metallic, glassy screeches

[moscardo]

Recently I have been collecting these sounds in my reference library that I would classify as metallic or glassy screeches (you will find them inside the attached .zip file).

They have a cold flavour and I think they can be very useful when you need to convey an emotion related to disquiet or fear.

• You can hear them well in the effects soundtrack of "The Matrix";
• At minute 1:13:00 of the film "Heat" (1996);
• In the first part of the song "Sanctuary" from the LucasArts' "Outlaws" video game ();
• As well as in the "NO HARD FEELINGS" track by Myrone (link);

You can find the above mentioned audio files in these two attachments:

• glassy_screeches_pt1.zip
  ;
• glassy_screeches_pt2.zip
  ;

I imagine that most of the cases here are recordings that were processed later.

But, in your opinion:

• what was recorded?
• What materiality is involved?
• Do you perhaps hear sounds that seem to you to be associated with some synth preset?
• Are these sounds reproducible, in some way, even with a synthesis technique (I was thinking mainly of FM, which seems the most suitable in this case)?

Thank you so much for your help

[whyterabbyt]

waterphone?

[moscardo]

Thank you @whyterabbyt,
I was not aware of such a tool. It is just what I needed!
Do you happen to know if there is any soundfont related to the waterphone?

[Orchidius]

Bowed cymbals are always nice

[Orchidius]

waterphone?

I want one so badly for ages...why are they so expensive

[Orchidius]

Thank you @whyterabbyt,
I was not aware of such a tool. It is just what I needed!
Do you happen to know if there is any soundfont related to the waterphone?

There's couple of vstis and soundpacks.

https://www.kvraudio.com/search/Waterphone

Check out sites like freesound.org as well.

[Orchidius]

• Are these sounds reproducible, in some way, even with a synthesis technique (I was thinking mainly of FM, which seems the most suitable in this case)?

I'm not that deep into FM, but what I do most of the times to "metalize" stuff is to use f/x that produce more inharmonic content like AM, frequency shifters or granular shifters like u-he's Uhbik-G or example. It gets even more interesting when automating some parameters.

Then, from my memory, there are some presets in Absynth that go in the right direction. But...you should already own it as NI decided to EOL it recently...

[whyterabbyt]

Thank you @whyterabbyt,
I was not aware of such a tool. It is just what I needed!
Do you happen to know if there is any soundfont related to the waterphone?

soundfont no, dont know of one, but I do know there have been various commercial sample packs (eg Tonsturm, Soundcatcher, Patchpool) and Kontakt libraries (eg SoundIron, SampleLogic).

'Waterphone' is a trademarked name, so might also turn up as 'water harp' or 'ocean harp' or similar.

I have what was the only 'official' Waterphone library, Uncharted Waters, but I dont think its available any more.

Ghosthack have a free sample pack, which might get you started.

[whyterabbyt]

waterphone?

I want one so badly for ages...why are they so expensive

Low-volume production, handmade instruments usually are.

However there have been lots of cheaper variations, and if you know someone who can weld...

Bowed cymbals are always nice

Yup. In fact, its worth sourcing a cheap cello bow, lots of things can be bowed.

[experimental.crow]

• Are these sounds reproducible, in some way, even with a synthesis technique (I was thinking mainly of FM, which seems the most suitable in this case)?

I'm not that deep into FM, but what I do most of the times to "metalize" stuff is to use f/x that produce more inharmonic content like AM, frequency shifters or granular shifters like u-he's Uhbik-G or example. It gets even more interesting when automating some parameters.

Then, from my memory, there are some presets in Absynth that go in the right direction. But...you should already own it as NI decided to EOL it recently...

absynth does ' waterphone ' quite well ...

[Orchidius]

waterphone?

I want one so badly for ages...why are they so expensive

Low-volume production, handmade instruments usually are.

Yes, I know, it's was more of a rethorical question and some moaning and groaning

However there have been lots of cheaper variations, and if you know someone who can weld...

That's a good idea!

Bowed cymbals are always nice

Yup. In fact, its worth sourcing a cheap cello bow, lots of things can be bowed.

Thanks for the heads up, that's still on my list actually

[CHOOS]

waterphone?

Thought you were taking the piss with that answer hahahahaha.
Never heard of that thing. So dope!

[moscardo]

Thank you guys for your support!

[martiu]

get some additive synth, there is a couple of free ones

[martiu]

also it sounds like you should be able to replicate it using comb filters, i have a perfect free synth for you for those type of metalic sounds