Xfer Serum 2: History, Features, Presets, and Beginner’s Guide

Xfer Serum 2 is the much-anticipated sequel to one of electronic music’s most beloved software synthesizers. Serum 1 set the standard for wavetable synths with its pristine sound and user-friendly design, becoming a go-to instrument for producers worldwide. Now, Serum 2 builds on that legacy with powerful new features and workflow improvements. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the history of Serum, compare Serum 1 vs. Serum 2, dive into Serum 2’s features in detail, discuss the time-saving benefits of presets, walk through a beginner-friendly tutorial, and recommend some top Serum preset packs from StarSamples for various genres. Let’s get started!

History of Serum

Serum was created by Steve Duda, a sound engineer and music producer who co-founded Xfer Records with famed electronic artist Deadmau5 in the mid-2000s​
After years of development, Duda released Serum 1 in 2014, introducing a wavetable synthesizer that quickly shook up the music production world​

Serum’s design philosophy was to combine high-quality sound with an intuitive interface that made advanced synthesis approachable. Its oscillators delivered ultra-clean, alias-free waveforms (a big differentiator at the time) and it featured real-time wavetable editing, drag-and-drop modulation, and a rich onboard effects suite. This blend of power and usability filled a gap in the market – as Xfer’s own site put it, Serum was the “dream synthesizer” many producers had been waiting for​ Serum 1 rapidly gained popularity across genres, especially in EDM and pop production. Top producers like Skrillex, Deadmau5, Martin Garrix, Marshmello, and others became avid Serum users, touting its versatility in crafting everything from monstrous basses to huge pads​. The synth’s 450+ factory presets gave users a great starting palette, and the ability to import or draw custom wavetables opened endless sound design possibilities​

Xfer Records also embraced a forward-thinking distribution model: in 2016 they partnered with Splice to offer Serum via a rent-to-own plan, making it accessible to countless upcoming producers​

By the late 2020s, Serum had won multiple industry awards and become a staple plugin for electronic music production, often mentioned in the same breath as classics like Native Instruments Massive or LennarDigital Sylenth1​

With Serum’s huge success, producers naturally began speculating about a follow-up. Steve Duda teased the idea of Serum 2 for years, emphasizing that any major update would need to meaningfully expand Serum’s capabilities without compromising its core appeal. After over a decade since the original, Serum 2 was finally released in 2025 as a free update for existing users​. The new version arrived with much fanfare and has lived up to the hype by delivering an even more powerful synth while staying true to the workflow that made Serum 1 so popular.

Serum 1 vs. Serum 2: Key Differences

How does Serum 2 improve upon the original? There are numerous enhancements and new features. Here’s a comparison of key differences between Serum 1 and Serum 2:

Oscillators & Synthesis: Serum 1 was a dedicated wavetable synth with two primary oscillators (OSC A and B), a sub-oscillator, and a noise generator for sample playback. Serum 2 expands this architecture dramatically. It introduces a full range of oscillator types and allows three main oscillators (A, B, and C) plus noise, each of which can operate in different modes​. In addition to the improved wavetable oscillator, Serum 2 adds Multisample, Granular, and Spectral oscillator engines (more on these shortly)​. This makes Serum 2 a hybrid synth/sampler capable of traditional wavetable synthesis and sample-based and granular sound design. Essentially, Serum 2 greatly broadens the sonic palette compared to Serum 1’s oscillators.

Filters: Serum 1 allowed one filter module at a time (with many filter types available). Serum 2 introduces a dual-filter setup, meaning you can use two filters simultaneously for more complex filtering and routing options​. These two filters can be run in series or parallel, letting you stack filter effects or split the sound into different frequency bands​

Serum 2 also brings in new filter types, including analog-modeled filters for warmer tones​. The dual-filter architecture is a significant upgrade for sound shaping, as Serum 1 users were limited to a single filter per patch.

Modulation & Macros: Both Serum 1 and 2 feature the signature drag-and-drop modulation system and a mod matrix for fine-tuning. Serum 2 vastly extends the modulation capabilities. It increases the number of LFOs from 4 in Serum 1 to 10 LFOs per patch in Serum 2, and envelopes from 3 to 4 envelopes. It also doubles the number of Macro controls (8 macros in Serum 2 vs. 4 in Serum 1) for more hands-on performance tweaking​. Equally important, Serum 2’s Modulation Matrix is revamped with quality-of-life improvements: you can reorder modulation slots, bypass or remove modulations easily, and visualize modulation curves in real-time​. These enhancements make it easier to manage complex patches – a welcome change, since Serum 1’s mod matrix could become cumbersome with many assignments.

Effects and Routing: Serum 1 included 10 effect modules (distortion, chorus, delay, reverb, EQ, compressor, etc.) applied in a single serial chain. Serum 2 expands to 13 effect modules and introduces flexible routing with dual FX buses and splitter modules for multiband processing​. New effect types in Serum 2 include a Convolution reverb (“Convolve”) for rich spatial effects​, a Bode frequency shifter for metallic and robotic tones, and additional reverb algorithms (Vintage, Nitrous, Basin) alongside the classic Hall/Plate​. You can even run multiple instances of the same effect in series now (for example, two distortions in a row) – something Serum 1 couldn’t do​. Overall, Serum 2’s FX section is more powerful and modular, enabling complex effect chains (including parallel/multiband setups) that were not possible in Serum 1.

Arpeggiator & Sequencer: Serum 1 did not include any built-in sequencer or arpeggiator – users had to rely on their DAW or external MIDI tools for arpeggiated patterns. Serum 2 introduces an integrated Arpeggiator and a Clip Sequencer, opening up new creative workflows​. The arpeggiator in Serum 2 is full-featured: you can hold chords and have Serum cycle through notes in various patterns (up, down, random, etc.), adjust octave ranges, gate length, swing, and even store up to 12 patterns for easy switching​. The clip sequencer lets you program custom note sequences (like a mini piano roll within Serum) and trigger them, with features for probability, repeats, and the ability to import MIDI files​. This essentially turns Serum 2 into a melody/riff generator on its own. Serum 1 users will find this addition significant – you can now jam out ideas in Serum 2 without touching your DAW’s MIDI editor.

