Serum Preset Installation Guide

How to Install Serum Presets

Installing presets in Serum is straightforward once you know where the files go. This guide covers every installation method across Windows and Mac, including manual installation and drag-and-drop.

Before You Start

Serum presets are .fxp files. When you download a preset pack, it usually arrives as a .zip file containing one or more .fxp files, sometimes organised into folders.

You need:

Xfer Serum installed and working in your DAW
The preset .zip file downloaded to your computer
A way to extract .zip files (built into Windows and Mac)

Method 1: Drag and Drop (Easiest)

The simplest way to load a preset into Serum:

Open Serum in your DAW
Extract the .zip file to get the .fxp file(s)
Drag an .fxp file directly onto the Serum interface
The preset loads immediately

This method works for quick testing but does not permanently add the preset to your library. For permanent installation, use Method 2 or 3.

Method 2: Using Serum’s Menu (Recommended)

This method adds presets to Serum’s preset browser so they appear in the menu permanently:

Open Serum in your DAW
Click the menu icon (hamburger button) at the top of Serum
Select “Show Serum Presets Folder”
This opens the Presets folder in your file manager
Extract the .zip file and copy the .fxp files into this folder
You can create subfolders to organise presets by pack name
Go back to Serum and click the menu icon again
Select “Rescan Folders”
Your new presets appear in the preset browser

Method 3: Manual Folder Location

If you prefer to navigate directly to the preset folder:

Windows

The default Serum presets folder on Windows:

Documents\Xfer\Serum Presets\Presets

If you have changed Serum’s content location, check: Serum menu > “Show Serum Presets Folder” to find the actual path.

Mac

The default Serum presets folder on Mac:

/Users/[YourName]/Library/Audio/Presets/Xfer Records/Serum Presets/Presets

The Library folder is hidden by default on Mac. To access it, open Finder, hold the Option key, and click Go in the menu bar. Library will appear in the dropdown.

Organising Your Presets

As your preset collection grows, organisation becomes important:

Create subfolders by pack name (e.g., “Dirty DnB Vol.1”, “Bass House Vol.2”)
Use category folders within packs if the pack includes different sound types (Bass, Lead, Pad, FX)
Name consistently so you can find presets quickly during production sessions

Serum reads subfolders in its preset directory, so any folder structure you create will appear in the preset browser.

Troubleshooting

Presets not showing in browser

Make sure the .fxp files are in the correct Presets folder (not a subfolder of Serum’s main directory)
Click Serum menu > “Rescan Folders”
Restart your DAW

Preset loads but sounds wrong

Check if the preset requires custom wavetables. Some packs include .wav wavetable files that need to be placed in Serum’s Tables folder
Check your Serum version. Some presets require newer Serum features. Update to the latest version

Cannot find the Presets folder

Open Serum in your DAW and use the menu > “Show Serum Presets Folder” option. This always opens the correct location

Zip file contains folders

Copy the entire folder structure into the Presets folder. Serum will read the subfolders as categories

Loading Presets in Your DAW

Once installed, browsing and loading presets in Serum is the same regardless of your DAW:

Click the preset name at the top of Serum’s interface
Navigate through the folder structure to find your preset
Click the preset to load it
Use the left and right arrows to step through presets in the current folder

This works in Ableton Live, FL Studio, Logic Pro, Studio One, Cubase, Reaper, and any other DAW that supports Serum.

Get Started

Try installing presets with our free bass taster pack. It includes 5 presets that you can use to practice the installation process. Once you are comfortable, browse the full preset collection for production-ready sounds across DnB, bass house, UK bass, and more.