Laser - Zap & bubbles

[exquisiteoath]

I don't know if this is the right place for this,
but I'm wondering if anyone can provide me the basic concept (ie sine wave through a filter type of basic) behind the stereotypical sizzle laser zap effect. I can't seem to figure out the right priniciples to put this one together.

That and bubbles, you know the mad scientist burbling bubble sound? What drives that?


All help is appreciated!

[bjarnenorheim]

This sounds is best made with very basic subtractive synthesis.
Experiment with envelopes on filter freq, osc freq etc

What synth do you use?

[exquisiteoath]

Using a number of freeware VSTi's including Godkiller, Texture, Res and Anna.

[bjarnenorheim]

hello
I have no experience with the synths you own.
For analogue bubbles you need a resonant filter with a steep curve (4/6 poles) connected to an lfo.

if you experiment with a capable subtracive synth you will stumble across all this sounds!

Good luck

[gsoto]

For the bubbles, I think that the basic element (one bubble) could be constructed from a sine-like wave, pitch modulated by a short ramp-like envelope (you can modulate a filter with high resonance for that purpose).
Then, to produce the bubbling, trigger many of these "elements" randomly over time, inserting variations in each one. For example, here I used different pitches simply by hitting random keys.

About the laser, I'm not sure of the exact sound you are after. Any examples?
It's funny how if you reverse the bubbles effect you get some sort of laser sound.

[exquisiteoath]

@bjarnenorheim... I'll keep on playing around. A number of the syths I work with do have subtractive capabilities and good filters
@gsoto... the zap is the old 70's fx sound, starts with a steep attack, maybe a triangle wave and then a "sizzle" for lack of a better word (maybe a rapid lfo attached to a highpass filter?)

[pricer]

The famous star wars laser blasts were from hammering wires on a radio tower, so it may be useful to incorporate some real-world sounds too. It's also good to consider the scale of the laser being used - for a sci-fi sound design project - i used some pitched down servo motors along with some other mechanical sounds to sell the mechanical side of the laser.

[pricer]

For underwater or "gloopy" sounds, you could create a makeshift hydrophone - just use a dynamic microphone (i.e. no phantom power) and bag it up in a condom, tie it above the XLR cable and away you go. The sound you'll receive is often based on the consistency of the liquid you place your microphone in - for example, for really gloopy sounds you could try thick yoghurt or even dog food (both were used on T2 for the T1000).

[gsoto]

@gsoto... the zap is the old 70's fx sound, starts with a steep attack, maybe a triangle wave and then a "sizzle" for lack of a better word (maybe a rapid lfo attached to a highpass filter?)

Mmmm, I still don't figure the exact sound. Something like this maybe?

[exquisiteoath]

Yes, that's pretty much it. (though perhaps with a highpass filter to cut out the low end, but that's a final tweak sort of thing.

[gsoto]

Ok, what I did is pretty simple. I used Xhip, no oscillators, filter in self oscillation modulated by an envelope with short decay. Then I put a hard clipper at the output (Xhip Effects Hardclip).
I think that the base of the sound should be the fast envelope modulating the pitch down. You can use a pulse wave with similar results, or add a fast LFO for different effects, like you said.
Post your results!

[exquisiteoath]

I won't get a chance to tool around with my stuff till this weekend coming, but once I have then I certainly will.

I don't know Xhip, but I think I can create similar with the synths I do have.