Serum 2: The Long-Awaited Upgrade is Finally Here
After 11 years of anticipation, Xfer Records has officially released Serum 2, the highly awaited successor to one of the most beloved wavetable synthesizers in electronic music. Staying true to its roots, Serum 2 builds upon the original’s legacy of high-quality sound, intuitive workflow, and limitless sound design possibilities—now enhanced with powerful new features to inspire producers and sound designers alike.
A Leap Forward in Wavetable Synthesis
The original Serum set a new standard by combining pristine sound quality with an intuitive, creative interface. Serum 2 expands on this vision, introducing new oscillator types, an advanced effects routing system, an arpeggiator, and a clip sequencer. Best of all, existing Serum users receive this upgrade for free, reaffirming Xfer Records’ promise of lifetime updates.
New & Enhanced Oscillators
Serum 2 introduces several new oscillator types, pushing synthesis even further:
- Wavetable Oscillator – A refined wavetable engine with new warp modes, FM, phase distortion, and dual warps, allowing deeper sound manipulation. The new Smooth Interpolation mode provides near-infinite frame positions without requiring morphing.
- Multisample Oscillator – Expanding beyond synthetic sounds, this oscillator allows for realistic instrument replication. Serum 2 comes with an extensive library of orchestras, choirs, pianos, and guitars, all stored in the open-standard SFZ format.
- Sample Oscillator – Now with advanced looping, snap detection, flexible modulation, real-time sample slicing, and a new ‘tails mode’ for seamless playback transitions.
- Granular Oscillator – A powerful granular synthesis engine enabling users to stretch, fragment, and morph sounds in new ways.
- Spectral Oscillator – Offers real-time resynthesis, harmonic-level sample processing, and transient detection similar to high-end timestretching algorithms.
Expanding Creative Potential
Beyond oscillators, Serum 2 adds significant enhancements to workflow and creative tools:
- Arpeggiator & Clip Sequencer – Unlock new rhythmic and melodic possibilities, making Serum not only a synthesis powerhouse but also a dynamic performance tool.
- Advanced Effects Routing – A completely overhauled effects section with greater routing flexibility, allowing for deeper sound manipulation and complex processing chains.
Specs & Availability
Serum 2 ships with over 626 presets and 288 wavetables, making it an instantly inspiring tool for both new and experienced users. It is available in VST3, AU, and AAX formats for:
- macOS (High Sierra and later for Intel, Big Sur and later for Apple Silicon)
- Windows (Windows 10 and above)
A demo version is available for both macOS and Windows, featuring a 15-minute session limit.
Pricing & Free Upgrade for Serum 1 Users
Serum 2 launches at an introductory price of $189 until June 1st, after which it will return to its regular price of $249. However, existing Serum 1 users receive the update completely free of charge—a rare and appreciated commitment from Xfer Records to its loyal community.
With its powerful new synthesis options, enhanced workflow, and lifetime free updates, Serum 2 cements itself as an essential instrument for producers looking to push the boundaries of sound design.