Serum, by Xfer Records, is a wavetable synthesizer used across electronic music, and there are many starter packs of presets and wavetables made for it. This guide explains how to install a Serum preset pack, how to make sense of the interface, and how to tweak presets so your sounds are your own. Contents of any specific starter pack vary, so check the creator's page for details.
What is in a typical Serum pack
- Presets (.fxp files): saved patches for basses, leads, pads, plucks and effects.
- Wavetables (.wav files): custom waveforms that you can load into the oscillators.
- Noise oscillator samples: extra textures for the noise section.
How to install presets
- Unzip the download to a folder.
- Open Serum and click the menu button at the top left of the preset browser.
- Choose the option to open the presets folder. Serum shows the location on your computer, normally inside a Documents-based Xfer folder.
- Copy the pack's folder into the Presets folder. Put wavetables in the Tables folder.
- Return to Serum and choose the refresh option in the menu. The pack appears in the browser.
Serum in five minutes
| Section | What it does |
|---|---|
| Oscillators A and B | Generate sound from wavetables. Position controls change the timbre. |
| Sub and Noise | Add low-end weight or texture |
| Filter | Shapes brightness, with many filter types |
| Envelopes and LFOs | Modulate parameters over time |
| Effects | Reverb, delay, distortion, and more, in one rack |
Tweak a preset to make it yours
- Find a preset close to your idea. Do not worry about the name.
- Adjust the macros. Most preset makers link the main controls to macro knobs at the bottom.
- Change the wavetable position to alter tone.
- Modify the filter cutoff and resonance to fit your mix.
- Edit the envelope. Shorten the release for tight pluck sounds or lengthen it for pads.
- Save it under a new name in your own User folder.
Finding the right level
Some presets are very loud. Check the output level and turn it down before your mixer channel clips. A steady signal makes downstream plugins behave properly. Our gain staging guide explains a simple way to keep levels healthy.
Why presets are a good learning tool
Open a preset you like and inspect it. See which wavetables it uses, how many oscillators are active, and what modulates the filter. Each modification teaches you what a control does. This is a much faster way to learn synthesis than starting with an init patch and guessing.
Processing Serum sounds in your mix
- Use EQ to clear space below 100 Hz for bass and above 8 kHz if a lead is harsh.
- Compress plucks and basses lightly. See our compressor guide for basics.
- Send pads and leads to a shared reverb, for example Valhalla Supermassive.
Free ways to expand your sound library
Many producers share free preset banks, wavetables and sample packs. Always use official pages. You can also add flavour with sample-based material, such as our Black Octopus pack guide, or find free instruments in the free VST collection if you do not yet own Serum.
Licence notes
Serum presets are usually royalty free for use in your music. You cannot redistribute them as part of a competing pack. Follow the creator's licence and never use pirated Serum copies, since they can carry malware.
Key takeaways
- You need Serum itself to use the presets.
- Install .fxp files into the Presets folder and refresh.
- Use macros and the filter to customise quickly.
- Manage output levels and stay legal.
FAQ
Do starter packs work with Serum 2?
Compatibility depends on the pack. Check the creator's notes for version support.
Where do my saved presets go?
Into the User folder inside the Serum Presets folder.
Can I use the presets in commercial releases?
Usually yes, subject to the pack licence.
Why does a preset sound different in my project?
Effects, tempo-synced modulation and MIDI range can change it. Check the macros and effect rack.
