How sound designer Ben Burtt made Star Wars’ iconic sound effects | Roadtrip Nation

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  • Опубліковано 18 лис 2019
  • Academy Award-winning sound designer Ben Burtt reveals how he created Star Wars’ most iconic sounds, including Darth Vader’s bone-chilling breathing, the lightsaber’s buzz, and the quirky voice of R2-D2. Hear about his inspiration, and watch as he demonstrates exactly how some of the Star Wars sound effects were made!
    Sound like Ben has your dream job? Watch more of his backstory to learn how he got into the field of sound design: • The failed experiment ...
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 264

  • @madnessbydesign1415
    @madnessbydesign1415 3 роки тому +539

    Ah, the old days. When audio engineers were almost like archaeologists, uncovering hidden sounds in the world around them. His humility is amazing... :)

    • @marielizysurourcq
      @marielizysurourcq 3 роки тому +23

      it also shows that "constraints" and not complete freedom is spurring creativity

    • @madnessbydesign1415
      @madnessbydesign1415 3 роки тому +12

      @@marielizysurourcq Absolutely! My most creative times are when I have to find a way to do what I need to, when I don't have 'the right tool'... :)

    • @forbello
      @forbello 3 роки тому +2

      You smoking mate?

    • @Bearbelly907
      @Bearbelly907 2 роки тому +2

      And now all you need is software…Burtt is a legendary man

    • @madnessbydesign1415
      @madnessbydesign1415 2 роки тому +6

      @@Bearbelly907 Software today is amazing, but you still need the ears and the creativity to get anything out of it... :)

  • @eon14873
    @eon14873 4 роки тому +827

    The Tie fighter engine is always my favorite sound effect in star wars. He is a genius

    • @alexpaumen3937
      @alexpaumen3937 4 роки тому +19

      Funny how elephant sounds was the basis of the Tie Fighters.

    • @lloydfisher1548
      @lloydfisher1548 4 роки тому +9

      I wanna make a custom muffler for my truck that sounds like it but im still trying to find out how imma to that

    • @alexpaumen3937
      @alexpaumen3937 4 роки тому

      What kind is it?

    • @anttitheinternetguy3213
      @anttitheinternetguy3213 4 роки тому +1

      ua-cam.com/video/qhD-PcvjtcI/v-deo.html at 5:00 Mark on that video 💥

    • @Alanc419
      @Alanc419 3 роки тому +4

      To me, the Tie Fighter sounds like the dive siren on a Stuka Dive Bomber from WWII, recorded electronically.

  • @jacksonwilliams6845
    @jacksonwilliams6845 3 роки тому +265

    These sounds literally effected millions, and made millions of childhoods amazing. Thank you

    • @roberth8254
      @roberth8254 3 роки тому +7

      Correction, tens if not hundreds of millions

    • @edwardliu111
      @edwardliu111 Рік тому +1

      I'd argue billions at this point considering Star wars is almost 50 years old now.

    • @moaningpheromones
      @moaningpheromones Рік тому

      *affected. millions get that wrong.

  • @KennyEvansUK
    @KennyEvansUK Рік тому +17

    It's so awe inspiring to think that Ben went out and sourced all those component sounds with an idea of how they might work together, he is as much of a musical genius as any well known composer and inspired an entire industry into what was possible with sound.

  • @Jabber-ig3iw
    @Jabber-ig3iw 3 роки тому +31

    For me the sound effects are the most iconic part of Star Wars, that and the score.

  • @joeyb4ever
    @joeyb4ever 3 роки тому +41

    Pure analog creations. No digital sounds, all created from altering real sounds. Brilliant.

    • @DailyShit.
      @DailyShit. Рік тому +5

      He literally used a synthesizer right in the beginning. I know it is still hardware but digital nonetheless.

    • @torstenbokdenward1491
      @torstenbokdenward1491 8 місяців тому +2

      @@DailyShit. Actually, the ARP 2600 is an analog synth, not a digital

  • @ruthlessrubberducky5729
    @ruthlessrubberducky5729 4 роки тому +177

    This guy is a creative genius.

