Video summary

Claude vs Gemini Make SERUM from SCRATCH

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product Reviewed

An AI-generated VST plugin designed to recreate the sound and feel of “Serum” (Xfer Serum), created in response to a claim that “AI is not good enough to make plugins like Serum 2.”

Systems Tested

Two AI systems are evaluated:

  • Gemini (Google)
  • Claude (Anthropic)

Prompt Requirements (Common Setup)

Both systems are prompted using reference images of Serum, with requirements including:

  • Modern flat UI aesthetic like Serum
  • VST3
  • GUI sizing option (prompted because an earlier Claude UI was too large on the reviewer’s monitor)
  • A “fun feature” (creativity requirement)
  • End-to-end build and testing before delivering

What the Video Concludes (Verdict)

  • Claude is the clear winner for usability and overall quality.
  • Gemini shows improvement over its prior attempt, but the build became unstable/crashed FL Studio, and the plugin still lacked deeper customization.

Final Scores

  • Gemini: 4/10
  • Claude: ~9/10 (described as “nine nine out of 10,” and later “easily 10, but… nine” after tweaks)

Recommendation

If you want the closest working “Serum-like” result from these two:

Use Claude’s output. Gemini is riskier due to crashes and less controllable UI/customization.

Key Features Mentioned (Per Plugin)

Shared / Intended Features From the Prompt

Both plugins are expected to include:

  • Serum-like layout and aesthetic
  • VST3
  • GUI resizing
  • Sound-editing controls (filters/wave-related controls, and ADSR at least in Gemini’s improved version)
  • Preset generation (both generate presets, though Gemini’s early presets are limited)

Gemini Plugin: “Morphea”

  • Sound works after recovery/debugging
  • Resizing works (despite initial UI chaos)
  • ADSR knobs added after additional prompting
  • Presets sound “fire” / ambient / space-like
  • Controls exist but are limited:
    • Reviewer notes no option to customize further inside the plugin
  • The reviewer highlights limited preset usefulness, mentioning only one preset as a constraint

Claude Plugin: “Nick’s Wave” (later “Nova” for the fun feature)

  • Visually impressive from the start:
    • “looks beautiful” with animations
  • Effects work, though effect visuals may not match Serum’s beauty
  • More parameter control than Gemini, including:
    • Sub level
    • Noise level
    • Additional dropdown/menus (which required fixes)
  • Includes a “fun feature” labeled Nova, used for creative/transition sounds
  • Presets sound stronger/better than Serum according to the reviewer

Pros and Cons (As Stated/Observed)

Gemini

Pros

  • Eventually produces a plugin that plays well and sounds good
  • Improved stability after debugging prompts
  • Resizable UI
  • ADSR knobs added through iterative prompting
  • Reviewer notes a cool design element, despite UI issues
  • Final version felt better than Gemini’s earlier attempt

Cons

  • Severe initial failure: crashed FL Studio (so severely the reviewer couldn’t even launch it)
  • Required repeated “fix it” style prompting to recover functionality
  • Initial UI described as a “total disaster” (even though it can resize)
  • Low customization depth:
    • “no option to customize it inside this plugin”
  • Preset content seen as limited (reviewer suggests effectively one preset)

Claude

Pros

  • Strong first build (1 prompt), unlike Gemini’s initial instability
  • Reviewer says it recreates Serum well, and also reminds them of Vital
  • “mind-blowing” similarity to Serum
  • Usability improves after minor fixes:
    • additional prompt fixes dropdowns/menus
    • more controls become available (e.g., sub/noise)
  • Animations and UI quality are a major highlight
  • Sound is described as very powerful, potentially better than Serum

Cons

  • Early version had dropdown/menu issues:
    • reviewer couldn’t reliably “choose anything”
  • Some areas are described as improvable, though the core experience is praised
  • The “fun feature” is described as “weird,” though it still works for transitions

Comparisons Made

  • Gemini vs Gemini’s previous attempt: improvement, but still not reliable enough.
  • Gemini vs Claude:
    • Gemini: crashes + limited customization → 4/10
    • Claude: strong UI + strong sound + more control → ~9/10
  • Claude vs actual Serum:
    • Reviewer claims Claude’s plugin can sound better than Serum in at least one session/beat outcome

Unique Points Mentioned (Distinct Takeaways)

  1. The tested claim: AI may not match Serum 2 quality.
  2. Prompt strategy includes Serum images plus naming and VST3 requirements.
  3. GUI resizing was added because earlier Claude UI was too large.
  4. Both were generated and tested in FL Studio.
  5. Gemini’s plugin (“Morphea”) initially crashed FL Studio.
  6. Gemini was recovered through repeated debugging prompts.
  7. Gemini audio can sound “sick/fire” and be somewhat tweakable.
  8. Gemini UI was initially described as a disaster, despite being resizable.
  9. Gemini added ADSR knobs after extra prompting.
  10. Gemini had limited preset/control depth (notably only one usable preset mentioned; limited in-plugin customization).
  11. Gemini scored 4/10.
  12. Claude’s plugin name was “Nick’s Wave” with a fun feature called “Nova.”
  13. Claude’s first build (1 prompt) was visually stunning with animations.
  14. Early Claude output had incomplete/non-working dropdown/menu functionality.
  15. Claude received an extra prompt to fix UI/input selection.
  16. After fixes, Claude enabled sub level and noise level.
  17. “Nova” enables unusual/transition sounds.
  18. Claude’s sound design and presets were praised as potentially better than Serum.
  19. Claude scored ~9/10.
  20. The reviewer says they will likely use Claude’s plugin and asks which AI recreation to test next.

Speaker Viewpoints

  • The main reviewer (single primary voice) consistently focuses on:
    • Stability/usability (Gemini crashes; Claude opens fine)
    • Sound quality
    • UI/controls
    • Numeric ratings (Gemini 4/10, Claude ~9/10)
    • Comparisons to Serum, including Gemini’s earlier attempt

Original video