KVR Audio

MIDICH1 · Post by **MIDICH1** » Sun Feb 12, 2012 11:23 pm

Does anyone know if anyone has sampled this bad boy and if there is an Audio Unit for it?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaster_Beam

Old Crab · Post by **Old Crab** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 2:11 am

MIDICH1 wrote:Does anyone know if anyone has sampled this bad boy and if there is an Audio Unit for it?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaster_Beam

I'm glad you posted this since I'm a huge Jerry Goldsmith fan and I always assumed this was some kind of synthesizer making the sound.

I'm not familiar with this particular track, but it gives a fair indictaion for others what we're talking about:

A more well known track (at least to Goldsmith/StarTrek fans) may be this one:

Yes, someone definitely sample that sucka!

OC

Shabdahbriah · Post by **Shabdahbriah** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 2:48 am

I've always been intrigued by and experimented with "unique" instruments and odd-ball (whether planned or spontaneous) recording, editing, and FXing techniques. Most of which for film, stage, or 'foley' use.

This instrument has gotten its fair share of my interest, to the degree that the prospect of replicating it was my 'impulse-buy' motivator for getting IL's Sakura the INSTANT I saw that opportunity, upon its release.

Fascinating instrument, particularly running through fx. I love how the interface looks and 'feels', too.

I've gotten what I've wanted and then some, with many unusual and/or just different string related "sounds".

fwiw: try the demo

Requisite IL 10% 'discount' link for new-IL customers:

Sakura

(prices shown reflect the 10% discount)

Karmacomposer · Post by **Karmacomposer** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:57 am

I did not know this existed, yet was the sound making hardware for some of my all time favorite movies.

Believe me, if I had access to one, I would sample the hell out of it. However, something tells me that would not cut it. The instrument is obviously based on how you play it and what you play it with, giving far too many nuances.

But, imageline does make several synths that could do the job - kind of. Harmor, Ogun and Sakura could make versions of it in experienced hands.

I do feel this could be emulated in a MODELLED synth or hardware station. Since I do own such a hardware modelling station, I am going to set it up and see if I can make something that sounds close.

Nice challenge.

Mike

Neon Breath · Post by **Neon Breath** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 5:23 am

This is fantastic! I wasn't aware of the existence of this Beam. Awesome, thanks for sharing!

Another cool video I found when doing some research on this badass...

LBN · Post by **LBN** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 5:36 am

Almost sounds similar in description to the Anti Tank Guitar.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti_Tank_Guitar

whyterabbyt · Post by **whyterabbyt** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:29 am

LBN wrote:Almost sounds similar in description to the Anti Tank Guitar.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti_Tank_Guitar

Indeed. Im sure someone around here built one of those at some point. Cant remember who though.

(The musical precedent for these, IMO, is probably Alvin Lucier's 'Music on a Long Thin Wire' )

Timetravel_0 · Post by **Timetravel_0** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 2:53 am

Hi. I really, really wanted the Beam Blaster sound in my music. I tried allll kinds of different soft synths, and then I realized that the only real way to play this instrument is to really play this instrument. So, I built an 8 foot version that turns out to produce the typical Beam Blaster sounds while also functioning as an 8 foot long bass lap steel. Below are links to it's facebook page and the first set of audio samples on youtube.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Maker ... 8810689691

andrew71 · Post by **andrew71** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 10:51 am

Without listening to the samples, I'm pretty sure I know what this is going to sound like from the description and the fact that it was used on the Star Trek:TMP soundtrack.

I'm going to demo Sakura tonight to see if it can get close. Image Line have a 40% sale on until the 13th July, so I could save 40% if it is any good...

whyterabbyt · Post by **whyterabbyt** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 11:28 am

Timetravel_0 wrote:Hi. I really, really wanted the Beam Blaster sound in my music. I tried allll kinds of different soft synths, and then I realized that the only real way to play this instrument is to really play this instrument. So, I built an 8 foot version that turns out to produce the typical Beam Blaster sounds while also functioning as an 8 foot long bass lap steel. Below are links to it's facebook page and the first set of audio samples on youtube.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Maker ... 8810689691

Are you going to be creating a sample set for this?

Timetravel_0 · Post by **Timetravel_0** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 1:14 pm

whyterabbyt wrote:
Timetravel_0 wrote:Hi. I really, really wanted the Beam Blaster sound in my music. I tried allll kinds of different soft synths, and then I realized that the only real way to play this instrument is to really play this instrument. So, I built an 8 foot version that turns out to produce the typical Beam Blaster sounds while also functioning as an 8 foot long bass lap steel. Below are links to it's facebook page and the first set of audio samples on youtube.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Maker ... 8810689691

Are you going to be creating a sample set for this?

Well, that's the whole reason I went through the trouble of building it; sample sets won't do it justice. Samples can reproduce _some_ of what the instrument does, like the percussive sounds and the big generic sweeps, but otherwise, it's all glissando; cutting it up ruins the effect and fails to imitate the technique and timing, unfortunately. I've made a small set of percussive samples and a few loops so far, but they don't really capture the primary qualities of the instrument.

himalaya · Post by **himalaya** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 1:31 pm

Amazing Sound.
The very first second I heard the plucky 'twang' I thought to myself 'FM', and I think the actual pluck/strike could be emulated using FM (to an extent) . But that would take some time consuming experiments to get close.

vurt · Post by **vurt** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 1:46 pm

whyterabbyt wrote:
LBN wrote:Almost sounds similar in description to the Anti Tank Guitar.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti_Tank_Guitar

Indeed. Im sure someone around here built one of those at some point. Cant remember who though.

(The musical precedent for these, IMO, is probably Alvin Lucier's 'Music on a Long Thin Wire' )

i seem to recall ian webster building something similar from banister?
i could be wrong?

Vintage73 · Post by **Vintage73** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 6:35 pm

Old Crab wrote:
MIDICH1 wrote:Does anyone know if anyone has sampled this bad boy and if there is an Audio Unit for it?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaster_Beam
I'm glad you posted this since I'm a huge Jerry Goldsmith fan and I always assumed this was some kind of synthesizer making the sound.

I'm not familiar with this particular track, but it gives a fair indictaion for others what we're talking about:

A more well known track (at least to Goldsmith/StarTrek fans) may be this one:

Yes, someone definitely sample that sucka!

OC

The first one is just a compilation of the various uses of the Blaster Beam.

The second is an actual track from the movie soundtrack.

I love this instrument and would LOVE a simulation of it!

I wonder if String Studio or Chromaphone could do something like this...too bad there's no pitch bend in Chromaphone yet.

pj geerlings · Post by **pj geerlings** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 6:53 pm

I've been thinking about doing a VSTi based on the Blaster Beam for years ...

I know it would not do the instrument justice though

... And I can't let a thread like this go without mentioning that I was the guy that actually built the Blaster Beam for Craig Hundley in the late 70s

The unit I saw (and based my design on) was an instrument I saw Francisco Lupica play at an outdoor performance in Venice CA

Quite a while later I later read that Francisco's instrument was based on the work of a fellow named John Lazelle

-pj