  • @MaximilianoAedo
    @MaximilianoAedo Рік тому +5

    Ben Burtt will forever be iconic for the sound effects of the Star Wars universe.

  • @loganmendoza5382
    @loganmendoza5382 3 роки тому +41

    Is no one gonna talk about how this man has an ACTUAL TURRET THAT MOVES AND SHOOTS!!

  • @mikek7660
    @mikek7660 Місяць тому +1

    The fact he made the sound of the movement of the lightsaber by moving a microphone is almost legendary

  • @SlyHikari03
    @SlyHikari03 2 роки тому +8

    The lightsaber sound design is my favorite part of this.
    Projector hum and mic interference.
    And then re recording that and swinging a mic by the speaker for movement.
    Ben was a cut above. He knew what he was doing.

  • @RebelGaming4U
    @RebelGaming4U 3 роки тому +295

    This man literally made the sounds for what people recognize as a lightsber for both jedi and with. Ive noticed that the darkside sabers sound a lot more deeper in tone than jedi lightsabers and think that's pretty awesome. Not just just colors but the sounds too. Just a nice detail. (Please correct me if I am wrong).

    • @annointedbytalos5673
      @annointedbytalos5673 3 роки тому +9

      They absolutely sound deeper. I've noticed it too with Vader and dooku.. But I also believe most of them sound different like the greens ones too. If you're interested in more sounds you should listen to the different sounds in the video game fallen order, there are a bunch of different lightsaber qualities.

    • @arcy_arts7378
      @arcy_arts7378 3 роки тому

      You're not wrong...Luke have a different lightsaber sound too (the green one).

    • @jayluck8047
      @jayluck8047 3 роки тому +1

      Ok. You incorrectly spelled, Sith.

    • @Zoidd_Bergg
      @Zoidd_Bergg 3 роки тому +1

      @@jayluck8047 they didn't incorrectly spell it actually, autocorrect changes sith to with unless you use the word sith a lot, my phone still autocorrect it to with

    • @famousbowl9926
      @famousbowl9926 3 роки тому

      @Poykeh Music in cannon his kyber crystal is cracked thats why

  • @KhakiShorts
    @KhakiShorts 3 роки тому +32

    In 2019 I was lucky enough to be able to sit down with Ben Burtt in his studio at Skywalker Sound. He could not have been more generous with his time showing us how he came up with some of the sounds and talking about some of his other projects. He even let me hold his Oscar for sound editing for Star Wars and shoot his laser cannon! That was a visit I'll never forget.

  • @zeebrook
    @zeebrook Рік тому +2

    When we made films in the 60's and 70's on small gauge film 16mm and 8mm as opposed to 35mm, all the sound effects and dialogue were done post-sinc. It was hard work going over and over to get it right but, when you did, it was amazing. The audience did not realise that 99.9% was done post-sinc. We did take a tape recorder and recorded live sounds to add in the background. The foley artists do an amazing job, and it's good that they do get the recognition they truly deserve.

  • @ArcadeReplay
    @ArcadeReplay 3 роки тому +50

    cameraman is in love with the blonde girl

    • @samfran255
      @samfran255 3 роки тому +7

      yes you noticed that too. 16 seconds of camera time on her at 1:15. You reckon shes beautiful aswell ay

    • @connergarlock771
      @connergarlock771 3 роки тому +2

      @@samfran255 I'm surprised there aren't more comments related to her knowing UA-cam lol.

    • @oncydium
      @oncydium 3 роки тому

      Who isn't? 😉

  • @josephjackson1956
    @josephjackson1956 3 роки тому +27

    I always find that the “physical stuff” he talks about with sounds in movies and TV shows make the “magic”.

  • @DerekMoore82
    @DerekMoore82 3 роки тому +16

    My favorite sound effect is the Slave 1's seismic charge.

  • @carolynchurch4642
    @carolynchurch4642 3 роки тому +14

    Fun Fact: budgies (parakeets) are excellent at mimicking R2-D2's sound.

  • @robpolaris5002
    @robpolaris5002 3 роки тому +17

    I was on a ventilator in the hospital and I was shocked how Vaderesque it sounded. Its funny they used a diving rig instead of a ventilator.

