Serge synthesizer

The Serge synthesizer ( Serge Modular or Serge Modular Music System) is an analogue modular synthesizer system originally developed by Serge Tcherepnin, Rich Gold and Randy Cohen at CalArts in late 1972. The first 20 Serge systems (then called "Tcherepnins") were built in 1973 in Tcherepnin's home. Tcherepnin was a professor at CalArts at the time, and desired to create something like the exclusively expensive Buchla modular synthesizers "for the people that would be both inexpensive and powerful." After building prototypes, Tcherepnin went on to develop kits for students to affordably build their own modular synthesizer, production taking place unofficially on a second floor CalArts balcony. This led to Tcherepnin leaving CalArts in order to produce kits commercially, starting in 1974.

After leaving CalArts, Serge had a small factory on Western Avenue in Hollywood. He relocated to a three-story Victorian house on Haight Street in 1980. While the synthesizers were inexpensive compared to Moog, Buchla, and other manufacturers, Serge Tcherepnin's emphasis was always on providing musicians with quality equipment.

While Serge synthesisers have been compared to Buchlas, their underlying philosophies are very different. Serge modules were designed to bring many aspects of the circuits out to the front panel so modules can be patched in unusual and creative ways beyond the “normal” functions of that type of module. In contrast, Buchla modules were optimised to do one thing very well, using different signal levels and connector types for “sound and structure” (audio and control).

Serge synthesizers have been used by composers such as Michael Stearns and Kevin Braheny