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How do you create relatively realistic explosions? I use FM synthesis and build a very noisy sound and filter it down.

record actual explosions. it's more fun!!!

Well that should be more fun, but if one cannot do that.

To create my own realistic explosion sounds without recording actual explosions. I usually take an existing explosion and layer it with a burst of white or pink noise. I also try layering it with filtered versions of the original. Also if you want a really punchy kick to it you can use a bass drum sample to give it extra chest kick on the attack. This really works well if you can find the right sample to use it with.

Another way to create the realistic explosion using no explosion sound in the mix would be to create a very white noise-ish sample with lots of bite to it. Then you can use amplitude modulation or a simple ADSR envelope to produce the explosion bang and release. Some type of reverb will always be needed to give it a more organic feel. Sometimes you can do other little tweaks to it to get make it sound less synthetic. Also try and get a good stereo image with your initial white noise-ish material. That will help the end product be more believable.

You can record explosion without any explosion. You need only your voice and some effect plugins. Useable are bass guitar, drums and common noises like sweeping or hammering And then mix it, great fun!