  • @anotherDnightmare
    @anotherDnightmare 3 роки тому +63

    The metal press used for the ATAT’s walking was astounding. Outside of the TIE Fighter scream, it’s my absolute favorite

    • @TiL_Deimos
      @TiL_Deimos Місяць тому

      a man we can alll love

  • @jauregi2726
    @jauregi2726 3 роки тому +72

    The Force is strong with him.

    • @lounatic7370
      @lounatic7370 2 роки тому

      And the ego

    • @scudman51
      @scudman51 2 роки тому

      @@lounatic7370 EGO?!? This guy seems super humble. WTF are you talking about?

  • @arthouston7361
    @arthouston7361 3 роки тому +32

    When I was five years old, I wanted to do what Ben does. I saw how sound effects were made for old time radio, and that morphed into Foley work. I went down a different path, but I never lost my love of sounds. In 1976, I read an explanation of the light sabre sound, but Ben gives a much better explanation here. I tip my hat to the master!

  • @WhiteBloggerBlackSpecs
    @WhiteBloggerBlackSpecs 3 роки тому +42

    Of the most iconic sounds in cinema history happened completely by accident

    • @frostburn6784
      @frostburn6784 3 роки тому +3

      Accident or was it fate? Is he not the chosen one?

  • @oncydium
    @oncydium 3 роки тому +8

    He's like a master chef of sounds instead of flavors. Absolutely amazing talent on a par with all the Star Wars practical modelers and visual effects artists.

  • @SuperGorak
    @SuperGorak 3 роки тому +289

    so while kenny baker is the body of R2, this guy is the voice? And there's no credit??

    • @Saint_Magnapinna
      @Saint_Magnapinna 3 роки тому +71

      Sound designers are seriously underrated.

    • @bossman98293
      @bossman98293 3 роки тому +18

      @@Saint_Magnapinna they won Oscars

    • @Rhythmicons
      @Rhythmicons 3 роки тому +7

      @@bossman98293 screen credit though.

    • @gregwessendorf
      @gregwessendorf 3 роки тому +23

      @@Rhythmicons He's literally credited as sound designer, what do you want? If every person was individually credited for every individual contribution, credit rolls would be an hour long.

    • @Rhythmicons
      @Rhythmicons 3 роки тому

      @@gregwessendorf I think maybe your reply was to the OP instead of me.

  • @MrLordExdeath
    @MrLordExdeath 3 роки тому +11

    Like John Williams, Ben Burtt gave us the sounds wich everyone knows from Star Wars... Really everyone knows it and loves it ^^ like my example with John Williams and his music from Star Wars

  • @robertomondello2447
    @robertomondello2447 2 роки тому +1

    I hope that one day Ben Burtt and other sound designer that have created all sound effects for all nine star wars movies, all tv shows (animated and live action, like the Mandalorian) and the spin off movies, will create a file for download all sound effects that they have created❣️❣️❣️

  • @THOMMGB
    @THOMMGB 3 роки тому +4

    I so thoroughly enjoyed this video. Ben must've patiently told these stories many hundreds of times, yet he made it sound like he was describing it for the first time.

  • @devastator5607
    @devastator5607 3 роки тому +9

    all my notifications are star wars canons and sound effects, drives people insane wen they here my phone going off

  • @wickedwood04
    @wickedwood04 3 роки тому +8

    This man is a genius that has helped fuel imagination and play time for generations now. How many Millions upon Millions of people(not just children) have pickup up a broom stick and start swinging that thing making light saber sounds.

  • @donaldduck4867
    @donaldduck4867 3 роки тому +17

    Star Wars will always be the best movies of all time. Especially the old school ones.

  • @nobrien1
    @nobrien1 2 місяці тому

    What hoot to just discover this video! I was pleased to see that the Ben I knew when we went to school together through high school is still l the same creative, personable and helpful person he was back then. This room reminded me of his attic 'lair' where he experimented with cast off audio visual equipment, looping Tarzan yells, and running a speaker line down to the trash cans out by the street to startle kids going by with the 'talking trash cans'. Early on, he learned that the space ship sounds in the 1930's Buck Rogers serial were actually from Schick electric razors and I guess that fueled his career. Fun fact: in our senior year of high school Ben set a county record in the pole vault!