Preset Browser & Content: Serum 1’s preset browser was basic, showing a list of presets by name. Serum 2 comes with a modernized preset browser that supports searching, filtering by categories/tags, and favorites, making it faster to find the right sound​. Additionally, Serum 2 ships with a larger factory library (over 626 presets and 288 wavetables out of the box) to showcase its new capabilities​. By comparison, Serum 1 had about 450 presets and fewer wavetables initially​. All Serum 1 presets are compatible with Serum 2, loading with identical sound (Serum 2 is fully backward-compatible, so you don’t lose any of your Serum 1 library).

Workflow & Other Improvements: Despite the many new features, Serum 2’s interface will feel familiar to Serum 1 users – Xfer maintained a similar layout so you won’t have to re-learn everything​. The GUI is a bit expanded to accommodate the new oscillator and filter sections, and overall usability is enhanced (for instance, effects and modulation routing are easier to visualize). Under the hood, Serum 2 is more CPU efficient than its predecessor; the code optimization means even with the added features, Serum 2 runs lighter on your processor​. Serum 2 also adds MPE support (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) for users with expressive controllers, allowing per-note modulation for unprecedented performance control​– Serum 1 did not natively support MPE. Lastly, Xfer upheld its promise of lifetime free updates by making Serum 2 free for existing owners​, which underscores the company’s commitment to its user base.

In short, Serum 2 is a major overhaul that extends Serum in every direction: more sound design potential, more effects, more modulation, and improved workflow. Yet it retains the slick interface and high-quality sound that made Serum 1 a hit. Now let’s take a closer look at Serum 2’s features and how to use them.

Detailed Breakdown of Serum 2’s Features

Serum 2 packs a lot of new functionality. In this section, we’ll break down its major features and enhancements in detail – from the oscillators and modulation to effects, sequencing, and workflow tweaks.

Expanded Oscillator Section – Wavetable, Sample, Granular & More

At the heart of Serum 2 is its oscillator section, which has seen a huge expansion. Serum was originally a wavetable synth, and the wavetable oscillators are still there (now even more refined), but Serum 2 adds several new oscillator types and allows you to use three oscillators at once (plus a noise source). The interface now has panels for OSC A, OSC B, OSC C, and Noise, giving each oscillator its own space in the UI Serum 2’s interface features three main oscillators (OSC A, B, C) and a noise/sample oscillator, along with dual filter slots (Filter 1 and 2) visible on the right. This expanded layout reflects Serum 2’s new multi-oscillator capabilities, including granular and spectral oscillators, which greatly extend the synth’s sound design potential​

Let’s explore each oscillator type available in Serum 2:

Wavetable Oscillator: The classic Serum oscillator is a wavetable reader, and in Serum 2 it’s been further improved. You can load or draw wavetables as before, but now there’s Smooth Interpolation mode for ultra-fine wavetable position control (allowing nearly infinite positions between frames) and even a dual-warp feature for more complex waveform modulation​. All the familiar warp modes (bend, FM from B, sync, etc.) are still here, with some new ones added. If you loved Serum 1’s wavetable engine, Serum 2’s is even more flexible – yet still easy to use.

Multisample Oscillator: New in Serum 2, the multisample oscillator lets you play back sampled instruments and sounds with the synth engine. Serum 2 actually comes with an exclusive library of recorded instruments – including pianos, guitars, strings, choir, and more – mapped as multisamples​. This means you can load an acoustic piano sample set, for example, and play realistic piano tones through Serum’s interface, even applying synthesis modulation to them. You can also import your own multisample sets in the open SFZ format. This addition effectively turns Serum 2 into a rompler or sampler-synth hybrid when you need real-world instrument sounds, which is a big leap beyond Serum 1’s purely synthetic capabilities.

Sample Oscillator: In addition to multisamples, Serum 2 provides a dedicated Sample oscillator (one-shots). This is somewhat akin to Serum 1’s noise oscillator (which could load user samples), but the Serum 2 sample oscillator is far more advanced. It supports looped playback with automatic loop-point detection, so you can sustain samples easily​. You can modulate the loop start/end for creative glitch effects, use a Rate control to create tape-stop slowdowns, and even slice samples with transient detection for rhythmic chopping. The sample oscillator also allows frequency modulation (FM), phase distortion, and other synthesis tricks applied to the sample, blurring the line between pure sample playback and synthesis. This feature is great for loading a vocal chop or drum hit and then warping it within Serum 2.

Granular Oscillator: One of the most exciting new sound engines is the Granular oscillator. Granular synthesis takes a sample and splits it into tiny “grains” of audio, then plays them back in swarms to create lush textures, time-stretched effects, or totally new timbres. Serum 2’s granular oscillator lets you do exactly that – you load a sample and Serum can explode it into grains, with control over grain size, density, scatter, etc. The interface for granular is integrated into the oscillator panel, and while it looks small, it’s very powerful​. With granular, you can turn a simple sound into atmospheres, risers, or glitchy sequences that evolve in ways standard wavetable scanning can’t achieve. For instance, take a vocal sample and granularize it to get shimmering, pad-like clouds of sound. This was impossible in Serum 1, and it adds a whole new dimension to Serum 2’s sonic range.

Spectral Oscillator: Another new addition, the Spectral oscillator performs real-time resynthesis of sounds at the harmonic level. Essentially, Serum 2 can analyze an audio source (or even an image, as some have tried) and break it into a spectrum of harmonics, then allow you to manipulate that spectrum​. This is similar to additive synthesis. The spectral oscillator can stretch or reshape the harmonic content, and thanks to built-in transient detection (like in time-stretching algorithms), it can maintain the character of the sound while you warp it in frequency or time​. This oscillator type excels at evolving, morphing tones – imagine turning a single sample into a evolving pad where you smoothly EQ or shift partials over time. It’s a very advanced feature for sound designers looking to venture beyond traditional wavetable morphing.

