Serum 2 is finally here, and we couldn’t be more excited! For years, Xfer’s Serum has been a go-to wavetable synth for producers of all levels - from beginners exploring their first sounds to professionals crafting chart-topping tracks. Now its highly anticipated sequel has dropped, bringing a massive update loaded with new features and improvements. If you thought Serum 1 was powerful, wait till you see what Serum 2 can do. This release blasts the sonic palette wide open with more oscillators, more effects, and more creative tools than ever. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned synth wizard, Serum 2 has something to inspire everyone.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the biggest new features in Serum 2 and why they matter. Highlights include: a brand-new mixer for blending sounds, three primary oscillators with multiple synthesis modes, an improved modulation matrix, a dual-filter module, up to 10 LFOs with advanced controls, an enhanced preset browser, a built-in arpeggiator & clip sequencer, and an expanded FX suite (including awesome new effects like Convolve and Bode). Let’s dive in and see what’s new!
New Mixer – Blend and Balance Your Sounds
Serum 2 introduces a completely new Mixer section that makes shaping your overall sound easier than ever. The mixer gives you dedicated channel faders and pan controls for all your sound sources – each oscillator, the noise generator, sub oscillator, and even the filter outputs and effect busses are all right there. This means you can blend and balance each element of your patch with precision, just like you would on a mixing console, instead of juggling individual level knobs. The result is a much smoother workflow for layering sounds and dialing in the perfect mix of oscillators and effects.
Not only can you adjust levels, but the mixer also lets you flexibly route your signals. You can send oscillators through different filter paths or effect busses and instantly A/B between routing options. In Serum 1, mixing and routing were more limited – Serum 2’s overhauled mixer workflow allows you to mix your sounds and route effects more flexibly. In short, the new mixer puts full control of your sound’s balance at your fingertips, so you can spend less time managing levels and more time being creative.
Three Primary Oscillators – Wavetable, Sample, Granular & More
One of the biggest changes in Serum 2 is that it now has three main oscillators (up from two in the original) – and each oscillator isn’t limited to just wavetables. You can choose from five different oscillator modes for each oscillator, turning Serum 2 into a true hybrid synth. The three primary oscillators can operate in any of the following modes:
- Wavetable – Serum’s legendary wavetable oscillator, now refined with even smoother morphing and new warp options for endless tonal variation.
- Sample – A dedicated sample playback engine. Load any audio sample as an oscillator (drums, vocals, instrument recordings – you name it) and play it back with Serum’s synthesis tricks (including FM, phase distortion, and more).
- Multisample – Import or use the massive built-in multi-sampled instrument library that comes with Serum 2. This mode lets you play realistic instrument recordings (pianos, guitars, orchestral sounds, etc.) across the keyboard, turning Serum 2 into a capable sampler. (Yes, Serum 2 can now sound like a grand piano or a guitar if you want!)
- Granular – A new granular synthesis engine that lets you break samples into tiny “grains” for lush pads, glitchy textures, or otherworldly soundscapes. This opens up wild sonic experimentation by literally shredding and reassembling sounds in real-time.
- Spectral – A powerful spectral oscillator that performs realtime resynthesis of sounds at the harmonic level. You can import audio (even images) and Serum 2 will let you manipulate its frequency spectrum in crazy ways, like a built-in additive resynthesizer. This mode is perfect for creating harmonic evolutions and morphing timbres that were impossible in Serum 1.
Having three oscillators with such varied modes means Serum 2 can create almost any sound you can imagine. You could run a classic wavetable on OSC A, a vocal sample on OSC B, and a granulized texture on OSC C all at once, blending them via the new mixer for huge, complex tones. This multi-engine capability significantly expands the synth’s sound palette. If you’re a beginner, don’t worry – you can still start with a simple wavetable or preset. But as you grow, Serum 2 will grow with you, offering deeper synthesis options to keep you inspired.
Improved Modulation Matrix – Advanced Mod Management
Serum has always been loved for its drag-and-drop modulation, and Serum 2 takes it to the next level with an improved modulation matrix for advanced mod management. In practical terms, this means it’s now much easier to see, organize, and fine-tune all the modulations happening in your patch.
The new mod matrix adds handy features like the ability to reorder modulation slots (just drag and drop to rearrange them), bypass mods to toggle a modulation on/off without deleting it, and remove mods with a click when you don’t need them. It also has an expanded view option for when you have a ton of modulations and want a full-screen overview. Plus, the matrix now displays modulation curves and values dynamically, so you get real-time visual feedback of how each LFO or envelope is affecting its target. No more guessing or squinting at tiny numbers – the modulation routing is clear and powerful.
