Cereal Instruments SWERVE and RAZE - DIY Builds
We decided to do a few things a little different this month by not only having more than 1 build/review, but having 4 by one company… Cereal Instruments. Their utility modules are something that every rack should have in them. We use them all of the time not only for performance but for recording or just jamming. Check out the latest builds of the Cereal Instruments SWERVE and RAZE.
SWERVE
The Cereal Instruments swerve is a passive dual performer switch with mute buttons built in. You can toggle between sides with the toggle switches or temporarily mute one side or the other.
Jacks are either in’s or outs and are labeled simply as “a” or “b”. One thing to note is that this 2021 edition of swerve is not the same as Cereal Instruments earlier release of ‘swerve’ (which can be found here). This swerve is a performing switch whereas the other ‘swerve’ was a rotary switch that you could route cv, or effects to other modules.
swerve Gallery
The Build
The swerve (dual performer switch) is a really simple build. It has very few parts and they will only mount one way. Make sure to place the front panel onto the component tops after each has been mounted. Then, use the nuts to hold things in place as you flip the board to solder everything into place.
Since this is a passive module, there is no power supply to have to worry about. After you have completed soldering all of the parts, pat yourself on the back because you have just completed the swerve by Cereal Instruments.
swerve - Time Lapse Build
raze
Cereal Instruments raze is a 4hp distortion module that is very capable of mangling anything you run through it. The raze has an input and and output and is controlled by 3 parameters … literally. It’s that basic. Volume sets the output levels and can help limit clipping when the sound gets way brutal. Push sets the amount of gain “pushing” into the distortion circuit, and lastly the raze knob controls the amount of destruction.
The cool thing about the raze knob is that when the control passes the halfway point, the signal will get slowly more brutal over time and will regenerate when the control is put back before. It’s awesome.
raze Gallery
The Build
All of the components on the raze are snd except for the pots, power header and jacks. These are quick and easy to mount and tack down. Prior to doing so, you want to set the front panel onto the module after placing the parts.
Then hand tighten the nuts on the pots and jacks to keep everything in place as you flip the module to solder all of the legs. Once this has been completed, tighten the nuts, place the knobs and you are done. It is that easy.
raze - Time Lapse Build
Oh and one other thing...
Cereal Instruments is located in the UK, so after we ordered the module up on Reverb we were expecting it to take its time getting to the US. This was not the case with any of the modules from Cereal Instruments. You might pay a tad more in shipping getting things from the UK, (unless you live there of course), but your module will be at your doorstep within a week or so. It was so fast and we really appreciated it. (Just a little FYI).
Comments or Suggestions?
If you have questions about the build process or suggestions/feedback about this article, feel free to let us know by contacting us We look forward to hearing from you!
Until the next build …
