Freesound Forums

Hi everyone.

I'm making a film and I desperately need to mimic the noises that R2-D2 makes. Obviously, I can't use the real noises because they are very much copyrighted.

I have to admit that I don't have a clue where to start. I mean, I know the real thing is all analog synthesiser stuff, but that's certainly beyond me. How can I get my hands on a range of Artoo-ish beeps and chirps, that i could string together to form sentences?

I don't expect to be able to achieve a pitch perfect impersonation of the little guy, but obviously the closer I can get to his trademark beeps and whistles the better.

If anybody out there's got any ideas, or fancies having a crack at it let me know via this forum.

If I recall correctly the original R2D2 sounds were created using EMS synths such as the vcs3 and synthi. I think the key to success if probably using sample-and-hold modules.

http://images.google.com/images?q=ems%20synthi
http://images.google.com/images?q=ems%20vcs3

( the EMS synthesizers all looked sooooooooo amazing, ... )

However, if you know nothing about synths and how to program them (you're going to need a modular synth to pull this off!), it's going to be pretty difficult to get R2D2'ish sounds! Maybe someone who has Native Instruments Reaktor can help you. I think there's some EMS patches lying around that should get you a long way to recreating those superb bleeps.

- bram

hi dpm

i have just uploaded a sound that might be helpful it is called blipback. somewhere i probably have the original template for more variations but thats a whole other conversation. see if this is any good first. the file is at the moderation stage as i type././

There is an R2-D2 freeware plugin out there if you really need that sound...

http://www.kvraudio.com/get/723.html

ha that looks just the job.

beeeeep bwip chirp chirp

hey, youre farts are excellent!

the R2 plugin looks real interesting.

what software do i need to use it?

apologies for my continued cluelessness.

you need a vst host and the ability to trigger via midi. its pc only too. digital perfomer or cubase, even ableton would be the simplest way that i can imagine. with dp you could programme exactly the noises you needed to the frame of your film. protools too of course. if you are on a mac there are ways..

MUCH easier to use a simple host like

http://www.hermannseib.com/english/vsthost.htm

or

http://www.tobybear.de/p_minihost.html

- bram

Bram
MUCH easier to use a simple host like

http://www.hermannseib.com/english/vsthost.htm

or

http://www.tobybear.de/p_minihost.html

- bram

That sure beats the pants off audacity's VST plugin system.

Me again.

I've tried both VST host and Minihost (spending a lot of time making sure i set everything up correctly) but i cant get a sound out of either r2 dll.

i got in touch with a friend (a pro audio guy) with a midi setup, and he couldn't get the thing working either.

but some of you guys have got it to work, right?

What could I/we be doing wrong?

yours in total desperation.

Dan

not only should you feed the plugin with midi, you also have to feed it with audio! it takes the incoming audio, and depending on the note you are playing breaks down the incoming audio.

I just hooked it up in bidule ( http://www.plogue.com ) and it works really well.

- bram

Hey Bram, there are actually two seperate programs... one is considered an instrument and the other is considered an effect...