Roots Archives Forum

Can some one tell me what the strange whistling sound is on this track?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnlSU7FMLnY

I have heard it on many songs and have a dim memory of it being a test signal from a mixing desk fed through a delay but a more technical answer about what it is and how to do it would be appreciated.

Also what was the first track to feature it if anyone knows? Any more good examples of it's use in a track?

Be interested to know too

Assuming I'm referring to the same sound as you
I always assumed that was a laser, but I had no idea how they made the laser sound
I assume some of the laser sounds were fx on synth keyboards?

I'd be very interested to hear what/ how it was done

sounds like a space drum of some sort, like a Synare - they were quite popular in the late 70's early 80s.

edit: it's possible that the noises were overdubbed after the mix, that was not uncommon back then.

It could be a synth drum, listening to some Black Uhuru and they have some similar sounds so seems likely. I just have this dim memory of reading about a dub technique related to a test tone from a mixing desk, if not this track then something similar. I will keep digging for info.

A filtered oscillator, whether triggered by a key on a synth or a hit to a syndrum. Not the test tone thing though. The beginning of this has the test tone, and it always sounds about the same:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMSKo0BQ-ME

This might be of interest to you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrP-dU3vqgg

The second link is so great. I just love these synthisizer/laser-sounds. Great sound effects for dub music.

@bugman

Great! Thanks for this, solved the question. I am going to check out the bloke who made it's website now.