Tusker Posted March 11, 2001 Share Posted March 11, 2001 I was watching a bit of Star Wars (the original movie) today, and it struck me how original, unique and emotionally convincing the sound effects were... especially R2D2's groans, gurgles and bleeps. Anyone got an idea what they were done on? Also how they were done? Some of them are just sine waves (resonant filters?) being pitch modulated, but some of those sounds do seem pretty complex. Any ideas? This reminded of some Emo stuff from the early 70's as well as a "space music" cd I used to have. Anybody do this kind of sound design any more? Cheers, Jerry ------------------ www.tuskerfort.com This message has been edited by Tusker on 03-10-2001 at 07:34 PM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve44 Posted March 11, 2001 Share Posted March 11, 2001 That's funny.. I've never thought they were that original sounding. It all sounds like Classic Studio stuff to me.. listen to some Stockhausen and some early Milton Babbitt and you'll get the idea. But if I were to say it's all Modular Synthesis I'd not be helping since I don't really know how to use Modulars that well. My guess is that it's mostly FM and ring mod'd stuff to make it have that metallic quality, and there's probably a fair amount of Sample&Hold to make it sound randomized. But you're right that it has an amazing yet subtle vocal quality to it.. that's how it's believable and not just blips and farts. Anyways for all the new Star Wars sound design, they're using Kyma almost exclusively. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Hughes Posted March 11, 2001 Share Posted March 11, 2001 I'm pretty sure that they used an ARP 2600 to do the R2-D2 sounds . There was an article in Keyboard many years ago -- I'll see if I can find which on it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 12, 2001 Share Posted March 12, 2001 My guess is that it's mostly FM ... FM? in 1977? (release yr for Star Wars) If I remember correctly although John Chowning started working with FM in 1975, the 1st commercial products didn't come up till the early 80's. My money is on the ARP. (which mades its way into close encounters) Rod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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