Xfer Records Releases Serum 2

Xfer Records has officially released Serum 2, the long-awaited successor to its legendary wavetable synthesizer Serum. Known widely for its exceptional sound quality, intuitive visual workflow, and creative potential, Serum has held a prominent position in electronic music production for over a decade. With Serum 2, Xfer pushes the boundaries of what a software synthesizer can achieve, introducing extensive enhancements designed to elevate sound design capabilities, creative expression, and user experience.

What's New in Serum 2?

Expanded Oscillator Engines

Perhaps the most significant leap forward is Serum 2's expansion from a pure wavetable synth to a comprehensive hybrid synthesizer. The update introduces five main oscillator types:

• Multisample Engine: Serum 2’s multisample oscillator lets users import multi-sampled instruments in SFZ format, transforming the synth into a powerful sampling instrument. It ships with an extensive library featuring orchestral instruments, pianos, choirs, and guitars. However, users have noted room for improvement, specifically requesting a dedicated multisample editor and better drag-and-drop functionality.

• Sample Oscillator: Users now have detailed control over sample playback, featuring advanced looping mechanisms with snap loop detection, modulation of loop points, rate control for creative tape stop effects, and sample slicing with real-time tempo-synced rhythmic patterns.

• Granular Oscillator: The addition of granular synthesis unlocks extraordinary potential for atmospheric soundscapes. It supports up to 256 simultaneous grains, offering rich, evolving textures ideal for ambient and experimental genres.

• Spectral Oscillator: Providing detailed harmonic manipulation, this oscillator enables precise control over spectral content, including innovative spectral warp modes. Although powerful, users note that spectral modes can demand higher CPU resources.

• Enhanced Wavetable Oscillator: Serum’s original wavetable oscillator receives upgrades including smoother interpolation for continuous waveform morphing and dual warp processing modes, further increasing sonic flexibility.

The architecture is significantly beefier too - Serum 2 now offers three main oscillators (up from two), each of which can be any of the five oscillator types. The dedicated sub oscillator and noise oscillator remain, providing up to five sound sources per patch.

Deep Modulation Capabilities

Modulation in Serum 2 receives a massive upgrade with:

• Up to 10 LFOs (increased from 4) and 4 envelopes (up from 3)
• New LFO modes including Chaos (Lorenz and Rössler attractors), Sample & Hold, and Path mode
• 2D LFOs with X/Y outputs for complex parameter control
• Modulation remapping for sophisticated curve transformations
• 8 assignable macros (doubled from 4)

Built-in Arpeggiator and Sequencer

One entirely new feature set is the integrated arpeggiator and step sequencer, eliminating the need to rely on your DAW for pattern creation:

• The arpeggiator allows patterns to be stored in 12 slots and switched via MIDI keys
• The clip sequencer lets you draw step patterns or import MIDI files
• Patterns can be stored, modified, and triggered dynamically

Enhanced Effects and Routing

The effects section has been completely overhauled:

• Dual FX buses with flexible routing options (series or parallel)
• Effects can be applied to individual oscillator buses or the master output
• Multiple instances of the same effect type can be used and freely reordered
• New effects include convolution reverb (with impulse response library), Bode frequency shifter, improved distortion, and high-quality delay
• Mid/Side and Low/High splitter modules for advanced processing

Refined Interface and Workflow

While maintaining familiarity, the interface has been modernized:

• Cleaner, wider layout with tabbed pages for oscillators, mixer, FX, and modulation
• Dedicated mixer panel for clearer control of signal flow
• New preset browser with powerful search and filtering
• Comprehensive undo/redo history (addressing a long-standing user request)
• Native 64-bit support and Apple Silicon compatibility

Serum 2 vs. Serum 1

For those wondering how the new version compares to the original, here's a side-by-side comparison:

User Feedback

Since its release, Serum 2 has been met with overwhelming positivity from the music production community. The dominant sentiment has been gratitude that Xfer Records made this a free update for existing Serum owners - an increasingly rare gesture in the software world.

Many users have expressed amazement at the expanded capabilities:

• "It's going to become my main synth because it has a lot of features of the other synths I use"
• "This is a free update, which is crazy... I donated"
• "I've been using cracked Serum for 10 years. The fact that this is a free upgrade... I have to buy it now. What a great company!"

Most report that Serum 2 maintains the clean, pristine sound quality of the original while significantly expanding sonic possibilities.

Some criticisms have emerged as well:

• Higher CPU usage in complex patches (particularly with granular and spectral engines)
• Changes to the authorization system (from simple serial number to challenge/response)
• Some early bugs and glitches (typical of major releases)

Professional Opinion

Industry experts and notable producers have embraced Serum 2, with many describing it as a "sound design powerhouse." Renowned sound designers including Virtual Riot, BT, and members of Noisia were involved in beta testing and content creation.

Attack Magazine concluded that "with its deep new synthesis options, refined workflow, and lifetime free updates, Serum 2 cements its place as an essential instrument for producers pushing the boundaries of sound design."

One particularly apt comment compared Serum's impact to that of classic hardware: "Your work has singlehandedly influenced and shaped the sound of electronic music and beyond for over a decade, the same way Moog synthesizers did in the 70s and 80s... years from now it will be considered an icon."

Pricing and Availability

Serum 2 was released in March 2025 with the following details:

• Regular Price: $249 USD
• Introductory Price: $189 USD (until June 1, 2025)
• Existing Owners: Free upgrade (lifetime free updates policy)
• Rent-to-Own: Available through Splice ($9.99/month for 25 months)

System requirements include:

• Windows 10 or higher (64-bit)
• macOS 10.13 High Sierra or later (macOS 11+ for Apple Silicon)
• VST3, AU, and AAX plugin formats supported

Conclusion

Serum 2 represents a significant evolution of an already legendary synthesizer. By expanding beyond pure wavetable synthesis into the realms of sampling, granular, and spectral processing, while maintaining the intuitive workflow that made the original a classic, Xfer Records has created what many are calling the new benchmark for software synthesizers.

The generous upgrade policy, extensive new features, and continued focus on sound quality have been met with widespread acclaim from both amateur producers and industry professionals. Whether you're a veteran Serum user or considering it for the first time, Serum 2 offers an impressive blend of quality, flexibility, and user-friendliness that will likely influence electronic music production for years to come.

Learn more at https://xferrecords.com/products/serum-2