The Iconic Sounds of Star Wars

While in the original THX theater -- where Return of the Jedi was mixed! -- Adam Savage sits down with Academy Award-winning sound designer, film director, editor, screenwriter and voice actor Ben Burtt, the man behind the iconic sounds you know and love from the Star Wars franchise, from R2D2's beeps and boops to Chewbacca's rrrruuurrr to Darth Vader's heavy breathing. What's YOUR favorite Star Wars sound?

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[Chevytravelleruk]

Wow... I could have watched hours of this.. Ben is such a hero of mine and a constant source of inspiration... Adam is also probably the best person I could think of to interview him..
Such a shame 32TEN has closed.. It really should have been preserved as a museum

[thejonathandoan]

35:09 The THX Standards were an integral change in the cinema landscape that I think cannot be overstated. The quality of a true THX certified theater was amazing! To this day, I have NEVER heard a better audio presentation in a theater than when Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace debuted at the Galaxy 9 theater in Dallas TX. The THX theater I saw it in had the best audio presentation I have heard in my life, before or since!! Every swing of a light saber, every ship engine, Sebulba's pod racer, everything was PERFECT. The bass extension and control was astonishing, and I still remember how incredible it felt back in 1999.

[benswallow]

My god Ben Burt is the literal legend of the filmmaking post process. Really an impressive guy with his creative audio world building.

[nyaaanjake]

I had no idea 32TEN had been shut down. I grew up seeing that space in all the behind the scenes documentaries I watched as a kid, it’s a shame to see it go. But on the other hand, an hour long interview with Ben Burtt is a pretty great consolation! He’s such an interesting person and a jack of all trades.

[thebod]

Ben Burtt is one of THE nicest guys you can ever meet at a Star Wars Celebration. I had a wonderful, detailed conversation about the ARP 2600 used for R2 (of my hobbies is synthesizers) and also the place where he discovered of the sound used for the Stormtrooper blasters. He is like his father - a professor. :)

[TheBikerDad]

My favorite Star Wars sound effect is the blaster. I remember as a kid tapping on a high tension wire and hearing that noise thinking "Oh, that's a blaster from Star Wars". It wasn't until years later that I saw that was exactly how they made that sound. It amazed me how creative Foley artists are in finding sound effects.

[TheShadowKarl]

Wow, this is one of the best videos from the whole year. Thank you so much for this interview and the awesome quality.

It is such a shame that 32TEN Studios was auctioned off. I bet many people would have paid good money to see the place and even watch a movie there. It should have been kept as a museum to movie making.

[DerekAnthonyBrown]

Seeing Adam enthusatically talk about my craft with one of the greats makes me a little emotional. I'm a Maker and a Sound Designer and the two frequently overlap. Thanks for sitting down with Ben and taking the time to learn more about sound. Makers Make Noise!

[maeve]

I saw SW4 on opening day in SF. I'll never forget seeing the Tantive4 flying overhead shooting behind itself, then the Star Destroyer ship filling the 50' x 30' screen & wondering when it would end, it's rumbling filling my entire body & feeling the sound of the shots from the ships! Thrilling!!!!🎉
I'm 70y.o. now & can still feel those moments of film history. !
I feel sorry for all who didn't get to experience that. A first of many for 32TEN Studios, but not the last.
Thrilling! Thanks, Ben & Adam !

[chrysopylaedesign]

I love it that Ben (largely Retired now), still gives his time to Recollect & Recall his SW & LFL work & history. He's always in good humor & seems happy to share his time, to document this all important Cinema History he contributed so much to. For us Original Gen. SW fans, this is like Manna from Heaven.

[drdwaynecuster]

I love Ben Burtt! He's iconic. I got to visit Skywalker Ranch and Skywalker Sound for my birthday when I was 34. Wonderful experience!!!

[Saxm]

This was such a treat to watch i wished this could be turned a full blown special documentary or something with actual footage and photos that Adam and Benm talked about! So special to see 2 legends chat about their love of sound in such a magical building!

[meridiem]

I could watch 1000 more hours of this. Just incredible! Ben Burtt is a genius

[Strigulino]

Reminds me of when I saw an interview with presumably the BBC Radiophonic Workshop where they were talking about how the TARDIS sound started out. Apparently it was a spliced and speed-changed recording of a key being rubbed on piano strings.

[badhareday]

That's an incredible interview! The story how Ben came up with those ingenious special effects as a teenager just blew me away. That guy's absolutely amazing!

[blamm]

I love Ben Burtt. This man created a majority of the sounds of my childhood. Thanks Adam for doing this interview.

[GYGOtv]

Thank you for this! I can't tell you how many telephone pole cables I banged on as a kid once I learned how Ben got the laser sounds for Star Wars. It really was a magical time in movies!

[TheSteveAS]

What a fascinating deep dive into the history and evolution of cinematic sound design! Ben Burtt is a national treasure, and provides a master class in the theory of sound design - a good portion of which he is the originator! What Burtt developed is what is now the basis of the film industry's sound design standards. This interview is a time capsule that needs to be preserved for academia and future film makers. Thank you for recording, and for sharing!

[BlueeyesA]

That was amazing! I couldn't stop listening and was completely engrossed. Thanks so much for recording these experiences with these pioneers for future generations to enjoy. Thank you for this upload! ❤️