EricBarker Posted December 12, 2022 Share Posted December 12, 2022 My band got hired to play the halftime at a hockey game the other night. Over the sound system they had a bunch of canned pop tune covers and “hokey hockey schlock” jingles. Almost every single one featured a ridiculously spread “Super Saw” (I’d never heard that term until the electronica crowd started using it in the 90s). It hit me that the Super Saw is the mating call of the dude bro. Why did I not realize this before?! 2 Quote Puck Funk! Equipment: Laptop running lots of nerdy software, some keyboards, noise makersâ¦yada yada yadaâ¦maybe a cat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty Motif Max Posted December 12, 2022 Share Posted December 12, 2022 Interesting take. That supersaw sound dominated pop for a long time too - probably 2009 to 2016-ish from what I recall. It does seem that it’s hard to get a really good supersaw sound on many keyboards in my experience. But ironically, I do like that sound a lot. I just never actually use it. Another sound that is adjacent to this is the crunchy/moderately-distorted square wave sound that was popular around the same time. Usually played in 3rds offset by an octave. Trance still uses a lot of both. 1 Quote Yamaha: Motif XF8, MODX7, YS200, CVP-305, CLP-130, YPG-235, PSR-295, PSS-470 | Roland: Fantom 7, JV-1000 Kurzweil: PC3-76| Hammond: SK Pro 73 | Korg: Triton LE 76, N1R, X5DR | Emu: Proteus/1 | Casio: CT-370 | Novation: Launchkey 37 MK3 | Technics: WSA1R Former: Emu Proformance Plus & Mo'Phatt, Korg Krome 61, Roland Fantom XR & JV-1010, Yamaha MX61, Behringer CAT, Kurzweil PC4 (88) Assorted electric & acoustic guitars and electric basses | Roland TD-17 KVX | Alesis SamplePad Pro | Assorted organs, accordions, other instruments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piktor Posted December 12, 2022 Share Posted December 12, 2022 Eric, your post made me laugh. I have a Virus, but I never make that sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldwin Funster Posted December 12, 2022 Share Posted December 12, 2022 I've gone in on some super saw patches and reduced the detune and it makes it much more usable. The stock super saw sound in rolands just sounds like there is no sweet spot where you can get your lead to sing. But thin out the voices and tune them up a bit and it's much better. Quote FunMachine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyberGene Posted December 12, 2022 Share Posted December 12, 2022 I can’t stand that supersaw sound. I’m a fan of EDM and electronic music but the supersaw is mostly used in those types that I dislike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricBarker Posted December 12, 2022 Author Share Posted December 12, 2022 I started hearing the sound in the mid-90s with dance pop. I suspect it goes back to 80s romplers and polysynths. Someone was like, “Keith Emerson did it with 3 oscillators… try 10, biotch!” The stuff I heard at the hockey game was basically 90s dance pop, the stuff I remember from High School functions. Somehow the soggy biscuit crowd has preserved that genre to the T. Quote Puck Funk! Equipment: Laptop running lots of nerdy software, some keyboards, noise makersâ¦yada yada yadaâ¦maybe a cat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timwat Posted December 12, 2022 Share Posted December 12, 2022 And because this is a Full Service forum, here's a basic instructional video: 1 2 Quote .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovernorSilver Posted December 12, 2022 Share Posted December 12, 2022 I've had some fun trying replicate the supersaw sound on this track on my Roland MC-707, which has Supersaw oscillators. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricBarker Posted December 12, 2022 Author Share Posted December 12, 2022 I literally don’t understand the “How To” videos on how to make a super saw. It’s just a bunch of saws with a spread. Set the polysynth to mono and use a spread knob (Oberheim style), or whatever every VST calls it. If you’re on a monosynth, detune each oscillator and maybe apply some chorus if not quite phallic enough. Clapton used to talk about his “Woman Tone”. Super Saw should be referred to as the “Fred Durst Tone” 1 3 Quote Puck Funk! Equipment: Laptop running lots of nerdy software, some keyboards, noise makersâ¦yada yada yadaâ¦maybe a cat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzpiano88 Posted December 12, 2022 Share Posted December 12, 2022 3 hours ago, timwat said: And because this is a Full Service forum, here's a basic instructional video: Fascinating! I never knew this had a name and such an implementation. Thanks! I think PBS uses it in their tone between programs (analogous to NBC 3-tone). Quote J a z z P i a n o 8 8 -- Yamaha C7D Montage M8x | CP300 | CP4 | SK1-73 | OB6 | Seven K8.2 | 3300 | CPSv.3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyRude Posted December 13, 2022 Share Posted December 13, 2022 Perhaps for us more junior boardists, we can work our way up to the supersaw, starting with some more rudimentary versions, such as a hacksaw? A circular saw? A bandsaw? 