

Adoption & Performance Notes

Serum 2 is widely adopted in the EDM community and is fully backward compatible with Serum 1 - We have to point the fact that some Serum 1 presets which adopt FM synthesis might not translate in the same way in Serum 2, Serum 2's equivalent to Serum 1 "FM" in the warp section is "PD", or phase distortion, but even after changing it to either "PD" or "FM", Serum 2 will still sound differently compared to Serum 1. Nonetheless, its deep integration into music production makes it one of the most supported synths online, with countless tutorials, preset packs, and community resources.

Note: Serum 2 is currently more CPU-intensive than version 1 in some setups. Optimization improvements are in development.

Pricing & Access

  • Full License: $249
  • Rent-to-Own via Splice: Available with no hidden costs

Conclusion

Whether you're a sound design veteran or just diving into electronic production, Serum 2 offers unparalleled creative depth, and with packs like STREET RACER, you can unlock its full potential right out of the box.

Load up Serum 2, fire up STREET RACER, and push your sound into the fast lane.

Serum 2 Full Throttle Vol 2 - Street Racer Check it out
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