KVR Audio

Architeuthis · Post by **Architeuthis** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 5:58 am

THE WINNER OF THE BEST SUPERSAW (imo) IS HELIX!

But wait, it gets better. Because I spent hours testing supersaws on all those synths I discovered something.

The only way to get the most powerful supersaw is to combine the supersaws of two different synthesizers.

You're basically gauranteed the most powerful supersaw if you combine Helix with any other synth. That's the only way to do it and I'm stickin' to it.

Combine any of the following with your favorite synth:
Helix (free)
Toxic III (commercial)
ZeroVector (commercial)
Sylenth1 (commercial)
Synth1 (free)

...and you have a very powerful supersaw.

Why not combine the same synth twice? It's very simple. The sound of two different synths and their supersaws are different enough in timbre and harmonics that when combined, they don't cancel each other out and they don't phase or flange. After all, one synth can only add so many saws before it starts sounding like white noise.

Tips for a powerful supersaw
Step 1 - Enable two saws
Step 2 - Pitch the saws -0.05 to -0.25 and +0.05 to +0.25
Step 3 - Multiply both saws to 16. (2 Supersaws / 32 saws)
Step 4 - Detune to your liking
Step 5 - Pan the saws -10% to -50% and +10% to +50%
Step 6 - Grab another synth, repeat steps 1 to 5. Layer. You're done!

Optional: Add a small bit of soft distortion to the supersaws to increase the power.

Optional: Chorus/Unison/Ensemble should be used sparingly or not at all.

Optional: Use a non-pingpong delay set to 8ths is the classic setting. Try it out before you go crazy with delay settings

Optional: A tiny bit of unrealistic, synthy, and silky reverb. Try KarmaFX free plugin pack: http://karmafx.net/index.html (has a nice reverb)

Other tips: Play around with your synth. Try pitching the saws to different octaves. Add some squares to the mix, etc. This will all change the tone of your supersaw if you want a more heavy/original sound.
__________________

http://www.elanhickler.com/d/sawcompare2.mp3
(In order in which they appear)
Helix
Toxic III
ZeroVector
Sylenth1
Synth1
Zebra2 (x11)
Zebra2 (x4)
Gladiator
Vanguard
Sytrus
Nexsyn
Predator
Surge
Supersaw
Xhip
Transcender 2
Superwave P8
Nexus does not generate its own waves

Shy · Post by **Shy** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 6:05 am

Roland JP-8000

ATS · Post by **ATS** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 6:09 am

"Gladiator doesn't seem to sound as powerful as Synth 1"

what planet are you from?

Synth1 can't hold a candle to Gladiator. Synth1 is also SOOO overrated. The price is right for it though.

jeffb01 · Post by **jeffb01** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 6:19 am

the virus TI has the 'hypersaw'...

ckatrun411 · Post by **ckatrun411** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 6:27 am

Gladiator has a hypersaw algy.

Gladiator is a great soft synth really, it's super unique sounding. people don't give Markus enough credit around here. Just because its so obvious he is a trance head

Architeuthis · Post by **Architeuthis** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 7:08 am

Ok, if you think Gladiator is the best a supersaw then you can just say so. I'm looking for opinions.

MaliceX · Post by **MaliceX** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 7:15 am

Helix.

And it's free too, and low-CPU. It just needs a bit of work GUI-wise, and that anti-alias bug that's currently locked onto the high ends.

ckatrun411 · Post by **ckatrun411** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 7:18 am

I don't think there is a best supersaw.... maybe the virus, maybe Jeff is right then

Chris Walton · Post by **Chris Walton** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 7:21 am

I've yet to find anything that beats my 16 3xOsc setup (48 sawtooth oscillators, per note - not even sylenth can do that

).

Sylenth does a good supersaw too but I really don't like it's filter.

napalmbob · Post by **napalmbob** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 7:23 am

Transcender 2 (simple, but good): http://www.dreamvortexstudio.co.uk/5627/

Superwave P8 (JP8000 sound-alike): http://home2.btconnect.com/christopherg/main.htm

CM Dominator (lots of classic presets): available with Computer Music magazine.

Cygnus X-1 · Post by **Cygnus X-1** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 7:35 am

Shy wrote:Roland JP-8000

....and the SH-201.

MaliceX · Post by **MaliceX** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 7:47 am

Chris Walton wrote:I've yet to find anything that beats my 16 3xOsc setup (48 sawtooth oscillators, per note - not even sylenth can do that ).

Sylenth does a good supersaw too but I really don't like it's filter.

Helix:

4xOSC x 16 Unison voices, with an option of octaves.

64 simultaneous saw oscillators, or 128 simultaneous single-cycle saws if you count octaves.

It just needs some work, but it's already sounding great, and uses shit all CPU.

Chris Walton · Post by **Chris Walton** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 7:52 am

Well, then I'll just have to turn on the 21x per-3xOsc unison, giving me 336 sawtooths

/me puts "try helix" on TODO

docdued · Post by **docdued** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 7:58 am

+1 for Superwave P8...

Chris Walton · Post by **Chris Walton** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 8:02 am

-1 for Superwave P8, there are other synths out there easier to use, plus it's synthedit so it won't work on multicore systems, plus the developers have disappeared so don't expect updates once SynthEdit has a multicore fix.

What's the best synth for Supersaw? [note: ancient thread]