Native Instruments announce Super*Saw | SM Mastering

Visual context for Native Instruments announce Super*Saw.

The electronic music production landscape is buzzing with excitement as **native instruments announce super*saw**, a groundbreaking collaboration with Grammy-winning producer A. G. Cook. Known for shaping the hyperpop movement through his visionary work with Charli XCX, Beyoncé, and Caroline Polachek, Cook has brought his signature wall-of-sound aesthetic directly into the software domain. This new synthesizer is designed to deliver the wide, harmonically rich, and beautifully detuned textures that have defined modern pop and electronic music over the last decade. Here at SM Mastering Audio Articles, we look at how this highly anticipated release impacts modern mixing, mastering, and sound design workflows.

Technical Breakdown: Native Instruments Announce Super*Saw

At its core, the synthesizer is built around a pair of independent 16-saw oscillator banks. Unlike traditional virtual analog synthesizers, this instrument handles massive stacks of sawtooth waves with unprecedented phase-coherence and tonal clarity. When **native instruments announce super*saw**, they highlight the central X-Y pad that allows users to blend seamlessly between four distinct patch states. This morphing capability is supported by per-voice Glide and Offset controls, giving producers precise control over the microtonal variations that make A. G. Cook’s productions feel incredibly dynamic and alive. Additional features include Chord, Scale, and Quantize functions to ensure that even the most complex, detuned stacks remain perfectly in key.

Integrating Super*Saw into Your Mastering Chain

From a mastering perspective, dense sawtooth waves can present unique challenges in the low-mid and high-frequency regions. When **native instruments announce super*saw**, engineers immediately began discussing the potential headroom challenges of such wide, harmonically dense signals. To manage this in your masters, we recommend using high-quality dynamic processors from industry leaders like iZotope to tame harsh resonances without losing the stereo width that makes this synth so unique. By combining the internal two- and four-pole high-pass filters of the synth with precise linear-phase EQ, you can achieve a massive pop sound that translates perfectly to club systems.

Practical Studio Workflow Tips

• Control the Low End: Use the built-in high-pass filter to cut unnecessary mud before routing the synth to your master bus. Doing this keeps your low-mids clean and leaves plenty of headroom for the kick and bass.
• Automate the X-Y Pad: Draw automation lanes in your DAW for the central X-Y pad to create evolving transitions rather than static blocks of sound. This adds organic movement to long builds.
• Leverage the Integration: Super*Saw integrates seamlessly with Komplete Kontrol, allowing you to map the macro controls to hardware for hands-on, tactile sound design during live sessions.

Conclusion: A New Era of Pop Sound Design

The announcement of this plugin marks a significant shift in how accessible high-tier hyperpop sound design has become. Now that **native instruments announce super*saw**, producers of all levels can harness the precise sonic textures that once required complex custom routing and multiple layered hardware synths. This tool is set to become a staple in modern electronic production, offering rich harmonics that cut through any mix beautifully while maintaining the structural integrity required for professional mastering.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Super*Saw different from a standard supersaw synth?

It features dual 16-saw oscillator banks designed in collaboration with A. G. Cook, utilizing a unique X-Y pad to morph between patch states and per-voice Glide/Offset controls for unmatched stereo depth and microtonal variation.

Is Super*Saw compatible with NKS-supported MIDI controllers?

Yes, it offers full integration with Native Instruments’ Komplete Kontrol keyboards and Maschine hardware, allowing for seamless hands-on control mapping out of the box.

Can I use this synth for genres other than hyperpop?

Absolutely. While optimized for Cook’s signature pop sound, its harmonic density and modulation capabilities make it perfect for trance, future bass, synthwave, cinematic sound design, and modern indie pop.

Written by SM Mastering

Official content on sound engineering, mixing, mastering, and advanced electronic production by SM Mastering.