I was just listening to Halo 2 soundtrack (vol. 1 & 2) composed by Martin O'Donnell and I realized something: the string section in these pieces sounds a lot like some of the commonly used Supersaw sounds.
I know there are a lot of people on this board that say Supersaw is overused and lacks originality. I just wanted to know, do the same people believe that the orchestra's string section is overused and unoriginal and they should try using something else in place of the string section?
I believe that the Supersaw and its various permutations are signature sounds of trance leads - just like the string section in the orchestra or a big, screaming, distorted, layered lead guitar in a rock song.
Just ranting. What are your thoughts?
___________________
Is it not beautiful to watch the sunrise until the dark explodes with light...
Registered: Nov 2004
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
You could say that the electric guitar sound is overused in rock... What does it matter?
.
You're a producer... You listen to music differently than the general public who doesn't even know what a supersaw is.
Dec-17-2006 21:37
Mr.Mystery
Static Guru
Registered: Dec 2001
Location: Vantaa
Supersaw in trance is a cop-out. If you can't think of anything else to use as your lead sound, just chuck a supersaw in there (though supersaw would be a good instrument if someone actually bothered to do something else with it than the same damn thing everyone does anyway).
In orchestrated music you don't really have much choice since what else could you replace strings with? Furthermore, strings don't sound the same every single time.
Registered: Sep 2001
Location: tranceaddict wants to know your location
i like the supersaw. i happen to think its harmonically rich and vibrant if used correctly, supersaw stabs are just cheesy and dj sammy should be shot.
oh and i dont care what any of u think because i just dont.
There are plenty of instruments they could use to replace the string section in orchestrated music, but none of them will give you that full-bodied, thick sound capable of producing uplifting or dramatic effects as a multitude of violins and cellos played in a slightly detuned unison (kind of like supersaw, or multiple detuned saw waves if you like that better).
I'm not promoting the use of solely the original "Supersaw" sound, but the sound has to be think and full for trance leads in my opinion.
___________________
Is it not beautiful to watch the sunrise until the dark explodes with light...
the supersaw is more of a...stylistic thing i guess you could say, not an instrument, like the violin.
it's an overused sound in trance, much like gypsy string players do those over exagerated slides on thier violins(sorry couldnt think of a better example right now); ya it gets unoriginal and cliche after awhile. and it's a style!
so really, who gives a fuck about the supersaw and whether it's "cool" or "respectable" to use.
Dec-17-2006 22:31
sterilis
Sunset Ibiza
Registered: May 2005
Location: Belfast/Ibiza/Manchester
if you like something use it if you dont so fuck, no one really cares anyway.
Supersaw "washes" and pads sound good to me, but I don't like the supersaw as a lead sound at all really.
Dec-17-2006 23:35
substorm
Onova|2007
Registered: Jun 2005
Location: Tranceland
Well i think i depends on what track your are making and how you use the sound. In my opinion, i like the sound, i use it in allmost all of my production, but that maybe is just becuse i havent found any other sound that i personally like having as a lead sound.
But i think it has a nice rich sound to it, and can bring some nice energy to a track. But there are other sounds that can to this to, bt again i think it depends on how the track is built and what should be the peak of the track.
I like it the best when the lead is layered with a supersaw and have it going in the background to another sound, bring a nice uplifting feeling.
I you are gonna use the supersaw as the "main lead" i think you ned to have a really strong melody to use it with, otherwise it can sound really irritating.
Registered: Dec 2002
Location: Toronto, Self-proclaimed Centre of the Universe
You've got a fairly limited choice of instruments to use when composing orchestral music.
On the other hand, when producing electronic music, you're limited only by your imagination and ability. Using the same sound(s) that have already been used in thousands of existing tracks shows a distinct lack of both - especially when it's used in exactly the same way with almost the same progressions as those other tracks.
Nice try though. Thanks for comin' out.
___________________
My party schedule:
2009-02-21 - DJ Attention @ I'm So Popular
2009-06-18 - DJ Annoying @ People Need To Know Where I'll Be
2012-11-32 - DJ Insufferable ɸ Or At Least the Stalkers I Complain About
2048-06-66 - Spastic & Whocares � Although I'm Actually Flattered
9999-45-81 - Tweaker Gimp ☼ I Probably Won't Even Go To This But I Have To Make Sure I Fill Up All The Available Space Here
Dec-18-2006 02:13
DJ Shibby
Amphoteric Superbase
Registered: Jul 2004
Location: Of Earthzen and the Therethen
quote:
Originally posted by 4am
You could say that the electric guitar sound is overused in rock... What does it matter?
.
You're a producer... You listen to music differently than the general public who doesn't even know what a supersaw is.