Having three oscillators of any type (plus the sub/noise) means you can layer these methods. For example, Osc A could run a standard wavetable, Osc B could play a multisampled piano, and Osc C could run the granular engine on a vocal chop – all mixed together to create a rich hybrid sound​. The new Mixer panel in Serum 2 lets you blend oscillator levels and route each oscillator to Filter 1, Filter 2, or both, giving a lot of control over the layer interactions. In summary, Serum 2’s oscillator section vastly extends what you can do: it’s not just wavetable morphing anymore, but sampling, granular atmospheres, and spectral transformations all under one roof.

Advanced Modulation and Routing

Serum 2 continues Serum’s legacy of extremely flexible modulation, but now with even more depth. The cornerstone of Serum’s modulation workflow – drag-and-drop assignment – is still as simple as ever: grab an LFO or envelope handle and drop it onto any parameter knob to modulate it. However, behind that simplicity, Serum 2 gives you better tools to manage and expand your modulations.

Mod Matrix Upgrades: In Serum 1, the Mod Matrix was a single page listing source->destination pairs, which worked but could get unwieldy with many mods. Serum 2’s Modulation Matrix is greatly improved​. You can now rearrange modulation slots by dragging them (useful for organization), bypass a modulation with a click (to audition the sound with/without it without deleting it), and delete mod slots easily​. There’s also an expanded view for the mod matrix if you have a ton of routes. Additionally, the matrix now displays real-time modulation values and curves, so as an LFO moves a knob, you can see the amount visually in the matrix​. This visual feedback takes out the guesswork and makes troubleshooting or fine-tuning mods much easier. In short, Serum 2 lets you stay in control of even very complex patches – a boon for sound designers who might assign dozens of modulations.

More LFOs and Envelopes: Serum 1’s four LFOs were usually sufficient, but for those who wanted to go crazy with modulation, you might have hit a limit. Serum 2 gives you up to 10 LFOs per patch​. The interface by default shows a certain number, but additional ones can be revealed as needed. Practically, 10 LFOs means you’ll probably never run out of modulators for even the wildest idea (and if you somehow do, remember you have 8 macros and velocity/aftertouch/etc. as sources too!). Serum 2 also has 4 full ADSR envelopes (one more than before, labeled ENV 1 through ENV 4) for shaping amp and modulation contours. ENV 1 is still the main amplitude envelope by default. The extra envelope can be used for anything – maybe a dedicated filter envelope or to modulate effect parameters separately. Having that fourth envelope is handy for complex sound design or MPE setups where each note might have unique envelope modulation.

Custom LFO Shapes and Chaos: Another highlight – Serum 2’s LFO editing is more powerful. You can still draw any shape or select presets, but new drawing tools and modes have been added. For example, a Path drawing mode lets you freehand draw an LFO shape on an X/Y grid​, which the LFO will then trace – useful for creating curved, asymmetrical modulations that would be hard to draw point by point. Serum 2 also introduces chaos generators (Lorenz and Rössler attractors) in the LFO section​. These produce complex, semi-random waveforms that are great for evolving modulations that never exactly repeat, adding an organic quality. If that sounds technical, don’t worry – Serum 2 also comes with many LFO shape presets and even a grid-snapping option, so you can easily create rhythmic step sequences or neat shapes if drawing isn’t your forte​. And all LFOs can still be tempo-synced, key-triggered, and even slaved to the new arpeggiator’s swing, so that your modulation groove matches your beat​.

More Macros: Serum’s macro knobs are invaluable for performance and quick tweaks, letting you control multiple parameters with one knob (great for mapping to MIDI controllers or automating one knob to shape a sound in multiple ways). Serum 1 had 4 macros; Serum 2 gives you 8 Macro knobs. This is fantastic for creating sounds with “macro control” in mind (common in EDM sound design where one knob might open multiple filters and detune for a dramatic build-up, for instance). With 8 macros, you can assign detailed control for things like “Bass Tone”, “Lead Attack”, “FX Mix” and so on, giving end-users of your preset a lot of live tweakability. Beginners benefit from macros too – you can map a bunch of things under the hood to a single knob and just focus on that one macro to shape the sound, rather than juggling 5 tiny parameters.

Flexible Routing: Serum 2 not only adds more modulators, it also allows more sources to be modulators. In Serum 1, modulation sources were mainly LFOs, envelopes, macros, and performance inputs. Serum 2 lets oscillators and even filters become modulation sources in the mod matrix​. This is similar to modular synthesis concepts – for example, you could use the output of Oscillator A to modulate Osc B’s wavetable position (FM-style modulation) or use Filter 1’s envelope amount to modulate something else. Essentially, it’s less restricted: almost any component can modulate any other, giving you modular-like power if you want to experiment with unconventional routings.

All these enhancements mean Serum 2’s modulation system can go as deep as you need, yet remains user-friendly. Advanced users will love the ability to create insanely complex patches (think evolving soundscapes with dozens of moving parts) while intermediate users will appreciate that the clarity of workflow is still there – you won’t get lost in a maze of mod routings thanks to the improved visualization. And if you’re a beginner, don’t be intimidated: you can start with one LFO to modulate a filter cutoff (a basic wobble bass) just as easily as in Serum 1. The synth grows with you; as you learn, the tools are there to support more ambitious designs.

Dual Filters and Enhanced Routing

Serum 2 features dual filter modules, which is a big step up in flexibility from the single filter in Serum 1. In the filter section of the interface, you’ll now see Filter 1 and Filter 2 side by side, each with the full array of filter types (low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, notch, comb, flange filters, etc.) including some new analog-style models. By default, oscillators can be sent to either or both filters, and you can configure the filters to run in series or parallel with a single click​.

In series mode, the audio passes through Filter 1 then into Filter 2. This allows for cascading filter effects – for instance, you could first apply a low-pass to mellow a sound, then run it through a comb filter to add resonance and metallic character. Or use two mild filters in series for an extra steep cutoff slope. Series filtering is great for creating unique tonal shaping that a single filter couldn’t achieve (like combining a vowel filter with a low-pass to get a talking bass effect).

In parallel mode, the oscillators are split – part of the sound goes through Filter 1, part through Filter 2 – and then they are re-combined at the output​. This is powerful for blending two different filter effects. For example, you might send a synth lead to a high-pass filter (to keep it bright) in Filter 1 and simultaneously to a band-pass filter with drive in Filter 2, then mix those results. The outcome could be a layered sound where one part provides body and the other provides sheen. Parallel filtering can also act like a simple EQ split: you could distort only certain frequencies by routing lows to a clean filter and mids to a drivey filter, etc.