  • @hab9609
    @hab9609 3 роки тому +2

    That’s amazing the artistry they created to make us believe everything we heard. I love Lucas used to steal cable and banged on it to get the sound of a blaster. We can create a lot more sounds today with computers, but I believe creativity isn’t what it once was

  • @elroya9814
    @elroya9814 3 роки тому +6

    Now he can make the lightsber sound with his mouth

  • @Wh40kFinatic
    @Wh40kFinatic 3 роки тому +5

    To imagine visiting this man and learning how he did everything... ugh. The dream.

  • @sheepwool7998
    @sheepwool7998 4 роки тому +34

    TIE fighter engine sounds like a Stuka or Katyusha Rockets.

    • @callancaustic9355
      @callancaustic9355 3 роки тому +12

      Space Nazis and space stukas

    • @sheepwool7998
      @sheepwool7998 3 роки тому +2

      @@callancaustic9355 Not all Nazis were German and not all Germans were Nazis.

    • @callancaustic9355
      @callancaustic9355 3 роки тому +14

      @@sheepwool7998 ok... I never said they were... I was just saying the imperials are like Nazis and the ties like stukas... I never mentioned Germany...

  • @robertjosephkeil
    @robertjosephkeil 3 роки тому +1

    Ben Burtt is a genius. And a genuinely nice person. He should teach a master class.

  • @memoriesmuseum2824
    @memoriesmuseum2824 Рік тому

    This man is a genius..... protect his ears at all costs

  • @alexpaumen3937
    @alexpaumen3937 3 роки тому +1

    That electric TV tube buzz actually happens to me sometimes when I put my phone close to my computer speakers except it makes this rhythmic popping sound.

  • @Rhythmicons
    @Rhythmicons 3 роки тому +6

    Everyone with analog synthesizers wants to do what he does.

  • @Mxyzptlksac
    @Mxyzptlksac 3 роки тому +3

    I’m guessing he’s constantly listening to things and cataloging it in his brain for future use

  • @brookadam777
    @brookadam777 3 роки тому +7

    Still the best sound effects of all time. What a legend

  • @steveverboom
    @steveverboom 3 роки тому

    What an amazing man. He created the sound effects for Star Wars (and other movies) that made the experience so much better. His work will live on in these movies forever.

  • @slycordinator
    @slycordinator 3 роки тому +2

    One time, "The Graduate" happened to be on TV and one of the opening scenes has the main character in scuba gear in a pool and the sound was recorded from a first-person perspective. Immediately I was like "Holy shit. That's Darth Vader."

  • @gibbethoskins8621
    @gibbethoskins8621 3 роки тому +2

    That blew my mind when he did R2

  • @bigassdummy46
    @bigassdummy46 3 роки тому +1

    There is no substitute for passion.

  • @DerekRaven
    @DerekRaven Рік тому

    Ben Burtt is just as important as Lucas and Williams to the creative success of Star Wars.

  • @usctrojans001
    @usctrojans001 Рік тому

    Genius! Ben Burt has to be one of My Favorite SW People along with Lucas (of Course) and John Williams. I could go on for Days Listening to Him Explain SW Sound FX!

  • @z.hunter3825
    @z.hunter3825 3 роки тому +4

    What a legend.

  • @DocCulprit
    @DocCulprit 3 роки тому +3

    1:17 - Focus now my friend... pay attention. Lust leads to the dark side.

  • @orboakin8074
    @orboakin8074 2 роки тому

    This was wonderful to watch. Ben Burtt, George, and crew really did amazing things to give us teh wonderful world of Star Wars.

  • @WhoTouchedMyReindeer
    @WhoTouchedMyReindeer 3 роки тому +1

    I had a big grin on my face watching this. Incredibly interesting.

  • @gandurk
    @gandurk 3 роки тому +2

    This man is a genius.
    Oh and this is the biggest reasons for why I'll love the sequels! For all their faults you can tell how enthusiastic the people involved were in creating props and sounds and stuff that would feel at home in the brilliant world we owe to Lucas, McQuarrie, and Burrt himself. That sensation is almost tangible, particularly in TFA, and gives them their own charm. Makes sense?

