Luke's Lightsaber Sounds

If there's a quick question thread, I didnt see it.


Why does Luke's lightsaber make different sounds (power up and power down) than most other lightsabers? His has more of a metallic clicking sound than the others.


Why?

 

A few reasons:

It sounds different because of the environments in which it is ignited and extinguished. The sound waves reflect off of the surroundings differently than other weapons.

Also, each lightsaber is crafted in a unique fashion. The intensity of the hum, the brightness of the blade, etc., are all based on the manner in which the energy blade is attuned to the crystals and power source.

 

Welcome to CT.

Lord_NoONE hit the nail on the head, in my opinion, about the environment and construction of a lightsaber. Granted, that's the in-universe explanation. It probably also has to do with the sounds and technology used in editing to create the sounds of the lightsaber. We're used to a different sound in the prequels, where they all virtually sound the same, so I'd be willing to bet that the actual sound effects have more do with it than an in-universe explanation.

 

Dooku's sounds like Luke's, so they still used that. Or remade it? Dunno.

But I never figured sound technology was much of a factor. I'm pretty sure the PT's sabers all sound like the other 3 not-Luke's CT sabers.

Luke's sounds different because.... it's Luke.
Maul got somewhat of a unique one, too.

In-universe, lightsabers are all one of a kind, even though some of them *coughanakincough* had to make new ones every other week

 

Did Kenobi put the Saber on low before giving it to Luke?

These things can be rather dangerous.

 

To make it sound different from the other ones.

Probably for the soundtrack so fans listening at home would
know who was ignting his lightsaber.

 

I can't exactly recall if the noise matches Anakin's from ROTS. I guess it's just the way it sounded from back in the 70's and all the re-editing made it sound weird because it probably altered so many times.

Lightsabers can have different noises depending on the way it's made. Count Dooku's saber always sounded weird to me, also.

 

Well which saber are we talking about here? The blue one or the green one? The green one had a distictly different sound than pretty much all the others in the saga. It's hum was higher pitched, had a more metallic sound when it ignited and came into contact with other objects, and had a different ignite/de-ignite sound. However, that ignite sound was used in various places over the PT after that. One example that comes to mind is when Anakin iginited his saber when he and Obi-Wan cornered Greivous just before he escaped through the window. It also replaced Lukes ignite sound when he first ignited it in the duel with Vader on the ESB DVD. Other than that, Luke's blue saber sounded pretty much like all the other sabers used throughout the trilogy.

 

i really like that sound that lukes green one makes, i think its cool that they made it sound just a bit different becoue ROTJ is the last movie and all. i also think that dooku's lightsaber sounds like that becouse it is a little more well built witch is appropriate for him.

 

Luke's ROTJ lightsaber.

I'm also talking about the second ignite sound that you hear when he yells "DARTH" or "ARRRGHHHH" or "NEVERRR" or "NOOOOOO" (who cares?) It doesn't sound like a braashawww (lol) it sounds more like a dikakshhh (wth).

And from what I've heard (dunno if it's right) Luke's crystal is synthetic, sort of like the red ones, but I could be wrong.



TLJ Edit: can't use that acronym

 

Hahaha Rain, I like the sound effects.

I like the noise "pachewn" when the lightsabers start up. It sounds all crisp and clear.

 

the secret aprentice in force unleashed seems to have the same ignition noise

 

I really like the sound Luke's green saber makes too. I think it's a more agressive sounding noise, which was used intentionally to make it seem like he was capable of turning to the dark side. Same reasoning for having him dressed all in black too.

 

Interesting points. And I think it has to do with the construction of the lightsaber, as well as the crystals. Does anyone know weather Qui-gon's was a synthetic one? Because I always thought that maybe Luke's crystal was Qui-gon's? I can't remember weather Qui-gon's sounded similiar to Luke's, if anyone can remember? Somehow I think Luke's is synthetic though, it sounds too much like a Sith's saber. Vader, Maul and Dooku all had that crisper sound, while the other Jedi sabers had a more 'clean' sound.

But even so, Anakin/Luke's saber (ANH) had a pretty interesting sound, I liked it better than the PT ones, it sounded like destiny condensed into one element, like action waiting to happen when it was first ignited, and the look on Luke's face was priceless too. It sort of reminded me of a drug... the ah.. buzz, lol. But I think it was extra crisp there to try and show how Luke was seeing it and hearing it, like an addiction to a drug he'd never taken.

But, perhaps length has to do with it too? (No pun intended) I mean, Yoda's saber was smaller and shorted, due to his height? And it had a higher pitch, most likely because of the smaller saber handle, and tighter configuration?

Cheers_Cazz

 

I agree with both. Im not sure if George was thinking about the environment and everything, but he might have been. And also, about the sound difference, I'm sure the makers of the lightsaber were thinking of the viewers, not wanting to let them get to bored with the same old sound every time. Have a little variety.

 

yeah like the scream. riieaal.

 

Why do two of the same kind of car sound different?

 

Good point, TaunTaunHearder. Because no two cars (or in this case, lightsabers) are in the exact same condition.

Cheers_Cazza

 

As far as I know, it's because it's a synthetic crystal. He had to make his green one himself with plans he found in Obi-Wan's hut. In ANH/ESB, the blue lightsaber made the usual clean activation noise which sounds more higher pitched and has a more concentrated hum. The way every Jedi's lightsaber in the prequels sounded were the same way because they all used natural crystals (finding them and constructing a lightsaber on their own were part of their training).

The Sith used synthetic crystals because I don't think red is natural, so they make the same sound the Luke's saber makes when activating, which is more drawn out (but not by much) and has a tight gassy sound with a hiss or snap thrown in. Listen to them in each movie and you'll see what I'm talking about.

 

Qui Gon used a natural crystal in his saber while Luke made his in a crystal making furnace at Obi Wan's hut. There are some red crystals that can used in sabers, but the sith make their own crystals and infuse them with the dark side.

 

well its not the biggest problem in sound, how would you be able to hear sound through space anyway?

 

I think I saw something where Ben Burtt said he set out to make the saber sounds compliment each other musically. So for Obi-Wan and Luke and Vader's saber, they use pitches that compliment each other (like keys in a chord).

With the prequels, they used the same base sounds to start with, but tweaked them a little for each new character. Darth Maul's blade has more of a buzsaw sound than the others for example.

 

Interesting take, Go-Mer-Tonic. For anyone who is musically savvy out there, we could have indeed just discovered a hidden plot element! That actual idea of each character's sabers complimenting each other is actually quite appealing!

Cheers_Cazza

 

I never thought about it before, but Luke and Vader's lightsaber in ESB sound different when ignited. After just watching the movie, I realized that I had never noticed that before.

 

Lol, JEDIGUNSHIP, file that one under the "Things You Notice on your Uptenth Viewing Thread!"

Cheers_Cazza