Helicopter sound FX

sheridan · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 11:39 am Post subject: Helicopter sound FX

I have modelled this mainly from a short audio clip, taking the frequency balance and 'blade' envelope times from it. There wasn't much of an engine sound in it, and as such, the engine in the patch doesn't sound quite right..., but after a week of patching, it'll do!!

There are only two variations; 1 - flying past, 2 - taking off... well kind of!

I've also attached a short audio example of the helicopter flying past in mp3 format.

<<Edited>> See lower posts for v.2 and v.3 details

Helicopter v.3.pch2

Description:

Helicopter sound fx patch. Must be loaded into slot A for motion FX to work.

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Helicopter v.3.pch2

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Helicopter.mp3

Description:

Short mp3 example of attached Helicopter v.3 sound FX patch.

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Helicopter.mp3

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General Elektrick · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 11:51 am Post subject:

Wau! I am truly impressed.
Very good soundesign Exclamation

A week of patching flap flasp flapp

Definitly a keeper!

mosc · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 1:52 pm Post subject:

3phase · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 7:59 pm Post subject:

nice one..it even has the highfreq you get when they are passing ...

ian-s · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 8:46 pm Post subject:

Superbly crafted!

BobTheDog · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 1:01 am Post subject:

Very good

sheridan · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 5:54 am Post subject:

I'm very pleased that you think it sounds OK, because I have been agonising that it sounds NOTHING like the ACTUAL helicopters that continuously fly over my area.

As mentioned, I modelled it from a short audio clip, so it sounds more like that than my 'local' helicopter... the problem is (I think) that I mostly hear the echoes/reflections from all the buildings/roads around here - a kind of flanged roaring sound. Also the engine of the real helicopter is much louder (especially at distance) than the sound of the blades.

So I ended up with a patch somewhere between the two different helicopter sounds, which didn't really sound like either of them!!! Ah well, as long as it still sounds like a helicopter, that's ok.

Strangely, I also noticed that it sounds better if you listen from a distance... even from the next room! Very Happy

sheridan · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 3:39 pm Post subject:

Well I wasn't happy with the engine sound so I have been repatching and have come up with an improvement. I've also done a bit of work on the starting up and taking off variation and have added an extra variation as well. I could have gone further, but time is running out for me (back to college soon).

I have uploaded it and a new .mp3 example in the first post at the top. Again, it must be loaded into slot A.

Have fun Very Happy

ian-s · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 4:46 pm Post subject:

gomidas · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:22 pm Post subject:

Sounds real to me. 10/10
thumleft

Could that be the begining of a G2 based soundtrack 'movie... Question

jono · Joined: Dec 18, 2005 Posts: 33 Location: Porto

My neighbor was asking if we had an heli in the roof...
very real, good job.

Cheers
João

deknow · Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2006 11:16 am Post subject:

jono · Joined: Dec 18, 2005 Posts: 33 Location: Porto

Thanks deknow, you are right but if he comes again I'll have a dog_barking and it will be a baddayforcamping Razz

I was alone in the house and got a little excited, never realised that the sound was so loud.
never the less good chooper over my roof.

Cheers
João

sheridan · Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 2:06 pm Post subject:

After hearing the usual police helicopter that often hovers around the area, I had a revelation... I had tried to model the way the wind affects the sound by altering low and high pass filters (among other things), but I realised that bass frequencies can still be heard when the wind appears to alter the frequency spectrum of the helicopter... so, I have been tweaking this patch and have made a few small, but (I think) significant changes.

Maybe some people won't notice the difference, but I think it definitely sounds better. Very Happy

I have attached v.3 to the first post in both .mp3 and .pch2 formats. Variations 2 and 3 are pretty much unaltered from v.2.

mosc · Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 10:24 am Post subject:

Ahh, you are a perfectionist - maybe even obsessive. Great - this is a trait of a great patcher... Laughing

sheridan · Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 5:34 am Post subject:

After receiving a few requests (via private message) for screenshot(s) of this patch, I'd thought I'd post them here too. (Of course, private messages are still most welcome. Very Happy

)

Note that some of the yellow modules in the FX area around the LFO's named Startup Env are only used for the third variation 3, Taking Off, and are not necessary for the basic helicopter sound.

Helicopter.jpg

Description:

Helicopter (v.3) patch screenshot.

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jima · Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 3:19 am Post subject:

Well, I think this is simply awesome and a refreshing change from the usual programming Smile

I have no real idea what a real helicopter sounds like up close (it's been a long time since I sat in one) but I am almost ashamed to admit that with the watts cranked up I felt an overwhelming urge to duck as it 'flew' overhead Very Happy

P.S. Love the take-off variation...