  • @johnlang2293
    @johnlang2293 2 роки тому

    This was a great video to watch, very cool stuff, every moment of it !!

  • @johnfrogman3710
    @johnfrogman3710 3 роки тому

    a master talking about his craft. just awesome.

  • @cv_290
    @cv_290 3 роки тому

    The clones heavy basters with the LAAT gunships noises and the Ion engines along with the M6 walkers sounds will never fail to make me smirk on how cool they sound.

  • @ProfessorKahn
    @ProfessorKahn Рік тому

    Even my squeaky window in my room reminds me of R2 sometimes🤣 but this guy actually made a portion of star wars rememberable just by these noises and thats actually crazy.

  • @matsaasrum9775
    @matsaasrum9775 4 роки тому +33

    Great interview! What was the idea behind this video? Did you just walk up to the ranch and talk to Ben? Looks like a part of a documentary or something bigger. Would love to see more.

    • @roadtripnation
      @roadtripnation  4 роки тому +14

      Thank you! You're right--this is an excerpt from our documentary series.
      If you'd like to watch more, you can stream the episodes for free on our website: roadtripnation.com/watch/public-television/season-12
      And, here's more of Ben Burtt's story, which you can watch right here on UA-cam! ua-cam.com/video/74ZzE89mxWA/v-deo.html

  • @nicholaskasper6468
    @nicholaskasper6468 2 роки тому

    I think I would have been just like those kids and be in total awe listening to all the ways he came up with and how!

  • @bayuandi290
    @bayuandi290 3 роки тому +2

    this guy here is basically us if we pay attention to our physics' teacher.

  • @HansCholo619
    @HansCholo619 2 роки тому

    awesome video ....so lucky they got to meet the great Ben Burtt.

  • @degerhandeger
    @degerhandeger 3 роки тому

    I’m not a Star Wars but, man, this guy created a culture. 🙏

  • @DVXCine
    @DVXCine 2 роки тому

    1:05 I just saw a brain explode in slow motion LOL

  • @royalcatwalk
    @royalcatwalk 3 роки тому +1

    Compliments from the Kingdom of Netherlands!

  • @CaptainZlex
    @CaptainZlex Рік тому

    I am a firm believer that some of the best art is created just because the artist wanted to make something that appealed to them. Rather than setting out of try to become popular.

  • @mocheen4837
    @mocheen4837 Рік тому

    I was lucky enough to have visited the Skywalker Ranch a few times. I remember attending a Halloween party there and the costumes were amazing. I was also there the day they closed down and announced that Disney had purchased them from Lucas. It was a sad day.

  • @mr.mrs.fusion7940
    @mr.mrs.fusion7940 3 роки тому

    Ben is my Audio hero. He is a legend.

  • @phillippitts6294
    @phillippitts6294 2 роки тому

    That was really cool!

  • @ToddLorencUkuleleMusic
    @ToddLorencUkuleleMusic 3 роки тому

    Pure genius 🙏

  • @themysteriousoa4466
    @themysteriousoa4466 Рік тому

    Man, I was hoping to see him do R2’s scream!

  • @kialambright1879
    @kialambright1879 2 роки тому

    I'm geeking out so bad right now! 👏🥰

  • @stevenj9970
    @stevenj9970 2 місяці тому

    A true ARTIST

  • @tolulopeajayi3615
    @tolulopeajayi3615 3 роки тому

    A genius he is!!!

  • @LFOVCF
    @LFOVCF 3 роки тому

    Only in the last few years since YT have i seen this genius, but 42 years ago, he was highly instrumental in my love of sound.
    Every sound is instantly recognisable.
    Sound guys are often the nerdy kids in class, and hardly ever get limelight, but without this man, Star Wars would be dead sounding.
    Imagine the sound of a Transformer changing.
    Now remember Steve Austin (Six Million Dollar Man) running.
    Now the Star Trek beam up sound.
    See how you have those incredible sounds already in your head?

  • @maskandvaccinefreeandproud2110
    @maskandvaccinefreeandproud2110 3 роки тому +1

    I find this stuff fascinating.