Each filter can be independently modulated. Serum 2’s filters have all the usual controls (cutoff, resonance, drive, pan, etc.), and you can assign LFOs/envelopes to each filter’s cutoff or other parameters separately. Want one filter doing a slow sweep while the other does quick rhythm cuts? No problem. The dual-filter setup invites creative sound design: for instance, one could use Filter 1 as a key-tracked low-pass to keep a bass sound clean, while Filter 2 is a formant filter adding a vowel-like movement on top. Or use Filter 1 for tonal shaping and Filter 2 purely for an effect like phaser or flanger (since Serum’s filter selection includes those types too).

Another plus: Serum 2 introduced some new filter models labeled “Analog” which aim to emulate the warmer, nonlinear behavior of vintage hardware filters​. These can impart subtle saturation or a different resonance character, giving you more flavor than Serum 1’s pristine digital filters when desired.

Overall, the dual filters provide a richer toolkit for carving out your sound. Whether used subtly (for precise tone sculpting) or wildly (for creative sonic mayhem), having two filters greatly expands what each patch can do. Producers coming from Serum 1 will find they can create sounds in Serum 2 that simply weren’t achievable before, thanks to this feature alone.

New Arpeggiator & Clip Sequencer – Built-in Pattern Tools

One of Serum 2’s most musician-friendly additions is the inclusion of a polyphonic arpeggiator and step sequencer. This turns Serum 2 into more of an all-in-one instrument that can generate patterns and riffs on its own, which is especially useful for inspiration and live performance.

Arpeggiator: Serum 2’s arpeggiator (often shortened to “arp”) allows you to automatically play arpeggiated sequences by holding down chords. While Serum 1 users had to rely on DAW arpeggiators, now it’s as simple as toggling on Serum 2’s arp. You get the usual controls: mode (up, down, up-down, random, etc.), rate (sync to host tempo in various note divisions), gate length (to adjust note sustain), and swing for groove​. But Serum 2 goes further with a complete arp section: you can set an octave range for the arpeggio to span multiple octaves, and you can save up to 12 different arp patterns in memory and switch between them on the fly​. For example, you might program one pattern for a verse and another for a chorus, and seamlessly swap when needed. There’s even a feature to assign these patterns to specific key switches on your MIDI keyboard​, so pressing a certain low MIDI note could trigger a pattern change – great for live jamming. Serum 2’s arp is described as “sophisticated” and it truly is; you can tweak the order of notes, repeat certain steps, and generally customize beyond a basic up/down sequence​. The result is a built-in melody generator that can instantly spark ideas – try holding a chord while cycling through arp modes and patterns, and you’ll stumble upon cool motifs.

Clip Sequencer: Next to the arp, Serum 2 provides a Clip Sequencer (essentially a step sequencer or piano-roll style editor within the synth). This allows you to draw in your own sequence of notes and chords that Serum will play back when you press a key​. Think of it like programming a short MIDI loop directly in the synth. The sequencer supports up to 16 steps (or more, depending on pattern length settings) and you can set the pitch of each step, ties, rests, etc., similar to classic step sequencers. Importantly, you can also import MIDI files into the sequencer​. So if you have a cool riff you made elsewhere or downloaded, you can load it into Serum 2 and have it play that sequence. The sequencer is polyphonic too, meaning you can have chords in a step, not just single notes. And like the arp, you can store multiple patterns (up to 12) in the sequencer and switch between them. One very creative feature: you can assign different sequencer patterns to different root keys on the keyboard​. This means pressing C might trigger pattern 1, while D triggers pattern 2, etc., effectively letting you “play” entire sequences as if they were individual notes – much like launching clips in Ableton Live. This opens up live improvisation possibilities where each key is a pre-made melodic phrase.

Used together, the Arp & Sequencer make Serum 2 a powerful sketchpad. For a beginner, it’s an approachable way to get music going: even if you don’t know how to craft intricate MIDI regions in your DAW, you can turn on the arp, hold a chord, and instantly get a rhythmic melody. Tweak a few knobs (change the arp rate or pattern) and you might find an inspiring hook. For advanced users, these tools are deep – you can program evolving sequences with probability and variation that turn a simple patch into a generative idea machine​. And since the arp/sequencer output can also modulate things (via the mod matrix if you route, say, sequencer velocity to a parameter), you can use them as modulation sources too. Ultimately, this built-in sequencing means Serum 2 is not just about static sounds – it can create musical phrases, making it a more complete instrument.

Expanded FX Section – New Effects & Better Processing

Serum 2’s Effects section received a significant upgrade in both quality and flexibility. If you open the FX tab, you’ll see more effect modules than Serum 1 had, and new ways to route and apply them.

Here are some highlights of Serum 2’s new and improved effects:

Convolution (“Convolve”): A brand-new convolution effect lets Serum 2 mimic the characteristics of other spaces or even other sounds​. Convolution is most commonly used for reverb – using impulse responses (IRs) of real spaces to make it sound like your synth is playing in a particular room or hall. Serum 2’s Convolve can indeed act as a convolution reverb: it comes with a library of IRs, and you can load your own as well​. But you’re not limited to reverbs – you could use an impulse of a guitar cabinet, for example, and effectively make the synth sound “amp miked,” or use weird impulse files to imprint odd spectral shapes onto your sound. This effect is a sound designer’s dream for adding unique textures. For instance, apply a convolution using an IR of a glass bell – your synth patch now takes on a bell-like resonance. It’s a very powerful way to blend the synth with characteristics of real-world sounds.

Bode Frequency Shifter: This new effect shifts the entire frequency spectrum of the input by a fixed amount (not to be confused with a pitch shifter which moves notes in a scaled way). The Bode Shifter can create everything from subtle phasing to Dalek-like robotic tones​. At mild settings, it can give a nice chorus or stereo widening (shifting one channel slightly), and at extreme settings it produces inharmonic, metallic sounds great for sci-fi or industrial effects. Serum 2 including a Bode frequency shifter means you no longer need external plugins to get those crazy frequency-warped sounds – you can do it right in the synth.

