AnalogFX SER-2020 Formant Synthesizer

The SER-2020 is a monophonic semi-modular analog synthesizer in desktop format and it has an formant filter section and made with a semi-modular setup and therefore compatible with eurorack modules. A truly unique synthesizer with a distinctive sound. Above all it’s based on the sonically remarkable Synton Syrinx*(1). For example the Syrinnx was used by Aphex Twin, Air and Depeche Mode. The SER-2020 from AnalogFX brings the sound character of this rare beast back!

The oscillator and format filter sections feature are certainly based on CEM3340 (used in SCI Prophet 5 etc.) chips and CEM3350 (Rhodes Chroma, Crumar Spirit) chips, which consequently shape the character of the SER-2020 as well as the flexibility of the filter section. This features a special, very lively and detailed character through various patch options of a 24-dB-Lowpass and two independent resonant peak filters with separate cutoff/resonance controls. The filter section is usable for precise and dynamic sound shaping. The sound is ranging from solid bass sounds to articulated formant effects.

The Touch’n’Bend pad allows you to adjust the pressure sensitivity of the VCO, VCF and VCA, among other things. MPE control of Strike, Press, Glide, Slide and Lift is also supported.

VCO’s

The SER-2020 consist of two VCO’s and one sub-oscillator, driven by VCO 1. Both VCO’s deliver a triangle, sawtooth, square wave and pulse signal, which can be selected. A rich spectrum can be obtained with Pulse Width Modulation of VCO 1 and VCO 2. The LFO 1 and 2 signals can be feed to the pulse width modulation section introducing phase shift effects and Doppler frequency shifts. Since the both VCO’s have a separate LFO for PWM, chorus-like effects can be obtained by controlling both pulses with different LFO speeds. VCO 2 can be synchronized to VCO 1 in different modes. Synchronization is applied when two or more VCO’s have to produce exactly the same pitches, without phase shift or beat effects. When VCO 2 is detuned from VCO 1 another effect occurs, which will result in quite dramatic tone colors.

Each VCO has an individual output, also the noise generator and sub-oscillator has individual outputs. These signals are available on the patch panel.

VCF

The most important sections of this synthesizer is the filter. The SER-2020 features a very extensive filtering system, which consists of the standard 24 dB/octave low pass filter and two independent band pass filters, which together form the Voltage Controlled Formant filter.

Both band pass filters have a frequency control and a resonance control for setting the selective amplification in the pass band. The bandpass filters are equipped with a control voltage mixer for LFO, ADSR and key range voltages. The LFO control can be used for the external modulation input.

The low pass filter is an standard 24 dB/octave roll-off. It has a frequency control and a modulated CV mixer from several sources like LFO, ADSR and the key range. The LFO control can be used for the external modulation input. Also the resonance of the low pass filter can be controlled.

ADSR

The SER-2020 has two ADSR generators, of which one is used to control the internal VCA, and the other one to control the filter section. The control signal can be inverted by means of the ADSR controls in the filter section, so that the filters can be swept in opposite directions.

ADSR 1 and 2 have a positive and negative (inverted) direct output available on the patch panel.

LFO’s

The SER-2020 has two independent Low Frequency Oscillators (LFO’s) of which the rate can be controlled, and for LFO 2 also the wave shape.

LFO 1 generates a triangle wave which exclusively is routed to the pulse width modulation control input of VCO2. LFO 1 also generates a square wave and a pulse wave. The square wave is available as direct output on the patch panel. The pulse wave of LFO 1 is internally routed to the sample and hold generator as clock source.

LFO 2 is more versatile and can be used for the modulation of the VCO’s and the filters. Moreover LFO 2 can be used as a one shot generator which means that a signal is generated much alike an Attack/Release generated function. Except for the LFO 2 rate control with the preset knob, it also can be controlled dynamically with the pad.

Touch ‘N Bend Pad

Several sections in the synthesizer can be controlled with the bend pad, by pressing it with the left hand index and middle finger. The pressure sensitivity for the VCO, VCF and VCA can be adjusted. The touch ‘N bend pad also reacts on the MIDI modulation control and the MIDI brightness (CC#74) control for MPE compatibility.

Also the speed of the rise/decay mode of the LFO 2 is possible. Pressing the UP pad will result in a shorter cycle, and pressing the DN pad will result in a longer cycle.

The slant position of the pad has been designed in order to allow the right hand thumb to control simultaneously several other parameters with the knobs and toggle switches within reach.

MPE Compatible

The SER-2020 is compatible with MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) control over MIDI. Sensitive for:

• Strike (note-on velocity), sets the initial VCA level.
• Press (aftertouch), changes the level of the VCA.
• Glide (pitch bend), changes the pitch of the VCO’s
• Slide (brightness), controls the Band Pad output and is assignable to the VCO, VCF and VCA.
• Lift (note-of velocity), sets the release VCA level.

• Box content:

  • SER-2020 Analog Formant Synthesizer
  • Power Adapter (EU, UK, US)
  • USB Cable
  • User Manual

Key Specifications:

• Semi Modular Setup – CV inputs and outputs
• Formant mode – for easy formant filter programming
• 2 VCO’s (CEM3340 based)
• Multi-Mode Sync & Sync D-Tune
• 1 Sub-Oscillator
• Ring Modulator
• Noise Generator
• Audio Mixer
• 3 VCF’s (CEM3350 based)
  • 2 Peak filter
  • 1 Low Pass Filter
• 2 ADSR’s
• 2 LFO’s with Reset & Shaper Modes
• Multi Controllable VCA
• Auto-Glide
• Multiple Triggering
• Touch ‘N Bend Pad
• Bend Assign
• Sample and Hold
• Signal and Headphone output.
• ARP, controllable by MIDI
• MIDI interface
• USB MIDI interface
• MPE compatible Sensitive for;
  • Strike (note-on velocity)
  • Press (aftertouch)
  • Glide (pitch bend)
  • Slide (brightness)
  • Lift (note-of velocity)