I Miss Ben Burtt!

[Andy 4,141]

As we steamroll through the content of the Disney Era of Star Wars, I am really missing the contributions of Ben Burtt.  

 

There are a couple threads with some good articles linked, but the short story is after TFA, Lucasfilm phased him out and just use his catalogue to drag-n-drop, leading to just a muddy mess of sound, as Burtt describes in this article.

 

Have any sound design examples from Mandalorian, Book of Boba Fett, Rogue One, Solo, Last Jedi, Rise of Skywalker, or Obi-Wan Kenobi stood out to you?  I can't think of any.  This forum dissected a bit of sound design from The Prequels, but in retrospect, they have a scintillating clarity (especially TPM) that is lacking in the current product.  

 

It's not just the design, but the mixing and editing.  I crank up the Battle of Naboo, and when the Queen reclaims her Throne room, you hear every blaster bolt (Royal and Federation) echo around you, you hear the door slam slut with absolute clarity.  Even the punches, kicks, and body blows during the lightsaber duels sound painful and dangerous.  (Although I guess lightsabers now aren't that dangerous since it's pretty standard to survive being run through with one).  The tension in Jango's metal cable as Obi dangles from it, and his "uggh" from front to rear surrounds as he falls towards camera.  These examples aren't really innovative; they're just effective use of balance and clarity for emotional effect.

 

I really enjoyed his contribution to Star Trek '09... the ship's nautical ping and the radio chatter, as well as the "pew - ping" of the phaser battle aboard Nero's Romulan ship.  The absence of sound as they begin their free fall jump down the drill.

 

I know he's got his detractors, and it's always a competition with score, but I'm simply saying I miss hearing sounds that make me say "Whoah".  Hasn't happened in a while, and I'm afraid I am going to miss Burtt on Indy 5.

 

I think it's really sad the way they gently showed him the door.

[Fabulin 3,514]

Jango and Obi-Wan flying through the asteroid field is my favourite sound design sequence ever.

[Naïve Old Fart 9,552]

Ben Burtt: great sound designer, bad editor.

THE LAST JEDI had fantastic sound, courtesy of Fincher regular, Ren Klyce.

I've used the pod race, in Ep. I, as a test for all new a/v systems, in the last few years. I also like to hear the beginning of Ep. II, where Padmé's ship lands at Coruscant.

[Holko 9,530]

3 minutes ago, Naïve Old Fart said:

Ben Burtt: great sound designer, bad editor.

And bad mixer and score-in-closet-keeper.

 

35 minutes ago, Andy said:

Have any sound design examples from Mandalorian, Book of Boba Fett, Rogue One, Solo, Last Jedi, Rise of Skywalker, or Obi-Wan Kenobi stood out to you?  I can't think of any.

In Boba I really noticed that none of the weapons or even ships have any character or punch, just little noise farts and no dramatic impact or iconic personality like in the OT and some of the PT.

[Andy 4,141]

I can't remember what Mando's disintegrator rifle sounds like.  I think that's a problem.

[rough cut 1,714]

 

58 minutes ago, Andy said:

There are a couple threads with some good articles linked, but the short story is after TFA, Lucasfilm phased him out and just use his catalogue to drag-n-drop, leading to just a muddy mess of sound, as Burtt describes in this article.

 

The interview with Ben Burtt in the article was great.

[GerateWohl 4,371]

I remember that one director of an episode in Mando season 1 or 2 chose to use the original blaster shot sound. That was really great.

The new sound they usually use is awful.

[Andy 4,141]

Striking visuals.  Boring sounds.  You can hear Burtt's old Jawa blaster sounds having more identity and character in the same scene.