New Reverbs: In addition to the convolution, Serum 2 adds three new algorithmic reverbs – named Vintage, Nitrous, and Basin. Vintage reverb gives old-school character (perhaps a plate or spring style with coloration), Nitrous is described as huge and lush (maybe for big ambient washes), and Basin is likely geared for creative ambience (perhaps unusual reflections or modulated reverb). These come on top of Serum’s original Hall and Plate algorithms, meaning you have five distinct reverb flavors now. Whether you want a clean long tail or a lo-fi space, Serum 2’s built-in options have you covered without needing an external reverb. Lush pads and atmospheres especially benefit from having more reverb choices – and you can still use Convolve if you want an even more specific space sound.

Multiband and Stereo Splitters: Serum 1’s famed OTT multiband compressor (in the Compressor effect with multiband mode) was a hit; Serum 2 goes further by providing dedicated splitter modules that let you split the signal by frequency bands or stereo field​. There’s a two-way splitter (Low/High), a three-way splitter (Low/Mid/High bands), and a Mid/Side splitter (splitting stereo center vs sides). These aren’t effects per se, but routing tools: for example, you can insert a Low/Mid/High splitter, then apply different effects to each band – essentially creating a multiband FX chain. This is huge for sound design: you could distort only the low end while chorus-ing the highs and leaving mids dry, all within one Serum patch​. Or use the Mid/Side splitter to widen the stereo on the highs but keep the low end mono and clean (great for bass patches). The splitters combined with Serum 2’s new dual FX buses allow parallel processing setups that were impossible in Serum 1​. (Dual FX buses mean you have two separate effect chains A and B, and you can send oscillators to either chain or both, similar to how the dual filters work.) This effectively gives you a mini modular effects rack – you’re not stuck in a single line of effects; you can process different parts of the sound differently and even recombine them.

Beyond the new modules above, many existing effects in Serum got subtle improvements. The Delay effect reportedly has a new high-quality mode for crisper echoes, the Distortion effect got a new overdrive type and a bias control for fine-tuning the distortion character​, and so on. Importantly, Serum 2 lets you use multiple instances of an effect: for example, if one EQ isn’t enough, you can add a second EQ module in the chain​. In Serum 1 you had one of each effect max. Reordering effects via drag-and-drop is also smoother now, and you can bypass individual effects with a click to A/B compare how much an effect is contributing​.

The net result is that Serum 2’s FX section is like a built-in sound design lab. You can often finalize the sound right inside Serum 2 without needing external plugins – apply filtering, dynamics, spatial effects, distortion, all tailored exactly to the patch. For producers, this is convenient and for sound designers, it’s inspiring. Many patches that required complex DAW effect chains can now be encapsulated in a single Serum preset (e.g., a heavy dubstep bass with multiband compression and specific distortion on highs can be done entirely in Serum 2). Yet, if you’re not an advanced user, these effects are still easy to use at a basic level: you can just turn on a reverb, select a preset, and it will sound good without deep tweaking​. The provided effect presets and default settings are useful, so even beginners can benefit from the new FX by simply toggling them on and adjusting a knob or two. In essence, Serum 2’s expanded effects invite you to experiment and polish your sound design to a higher degree all within one instrument.

Workflow and Interface Improvements

Despite the influx of new features, Serum 2 maintains a clean and intuitive interface, ensuring that the workflow remains producer-friendly. If you’re used to Serum 1, you’ll find Serum 2’s layout very familiar – Xfer chose not to reinvent the wheel in terms of UI, so the learning curve is minimal​. The main window is just wider to accommodate the third oscillator and second filter, and most sections are where you expect them (oscillators up top, modulators in the bottom half, etc.). Here are some workflow and interface enhancements worth noting:

Preset Browser & Organization: Clicking the preset menu in Serum 2 opens a revamped browser. You can search by preset name or tag, filter by categories (bass, lead, pad, etc.), and even rate or mark favorites​. This is a big improvement over Serum 1’s simple list, especially if you have hundreds or thousands of presets installed. Serum 2 also supports meta-tagging presets (including those from Serum 1 libraries), so you can, for instance, quickly pull up all your “pluck” sounds or all presets suitable for “Trance”. For users with large preset libraries, this saves a ton of time. Beginners benefit as well – the factory presets in Serum 2 are tagged so you can explore types of sounds easily (want to hear all pad presets? Just filter by pad). The browser also handles expansion preset packs gracefully; it’s easy to navigate installed banks and it won’t become a cluttered mess even as your collection grows​.

MPE Support: Serum 2 is MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) compatible​. This is more under-the-hood, but if you have an MPE controller (like the Roli Seaboard, LinnStrument, or even a MIDI keyboard that supports poly aftertouch), Serum 2 can respond to per-note pitch bends, slides, pressure, etc. What this means: play a chord and wiggle one finger – only that note wobbles, while the others stay put. You can assign these dimensions to modulate different parameters per note. It makes Serum 2 a truly expressive instrument in a way standard MIDI never allowed. While not everyone has MPE gear, it’s great that Serum 2 is future-proofed for this expressive technology. Even normal aftertouch or per-channel pitch bend usage is enhanced in MPE mode.

Performance Optimizations: A criticism of Serum 1 was its CPU usage – all that high-quality processing could be heavy on computers, especially older ones. Steve Duda invested effort in optimizing Serum 2 so it runs more efficiently. Many users report that patches which pushed Serum 1 to its limits run smoother in Serum 2. Part of this is code optimization, part is intelligent management of voices and effects. The bottom line: you can use more instances of Serum 2 in a project without glitches, and enabling that complex wavetable or unison mode won’t hurt as much. This is a big deal if you like to stack multiple Serum sounds or if you have large projects where every bit of CPU matters.

Quality-of-Life Tweaks: There are numerous small improvements that make using Serum 2 pleasant. For example, parameters now often have double-click to reset to default, where Serum 1 might not have. The waveform display visuals are crisper and more informative (e.g., you can better see the spectral content in the spectral oscillator). The tuning and voicing section got minor upgrades, like per-voice drift or random phase options to add analog-style imperfection. The unison engine remains superb and now there are potentially more unison voices available for certain oscillators. Also, when you drag modulations, the UI highlights targets more clearly, reducing mis-drops.

