How to create laser sound effects?

You might find a similar sound in one of GB's synthesizers. Perhaps even in an effected drum set. Play around with your GB synth instruments.

Or you could look online for a soundfont that might have laser effects.

http://www.hammersound.net/
http://www.fox-gieg.com/rkhive/index.html
www.sf2midi.com

SBfeld wrote:
If anybody has any ideas at all on what to do, please let me know. At the very least, what can I use as the source sound for this? My voice wont make a nice source for a decent laser.

Also, I do not have this now, but will Logic Express be better for this?

The instruments and effects that come with Logic would have many more options, but if all you're looking for is a particular effect, or a versatile synth engine that can create effects like that and similar ones, you might want to download a sample or buy a virtual instrument rather than jump up to Logic just for that.

There's a lot of sound libraries out there... you could probably find a sample here or there that might work perfectly.

If you'd want to purchase a virtual instrument that can make infinite sounds along those lines, I'd check out NI's Reaktor or Absynth, or Spectrasonics Omnisphere (although they may be more than you want to spend, a lot more actually - still, they're awesome instruments).

Alternatively, if you have a lightsaber, a trash can, and a pocket recorder, you could try recording your own.

... actually, even if you recorded your own voice, but then put it through a bunch of filters and effects, you might be able to doctor it up so it would sound OK. Here's a free filter you can download from Ohmforce:

http://www.ohmforce.com/ViewProduct.do?p=Frohmage

SBfeld wrote:
So Logic Express will give me more control at least?

A lot more control. Sometimes I'll take normal rich acoustic sounds, like a piano for example, and put it through filters and effects so it'll sound nothing like a piano. With Logic, you can easily automate parameters so the sounds can morph over time.

The mantra - that GB is easy to use but limited while Logic is complex but more flexible - is really true. They'll be a learning curve with Logic that doesn't exist with GB, but if you are interested in tweaking your tracks with a lot more control, Logic will give that to you. However, once GB got 24 bit recording capability, I started using it for times that I didn't need the extras (or hassle) of Logic. Compared to Logic, GB is limited, although compared to my first analog tape machine, GB is miraculous.

If you're doing sound for picture, I know that Soundtrack makes that very easy to do as well. I've never really used Soundtrack, although I've used Logic to score to picture, with music morphing into sound effects, sometimes starting out with acoustic sounds and slowly having effects twist them into something bizarre and otherworldly.

SBfeld wrote:
I might decide to pick that up this summer then. The Flanger effect made it sound a lot closer to what I am looking for, but then I messed with the AUGraphicEQ and its messed up now AHH!

The effects are "non-destructive" so you should be able to backtrack by going back to default or simply flatten out the curve. Good luck!

SBfeld wrote:
Here is my latest version: http://www.phstudios.com/projects/Audio/Laser%20Sound%20Effect_NEW.mp3

It is a little quiet, but I am using this for a game so there will be other sounds going on at the same time.

Sounds great. You could always add a bit more reverb, so it drifts off more - or leave as is. Frankly, I think it sounds fine. With all due respect to the lightsaber, the gold standard for the sound of light slashing through space, in reality, lasers don't really make any noise (do they?), so you can really do whatever you want. No one can say "that's not what lasers sound like" because light has no mass, sound, or bitter aftertaste.

This is good for now. I will get Logic Express if you think it will help at least a little bit? I just dont want to spend $200 on it and not like it any better.

If all you're trying to do is make a single sound, it's not worth getting Logic for. Also, Logic is a workstation, not an instrument, although it comes with instruments. So, in terms of creating things like laser sounds, I'd think it's less about all the control Logic gives you (although there is that), than it is about working with a really versatile virtual instrument, like the things NI puts out, or Omnisphere, or something along those lines and really versatile effects.

But that's if you really want to get into it and work on sound effects and music beyond this particular laser. Which maybe you do.

But if it's all about this laser, I'd just do what you're doing, or if you were going to purchase something, I'd look for a sound library (e.g. http://www.cycling74.com/products/cycles), find the sound you're looking for, and then tweak it.

But... I wouldn't get Logic just to gussy up that one sound.

Good luck with T.D.!