Roland JP-8000 - The Supersaw

The Supersaw

The Supersaw is a special waveform originally created by Roland for their JP-8000 and JP-8080 line of analog modeling synthesizers. The idea behind the Supersaw is to emulate the sound of more than one sawtooth oscillator using just one oscillator. The waveform is described as a freerun oscillator and its shape is produced from 7 sawtooth oscillators detuned against each other over a period of time.

Since production of the JP-8000 ceased, several companies have incorporated "Supersaw-like" oscillator algorithms into their hardware and software synthesizers. SUPERWAVE P8 is an example of a software synthesizer inspired by the architecture of the JP-8000 with its multiple sawtooth oscillators, another one being Supersaw Plus which has a JP-8000-style interface and a variation on the supersaw waveform allowing for 2, 4, 6 or 10 oscillators. In 2005 Access Music released their new TI-line of synthesizers which feature an oscillator typed called Hypersaw, which has similar functionality to Roland's Supersaw oscillator. Roland has also continued to produce other synthesizers such as the SH-201, the SH-01, the Roland V-Synth, and the Roland V-Synth XT that have the Supersaw as an available oscillator type.

The Supersaw gained much popularity in electronic dance music, especially with its use in hardcore, hardstyle and anthem trance. From 2006, as hard stomping dance music began to dominate the music charts; the Supersaw waveform had a sudden surge in popularity; being used in many mainstream pop songs, such as songs performed by artists including: The Saturdays, LMFAO, Jason Derulo, Lady Gaga, JLS, Calvin Harris and many more.