How to create Lightsaber sound effects from Star Wars

In this episode I try and use the same techniques Ben Burtt did and create a similar analog driven sound design for my very own lightsaber.

Finding a tube TV wasn't hard but couldn't locate an old projector with twin motors but I was able to replicate a similar sound with a square-wave generator.

My advice would be to walk around your house with a mic and recorder and see what kind of sounds you get from all the electrical appliances. (just be mindful that getting too close to certain electromagnetic fields could put your gear & sd cards in danger, never happened to me, but that's what I heard can happen in certain cases)

Older appliances seemed to work better for me as I got a lot of interesting sounds by recording the vibration of the their electrical transformers.

Another tip would be to go to antique stores with an audio recorder and record all the old interesting mechanical devices from yesteryear. You may even run into an old 35mm projector!

After making this episode I find myself hearing a lot more electrical hums wherever I go. It never hurts to bring an audio recorder with you at all times!


A great resource I found was the "The Lightsaber Sound Cookbook" which really goes in depth about the whole process of creating these kind of sounds. Some of the technical detail went over my head but I'd rather it be too much information than not enough! -
Shanks FX -