What does this mean for you? It means modulation in Serum 2 is both deeper and easier to control. Sound designers will love the extra control (for example, you can fine-tune modulation ranges with precision curves), and beginners will find it friendlier to experiment without getting lost. You can basically assign anything to anything and manage it effortlessly. Advanced mod junkies, rejoice! Serum 2 even lets oscillators and filters be modulation sources now, so you can get really modular with your routing if you want. And with other additions like up to eight macro knobs (double the previous four) to assign to your most important controls, you’ll have an easier time shaping sounds in a performance-friendly way. Overall, the improved mod matrix ensures that no matter how crazy your patch gets, you’ll always be in command of your sound design.
Dual-Filter Module – Twice the Filtering Power
In Serum 2, you’re no longer limited to a single filter – now there’s a dual-filter module that lets you run two filters at once. This is a sound designer’s dream come true and a huge upgrade in flexibility. You can arrange the two filters in series or parallel routing with a click, dramatically expanding the filtering possibilities compared to Serum 1. What’s the big deal with dual filters? Imagine running a low-pass filter to mellow out your sound and a phaser or comb filter to add movement – simultaneously. Or using two different filter types (Serum 2 introduces some new analog-modeled filter designs as well) and morphing between them. In series mode, the signal flows through Filter 1 then into Filter 2 (for extra deep filtering or creative filter combos). In parallel mode, the oscillators split into two filter paths and get blended back together – great for creating complex tonal layers (for example, one bright path and one dark path mixed together).
This dual-filter setup means richer, more complex timbres are at your fingertips. You can get surgical by stacking filters, or get experimental by splitting the sound into different frequency bands. And of course, both filters can be modulated to your heart’s content. Want one LFO sweeping Filter A and another LFO rhythmically tweaking Filter B’s resonance? Go for it. Serum 2’s filters also include new “virtual analog” modes that give you warmer, more analog-style response for when you want that vintage touch. In short, the new dual-filter module lets you shape your tones in stereo and in color, adding a whole new dimension to sound design that both beginners and pros will appreciate.
Expanded LFOs – Up to 10 LFOs with Powerful Shape Tools
If you love LFOs (who doesn’t?), Serum 2 will make you very happy. The number of LFOs has been expanded to 10 LFOs available per patch, giving you an insane amount of modulation potential. (Serum 1 had 4 LFOs by default, so this is a big jump!) But it’s not just about quantity – the LFO section itself got a huge upgrade in features and usability. Serum 2’s LFOs come with enhanced drawing tools and an improved editor that let you craft custom modulation shapes more easily. There’s even a new Path drawing mode (inspired by tools from Rob Papen’s synths) where you can draw freely on an X/Y pad and the LFO will follow that path - perfect for creating unique, complex curves. In addition, there are new chaos modes (Lorenz and Rössler attractors for the technically curious) that generate wild, pseudo-random modulations with cool visuals. If that sounds too crazy, don’t worry: Serum 2 also includes a bunch of LFO shape presets and an independent grid snapping feature to help you draw shapes neatly. You can of course still do all the classic LFO tricks (sync to tempo, trigger on note, etc.), and now you can even set LFOs to follow swing/groove from the arpeggiator or DAW clock, which is super useful for making modulators match your beat. With up to 10 LFOs, you’ll probably never run out of modulators. But if you somehow do, Serum 2 also gives you four full ADSR envelopes (one more than before) to play with. And remember those eight macro knobs we mentioned? All of these work together. The bottom line is: Serum 2’s modulation capabilities are on steroids. You can get extremely intricate with moving, evolving sounds, or just assign a couple LFOs for basic wobble – the choice is yours. The interface improvements (like better LFO drawing and visuals) mean it’s still approachable even if you’re new to sound design, while offering endless depth for advanced users to explore.
