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Polycode VS Serum

Compare Polycode VS Serum and see what are their differences

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Polycode logo Polycode

Polycode is a C++ and Lua framework for building interactive applications.

Serum logo Serum

VST for FL Studio, Ableton Live, and many other VST supported DAWs. Heavily utilized in EDM.
  • Polycode Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-10-10
  • Serum Landing page
    Landing page //
    2020-03-04

The dream synthesizer did not seem to exist: a wavetable synthesizer with a truly high-quality sound, visual and creative workflow-oriented interface to make creating and altering sounds fun instead of tedious, and the ability to “go deep” when desired - to create / import / edit / morph wavetables, and manipulate these on playback in real-time.

Polycode features and specs

  • Cross-Platform
    Polycode supports multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing developers to write code once and deploy it across different operating systems.
  • Open Source
    Polycode is available under an open-source license, which means that developers can freely use, modify, and distribute the engine's code.
  • Multi-language Support
    Polycode supports both C++ and Lua, giving developers the flexibility to choose the programming language that suits their project best.
  • Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
    Polycode comes with its own IDE, which provides a user-friendly interface for managing assets, writing code, and debugging.
  • 2D and 3D Graphics
    Polycode offers robust support for both 2D and 3D graphics, making it suitable for a wide range of game development projects.

Possible disadvantages of Polycode

  • Limited Documentation
    While Polycode has some documentation available, it is not as comprehensive as more established engines, which can make the learning curve steeper for new users.
  • Smaller Community
    Polycode has a smaller user base compared to more popular game engines, which can make finding tutorials, forums, and community support more difficult.
  • Development Activity
    The development activity of Polycode is less frequent compared to leading game engines, which can result in slower updates and fewer new features.
  • Limited Built-in Features
    Polycode may lack some of the built-in features and tools that are available in more mature game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity), requiring developers to implement certain functionalities on their own.
  • Learning Curve
    Due to its less extensive documentation and smaller community, new users might find it harder to learn and master Polycode compared to other game engines.

Serum features and specs

  • High-Quality Sound Engine
    Serum is renowned for its pristine sound quality, thanks to a high-precision resampling algorithm. This ensures that even complex waveforms and modulations maintain clarity and fidelity.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The interface is well-designed and intuitive, allowing both beginners and experienced users to navigate and create sound patches with ease. Visual feedback makes the synthesis process more understandable.
  • Advanced Modulation Options
    Serum offers extensive modulation capabilities, including drag-and-drop routing, multiple LFOs, and envelopes. This provides users with countless possibilities for shaping their sounds dynamically.
  • Built-In Wavetable Editor
    The wavetable editor allows users to visually manipulate and create their own unique wavetables, offering more customization and flexibility in sound design.
  • Extensive Preset Library
    Comes with a rich library of presets covering various genres, making it easy to find starting points for sound design or to use directly in compositions.
  • Regular Updates and Support
    Xfer Records frequently updates Serum to include new features, optimizations, and bug fixes, ensuring that users have access to the latest advancements in wavetable synthesis.

Possible disadvantages of Serum

  • Resource Intensive
    Serum can be quite demanding on CPU resources, particularly when multiple instances are used simultaneously or when complex modulations are applied.
  • Price
    Compared to some other soft synths, Serum is relatively expensive, which might be a barrier for entry-level producers or those on a tight budget.
  • Learning Curve
    While the interface is user-friendly, the depth of features and possibilities in Serum may be overwhelming for beginners. It requires time and effort to fully understand and utilize all of its capabilities.
  • Limited Sample-Based Synthesis
    Serum is primarily a wavetable synthesizer and might not be the best tool for producers looking to work extensively with sample-based synthesis or sampling-focused workflows.

Analysis of Polycode

Overall verdict

  • Polycode is a solid choice for developers interested in creating cross-platform games or applications who value flexibility, control, and the benefits of an open-source framework. However, due to its relatively niche community and possibly limited resources compared to more mainstream engines, it might not be ideal for complete beginners or projects requiring extensive support and community engagement.

