At the moment there are two very iconic, classic, modular systems available in Eurorack format, which even have a common history. Catalyst Audio transferred the legendary System 100 to Eurorack and Random*Source worked together with Serge Tcherepnin to bring classic Serge modules to the most diverse modular format that has ever existed. Serge’s intention of making his own designs is related to Don Buchlas early synthesizers, as Serge wanted to make a high quality but affordable synthesizer system available – in contrast to the more expensive Buchla. Therefor Serge sold synthesizer kits that could be built at home to keep the cost down. And Serges inspiration and motivation didn’t came from nothing: The Buchla already had something like a mystic aura to it, as the 100 series, the original San Francisco Tape Music Center modular synthesizer, originally was commissioned by Morton Subotnick and Ramon Sender.

Catalyst Audio now faithfully recreated six modules of Buchlas 100 Series and A/B tested them with an original 100 Series system to bring the original System 100 sound to Eurorack – and they achieved this goal. The analog circuits feature a discrete, transistor based design. Hand-picked components guarantee high performance, durability and excellent sound. The Audio and CV levels have been adjusted to be compatible with the Eurorack standard, therefor they used Op-amps. If you do not want anything “new” in your circuits these components can be removed from the signal flow via jumpers.

The history of the Serge incarnation in Eurorack is a little different. The makers of Random*Source adapted classic Serge designs to the Eurorack format and let Serge Serge Tcherepnin test and approve them to be real Serge designs under license and in cooperation with Serge Tcherepnin. Random*Source now offers both, the original format (4U) and modules for Eurorack. And it is still possible to build them on your own, as there are partial and full kits available at different retailers. This preserves the original intention of Serge Tcherepnin of making a high quality modular system, comparable to the Buchla, available for way less money.  So what you get is the original Serge sound, approved by Serge Tcherepnin himself, in a smaller format.

To mix and match, test and explore these great modules, come to Schneidersladen showroom and check them out.