Enhanced Preset Browser – Find Your Sound Faster
Browsing and managing presets in Serum 2 is a much smoother experience now, thanks to the enhanced preset browser. If you’ve ever spent ages scrolling through sounds, this will be a welcome change for your workflow. The new browser is feature-rich and designed to help you find the perfect patch quickly. Firstly, there’s a quick search function so you can type to filter presets by name or tags. No more manually hunting through categories – just start typing a keyword (like “bass” or “pad”) and see relevant presets instantly. You can also organize and filter sounds by category, genre, or custom tags, and even by user-star ratings, so sorting through large libraries is a breeze. Serum 2 comes with tons of new factory content (over 600 new presets and loads of wavetables and samples) and the browser is built to handle it, letting you drill down by folders (including your own saved presets or artist preset packs).Another awesome addition is the ability to preview presets before loading them. The browser can autoplay a selected preset (with a default melody or pattern, or even a custom preview if the sound designer provided one) so you get an idea of the sound without double-clicking or disrupting your workflow. This makes auditioning sounds much faster and more fun – it’s like having a tiny preview player built into the preset menu. You can even tweak macro knobs on the fly while previewing to hear the preset with different character, which is super handy for quickly personalizing sounds. All these enhancements mean better workflow for you: finding the right sound is quicker, organization is easier, and managing your preset library (including the new Serum 2 factory presets and any expansion packs) is pain-free. For beginners, this is great because you likely rely on presets as learning tools – now you can search and experiment more efficiently. For pros with huge preset banks, the advanced filtering and metadata features will save time and keep you inspired. It’s a small quality-of-life improvement that makes a big difference in daily use.
New Arpeggiator & Clip Sequencer – Advanced Pattern Creation
One of the coolest new creative tools in Serum 2 is the addition of a sophisticated arpeggiator and a flexible clip sequencer. Serum 1 never had a built-in arpeggiator, so this opens up a whole new world of possibilities for jamming and song creation within the synth. Now you can generate melodies, rhythms, and chord sequences on the fly, turning Serum 2 into a mini workstation for ideas and riffs. The Arpeggiator works like you’d expect – hold down some notes, and Serum will cycle through them in patterns (up, down, random, etc.) synchronized to your tempo. But it’s more than a basic arp: it’s “complete and sophisticated” with plenty of tweakable options. You can adjust the order, octave range, gate length, swing, and even store up to 12 pattern variations in memory slots. That means you can create different arp patterns (say one for your verse, one for chorus, etc.) and switch between them easily, even via keyswitches on your MIDI keyboard. It’s super handy for live performance or for sketching out song sections without leaving the synth. The Clip Sequencer is like a step sequencer on steroids – think of it as Serum 2’s built-in phrase recorder. It allows you to draw in your own custom sequences of notes (like a piano roll) and create entire melodic lines or chord progressions that play back when you hit a key. You can also set up trigger conditions, repeats, probability and other advanced sequencing tricks to get generative or evolving patterns. Just like the arp, the sequencer lets you save multiple patterns (up to 12) and swap between them in real time. You can even import MIDI files into the sequencer - got a cool MIDI riff from elsewhere? Load it up in Serum 2 and tweak away. One particularly powerful feature: you can assign different patterns to different keys, effectively letting you “launch” sequencer patterns by pressing specific notes (similar to how Ableton Live’s clip launching works). This means you could perform a whole sequence just by hitting different keys that trigger different stored patterns - very slick for live improv or songwriting.
Together, the arp and clip sequencer turn Serum 2 into a jam machine. You can quickly generate ideas without touching your DAW’s piano roll – great for when you want to stay in the creative flow. For beginners, it’s an approachable way to experiment with melodies and rhythms (try a preset, turn on the arp, instant inspiration!). For advanced users, the depth of the sequencer (with automation lanes per pattern, probability controls, etc.) will be a playground for complex pattern design. It’s safe to say these tools will lead to a lot of unexpected happy accidents and creative breakthroughs when you start using Serum 2.
Expanded FX Section – New Effects to Spice Up Your Sound
Serum 2’s effects section got a huge expansion, both in terms of quality and quantity. There are now 13 built-in effect modules (up from 10) and 3 special “splitter” modules for multiband processing. Even more exciting, several new effect types have been added that open up fresh sound design opportunities. Here are some highlights:
- Convolve – A brand new convolution effect, which essentially lets Serum 2 impart characteristics of one sound onto another. In practice, this works like a convolution reverb (and indeed can be used as reverb), loaded with impulse responses (IRs) that give your sounds unique spatial or textural qualities. You can even load your own custom IR files into Convolve, meaning you can experiment with crazy filters like applying the resonance of a church hall or the texture of a guitar amp onto your synth sound. It’s a sound designer’s secret weapon for creative FX.
