Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Lightsaber Sound Effect Originated From A Simplex Projector

This is topic Lightsaber Sound Effect Originated From A Simplex Projector in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 01-16-2009, 09:07 AM:

Found a website where the sound effects guy from Star Wars explains how he came up with the lightsaber sound. He was a projectionist in college and he used the sound of the projector blended with another sound to make the lightsaber sound.

http://www.filmsound.org/starwars/burtt-interview.htm#Lightsabers

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 01-16-2009, 05:46 PM:

Yes, that's Ben Burtt. Actually the hum part of the lightsaber sound was from a disengaged SELSYN mounted on a Simplex projector. The projector itself is not heard in the effect.

Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 01-16-2009, 08:51 PM:

I was trying to figure out what he was talking about and it sounded like he was talking about a SELSYN motor but I wasn't sure. Thanks Tim.