Easiest way to add Prop sound effects

[robertrios10@msn.com]

Looking for opinions on the simplest and not too expensive way to add a few sound effects to a few SW props. I have a FS/ Trooper, Yoda, Jawa that I would like to "speak" once in a while. (All they do now is stare at each other - Creepy... :eek

 

[OdiWan72]

MonCal/ hyperdyne are offering a "chatter-box" with random Jawa sounds and quotes!

Not sure if something lika that exists for Yoda as well, but I´m pretts sure the HD box can be customized.

Markus

 

[judgedredd]

I use 20 second sound capture cards cheap and easy to use

Looking for opinions on the simplest and not too expensive way to add a few sound effects to a few SW props. I have a FS/ Trooper, Yoda, Jawa that I would like to "speak" once in a while. (All they do now is stare at each other - Creepy... :eek

 

[ThrowingChicken]

This might help. A lot of people on gbfans have been using them in their proton packs - http://www.replicaprops.com/cart2/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=35&products_id=112

 

[Beechy McFly]

Sweet.. gonna have to look into something like this for a trigger on a rifle..

 

[xenocon]

is there a simple way to use ipods.

 

[jedimaster]

i used a toy called the star wars dashboard buddy , os something like that for my yoda , 3po and vader. they have both a button and motion switch , and each has about 9 different movie samples. i just hooked up a household 12 volt motion sensor which i hid in the prop and the output to the toy switch. now evertime someone walks past them they come to life. i think i paid about $15 dollars each on e bay. They are pretty loud and clear for a toy.

 

[Ttaskmaster]

There are a few options where you can add your own sounds (usually .WAV format) on an SD card and assign them to switches.
I have heard of one woman who used contact switches in her gloves, touching her thumb to a finger. Each finger led to a different sound. I know someone else who used this for a motorised function in their costume.

However, one thing you must consider is the size of the speaker.
For home use, almost anything is fine, but at a crowded con/expo/show you will need something fairly hefty to sufficiently overcome the background noise. It's the one thing that's put me off creating a couple of things with sound.

 

[WebChief]

This might help. A lot of people on gbfans have been using them in their proton packs - http://www.replicaprops.com/cart2/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=35&products_id=112

That's what I plan on using in my Ghostbusters proton pack. It's a great option for the price!

 

[HermesBlackstar]

Radio Shack digital sound recorder for $11.00
I use these plus a mini amp that I always build--loud as heck, and you can build for about $5.00

 

[Dan Robertson]

I am digging around the Radio Shack website for this cheap sound recorder, any pictures or model numbers I am looking for?

Edit: NM found it !

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102855

I assume this is what you were talking about?

Any fun walkthroughs you would point me at for your $5 amp ?

 

[Sean]

Can you load a file to the one from radio shack? I'm a little new to this stuff. and I need something small that I can load a wav file to.

 

[Jeff_Haas]

If you're up for a little soldering, there's a great tiny amp available easily on ebay. Search for "PAM8403", they're usually about $4.00 delivered from China. I have one of the red ones. It's surprisingly good for something so small and inexpensive. Take a look at the picture, the quarter is there for scale.

 

[OdiWan72]

When I´d like to add a sound effect for ...let´s say a blaster...I pick it up and do "pew, pew" :lol
Easy to add, convertible to any and all props you might have and very cost effective

Markus

 

[Pobbrett]

check out the wtv020-sd-mini its about the size of a postage stamp just add power source, speaker, switch and optional led indicator, load the sounds onto a micro sd in either .wav or .ad4 and away you go its basically a mini mp3 player



or there are the usb recordable greeting card modules bigDAWGS greetings

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

For me, the easiest way to add sounds to a static display was to use an old iPod Shuffle and a decent wireless speaker.

jawa_trooper_sound_film - YouTube

in the video, I added individual sound files for each sound bite and set it to shuffle. Because I wanted to utilize the same device for the entire display, I simply placed it in a hidden location that made it seem like the sounds were coming from the general vicinity. If I was using it for just one item, I would have placed it in the figure/helmet etc...

The good thing about it is that it is easy to add an item. Since that video was taken, I also added files for the Ewok.

On a similar note, I'm not much into trooping or actually wearing costumes but I might for an event like a Halloween party. For such an event, I can easily take and conceal the device in the costume to add sounds. You can also add sounds to a play list on your smartphone and use a similar speaker with blu tooth for the same effect.

 

[OldSkoolEffects]

check out the wtv020-sd-mini its about the size of a postage stamp just add power source, speaker, switch and optional led indicator, load the sounds onto a micro sd in either .wav or .ad4 and away you go its basically a mini mp3 player

View attachment 236465

I actually have a couple of these on my desk that I've been puttering with and they work reasonably well, but I've found issues with cold solder points and that only some SD cards will work with it.


If you're not going for accuracy with your sound, and don't have a ton of experience in electronics, I think the Ipod/MP3 might be your best bet, unless you buy a ready-made proton pack sound kit.

 

[Delmustator]

If you're going to put light and sound effects in props, save the headache and put a BlasterCore from Plecter Labs inside. Fully programmable with (6) selectable sound banks and comes with all banks already loaded with sound effects. Making your own sounds is relatively easy in wav format. It's well worth the cost IMO.

 

[runnothide]

I found a "Poster Sound Recorder" at a local Michaels craft store, all you have to do is press record to record a message, and then hit the play button, it records up to 30 seconds and has decent sound quality. The price was $7.99, so with my 50% off coupon, I got a great deal.

 

[xl97]

If doing a blaster.. Plecter Labs products (as mentioned, are know for quality~!)..


that being said.. maybe an Arduino & Adafruit Waveshield is also an option (for some)..

many examples for it triggering effects/talking..etc..

but if you wanted.. you can dig deeper and program it to do much more.