- Bode Shifter – A new Bode frequency shifter effect that can produce wild frequency modulation sounds. Unlike a pitch shifter, a frequency shifter moves every frequency by a fixed amount, resulting in quirky, metallic, or dissonant sounds perfect for sci-fi tones and crazy modulated effects. Dial it in subtly for chorus-like movement, or go extreme for robotic mayhem.
- Reverbs Galore – Serum 2 adds three new reverb algorithms(named Vintage, Nitrous, and Basin) on top of the classic Hall/Plate from Serum 1. Vintage gives you old-school colored reverb vibes, Nitrous is huge and lush, and Basin is great for creative ambience. If convolution and these new algorithms aren’t enough, don’t forget you still have the plate and hall – so plenty of spaces to put your sounds in. Your pads and atmospheres will love these, and you have options for every genre whether you need clean and modern or lo-fi and characterful.
- Multi-Band & Stereo Splitters – Those 3 splitter modules let you split the signal by frequency bands or stereo field for advanced effect routing. There’s a Low/High splitter, a Low/Mid/High triple-band splitter, and a Mid/Side splitter for stereo. These are powerful: you can, for example, distort only the mid frequencies of your sound while keeping the highs clean, or add chorus to the sides while the center stays dry. Coupled with the dual FX buses in Serum 2’s mixer, you can achieve complex parallel processing that was impossible in Serum 1. It’s like having a mini modular effects rack at your disposal.
On top of those, many of Serum’s existing effects got tweaks or new modes (for instance, the Delay has a new high-quality algorithm, and Distortion gained a new Overdrive type and a DC bias control for fine-tuning fuzz). You can also now run multiple instances of the same effect if you want (ever wanted two EQs or three distortions in one chain? Now you can). And with the improved interface, it’s easier to reorder effects and bypass individual FX modules to A/B your sound.
The expanded FX suite means you often won’t need any external plugins to polish or mangle your Serum 2 patches – it’s all built-in. Sound designers will have a field day chaining the new toys (try the Bode shifter into Convolve for surreal textures, or use the multiband splitter to create a custom multi-band compressor/expander). Beginners benefit too, since many of the new FX come with great presets and easier controls, so you can slap on a convolution reverb or a stereo widener without deep technical know-how. Overall, Serum 2’s FX section is like an audio sandbox – it invites you to experiment and take your sounds to new heights (or depths!). And with 13 effects plus splitters available, you have plenty of slots to craft a truly unique sound (And yes, all these effects and modulations can be saved within a preset – so expect Serum 2 presets to be a lot more intricate than before!)
And That’s Not All…
Believe it or not, the features we’ve highlighted are just the major ones – Serum 2 is packed with numerous other improvements and smart tweaks. To name a few: it now offers 8 assignable macros (instead of 4) so you can have more performance controls per patch, 4 envelopes (instead of 3) with new options like BPM sync and an invert legato mode for more control over note transitions, a resizable GUI and updated look, and even comprehensive undo/redo functionality so you can experiment freely and roll back changes. Little workflow enhancements are everywhere, making the whole experience smoother. It’s clear that the developers listened to user feedback from Serum 1 and implemented a ton of quality-of-life updates alongside the big shiny features.
With all these additions, Serum 2 truly feels like a “next-gen” synth while still retaining the intuitive workflow that made the original so popular. It’s the Serum we know and love, but supercharged in every way. Whether you’re crafting the next festival banger, scoring a film, or just tinkering with sound design as a hobby, Serum 2 provides a fun and inspiring environment to create in. We can’t wait to hear the amazing sounds producers will make with this instrument.
You can download/upgrade Serum here
🎁 20 Free Serum 2 Presets – Celebrate the Launch!
To celebrate the release of Serum 2, The Producer School is giving away 20 free Serum 2 presets to kickstart your creativity! These presets showcase some of the new sonic capabilities of Serum 2. It’s our way of saying thank you to the music production community and helping you explore Serum 2’s potential on day one.
👉 Download the 20 Free Serum 2 Presets here and load them up in your new Serum 2 plugin. Go ahead and dissect them, tweak the macros, try out the new effects on them, or use them as inspiration for your own patches. Whether you’re a newbie looking for fresh sounds or a pro wanting to see what Serum 2 can do, this free preset pack will get you off and running in no time.
Happy producing, and enjoy the new Serum 2! We’re confident it’ll become an essential tool in your arsenal, and we can’t wait to hear the tracks you create with it. Now go grab those free presets, fire up Serum 2, and let the music flow. 🚀