Backwards Compatibility: It’s worth reiterating that Serum 2 can load Serum 1 presets flawlessly – they will sound the same as they did in Serum 1. So you don’t have to worry about losing access to your favorite old sounds. In fact, they may benefit from Serum 2’s engine optimizations (some users note better sound or fidelity, though it should technically be identical). Serum 2 essentially replaces Serum 1 once installed, but you can keep Serum 1 plugin if you wish to compare. Given the free upgrade and compatibility, there’s really no reason not to move to Serum 2 if you’re a Serum fan.

In summary, Serum 2’s interface and workflow remain fast and fun. It manages to introduce a slew of deep features (like multisample oscillators, sequencers, multiband FX) without turning the synth into a confusing mess. The design still encourages experimentation – you can see what you’re doing and hear immediate results, which is exactly why Serum 1 was loved. Serum 2 just means less reaching for other tools: more can be done in one place, keeping you in the creative flow.

Why Using Presets Saves Time

Sound design is an amazing creative endeavor, but let’s face it – it can also be time-consuming. This is where presets come in handy. Whether you’re using Serum 2’s factory presets or third-party packs, presets are a huge time-saver and creativity booster for producers of all levels. Here are a few reasons why using presets can be advantageous, especially in a synth as deep as Serum 2:

Instant Gratification and Efficiency: Presets give you a professionally designed sound with one click, rather than having to build a patch from scratch. When you’re in the middle of a songwriting session or on a tight deadline to finish a track, being able to pull up a great-sounding bass or lead in seconds is invaluable. It allows you to maintain your creative momentum. As one producer put it, there’s no shame in using presets – they accelerate the music making process by providing ready-to-go sound. You can always tweak them, but having that starting point saves hours. Instead of spending 30 minutes crafting the perfect pluck, you could be laying down chords and arranging your track.

Creative Inspiration: Presets can inspire new ideas. Browsing through Serum 2’s rich preset library, you might stumble upon a sound that instantly suggests a melody or a vibe for a track. Many producers use presets as a jumping-off point – for example, you might not have imagined a certain chord progression until you heard it with a particular pad sound. Using presets across different genres than you’re used to can also spark creativity (e.g., try a dubstep growl preset in a hip-hop track for a unique element). In forums, producers often mention scrolling through presets when they’re stuck; a single sound can break writer’s block and lead to an entire song. Preset browsing = idea generation, and Serum 2 makes this easy with its organized preset browser.

Learning Tool: For those looking to improve their sound design skills, presets are like mini lessons. You can reverse-engineer a preset to see how it’s made. Load up a cool evolving pad and inspect the Serum 2 interface: How many oscillators are used? What wavetables? Are the filters doing something special? Check the mod matrix to see what LFOs or envelopes are assigned where. By analyzing presets, especially high-quality ones, you’ll learn techniques and tricks. Serum 2’s visual feedback (e.g., seeing LFOs move knobs) makes this educational process even clearer. Over time, this can dramatically improve your understanding of synthesis. Many experts recommend tweaking presets as a way to learn – start with a preset, then modify it and listen to how the sound changes. This way, you get hands-on experience without starting from a blank slate, which can be daunting. In short, presets in Serum 2 serve as practical examples of sound design that you can study and emulate.

Consistency and Proven Results: If you’re working in a specific genre, presets (especially genre-focused packs) can give you the tried-and-true sounds of that style quickly. For instance, if you produce trance music, using a preset pack of trance plucks and leads ensures you have the right type of sounds that fit the genre’s aesthetic. This saves time tweaking and wondering “does this sound suitable?”. It’s one reason even professional artists use presets for bread-and-butter sounds – they know it will work. A well-crafted preset is likely EQ’d and modulated in a way that sits nicely in a mix, which can reduce the effort needed in mixing and post-processing. When time is money (in a studio session or scoring project), presets can provide reliable building blocks.

Customization Starting Point: Using a preset doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it as-is. Think of presets as starting points. Maybe you love a preset’s core timbre but want it brighter or with a different rhythm – in Serum 2, you can easily adjust the filter cutoff or envelope to taste. This way you get a personalized sound with minimal effort. Even small tweaks can make a preset fit better in your track or make it more unique. Because Serum 2 has macros on many factory presets, you often have pre-mapped controls to quickly shape the sound (e.g., a macro for “Huge Reverb” – turn it down if you need a drier sound). This is a time-saver compared to building the whole sound yourself.

In summary, presets save time by giving you instant access to great sounds, keep you inspired by exposing you to tones you might not come up with from scratch, and serve as a valuable learning resource. Using presets is not “cheating” – it’s smart utilization of available tools. The key is to use them creatively: layer presets together, automate parameters, or combine them with your own tweaks. Serum 2 provides over 600 factory presets​, covering a vast range of styles, so you can start making music right away even if you’re completely new to the synth. And as we’ll see next, you can expand your palette even further with third-party preset packs.

Tutorial for Beginners: Getting Started with Serum 2

If you’re new to Serum 2 (or synthesizers in general), this step-by-step tutorial will help you get up and running quickly. We’ll go from installation to creating your first custom sound and saving it as a preset. By the end, you should feel comfortable navigating Serum 2 and using its basic features.

1. Installation and Setup: First, install Serum 2 on your computer. If you already own Serum 1, download the Serum 2 update from your Xfer Records account – it’s a free upgrade for existing users​. Run the installer and choose the plugin format (VST3/AU/AAX) for your DAW. Once installed, open your DAW (e.g., FL Studio, Ableton Live, Logic Pro) and add Serum 2 as a software instrument on a new MIDI track. The Serum 2 interface will appear. It’s a good idea to activate your license or ensure your Serum 1 license carried over (Serum 2 should recognize it automatically if on the same system). If you don’t own Serum yet, you can use the demo version or the Splice rent-to-own option to try it out.

