How can I create the sound of a steam train?

[Oliver Smith]

For my sins, I have the responsibility of creating the sound for an animation.

 

Several of the characters are steam trains. They're more toys than real trains, so I want to avoid using real trains for the SFX. I'm aiming for that 'CHUG-chug-chug-chug-CHUG-chug-chug...' sound -- not a sound that sounds like several hundred tonnes of iron, but a sound that sounds like a friendly little engine -- but so far, I'm stuck.

 

I've tried bicycle pumps, I've tried vocalising it, but I'm still yet to get the SFX I want.

 

Needless to say, I'm stuck. Can anyone offer any ideas?

Edited February 16, 2008 by Oliver Smith

[Christopher Kennedy Alpiar]

Were it me, I would just use my mouth and some digital effects :) Sounds like a fun time

[James Steven Beverly]

For my sins, I have the responsibility of creating the sound for an animation.

 

Several of the characters are steam trains. They're more toys than real trains, so I want to avoid using real trains for the SFX. I'm aiming for that 'CHUG-chug-chug-chug-CHUG-chug-chug...' sound -- not a sound that sounds like several hundred tonnes of iron, but a sound that sounds like a friendly little engine -- but so far, I'm stuck.

 

I've tried bicycle pumps, I've tried vocalising it, but I'm still yet to get the SFX I want.

 

Needless to say, I'm stuck. Can anyone offer any ideas?

 

Try these links:

 

http://www.sounddogs.com/results.asp?Type=...ubcategoryID=61

 

http://www.twistedtracks.com/royalty-free-...WhstleSFX1.html

 

http://www.a1freesoundeffects.com/cartoon.html

 

http://www.a1freesoundeffects.com/radio.html

 

http://www.audiosparx.com/sa/display/sound...und_group_iid.6

 

http://www.sounddogs.com/results.asp?Type=...ubcategoryID=45

 

http://www.grsites.com/sounds/trains001.shtml

 

http://library.thinkquest.org/C006011/engl.../sound.php3?v=2

 

http://www.bohemianpassport.com/sound_list.php

 

http://www.productiontrax.com/search.php?query=whistle

 

http://www.audiosparx.com/sa/display/sound..._group_iid.1007

 

http://www.audiosparx.com/sa/play/port_lof...sound_iid.64310

 

If you can't find the right choo-choo here, you're in trouble! B)

[Chris Keth]

For the "chugs" how about trying this. Record a metal spoon plunging into a bowl of beans. Then pitch shift it down.

 

It's sounds really weird but it works in my head :-D

[Marc Alucard]

Try your local Lionel Train shop. If they don't want to let you record sounds in the store, they can refer you to a Lionel club that will be glad to help you.

 

Some of the "Toy Train sounds" sound very realistic, and some sound like toy trains.

 

With a little speed change and pitch shifting you can get almost any sound you need.

 

Lionel

[Mike Wallach]

This might sound extremely elementary, but couldn't you just use one of those toy train tracks that you used to set up around the christmas tree when you where a kid?