Introducing the Serge SSG

In this video I introduce and try to somewhat unpack the legendary Serge SSG, aka Smooth & Stepped Generator. It's one of the densest Serge modules and also makes for a good opportunity to talk a little about Serge's module design philosophy.
Here's the link to Doug Lynner's excellent video on patch programming the SSG.
• Patch Programming the ...

[@yarobrock]

Just 5 minutes in and I'm so glad I found this. I almost returned it I was so bewildered by it. It's back in my system now.

[@teezdalien]

Thanks! This module definitely takes some time to uncover where it shines, but it is really flexible and often surprising.

[@musictech_10us]

I started with Doug's video and watched Dr Weiner's video this week, and still can't wrap my head entirely around the SSG. It's really one of those modules you need to learn and hear explanations about multiple times. I appreciate your relaxed pace in going through it. Enjoying it so far (will have to watch it in chunks!), thanks!

[@teezdalien]

Hey thanks for the kind words! Yes Doug's videos are some of the best and amongst my favourite videos on Serge patching. But am happy you found these helpful too.

[@metokyo4960]

Thank you for this series of RS for eurorack!

[@teezdalien]

You're welcome!

[@mgscheue]

Thank you for these! Very helpful.

[@bendickson3486]

Interesting stuff. I don’t own any serge atm, but I’ve been tempted for a while. I enjoy modules that encourage experimentation, and that have a wide, open plan feel. My favourite atm is the Verbos Voltage multistage, for the same reason. Thanks for the video.

[@mgscheue]

Thanks for these videos. Have some Euro Serge on the way!

[@teezdalien]

No worries. Enjoy the modules, lots there to explore!

[@jeanlucpourcel4697]

please continue!, could you do further information on these modules? No one explains about serge it is very useful, thanks

[@teezdalien]

Thanks! Yes I intend to cover the majority of the R*S line of Serge modules, at least the ones I own and have experience with which is most of them. The VCM will be up soon.

[@mep4456]

Cheers for the vid =)

[@Autotross]

Great video! One thing I didn’t grasp - do the 2 sides affect each other? (Aside from coupler) Noticed the left LED blinking at odd intervals with nothing patched in.

[@teezdalien]

Sorry I've only just noticed this comment. I didn't think the two sides influenced each other unless patched to do so. Maybe I should take a closer look and get back to you.

[@canrabia2393]

Great video! Lots of precious info. One question...I've noticed the rate VC knobs are active without having an input cv. I guess there are normaled connections. Is that correct? The noises at minute 29 coming from coupler output. Where do they come from? Thanks!

[@teezdalien]

Thanks! Yes there are normaled cv offsets at the Rate cv inputs to both sides accessible via the three-way Expo toggle switches. If I'm not mistaken, you get some degree linear rate scaling if toggled upwards, no normalisation at center and exponential scaling if toggled downwards, but it's pretty limited in range so it's more useful for external cv. As for the Coupler output, it is outputting gates that are triggerring an envelope to create the noise bursts that you're hearing. The gates are created via a comparater which is comparing the voltages generated by both sides. Hope this helps!

[@canrabia2393]

@@teezdalien thanks! That was super useful.

[@jazzbeats8168]

Pls do one for GTO !

[@teezdalien]

Thanks, maybe someday if I get my hands on a GTO. I'd still like to get and cover the ACP but havent seen kits around for ages.

[@jazzbeats8168]

@@teezdalien just ordered one :) btw what r u using as scope on windows?

[@teezdalien]

@@jazzbeats8168 www.jthorborg.com/signalizer.html

[@alexeylapshin948]

Nice try on the SSG. Mine's also working a bit strange with noise sources, that made me think of problems with the build. Glad that's not the case. What signals are you feeding it with for random uses usually?

[@teezdalien]

Yes, because my SSG doesn't seem to respond to my Turing Machine's noise source (frustratingly), I often FM an oscillator with either this noise source or another oscillator at high index to create noise from the oscillator, and feed this back to the SSG. It's expensive use of the system to get there but it works well enough for me. At least until I add the ACPR to my system, hopefully soon which gives you the s/h source and is more ideal for getting true random from the stepped side.

[@alexeylapshin948]

@@teezdalien Haha, I also use Turing Machine, which is a great companion to Serge and is among the best random modules! Will try to use vco's the way you described. Thank you for the video and the explanation! Been curious of what these expo switches do, as I can't force myself to use a scope during recordings

[@teezdalien]

@@alexeylapshin948 No worries. I think it's to do with different voltage scaling protocols, the R*S stuff works at -2.5v/+2.5v and I think the TM operates in the range of 10v swings from -5v/+5v... The expo switches make normaled connections from the outputs back to the VC rate inputs for each side similar to the DUSG, increasing the function's rate of change exponentially.

[@alexeylapshin948]

@@teezdalien -2.5v/+2.5v bipolar and 0-5v unipolar, as far as I know. Although, I've read somewhere the SSG has a weird voltage and sometimes acts unpredictable. For instance, it hangs my DUSG, when patching to its inputs

[@performancewave6581]

@@alexeylapshin948 Hey! If this should be the issue why the noise of the TM won't be "accepted" by the SSG the solution for this problem could be just a voltage adder, right?

[@alexandrenavarro]

Thank you my SSG is less mysterious :)

[@TheCarismaStudios]

interesting...but this english accent is horrible..not easy to understand

[@teezdalien]

I'm Australian and typically use a lot of slang... But I'm trying to reign it in for these videos.

[@bendickson3486]

Interesting stuff. I don’t own any serge atm, but I’ve been tempted for a while. I enjoy modules that encourage experimentation, and that have a wide, open plan feel. My favourite atm is the Verbos Voltage multistage, for the same reason. Thanks for the video.

[@teezdalien]

Thanks for the feedback Ben. I think you'd enjoy the Serge experience, it was like a revelation to me when I first combined a few of these modules together.. I've also enjoyed playing with Verbos modules, had the Complex Oscillator for a while, kinda wish I'd held on to it tbh.. But have played with an entire Verbos system at MESS here in Melbourne, and it was definitely fun to work with, just bloody expensive.

[@bendickson3486]

@@teezdalien my credit score is wavering. Teetering on the brink. But it’s worth it. With each purchase it feels like I’m stickin’ it to the man and supporting others in the ways of creating wobbly air ✊🏼

[@Autotross]

Great video! One thing I didn’t grasp - do the 2 sides affect each other? (Aside from coupler) Noticed the left LED blinking at odd intervals with nothing patched in.

[@teezdalien]

Thanks! I don't believe the two sides affect each other by default without patching it to do so.. The stepped side's rate is somewhat harder to see at a glance due to the nature of needing a trigger to change states, but I'm not sure why the left LED (smooth side) would blink oddly without some kind patch connection influencing the rate.