Weapon Sound Design: Shock Rifle

[MaxCarnage]

Carnage, have you seen the new Battlefront 3 trailer yet? Check out the blaster sound design. They used the original Star Wars sounds but made them more punchy. The walker cannons are especially awesome (0:44) (1:09).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFtAdOTFSw0

Dang, not going to lie, it sounds amazing! I see what you mean about the short but punchy hit. Hmmmmm.

[Jo.7]

I still feel like there's not enough to it. It sounds like air, like room tone with reverb. I think it definitely needs a punch in the lower frequencies.

Completely agree on the airiness, feels kind of sloppy and un-powerful.

[MaxCarnage]

Completely agree on the airiness, feels kind of sloppy and un-powerful.

After listening to it with some "relatively" fresh ears, I think I understand what you guys mean. The low end is more of a "Roar" than a definitive impact or a blast like in the video Nick_D'Amato linked. Great reference guys Thanks!

[Zanieon]

Well MaxCarnage, i added some treble ala Skywalker Sound (i'm also a huge fan of their work, they are mainly my inspiration for every composition) as Nick_D'Amato suggested, heres my result:

Edit: I did all the 3 sounds for the Shock Rifle, including the Combo Explosion sound

[Wail]

Well MaxCarnage, i added some treble ala Skywalker Sound (i'm also a huge fan of their work, they are mainly my inspiration for every composition) as Nick_D'Amato suggested, heres my result:

Edit: I did all the 3 sounds for the Shock Rifle, including the Combo Explosion sound

I think these are real improvements. Feels tighter, and definitely heading in the right direction.

(1) I wouldn't mind a slightly 'heavier' or 'stronger' sounding effect for the primary fire. It sounds like a blaster pistol, not a rifle shot.
(2) The core sound has a bit of a 'sour' sound. I don't know how enough to describe more, but I think people will not care for that aspect of the sound and it needs more iteration.

[iLikeTheUDK]

IMO the shock core firing sound sounds to me somewhat too mechanical. Like a vehicle of some sort.

[Zanieon]

Alright, attempt 2.

I made the sound more whippy and removed the flangered echo from secondary fire.

[iLikeTheUDK]

I think you should make several different renders of the sounds, at least primary fire, because the pitch randomization algorithm of UE4 just sounds poor on it (you can really notice the simple granular pitch-shifting).

[rAge.]

Shock core sounds so sweet!

[Wail]

Alright, attempt 2.

I made the sound more whippy and removed the flangered echo from secondary fire.

That secondary doesn't do anything for me. It is a complete mismatch between the size and damaging potential of the core and the small and insignificant feeling the sound conveys.

[Zanieon]

I think you should make several different renders of the sounds, at least primary fire, because the pitch randomization algorithm of UE4 just sounds poor on it (you can really notice the simple granular pitch-shifting).

It is intentional, i made the sound with the intention of being controlled by the pitch node, however i set the pitch shift range too high, lowering should do the trick.

That secondary doesn't do anything for me. It is a complete mismatch between the size and damaging potential of the core and the small and insignificant feeling the sound conveys.

Hmm right, there are any examples of what the secondary fire could sound good to you? (and anyone who imagines it of course)

For me, this one is my very first test yet but too, i don't think making the shock core firing sound so whip as the primary would give any attraction to it, considering it's a Rifle of energy.

[iLikeTheUDK]

The formats don't stay the same as the pitch changes, it sounds too simple and cheap. It sounds like you're playing the sound on some old tracker software like they made the music on for U1 and UT99. IMO it'd be best if you make several different renders instead of modulate a single sound in-engine.
I think the issue with the alt fire sound is that it's too gentle. It doesn't have a lot of punch, or aggression, or anything that could show how much damage it can do. It sounds weak, underwhelming. Make it sound like more of a threat. Make it sound more like some chunk of energy that if you come into contact with it, it'll be nasty.

[Wail]

It is intentional, i made the sound with the intention of being controlled by the pitch node, however i set the pitch shift range too high, lowering should do the trick.



Hmm right, there are any examples of what the secondary fire could sound good to you? (and anyone who imagines it of course)

For me, this one is my very first test yet but too, i don't think making the shock core firing sound so whip as the primary would give any attraction to it, considering it's a Rifle of energy.

In terms of sound effects, my vocabulary to describe what I like is quite limited. I would just refer you to sounds that have been used previously:

I think UT3's sounds were quite good.

UT99's sounds for the Shock Rifle were also good. UT2003's were awful, and UT2004's primary was alright (but secondary was rather poor).

[Nick_D'Amato]

The primary fire is a huge improvement, nice job.

[MaxCarnage]

Well MaxCarnage, i added some treble ala Skywalker Sound (i'm also a huge fan of their work, they are mainly my inspiration for every composition) as Nick_D'Amato suggested, heres my result:

Edit: I did all the 3 sounds for the Shock Rifle, including the Combo Explosion sound

Got to love Skywalker sounds! Yeah, they sound great. I like the approach you did with the shock ball. It reminds me a bit of UT 99's shock ball whine, but more updated. I actually really like how clean it sounds, both the primary and secondary fire. Now I want to hear a bigger shock core explosion!