Gated Super Saw Lead for Psytrance
Watch the full breakdown
A super saw is a stack of detuned saw waves, wide and lush, the classic trance wall of sound. On its own it is a pad. Gate it, chop it rhythmically with a volume pattern, and it becomes a driving, pulsing lead that locks to the groove.
In the video Psiger builds the super saw and applies the gating to turn it into a rhythmic lead. Here is how it comes together.
- A super saw is a stack of detuned saws, wide and lush.
- The detune creates the width. Keep the sub controlled so it does not muddy the low end.
- A rhythmic gate chops the sustained saw into a pulsing lead.
- Match the gate pattern to the track rhythm so it reinforces the groove.
- Filtering, delay and reverb give the gated lead character and motion.
Build the super saw
▶ Play from 0:00
Stack several detuned saw waves so they beat against each other and create width and thickness. That detune is what gives the super saw its lush, wide character. Serum unison or layered oscillators both get you there.
Keep the sub range under control so all that width does not muddy the low end.
Gate it rhythmically
▶ Play from 3:00Apply a rhythmic gate, a volume pattern that opens and closes in time with the beat, so the sustained super saw is chopped into a pulsing rhythm. This is what turns a static pad into a driving lead that grooves.
Match the gate pattern to the track rhythm so the lead reinforces the groove rather than fighting it.
Shape and finish the lead
▶ Play from 6:00
Shape the gated lead with filtering and effects: a little movement on the filter, delay for space and reverb for depth. The gating provides the rhythm, the filtering and FX provide the character and the sense of motion.
Automate the filter across a section so the lead builds energy over time.