  • @Edrumachine
    @Edrumachine 5 місяців тому

    This so cool!

  • @sr.duarte9438
    @sr.duarte9438 3 роки тому

    This guy is a genius. Period.

  • @davecresar
    @davecresar 2 роки тому

    Awesome video!

  • @luke_ye_boyyy5318
    @luke_ye_boyyy5318 3 роки тому

    I rewatched all the Indiana Jones movies recently and there are sound effects used in Star Wars in them which is cool

  • @TangoDelta70
    @TangoDelta70 Місяць тому

    Awesome!

  • @Rhythmicons
    @Rhythmicons 3 роки тому

    He has some cool memorabilia.

  • @kubel83
    @kubel83 4 роки тому +2

    Genius!

  • @nazarethbarker4937
    @nazarethbarker4937 3 роки тому +1

    OKAY but what about Jango's seismic charge from Episode 2. That is probably my favorite sound from all the movies.

  • @philb4462
    @philb4462 3 роки тому

    What a fantastic video. Is there any more?

    • @roadtripnation
      @roadtripnation  3 роки тому

      Yes! Watch this video to hear about how Ben Burtt managed to win an Oscar by reimagining a failed sound effect: ua-cam.com/video/74ZzE89mxWA/v-deo.html

  • @Hyperdynelabs
    @Hyperdynelabs 3 роки тому +1

    Sweet. Looks like you got to play with the Eweb blaster prop I made for Ben!

  • @gurudru1977
    @gurudru1977 3 роки тому

    ben burtt sheer genius

  • @gabrielofficial7859
    @gabrielofficial7859 3 роки тому

    Amazing 🔥

  • @jessicacarr4933
    @jessicacarr4933 8 місяців тому

    When I was about 12 and a huge fan, my mum pointed out to me how Vader sounded like that because of a ventilator (I mean canonically, she’s not wrong) and that she hears that sound a lot (she’s a nurse in the A and E department or E R for Americans) from people who can’t breathe on there own, especially from long term smoking although Vader’s breathing was due to fire (ep 3 was already out so I knew that, although the image of Vader trying to smoke in his suit is actually quite a funny thought!) This idea of sounding like that due to not being able to breathe not only made me see vader in a new light but bloody terrified me out of trying cigs more than school ever could. It even subconsciously keeps me cautious about things that might lead to that, I.e covid! So in a very weird way I have to thank this guy for giving mum the tools needed to scare me straight! And to think that came from a small Mic in an old regulator!

  • @michaelallen1154
    @michaelallen1154 8 місяців тому

    What a fricken cool ass dude!?!

  • @biggles258
    @biggles258 Рік тому

    Interestin @1:56 that the notebook references the English English spelling 'lightsabre' rather than the more often encountered US English 'lightsaber'.

  • @Heyitsmatt_15
    @Heyitsmatt_15 3 роки тому +3

    What is everyone’s favorite Star Wars sound? Mine is easily the TIE Fighter.

  • @hongoslongos5203
    @hongoslongos5203 3 роки тому

    Maybe one if the best sound job from history, in my opinion

  • @vassa1972
    @vassa1972 3 роки тому

    Great stuff

  • @kylemcw8301
    @kylemcw8301 3 роки тому

    The humming sound from the sabres evolved rather beautifully into what we saw between Rey & Kylo! I can’t even describe what that hun turned into..... humming, Static energy!?

  • @TiL_Deimos
    @TiL_Deimos Місяць тому

    the sounds definitely made stars for what is was, idk what it would be like if it wasnt bert doing the magic, we could of ended up with something entirely different❤ but we didnt

  • @harrisongwin6859
    @harrisongwin6859 3 роки тому

    man is an absolute genius

  • @analog_ape
    @analog_ape 3 місяці тому

    Genius

  • @redsav2983
    @redsav2983 3 роки тому

    God man i love this

  • @vendettaknight104
    @vendettaknight104 2 роки тому

    I would love to just sit down and have a full conversation with this guy about sound effects.

  • @bendingsnake
    @bendingsnake 2 роки тому

    Sick!