Why this product is good

  • Polycode is a versatile and open-source framework that caters to real-time 2D and 3D game and application development. Its appeal lies in its flexibility and the ability to use both C++ and Lua for scripting, which makes it an excellent choice for developers who prefer a highly customizable environment. The framework includes features like a scene editor and scripting tools, which provide a robust platform for creative projects. Furthermore, being open-source allows developers to modify and improve the framework to better suit their specific needs.

Recommended for

    Polycode is recommended for intermediate to advanced developers who have some experience with C++ and Lua, and who are looking for an open-source, customizable framework. It’s particularly suitable for those who appreciate a hands-on approach in game and application development, and who are interested in contributing to and leveraging an open-source community.

Analysis of Serum

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Serum is considered to be a good software synthesizer.

Why this product is good

  • Serum is known for its high-quality sound and versatile range of waveforms.
  • It features a user-friendly interface which makes it accessible for both beginners and experienced producers.
  • The software includes a powerful wavetable editor and a range of modulation options for creative sound design.
  • It has a large and active community, providing a wealth of presets and tutorials to enhance user experience.
  • Regular updates and support from Xfer Records ensure it remains a competitive choice in its field.

Recommended for

  • Electronic music producers looking for a versatile synthesizer.
  • Sound designers interested in experimenting with complex waveforms and modulation techniques.
  • Beginners in music production who want to explore a professional-grade synthesizer with a user-friendly interface.
  • Professional music producers seeking a reliable and popular synthesis tool for their projects.

Polycode videos

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Serum videos

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THIS PLUGIN IS JUST REALLY REALLY GOOD!!! (Serum Plugin Review)

More videos:

  • Review - SERUM | 5 Reasons we Love Serum in 5 Minutes
  • Review - TOP 5 Serums | suhaysalim

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Polycode and Serum)

Polycode

Serum

Game Development
100 100%
Game Development
0% 0
Email Marketing
0 0%
Email Marketing
100% 100
Game Engine
100 100%
Game Engine
0% 0
Audio & Music
0 0%
Audio & Music
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using Polycode and Serum. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Serum seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 30 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Polycode mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Polycode yet. Tracking of Polycode recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Serum mentions (30)

  • Complete rookie looking for advice on a MIDI controller for Darksynth
    What matters though is choosing a good synthesizer. I personally use Serum (~190$) for most things, since it's easy to use and has a big community with a lot of free and paid presets. Source: about 3 years ago
  • DIY Wavetable Synthesis Sequencer
    One of the problems I am currently facing is having a large lookup table. I want to have a large set of predefined sound waves that can be manipulated like programs such as Serum. Is this still possible with an MC instead of an MCU? (Calculating the waves in real-time instead of using a lookup table might be too computationally intensive for most budget options). Source: about 3 years ago
  • SPEECH plugin crashing? No audio!
    You'll have to find some other alternative for your Text-to-speech needs. Serum has a basic speech synth, Vital uses Amazon's TTS solution, and you'll find plenty more with a quick google search. Source: over 3 years ago
  • I'm looking into some cheap synthesizers to make vaporwave/synthwave music
    You can also download Vital for wavetable emulation. https://www.discodsp.com/obxd/ You can also buy Serum https://xferrecords.com/products/serum for I think $190 or get it off Splilce for $10 a month until you pay it off. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Chiptune style remix of Frog on the floor
    Then all the synths are serum, in previous projects I have used magical 8 bit and tb_peach. Source: over 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Polycode and Serum, you can also consider the following products

Unreal Engine - Unreal Engine 4 is a suite of integrated tools for game developers to design and build games, simulations, and visualizations.

Vital - Vital is a spectral warping wavetable synthesizer with drag'n'drop modulation workflow and animated preview of the synth's inner workings where needed. Comes with many modulation sources (including audio-rate), MPE support and FX chain.

Unity - The multiplatform game creation tools for everyone.

Omnisphere - Piano, pad and synth VST for DAW's.

GDevelop - GDevelop is an open-source game making software designed to be used by everyone.

iZotope Vinyl - iZotope Vinyl is a plugin that gives you the tools to cut, shuffle and alter your audio content to give it that lo-fi vinyl sound.

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