Hello, lovers of powerful synthesizer sound! Today, we will dive into the world of virtual instruments and get acquainted with a very interesting plugin called Pterosaur from the developers at Contralogic Productions. If you’ve ever dreamed of creating dense, voluminous, and truly fat timbres that fill the sound space, then this tool can become your trusted assistant in the studio.
What is Pterosaur?
Pterosaur is not just another virtual synthesizer. It’s a sound monster built around the concept of “supersaw”. This type of waveform has become legendary thanks to its use in iconic hardware synthesizers, such as the Roland JP-8000. And it is this synthesizer, as the developers themselves note, that inspired Pterosaur.
The main feature that distinguishes Pterosaur from many other plugins is its impressive architecture. Imagine not one, not two, but as many as 16 oscillators working simultaneously! Each of these oscillators generates a sawtooth wave – the basis for creating rich, “chorused” timbres. But the real magic begins when you get the opportunity to control each of these 16 oscillators independently.
Sound Shaping Capabilities
The inspiration from the Roland JP-8000 is felt in the key features of Pterosaur, which allow you to achieve that signature “supersaw” sound:
- Independent Detune: Each of the 16 oscillators can be individually detuned relative to the main tone. This allows you to create incredibly wide, dense, and voluminous timbres that literally tear the sound canvas apart. Smooth detune adjustments open the door to a multitude of variations – from light “chorus” to extremely dissonant and experimental textures.
- Independent Panning: In addition to detuning, you can also independently pan each oscillator in the stereo field. This allows you to create wide stereo images, distributing individual components of the sound to the left and right. Such control over space adds depth and three-dimensionality to your sounds, making them more dynamic and interesting for the listener.
These two functions together – independent detuning and panning – are key to achieving the multi-layered, rich sound that the Supersaw concept is famous for.
Oscillator and its Features
The basic waveform generated by the Pterosaur oscillators is a classic sawtooth wave. It is this shape that is the foundation for creating most “supersaw” timbres, as it contains a rich spectrum of harmonics. However, Pterosaur is not limited to just the saw.
With the help of the special “mod” control, you can transform the basic sawtooth wave into a kind of hybrid of sawtooth and pulse waves. This capability adds another layer of flexibility to sound design, allowing you to create timbres with different characters – from bright and ringing to more rich and rough. By experimenting with the “mod” control, you can find unique textures that will fit perfectly into your mix.
Who is this plugin for?
Pterosaur is ideal for musicians, sound engineers, and producers who work in electronic music genres (trance, techno, house, drum and bass), as well as in any other styles where powerful, wide, and expressive synthesizer timbres are needed. It will prove itself perfectly in creating leads, pads, background textures, and even basses (although its main strength is in the high and mid registers).
Conclusion
Pterosaur from Contralogic Productions is an impressive virtual synthesizer that successfully transfers the legendary “supersaw” sound to the world of modern DAWs. Thanks to its 16-oscillator architecture, independent detuning and panning control, as well as the ability to morph the waveform, it provides unprecedented flexibility in creating rich and voluminous timbres. If you are looking for a tool that can add power and width to your synthesizer parts, Pterosaur definitely deserves your attention. Try it and see for yourself its capabilities!
