Problem with lightsaber sound effects

Hi,

I'm practicing doing some lightsaber effects on a video of mine but I'm having trouble adding sound to it. I've downloaded all the lightsaber sounds that I can find but my problem is how do I make them fit? I'm a complete n00b when it comes to sound and I don't know how to make the sound match the saber movement. Usually the lightsaber is swung longer than the sound is played etc... I've tried to make the sound play longer but then the quality goes out the window and doesn't sound as good. Any tip? How do you modify sound to match the moves onscreen?

Thanks,

Sky

 

Which software are you using?

In AE, I'd just start adding the sound effects for the clashes, when the sabers hit each other, or deflect blasters and stuff like that. Than, I'd add a constant humming sound as long as the sabers are activated and match its volume to the shots: when the saber is closer to the camera, the hum gets louder, and vice-versa.
Then, I'd add the swung-sounds for the most important saber movements, which will be very fast, brutal swungs near the camera and all. And if your sound is too short, you can use two swung sounds and blend them together...

It's really not too hard.

 

Or you can download the free LS sound.

Search it on google, it lets pretty good.

 

clashes first, then swings, then fill in the spaces with the hum. put the loudest part of the swing, usually the middle, at the middle of the swing or the part of the swing that goes closest to the camera, rather than starting the swing sound at the beginning of the swing. and you should be able to slow the tempo somewhat for it to fit better. but make sure you don't change the pitch.

 

I've tried to slow the tempo in AE and there is a check box to keep the pitch the same but it does change the sound a little bit and sometimes the quality is not very good. Do you usually use a sound mixer program to work on the sound effects?
I appreciate the help; I'll give it a shot with the advice so far.

 

Personally, I do all my sound and sound effects in Digital Performer, since I can sync it with Quick time perfectly, and Digital Performer has the best there is in terms of mixing sound with a movie. Logic is decent for it, but pretty much the only program that can fully match DP is Protools.

It's easier for me that way than doing the sound in AE. That way I dont need to wait until the movie renders in order for me to listen to the sound. Digital performer also keeps the sound the same quality when the pitch or tempo is altered. Then again, DP costs $600 bucks, so its not a cheap alternative.