2. Interface Overview: When Serum 2 pops up, you’ll see the main synth interface divided into sections. The top part has Oscillators (OSC A, B, C, Noise), the middle has Filters (Filter 1 and 2) and the right side has the Effects (FX) and Matrix tabs. The bottom half of the window contains Modulators: 4 envelopes (ENV 1-4) and 10 LFO slots, as well as Macro knobs on the left. Take a moment to familiarize yourself: for instance, ENV 1 (bottom-left) is the amplitude envelope, which shapes volume over time. The on-screen keyboard at the very bottom can be clicked to play notes, or you can play from your MIDI keyboard. Don’t worry about every detail – you’ll learn by doing in the next steps.

3. Loading a Preset: Let’s start by loading an existing sound to see Serum 2 in action. At the top of the Serum window, click the Preset Browser (it might say something like “Init Patch” initially). A menu or panel will open where you can choose presets. Serum 2’s presets are organized by categories (Bass, Lead, Pad, etc.) and you can scroll or search. Select a preset that sounds interesting – for example, go to Leads and pick one (e.g., “Bright SuperSaw”). Once selected, play some notes on your keyboard. You should hear the preset’s sound. Try out a few different presets to get a feel. Notice that as you change presets, the interface updates with different oscillator shapes, effect settings, and modulations. (Serum 2’s factory library is extensive – over 600 presets​ – so you have plenty to explore.)

4. Basic Sound Design – Tweaking Oscillators and Filter: Now, let’s tweak a preset to make it your own. Load the default “Init” preset if you want a blank canvas (you can find it in the preset menu, usually called “Init Patch” – it’s a simple saw wave). Or continue with a preset you loaded. Try changing Oscillator Wavetable: Click on the waveform display for OSC A – a menu of wavetables appears (e.g., Analog, Digital, Spectral categories). Select a different wavetable, say “Monster 5” from the Digital collection. You’ll hear the timbre change. Adjust the WT Pos (wavetable position) knob to sweep through that new wavetable’s frames, finding a tone you like. Next, experiment with the Filter: On the right, enable Filter 1 (if it’s not already) by clicking the toggle. Choose a filter type from the dropdown (for example “MG Low 24” which is a Moog-style low-pass). Play a note and turn the Cutoff knob – you’ll hear the brightness of the sound change as the filter opens and closes. Set it somewhere in the middle for a mellow tone. You can increase Resonance for a peakier sound or add some Drive to fatten it. Already, you’ve modified the preset’s character with just oscillator and filter tweaks. Feel free to also adjust Envelope 1 (the amplitude envelope) – for instance, raise the Attack to a few milliseconds and lower Sustain to make the sound a pluckier shape (attack controls fade-in time, sustain is the level while a note is held). This is how you begin crafting custom sounds: change oscillator waves, filter, and envelopes to mold the audio.

5. Adding Modulation (LFO): Let’s add a simple modulation to demonstrate Serum’s drag-and-drop ease. Say you want the filter cutoff to wobble rhythmically. In the LFO section (bottom-middle), click on LFO 1. You’ll see a shape (maybe a triangle by default). For now, keep it as is (or draw a shape if you want by clicking and dragging in the grid). Now drag from the small LFO 1 title bar (or handle) and drop it onto the Filter 1 Cutoff knob. You’ll see a green modulation halo appear on the knob, and LFO 1 will show as a mod source for cutoff. Now play a note – you’ll hear the filter moving according to the LFO shape. By default, LFO 1 might be unsynced. To sync it to tempo, on the LFO panel, click “Freq” and choose a note division (e.g., 1/4 for quarter-note sync) or toggle “BPM” on. You can also set the LFO mode to Trig so it restarts each note, or Envelope if you want it one-shot. Already, you’ve created a basic wobble bass or evolving pad depending on settings. This showcases how quick modulation is in Serum 2. You can of course assign more – try dragging the same LFO to oscillator wavetable position, or use LFO 2 on the pan of Osc B for stereo motion, etc. The possibilities are endless, but start with one or two modulations and get comfortable.

6. Applying Effects: Serum 2’s built-in effects can take your sound to the next level. Click the FX tab at the top. You’ll see a list of effect modules (likely all bypassed in the init patch). Let’s add some reverb and delay to our sound. Enable Reverb by clicking its toggle; choose a reverb mode (try “Hall” or the new “Nitrous” for a big space)​. Turn up the Size and Mix to hear a spacious tail after your notes. Next, enable Delay. Set the left and right delay times (or sync them to tempo by clicking the note icon). For instance, set a 1/8 dotted delay. Increase the Feedback to around 30% and Mix to 20% – now your notes echo after playing. You can experiment with other effects: try Distortion for adding grit (select a type like Tube or Soft Clip and adjust Drive), or Chorus for thickness, etc. Serum 2 also has cool new effects: for example, turn on Convolve (convolution) and select an impulse like “Cassette” to instantly give your sound a vintage, lo-fi space​. The order of effects matters; you can drag them around in the FX list. As a rule, time-based effects like reverb and delay often go last, but feel free to reorder and hear the differences. The goal here is to enhance your sound – even a basic patch can become epic with some well-placed effects. If you’re unsure, Serum 2 provides effect presets (the menu in each effect module) which you can use as starting points.

7. Using the Arpeggiator/Sequencer (Optional): If you’d like to play with Serum 2’s new arpeggiator, click the ARP button (or it might be labeled as part of the CLIP section in the bottom keyboard area). This brings up the Arp/Sequencer controls usually at the bottom of the interface. Turn the Arp on and set a rate (e.g., 1/8 notes). Now hold down a chord on your MIDI keyboard – Serum 2 will automatically cycle through the notes in the chord in an arpeggio pattern. By default it might do up direction. Try changing the Pattern mode (maybe to Up/Down or Random) and Octave span (e.g., 2 octaves) to hear the difference​. You can also experiment with the Sequencer: click into the CLIP or sequencer view, draw some notes in the grid (for example, a simple 8-step melody). Now when you play any key, Serum 2 will play that sequence transposed to the key you pressed​. This can be fun for coming up with riffs. If this feels complicated, you can skip using the arp/sequencer for now – it’s an advanced feature – but do know it’s there to explore as you become more comfortable.