2 Quote Some music I've recorded and played over the years with a few different bands Tommy Rude Soundcloud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allan_evett Posted December 13, 2022 Share Posted December 13, 2022 In our television market, WGN9 uses a background track for its nightly sports segment. I suspect the composition is called, ‘Variations on a Supersaw’. And the famed ‘Hoover bass’ is very present as well… Quote 'Someday, we'll look back on these days and laugh; likely a maniacal laugh from our padded cells, but a laugh nonetheless' - Mr. Boffo. We need a barfing cat emoticon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricBarker Posted December 13, 2022 Author Share Posted December 13, 2022 Man, that Hoover Bass really sucks. 3 Quote Puck Funk! Equipment: Laptop running lots of nerdy software, some keyboards, noise makersâ¦yada yada yadaâ¦maybe a cat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Havu Posted December 13, 2022 Share Posted December 13, 2022 7 hours ago, EricBarker said: Man, that Hoover Bass really sucks. A big thanks to Eric Persing and the Alpha Juno for that. All I can say is: What the?? 1 Quote Hardware Yamaha MODX7, DX7, PSR-530, MX61/Korg Karma/Ensoniq ESQ-1 Behringer DeepMind12, Model D, Odyssey, 2600/Arturia Keylab MKII 61 Software Studio One/V Collection 9/Korg Collection 4/Cherry Audio/UVI SonicPass/EW Composer Cloud/Omnisphere, Stylus RMX, Trilian/IK Total Studio 3.5 MAX/Roland Cloud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marino Posted December 13, 2022 Share Posted December 13, 2022 I love supersaws! They work great to give digital synths and softsynths that bit of extra thickness - which is *not* necessairly a hoover or a lead for dance music riffs. If you keep the number of clones to a reasonable amount, and especially when you modulate the amount of detune slightly with a random lfo, a supersaw oscillator can sound very musical. At least, much more musical than a straight saw wave produced by a digital synth... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allan_evett Posted December 13, 2022 Share Posted December 13, 2022 11 hours ago, EricBarker said: Man, that Hoover Bass really sucks. But I hear its popularity is picking up... 1 2 Quote 'Someday, we'll look back on these days and laugh; likely a maniacal laugh from our padded cells, but a laugh nonetheless' - Mr. Boffo. We need a barfing cat emoticon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allan_evett Posted December 13, 2022 Share Posted December 13, 2022 33 minutes ago, marino said: I love supersaws! They work great to give digital synths and softsynths that bit of extra thickness - which is *not* necessairly a hoover or a lead for dance music riffs. If you keep the number of clones to a reasonable amount, and especially when you modulate the amount of detune slightly with a random lfo, a supersaw oscillator can sound very musical. At least, much more musical than a straight saw wave produced by a digital synth... All joking aside, supersaws can be quite useful. I've programmed a few pads and string patches that started as a basic supersaw sound. And with some envelope shaping they can turn into monstrous 'plucky' tones. 1 Quote 'Someday, we'll look back on these days and laugh; likely a maniacal laugh from our padded cells, but a laugh nonetheless' - Mr. Boffo. We need a barfing cat emoticon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoken6 Posted December 13, 2022 Share Posted December 13, 2022 16 hours ago, TommyRude said: Perhaps for us more junior boardists, we can work our way up to the supersaw, starting with some more rudimentary versions, such as a hacksaw? A circular saw? A bandsaw? Avoid the coldsaw, that's my advice. Cheers, Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnector Posted December 13, 2022 Share Posted December 13, 2022 I think it's still useful when edited and transformed into something new. It's been so over used that you pretty much have to take it somewhere else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoken6 Posted December 13, 2022 Share Posted December 13, 2022 2 hours ago, allan_evett said: All joking aside, supersaws can be quite useful. I've programmed a few pads and string patches that started as a basic supersaw sound. And with some envelope shaping they can turn into monstrous 'plucky' tones. This. I played Superstition at my last gig (yes, seriously, don't look so surprised), and it got a bit "jam"my. BL nodded a solo my way, and I dialled up my funkiest sawtooth-with-filter-envelope patch. Sync mod on the pedal, filter sweep on aftertouch - let's say it was popular with the boys in the band. Cheers, Mike. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Emm Posted December 14, 2022 Share Posted December 14, 2022 I don't find the supersaw to be the douchiest sound. For me, its that basic resonant Minimoog pig-squeal I've heard used 5000 times as a lead. I've loved my Moogs, but that one sound could be retired and I'd be fine with it. I once owned a Mini and that was never its best feature, IMO. I know I can also CRAM my view that a phased Solina is a big snore. Its seen some good use in quality hands, but it was a stepping stone to better string sounds, so it has a mildew-y aroma for me. This is where the FIRST WORLD PROBLEM light behind the audience stars flashing. Quote "Stay tuned for a new band: Out Of Sync." ~ "The Vet Life" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldwin Funster Posted December 14, 2022 Share Posted December 14, 2022 There are some things that I can't imagine using any other string sound than a phased solina-ish sound. Pink Floyd Pigs x3 for instance. Styx come sail away. I'm sure a full thread could be started about how that sound makes certain covers perfect. Back to supersaws, without them non melodic, 2 chord E to F vamps at raves and halftime shows just wouldn't sound right. Imagine that with a modern string sound. Quote FunMachine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baggypants Posted December 14, 2022 Share Posted December 14, 2022 I love the ludicrous fun of a supersaw riff with the filter resonance cranked up and an lfo on the lowpass cutoff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Threadslayer Posted December 14, 2022 Share Posted December 14, 2022 On 12/12/2022 at 9:06 PM, TommyRude said: Perhaps for us more junior boardists, we can work our way up to the supersaw, starting with some more rudimentary versions, such as a hacksaw? A circular saw? A bandsaw? I think the OP may need a coping saw... 2 Quote Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. -Mark Twain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyRude Posted December 14, 2022 Share Posted December 14, 2022 4 hours ago, Threadslayer said: I think the OP may need a coping saw... perhaps Apple has a version.. the i-saw? And a companion app, the u-saw Quote Some music I've recorded and played over the years with a few different bands Tommy Rude Soundcloud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzpiano88 Posted December 14, 2022 Share Posted December 14, 2022 PBS SuperSaw SAW_PBS.mp3 1 Quote J a z z P i a n o 8 8 -- Yamaha C7D Montage M8x | CP300 | CP4 | SK1-73 | OB6 | Seven K8.2 | 3300 | CPSv.3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill H. Posted December 14, 2022 Share Posted December 14, 2022 Sounds like 3 saws on a Minimoog to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfD Posted December 14, 2022 Share Posted December 14, 2022 There is no law stating that a SuperSaw has to be used in the exact same way as [insert track here]. The only reason any sound becomes cheesy is because musicians insist on using it just like the ad nauseam tracks they've grown to hate. 😎 Quote PD "The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."--E. Ahbez "Nature Boy" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Paxton Posted December 15, 2022 Share Posted December 15, 2022 I had never thought of synth sounds in terms of douchiness level before, but given the ways I can recall ever hearing the supersaw in actual use, I can find no grounds to disagree with the OP. The song I most associate it with is "Party Rock Is In the House Tonight," which certainly fits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzpiano88 Posted December 15, 2022 Share Posted December 15, 2022 Can anyone remind me who did this SuperSaw line? I used to quote it in the middle of Chameleon but can't remember its source. It might be Jeff Beck / Jan. / / / // / / // / / / / / // / G Bb C E C Bb F E Bb^2 A G F E C^2 Quote J a z z P i a n o 8 8 -- Yamaha C7D Montage M8x | CP300 | CP4 | SK1-73 | OB6 | Seven K8.2 | 3300 | CPSv.3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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