4U Modular Format Documentation: (more coming soon)
Allen Strange's: Electronic Music Book
A bit of history about the original SMMS PCB naming system beginning with “R” …
”R6 - The R stands for Randy Cohen who designed the module’s PCB in 1972, and the 6 designates the Ring Modulator/VCA as being the 6th module in the series of 16 modules which formed the early “People’s Synth” AKA Serge-O-Vox.” - Arpad Benares/Serge Tcherepnin (3/28/2025)
Read about Randy Cohen here!
Serge Gold Book by Rich Gold with Darrel Johansen & Marina LaPalma (credit and respect to them!)
Serge Modular Music System’s Documentation: More coming soon!
Big thanks to Bruce Parsons for contributing so many modern scans!
Serge Modular Music System’s Module Wiring Diagrams: (more coming soon!)
(These also typically include calibration procedures!)
(Big thanks to Bruce Parsons contributing so many modern scans!)
Sound Transform Systems Documentation: (STS)
Musical Serge Projects:
Mark J Bradlyn - Serge Analog Electronica
Planetary Peace - Synthesis
David Chesworth - The Unattended Serge / Five Evolutionary Things
STS Current Draw Specifications:
This has been a group effort by people within the Serge Modular community. If you have current rating specs for individual modules, system/M-Class panels you’d like to contribute please get in touch. Modules are measured unpatched, running idle.
M-Class Panels:
Audio Matrix Mixer module: +12V: 100mA -12V: 100mA
Bi-Filter module: +12V: 140mA -12V: 140mA
CV Matrix Mixer module: +12V: 100mA -12V: 100mA
CV Processor module: +12V: 90mA -12V: 90mA
Dual Q Filters module: +12V: 160mA -12V: 160mA
Gator module: +12V: 120mA -12V: 90mA
QuadSlope module: +12V: 120mA -12V: 90mA
SQP-6 module: +12V: 70mA -12V: 60mA
Stereo Mixer module: +12V: 200mA -12V: 180mA
Wave Processor module: +12V: 120mA -12V: 100mA
System Panels:
Animoo panel: +12V: 390mA -12V: 360mA
Blue Voice panel: +12V: 410mA -12V: 370mA
Blue Control panel: +12V: 240mA -12V: 210mA
Red Voice panel: +12V: 330mA -12V: 300mA
Red Control panel: +12V: 230mA -12V: 180mA
Sequencer panel: +12V: 110mA -12V: 70mA
Soup Kitchen 1 panel: +12V: 520mA -12V: 500mA
Touch Keyboard (TKB) panel: +12V: 50mA -12V: 30mA
Some Basic Information about STS standards of 4U Serge: (C&P from ModWiggler Forum)
Banana Jack Color Code
Black = AC-coupled (IN or OUT)
Blue = DC-coupled (IN or OUT)
Yellow = Trigger (IN)
Red = Gate (IN or OUT)
Grey = White Noise (OUT)
Purple = Pink Noise (OUT) or Sync (IN)
PSD vs Obelisk
the psd (power supply distribution) is for shop panels while the Obelisk is for m-odules. The obelisk contains a PSD like distribution board - but with only 4 connectors instead of 5.
Power Connector
The standard inter-connector used by STS is a Tyco Rectangular 4 pin Connector. The body and pins are sold separately.
Pin & Socket Connectors PLUG W/O EAR 4P inline is PN: 770078-1
Pin & Socket Connectors 24/18 AWG TN/BR SKT is PN: 770146-1
Pin & Socket Connectors RECPT 4P DETENT LOCK in-line is PN: 770075-1
Pin & Socket Connectors 24/18 AWG TIN/BRASS is PN: 770147-1
The PSD has the female connectors.
Pin 1 is at the point. Pin 4 is at the flat (for both male and female).
Pin 1 = Ground 1, Black (Signal Ground)
Pin 2 = -12V, White
Pin 3 = Ground 2, Green (Chassis Ground)
Pin 4 = +12V, Red
STS also uses a 5 pin XLR connector for power distribution. Coming from the power supply (PS4 for example) is a 5 pin female XLR. It is intended to be plugged into a panel mount 5 pin male XLR connector which then terminates to a male Tyco Connector (for plugging in power to the PSD). I used an Aphenol panel mount 5 pin male XLR connector, PN: AC5MDZ for a replacement part and it worked fine.
Here is what my PS4 XLR connector pinout is (note, I am not sure if this is standard or not, i would assume it is, but I dont want to be responsible for plugging anything in backwards):
Pin 1 = +12V, Red
Pin 2 = Ground 1, black (Signal Ground)
Pin 3 = -12V, White
Pin 4 = Ground 2, green (Chassis Ground)
Pin 5 = Not Connected
PS2a Specs
the PS2a is a line lump, laptop type power supply. It is manufactured by Jerome Industries (Elizabeth, NJ). Their part number appears to be MIKS20-14 and has "Serge Power Supply" written on it. It appears to be a switching type power supply and can be switched from 115VAC to 230VAC inputs
12V @ 350mA
-12V @ 350mA
Fuse Type (T). 250mA, 250V.
PS4 Specs
Inside of a custom case (LMB boxes LINK maybe?) is a condor linear power supply model HAA15-0.8-A+
Technical/Catalog Information for the HAA15-0.8-A+
Vendor - SL Power Electronics Manufacture of Condor/Ault Brands
Power (Watts) - 24W
Voltage Output - ±15V (for Serge Panels, it is set to +/-12V)
Voltage Input - 100, 120, 220, 240VAC
Power Supply Type - Linear, Regulated (Open Frame)
1st Output - +15 VDC @ 800mA (This number should be a bit higher at 12V)
2nd Output - -15 VDC @ 800mA (This number should be a bit higher at 12V)
Mounting Type - Chassis Mount
Size / Dimension - 6.5" L x 4" W x 1.62" H (165.1mm x 101.6mm x 41.2mm)
Operating Temperature - 0°C ~ 50°C
Efficiency - 55%
Applications - Commercial
Line Regulation - ±0.05%
Load Regulation - ±0.05%
It is wired to an on/off switch and on LED indicator (wired to the -15V rail). The output is a 5 pin XLR with the following pinout: (coming soon).
RS Module/Panel Current requirements:
Crocodile: 380mA per rail
Inori: 540mA per rail
Siegfried: 270mA per rail
SQP4: 75mA per rail
Edelweis I: ?
Edelwies II: ?
Hale Module/Panel Current requirements:
…More to come!