Comments on: Ben Burtt Talks Star Trek (& Star Wars) Sounds + Links To More Recent Star Trek/Star Wars Connections

By: Bob

Bob — Sun, 31 May 2009 11:00:38 +0000

I FOUND R2-D2!! He’s in the scene with Kirk & Spock on the Narada as they’re about to go into the Jellyfish ship piloted by Spock from the 24th century. At first it looks like it’s a landing skid, but it’s R2 for sure!

By: Petitspock

Petitspock — Mon, 25 May 2009 14:38:59 +0000

Ben Burt,

Don’t know if you’ll see this so long after the interview. I just want to say my hats off to you for bringing back some of the sound design of the original series. It was by far the best sound design of any Trek incarnation (until now, that is). Your update of that sound design was long overdue. You did an excellent job.

By: RD

RD — Mon, 25 May 2009 08:01:29 +0000

The only problem I had with the sound design was on the bridge. I simply don’t understand why the bridge needed to sound like a school-bus full of kids playing a bunch of different video games. Some of the sounds were so toy-like, which would not have been so bad except they really distracted one from the dialogue and made the bridge sound like some kind of full-sized Mego action playset. And what was with the obnoxious sounds the turbolifts made? I really felt like I was inside R2D2’s head during one of his tantrums on that bridge.

By: Gene L. Coon was a U. S. Marine. Stand at ease.

Gene L. Coon was a U. S. Marine. Stand at ease. — Sun, 24 May 2009 02:13:12 +0000

55. John from Cincinnati – May 19, 2009

I still want to see TAS re-done in CG. Keep the original dialogue with the original cast but new sound effects and new music from the original series. Anybody with me!

I am. And I have made the same comment! The fact that TAS exists, with real stories, with the original actors, is a treasure. You can listen to them like radio shows. Re-doing them with proper animation and music/sounds would seem to be a no brainer. Even if done like Clone Wars.

By: DesiluTrek

DesiluTrek — Thu, 21 May 2009 01:20:33 +0000

Gene Roddenberry was about 6′4″. I am 6′2″ and when I met him in 1983 it felt like he towered over me! So in that pic he and Lucas are indeed on the same level floor!

By: John from Cincinnati

John from Cincinnati — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:17:06 +0000

74.

That’s great! I also would buy them for sure. I know back in 1999 they were working on putting TOS faces on CG models for a game that never came out called “Vulcan’s Fury”. The story for that game was even written by Trek vet writer DC Fontana. Even though the game wasn’t released, they did release some trailers for the game, and I have to say even with technology from 10 years ago, they got the likenesses of Shatner, Nimoy and Kelley down pat. I’m all for starting a petition!

By: Andy Patterson

Andy Patterson — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:06:44 +0000

Have to admit I agree with most everything you said. Was really hoping they’d make a tie in with the weird way the transporters sounded in “The Cage” to where they eventually sounded in the rest of TOS. To many other sounds that evolved. Was dissapointed with that. Thought this would have been a genius way of bringing different generations of fans together through the sound vocabulary. Instead of further dividing them, which in my case is what has happened. On many levels. Missed opportunities all around.

By: JD Moores

JD Moores — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:45:42 +0000

Upon my second viewing of “Star Trek,” I became convinced that Burtt’s sound effect for Spock Prime’s Jellyfish ship is lifted straight out of “The Phantom Menace.”

By: star trackie

star trackie — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:19:17 +0000

I prefer the steady stream effect of the TOS phasers and the old school style of that hot blue electirc energy slicing through Nero’s men and his ship like a hot knife through butter would have been awesome. It also would have made a nice contrast to the pulse weapons that the Romulans were using.

Also miss the low electric hum of the transporter room along with the lighting effects of the old show. It always sounded like they were harnessing incredible energy to achieve the beaming. Was sorry to see it not used. And whose stupid idea was it to make the transport foot pads domed?? It would be like stepping on a beach ball. Pretty bad design. (for the footpad…loved the rest of the transporter).

Also missed the door “swish”.

By: Andy Patterson

Andy Patterson — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:02:33 +0000

Yeah, I knew that was you Mark. I am at work. End of the school year. Wierd schedules, kids on field trips, testing, festivals and the like. Plus this is my lunch ‘25 minutes’.

Your Star Trek sound site is cool by the way. People should check it out.