How To Use Serum VST | Beginners Tutorial (2025)

I will explore Xfer Serum VST and give a complete breakdown for beginners, which they can use as a guide.

Serum synth is one of the most popular synthesizers amongst electronic music producers because of its drag-and-drop workflow, easily available preset collections, and versatile wavetable synthesis. I discovered this plugin back in 2020, and since then, I have hardly had a session without it.

Whether I am producing a hip-hop track, an EDM number, or a soft Bollywood jam, Serum finds its place everywhere, from creating a bass sound to pads, synths, pianos, and more. Serum plugin synthesizer is undoubtedly one of the best and my favorite sound design tools.

I will assume that you know only a little about synthesis and sound design and will walk you through each section under that assumption on my preferred DAW, which is FL Studio. So, let’s get started.

How do I activate Serum VST?

After you have downloaded and installed Serum, go tothe Xfer Records website, log in to your account, click on the avatar icon, and click on the ‘Your Account’ button, where you will find the activation key/serial number that you can copy from the website.Once you have copied that, open Serum (after installing it) on your DAW, and it will ask for a Serial Number. Paste the serial number, click on ‘OK,’ and Serum will be ready to work.

If you’re in FL Studio, you will need to close this instance of Serum and load it up again to use it.

Xfer Serum VST Sound Source: Wavetables

For any synthesizer, the sound source is where the entire cycle begins. Let me explain what wavetable synthesis is. So, a wavetable, as the name suggests, is a collection of multiple waveforms. Unlike traditional subtractive synthesis, where oscillators generate basic waveforms (sine, square, saw, etc.), wavetable synthesis uses a set of waveforms stored in a table.

You can cycle through these waveforms or modulate them dynamically, which lets you create more complex and evolving sounds, which we will come to later. Serum plugin synth excels at this by providing an extensive library of high-quality wavetables, along with the ability to import or create your own.

What’s cool is that Serum VST lets you import/export waveforms in a wavetable, edit them, modulate them, process them, and morph them, so you can really get full control over these sounds. It’s insane!

In simple words, a wavetable is a table of multiple sounds that you can browse through and select any one from that collection by using a simple knob in Xfer Serum plugin called Wavetable Position.

What’s special about this is that you can smoothly transition between different waveforms in the wavetable rather than being limited to static waveforms like in traditional synthesis. This seamless blending allows for intricate sound design possibilities, from subtle tonal shifts to drastic timbral changes.

Serum synth takes this a step further with its real-time wavetable display, where you can visually see how your waveform changes as you adjust parameters. This helps in understanding how modulation and morphing affect the final output, making it easier to craft unique sounds.

So you get the four sound sources in Serum VST, which I have described in the following table:

So, yes, the sound sources are very well-rounded, as you can also load a sample and get a specialized oscillator for bass and sub-bass sounds. If you want to go into more detail, you can use Oscillators A and B and do in-depth sound design with them. Here are all the controls you get:

Filtering Options

The best part about the filter tab in Xfer Serum synth is its simplicity. With just a switch, you can apply the filter on any of the four oscillators and enable keyboard tracking. You get parameters like cutoff, resonance, pan, drive (saturation), fat (filter’s amplitude bump), and mix.

However, the highlight of this filter is its sound and filter menu.It sounds butter-smooth and is packed with a wide variety of filter types. Beyond the classic low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass filters, Serum VST offers more advanced options such as notch filters, comb filters, flangers, and even phasers to sculpt your sound in unique ways.

Additionally, Serum’s Multi-Filter modes allow you to blend different filtering techniques, giving you even greater control over the texture and movement of your sound. You can also apply LFOs and Envelopes to the filter cutoff for dynamic, evolving effects, making it an essential tool for sound design.

Modulations

Finally, I get to discuss the modulation section of Serum synth because this and the FX section are the most exciting features of this plugin. So, in synthesis, modulations are used to dynamically alter parameters over time, creating movement, expressiveness, and complexity in sound design. Instead of manually tweaking knobs, modulation allows Serum synth to automate these changes in real-time.

What I love is how you can simply and flexibly drag and drop these modulators on any of the parameter(s) in the plugin. I have explained all these modulators in the following table.

One of my favorite ways to use modulation in Xfer Serum VST is by assigning an LFO to the filter cutoff for a classic wobble bass effect, perfect for dubstep and deep house. You can set the LFO rate to different times (freely or synced to BPM) (from 1/512 to 32 bars) and tweak the smooth and rise controls for a natural movement.

For example, for punchy 808s or plucks, you can assign Envelope 2 to oscillator pitch, creating a sharp transient by setting a fast decay and zero sustain. You could also map velocity to filter cutoff and volume in synth leads, adding natural expressions based on how hard you play the keys.

FX Section

Once you have set up the oscillators and their filters and put modulators on their parameters, you just need to refine the sonic quality by using the effects in the FX window in the plugin.

What I appreciate about Xfer Records is how elaborate they have developed the effects window in Serum plugin. I mean, you literally get a multiband compressor within the plugin, which has that amazing OTT sound. The chorus and reverb effects beautifully add to the ambiance and localization of the sound.

