Let’s explore how to import an audio file into the Serum synth to create a wavetable that says “Serum”. This is not about creating a simple sampler; rather, Serum analyzes the audio to capture the essence of the sound through a process that breaks it up into subtables. This method provides a unique way to generate distinctive waveforms and wavetables from audio inputs.

Importing Audio and Adjusting Subtables

The process begins by importing an audio file where I clearly pronounce the word “Serum”. Serum then breaks this file into 256 subtables. Now, it’s possible to hear the word “Serum” within the wavetable, though it may sound distorted so we’ll need to smooth it out to enhance clarity.

Selecting the Optimal Number of Subtables

During the import process you can compare different Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) import sizes, such as 256 and 512. This will affect how smoothly the word “Serum” appears as you modulate through the wavetable. For this, we found 256 gave us our best initial sound.

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Editing and Refining the Wavetable

Next we remove unnecessary parts, such as silence at the beginning and redundant subtables at the end. This process is crucial for focusing the wavetable on the essential sounds. After trimming, we then remove 3/4 of the subtables. Initially this creates a jarring jump between subtable sounds. But it also sets us up for spectral morphing, which will smoothly interploate between each subtable, resulting in a crystal clear and smooth “Serum”.

Conclusion

Through meticulous editing and strategic use of the Serum synth’s powerful synthesis features, users can transform a simple spoken word into a complex and usable wavetable.