How To Make Electricity Sound Effects with Synths
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Creating your own electricity sound effects can be quite challenging because the sound of electricity is so unpredictable. Today, I want to share with you how you can create your own electricity sound effects using only synths.
Before we start, I created an electromagnetic sound pack for you using the LOM Elektrousi microphones. I use these sounds whenever I need to create electricity sound effects and I want to offer them to you for free. You can grab it here: https://sfx.daviddumaisaudio.com/elektrousi-pack
FOUR EXAMPLES FOR CREATING ELECTRICITY SFX
EXAMPLE 1: LOW ELECTRICAL BUZZ
I created my first sound using Omnisphere to make an electrical hum sound, similar to a 60 Hz hum you may hear in your studio monitors except more distorted. To start, I chose a square wave that already sounded slightly gritty. Next, I modified this sound by adding a random LFO to the amplitude and adjusted the source and width of the modulation until it made a nice glitchy sound.
Next, I added a specialty resonator filter in parallel with a notch filter. I then added and modified some waveshaper distortion to amplify the distortion and make it sound electrical. Finally, I went over to the Orb tab and clicked the dice to randomize some effects onto the sound until I found the electric sound effect sounded good.
For an additional touch, I used Trash 2 by iZotope to make the sound grittier.
EXAMPLE 2: ZAPPING ELECTRICAL NOISE
Using Omnisphere once more, I started this sound with a noise oscillator and added a random noise LFO to the amplitude. Next, I added a 24db bandpass filter to cut the lows and keep the high-frequencies. For this sound, what really brought it to life, were the insert effects. For effects, I added an EQ to cut off all remaining lower frequencies, Stompbox distortion with a high drive and a raised tone, and a Tube Limiter to increase the final output of the sound.
EXAMPLE 3: COMPLEX GLITCHY SOUND
For this third example, I decided to give it a go using Massive by Native Instruments. To begin, I scanned through the various wave shapes until I found a waveform I thought was aggressive sounding. To make that unpredictable electric sound once more, I chose a noise LFO and lowered the rate knob to about 9 o’clock before applying it to various parameters. I applied it to the amplitude of the oscillator, the bandwidth of the bandpass filter, as well as the noise amplitude. I added white noise to fill out the frequencies of the sound. Next, I added modulation to the FM filter. Lastly, to create the defining characteristic of the sound, I added some bitcrushing on Insert 1.
EXAMPLE 4: DEEP ELECTRICAL BUZZ
The final sound effect example has a similar foundation to the previous examples except that I used two layers instead of one. For layer A, I added a random noise LFO to the oscillator shape. I then added a second random noise LFO to the cut-off filter. I used a specialty power buzzer filter which helps bring out the buzzing sound. I then added some FM synthesis. I lowered the depth quite a bit and finally added some waveshaper distortion.
For layer B, I assigned a random noise LFO to affect the waveshaper frequency. I also added a bandpass filter, frequency modulation, and waveshaper distortion, which creates the overall effect. For insert effects, I added the Bassman Cabinet for extra grittiness and to blend the two layers together.
TRY IT FOR YOURSELF!
There are many ways to design electricity, so experiment and have fun!
A reminder to download the free electromagnetic sound pack HERE.
You can watch the full video tutorial on my YouTube Channel.
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