8. Saving Your Preset: Once you’ve crafted a sound you like, you’ll want to save it for later use. To save a preset in Serum 2, go to the Menu (usually top-right corner of the plugin window). Choose “Save Preset As…”. Give your patch a name (e.g., “MyFirstLead”) and choose a folder (you might make a “User Presets” folder if one isn’t there). Hit save, and now your sound is stored as a .fxp or in Serum’s preset database. It should appear in the preset browser under the folder you saved. Now you can recall this preset anytime. Congratulations – you’ve made and saved your first custom Serum 2 sound! Over time, you can build up your own library of go-to sounds this way.

That’s the basics of getting started with Serum 2. From here, you can continue to experiment: try different wavetables, add a second oscillator and detune it for a supersaw, modulate the wavetable with an LFO for motion, etc. Don’t be afraid to load more complex presets and poke around to see how they’re constructed. The more you play with Serum 2, the more you’ll discover. And remember, the Undo/Redo feature in the Menu can be a lifesaver if you make a change that you don’t like – you can step back. Happy sound designing!

Recommended Serum Preset Packs

Trap Titan – If you produce trap, hip-hop, or any bass-heavy urban genre, this pack is a must-have. Trap Titan comes loaded with 240 presets covering booming 808 basses, sharp leads, dark pads, and FX tailored for trap and modern hip-hop beats​. It’s basically an all-in-one toolkit for making hard-hitting trap tracks. The sounds are designed to hit the listener with that raw, uncut energy – think booming sub-basses, menacing plucks, and buzzing synths perfect for drill or trap melodies. With Trap Titan, you can dial in chart-ready beats quickly using its huge array of leads, keys, and sequenced synth lines. It’s a great way to save time on sound design and get straight to beat-making while still using top-quality Serum sounds.

Synthetic Prophecy – This is a massive, genre-spanning Serum preset collection (over 320 presets in total) that really showcases Serum 2’s capabilities​. Synthetic Prophecy is aimed at electronic music producers who love to push sonic boundaries. The pack includes sounds for dubstep, drum & bass, EDM, trap, future bass, techno, and even cinematic and hybrid genres​. Essentially, it’s a prophecy of modern electronic sound – from earth-shaking basses and piercing leads to evolving atmospheres. You’ll find growls and wobbles for dubstep, neuro basses for DnB, lush chords for future bass, and dramatic pads and pulses great for film or game scoring. Each preset is meticulously designed to be production-ready. If you want a one-stop Serum library that can handle any electronic style thrown at it, Synthetic Prophecy is an excellent choice. It’s also a fantastic learning resource because the presets are quite advanced, showing off techniques in wavetable manipulation and modulation.

Spectrum Shift – A favorite for EDM producers, Spectrum Shift delivers 202 presets that cover a wide spectrum of electronic genres: from big room and progressive house to techno, synthwave, dubstep, trap, and beyond​. The idea behind this pack is a playground of tones – it provides plenty of leads, plucks, pads, basses, and FX that can fit into almost any track. For example, you’ll get some polished festival-ready leads and supersaws, gritty electro basses, retro synthwave pads, and experimental synth textures. Spectrum Shift is great when you need a solid sound quickly – say you’re making a house track and need a catchy lead; chances are this pack has something that fits, or at least a perfect starting point to tweak. The presets are tuned to sit well in mixes and are very usable (no crazy weird-for-the-sake-of-weird sounds – those that are more experimental are still musical). If you produce various styles or like blending genres, this versatile pack will have you covered with a broad palette.

Ritual Box – Electronic Presets – This pack contains about 126 presets and is geared towards the underground and clubby side of electronic music​. Ritual Box focuses on techno, house, trance, and dubstep influences, providing a lot of fat basslines, edgy leads, atmospheric pads, and interesting chord presets. For instance, it includes dozens of bass presets from deep subs to wobbling neuro basses, rich chord stabs that work great in techno or future house drops, and lush pads for trance breakdowns​. What’s nice about this pack is the versatility – it’s engineered for “versatility across genres” and indeed you can use these sounds in anything from a melodic house track to a hard dubstep tune​. The Ritual Box presets tend to have a lot of movement (modulations) baked in – you’ll find growling basses and evolving textures that keep things interesting. It’s an excellent pack to inject some fresh energy into your synth arsenal, especially if you lean towards the electronic genres that thrive on heavy synth work.

Each of these packs can be purchased and downloaded from the StarSamples website​. Installing them is straightforward: you usually just place the preset files into your Serum presets folder (or use Serum 2’s import function), and they will appear in your preset browser under their pack name. Using third-party presets like these is a huge time-saver – instead of dialing in a specific genre sound from scratch, you can pick a preset that’s already expertly crafted for that style and then tweak it to your song’s needs. All the packs above are high-quality, meaning the sounds are on par with what you hear in professional productions.

Xfer Serum 2 is a huge synthesizer that honors its history (born from Serum 1’s legacy) while propelling forward with cutting-edge features. Whether you’re captivated by its expanded oscillators and modulation options, making use of its presets to kickstart ideas, or diving into sound design as a beginner following the tutorial, Serum 2 offers something for everyone. Its combination of pristine sound, flexibility, and user-friendly workflow cements its place as a go-to synth for music producers. With the added bonus of new presets and preset packs to explore, you’ll have a virtually limitless range of sounds at your fingertips – ready to transform your musical ideas into polished productions. Happy producing with Serum 2!

Sources:

1. Levin, Harry. “Serum 2, the New Version of the Popular Software Synthesizer, is Finally Available.” Beatportal, 19 Mar. 2025​.
2. The Producer School. “Serum 2 Synth Plugin: Features, Review & Free Presets Download.” Featured Blog, 2025​.
3. Schmahl, Marcus. “Serum 2 Released: The Legendary Wavetable Synth Gets a Major Update!” Gearnews, 17 Mar. 2025​.
4. Duda, Steve. Xfer Records – Serum 2 Product Page​
5. “Why Everyone Chooses Xfer Serum.” Monosounds.studio Blog, 11 Dec. 2022.
6. “Is It Ok to Use Synth Presets.” Solar Heavy Studios, 16 Aug. 2024
7. StarSamples – Audio Presets Collections, Product Pages for Trap Titan, Synthetic Prophecy, Spectrum Shift, Ritual Box