[net.music.synth] Need help creating sound effects

wilson@harvard.ARPA (Randy Wilson) (08/14/85)

I am writing a video game for the mac, and need some advice
on generating sound effects.  I have the basic game working,
but it would really be nice if I could get sounds as well.

I know how to use the free-form synthesizer to make sounds,
but where does one learn what to send it?  In other words,
what sort of a waveform should I make to get an explosion,
the sound of a shot being fired, or a low rumble for the
thrusting of the ship?

I would appreciate hearing of any good books on the subject,
even if the info is immersed in technical sound theory.

Thanks in advance,

Randy Wilson
wilson@harvard.ARPA		"What for you bury me in cold, cold ground?"

hedger@ada-uts.UUCP (08/16/85)

I'm not quite sure what you mean by free form synthesizer (is this a feature
of the macintosh??), but here's some information that might help you.......
First of all, it's not just the waveforms of different sounds that you are
concerned with...there are also cutoff frequencies,enevelope settings,etc.
I can recommend some reading material that might help you....I'm assuming
that you own or have access to a synthesizer.
Check out Keyboard magazine(even back issues). It has some really good
'basic synthesis' articles in it. Also the publishers of Keyboard have
put together some books from previous articles that are really good...
they are:
Synthesizer Basics
Synthesizer Techniques
Synthesizers and Computers
These books can be ordered from Keyboard or in the Cambridge area, you can
find them sometimes at Briggs and Briggs (harvard square), Boston music co.
(harvard sq.-Galeria mall) or in Boston at Carl Fischer music.
There is also a book out by Robert Ceely who teaches electronic music at
the new england conservatory....it's called the Electronic Music Resource
Book....it's the book he uses for his class at nec, but it still stands up
pretty well on it's own. I got my copy at Wordsworth in Harvard Sq.
I hope this info helps you out.
keith hedger - intermetrics
ihnp4!inmet!ada-uts!hedger