In 1996 Roland released the JP-8000, their first virtual analogue modelling synthesiser. The JP-8000 became very famous for one thing, the Super Saw. This unique sound helped define the trance music genre and is still commonly used in electronic dance music production today. The JP-4c is a Reaktor patch designed to emulate the infamous Super Saw oscillator.
The JP-4c is built upon a combination of research conducted by myself and other individuals, with the patch being able to effectively emulate the original Super Saw's unique timbre. Detailed research and analysis of the Super Saw found that the oscillator exhibits some interesting characteristics giving it a particular sound.
Detune Curve
Perhaps the most important element is the detune curve. Whereas many synthesisers would commonly use a linear detune amount, the Super Saw was found to have a varying detune amount through the use of a curve. This curve allows the user a much finer control over the detune amount applied to the oscillator, allowing them to create very smooth sounds with a minimal amount of detune or seemingly harsh textures as the amount is increased. This parameter has been accurately implemented within the JP-4c to achieve the same detune characteristics as the original.
Oscillator Shape
The original Super Saw oscillator makes use of a high pass filter to cut the harmonics below the fundamental frequency. This filter helps give the Super Saw its characteristic bright sound by attenuating the low frequencies while also shaping the waveform, producing a smoothing effect seen at the peaks. This effect has been carefully recreated within the JP-4c to achieve the same rich tone as the original.
Along with these, additional features have also been reproduced and implemented including a built array of sound shaping controls and effects detailed below.
Specifications
Super Saw Oscillator - Effective emulation of Roland's original layering of seven sawtooth waveforms
Second Oscillator - Four switchable waveform types (Triangle/Sine/Saw/Pulse)
Filter - Selectable Low Pass, Band Pass and High Pass with key follow
Modulation - 2x LFO's, Filter Envelope and Pitch Envelope
Effects - Tone Control, Distortion, Reverb, Chorus, Delay, Stereo Spread and Portamento.
32 Factory Presets - 12 Leads, 8 Pads, 5 Plucks, 4 Basses and 2 Effects
Demo
All sounds are directly from the JP-4c with no external effects used. Watch the video demo on YouTube.
Requirements
This patch requires Native Instrument's Reaktor version 5.9.4 or later. Please refer to Reaktor's manual for further information.
Download
Includes (4.4MB) -
- JP-4c Reaktor Patch
- An Analysis of Roland's Super Saw Oscillator and its Relation to Pads within Trance Music (Research Project)
- Read Me Guide