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How does one create that classic transformers sound effect?

Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:07 pm
by noiseassault
In the 80's cartoon they'd make that crunchy yet liquidy sounding noise whenever they'd transform

Outside of the cartoon, I've heard that style of sound manipulation used in a few songs.

Just off the top of my head:
Spor - Haunt Me
Babylon System - Loaded

How the hell does one accomplish this type of sound?
Is this something that particular synths can do themselves with proper patch tweaking, or does it require a specific application of external effects?

Please lay some knowledge on me

edit: I've no interest in sampling this, I'd much rather learn how to synthesize it

Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:10 pm
by misk
you mean the one that goes:

chee-cho-chaa-cho-cho-ch-ch-chee?

Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:19 pm
by z.u.bee
Misk wrote:you mean the one that goes:

chee-cho-chaa-cho-cho-ch-ch-chee?
:lol: :lol:

Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:39 pm
by addict
youtube/transformers/open sound recorder/press play/hit record.

works everytime.

or PM me. ;)

Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:54 pm
by z.u.bee
AdDICT wrote:youtube/transformers/open sound recorder/press play/hit record.

works everytime.

or PM me. ;)
might wanna pm me bro i could do with that noise too!!!

Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:55 am
by cursedc
basically your going to be taking noise generators with hi pass filters. You'll need an analog modeling synth to do this. Getting the exact sound is going to be very unlikely since it was created with an old synth, but have fun trying to recreate it. I've been moderately successful in backwards engineering sounds, but my best guess is that its a noise generator that makes that sound.

white or pink?

Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:13 am
by spencertron
i made this, it's a bit like it, kinda...granulised...24bit wav for ya...

transformer-ish.wav - 0.40MB

Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:24 am
by spencertron
and another
another.wav - 0.40MB

not an exact solution but along the right lines

Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:07 pm
by kato!
Well basically, what they did to create the sound your talking about was to create a very rapid arpeggiator patch, where they would have the notes playing so fast it would sound like a drone, this was then recorded to analog tape (sequencers were rare at the time and expensive), the tape was then cut into sections, giving that gated feel, and each part was filtered and pitch shifted.

Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 3:00 pm
by cursedc
I think a delay was used to, or a flanger setting with the speed up. gives it that granular feel.

I've never really thought of making that sound to be honest..

Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 3:37 pm
by kidlogic
Just do it Jazzy Jeff style and do a 'transformer' scratch of the 'Fressssssh" sound. :wink:

Re: How does one create that classic transformers sound effe

Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:40 pm
by FSTZ
NOISEassault wrote:Spor - Haunt Me
^^^great tune!
Misk wrote:chee-cho-chaa-cho-cho-ch-ch-chee?
^^^funniest thing you have ever posted!
kidlogic wrote:Just do it Jazzy Jeff style and do a 'transformer' scratch of the 'Fressssssh" sound. :wink:
HaHaHahaaaaa!!

Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:40 pm
by z.u.bee

Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:36 pm
by bscorpio
Kato! wrote:Well basically, what they did to create the sound your talking about was to create a very rapid arpeggiator patch, where they would have the notes playing so fast it would sound like a drone, this was then recorded to analog tape (sequencers were rare at the time and expensive), the tape was then cut into sections, giving that gated feel, and each part was filtered and pitch shifted.
interesting thread, i was wondering about this sound myself, where did you get your information from Kato?

Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:49 pm
by kato!
Well, if I told you that, I'd have to kill you! ha!

I just reversed engineered it really mate, with a little help from the sound design techniques I've learned from studying the BBC radiophonic workshop.

Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:08 am
by noiseassault
Kato! wrote:Well basically, what they did to create the sound your talking about was to create a very rapid arpeggiator patch, where they would have the notes playing so fast it would sound like a drone, this was then recorded to analog tape (sequencers were rare at the time and expensive), the tape was then cut into sections, giving that gated feel, and each part was filtered and pitch shifted.
In the words of Tappy Tibbons "We've got a winner"

Thank you very much.

Now time to experiment with this technique on other sounds