The Hyper effect lets you make your sound more stereo and wider, while the versatile distortion effect has so many harmonic enhancer algorithms, a drive knob, and pre/post switches. I also personally use the Serum FX plugin, which includes its effects and not the synthesis sections. It’s that awesome. Here are all the effects you get:

Modulation Matrix

The Modulation Matrix (often referred to as the Matrix tab in Serum) is where you gain precise control over the modulations you’ve assigned in your patch. While Serum’s drag-and-drop workflow makes it easy to assign modulation sources to various parameters, the Matrix allows you to fine-tune these connections and even unlock additional modulation capabilities that aren’t accessible directly from the main interface.

When you assign a modulator (like an LFO, envelope, or macro) to a parameter by dragging and dropping, it automatically appears in the Matrix tab. The Matrix provides an overview of all the active modulations, showing the source (modulator), destination (parameter being modulated), and additional controls for refining the modulation.

Each modulation assignment in the Matrix consists of the following components:

The Modulation Matrix in Xfer Serum synth provides a highly visual and intuitive way to manage all active modulations in one place. With instant feedback, you can easily see how different modulation sources interact with their assigned parameters.

One of the key aspects of modulation in Serum VST is the distinction between unipolar and bipolar modulation. Bipolar modulation moves the parameter both above and below its default value, while unipolar modulation shifts it in only one direction.

Another powerful feature is Aux Source Modulation, which allows one modulator (such as a macro knob) to influence another, adding dynamic control to your sound design. Additionally, modulations can be reversed by adjusting the Amount slider to the opposite value, giving you even more flexibility in shaping their sounds.

Beyond the standard modulators found on the front panel, Serum also includes hidden modulators accessible only through the Matrix tab. One such modulator is Aftertouch (Channel Pressure Modulation), which responds to how much pressure is applied to a key after it has been pressed. This is particularly useful for adding expressive elements like vibrato, filter sweeps, or volume swells.

Another randomization tool in Serum is Note-On Random Modulation, which assigns a unique random value each time a note is played. This is great for adding subtle variations to pitch, volume, or filter cutoff, ensuring that no two notes sound exactly the same.

Serum provides Note-On Random 1 & 2, allowing for two separate random values per note for deeper modulation possibilities. Additionally, the Pitch Wheel can be mapped to control various parameters beyond pitch bending, while Fixed Modulation provides a static modulation amount, acting as a constant offset in the modulation chain.

To get the most out of the Modulation Matrix, you can fine-tune modulation depth using the Amount slider and Output slider, ensuring precise control over the intensity of each modulation effect. You can use the Aux Source to multiply modulation signals, dynamically scaling them based on another modulator.

Global Controls

The Global Window in Xfer Serum VST serves as a hub for settings that don’t quite fit elsewhere. While most options here are patch-specific, a few global preferences affect every instance of Serum synth. For example, you can choose to hide the piano keys by default, and saving this preference ensures it applies whenever a new instance is loaded.

One notable feature in the Global Window is the Chaos Generators: two modulation sources that act like LFOs but operate unpredictably. Chaos 1 follows a more structured pattern, while Chaos 2 behaves more erratically. You can assign these to various parameters, such as pitch or filter cutoff, creating constantly evolving modulations. You can adjust the rate and enable Mono Mode, which syncs the chaotic movement across all voices instead of applying random variations per note.

Additional settings in this window include Noise Fine-Tuning, which allows precise pitch adjustments for noise samples, and Oversampling, which enhances audio quality at the cost of CPU usage and is especially useful for FM synthesis. Lastly, you can disable Pitch Tracking for cases where a consistent pitch is needed, such as creating 808 bass sounds.

How does the Serum plugin Plugin Work?

Serum plugin works by using wavetable synthesis technology and by employing 4 oscillators, filters, modulators (3 envelopes and 4 LFOs), and an FX section for creating and designing sounds from scratch.

Is Serum worth it for Beginners?

Serum may have a steep learning curve for beginners, but it’s definitely worth the effort. Learning to use it can open a lot of doors for sound design and music production and give you the right tool and skill set for creating sounds from scratch. If you already understand modulation, filtering, and other basics of sound design, then it may not be that hard.

Where should I install Serum VST?

On Windows, common installation paths are C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3 for the 64-bit VST3 version, C:\Program Files\VSTPlugins for the 64-bit VST2 version, and C:\Program Files (x86)\VSTPlugins if you need the 32-bit version. For macOS users, the standard paths are /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3 for VST3, /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST for VST2, and /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components for AU (Audio Unit), which is required for Logic Pro and GarageBand.

Based on your operating system and DAW settings, you must install the Serum VST plugin in the appropriate directory. Once installed, you may need to rescan plugins in your DAW to ensure Serum appears in the plugin list. If it doesn’t show up, verify that you installed the correct version that is compatible with your DAW and that the plugin files are in the right folder.

Final Thoughts

From what I have demonstrated above, I would be surprised if you aren’t impressed by the features, functionality, and grandness of Serum VST synth. If you’re a beginner, I would say the best place to start is by using presets. Load up a preset and start breaking it down into these parts: oscillators used, modulators used, filters applied, and effects.

Alternatively, you can also study tutorials on YouTube on how sound designers create, let’s say, a particular bass or a pad sound. When I started exploring this plugin, I tweaked different things and created unique sounds. It’s best to go hands-on and create things from scratch. Hope you liked this article and learned something valuable about synthesis and sound design. Thank you for reading.