On Aug 28, 2011, at 6:32 PM, tikkotikko wrote:
> I want to make a mechanism that, when stepped on, will make the sound of a creaking floorboard. Preferably a simple, reliable mechanism that doesn't need adjustment. Any suggestions?
>
> Creaking floorboards seem to create themselves quite frequently, but I haven't yet figured out how to do it on purpose!
making a stand-alone mechanism that will reliably creak by itself is tricky!
the classic Foley/radio SFX mechanism for creaks is a "creaker box" -- a dowel rubbed with violin rosin played by pulling a cord that is wrapped around the dowel, usually in a resonating box. Here are some great pictures, and some text from old-schol FX expert Tony Palermo (look for "creaker box"):
http://www.audiotheater.com/creakers.html
http://ruyasonic.com/sfx_kit.htm
this sort of design needs "tuning" by tightening the cord tension and finding the right motion, but once it is dialed in it should be fairly repeatable, until the dowel needs re-rosining..
there's a similar sort of design that uses a rosined rod, often called a "Lion's Roar" or String Drum. a loop of string goes around the rod, and the other end of the string is attached to the center of a drum head.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion's_roar_(instrument)
here's a fancy version, which makes a deep groaning sound:
http://products.kolberg-percussion.com/en_GB/604/product/7549.html
but i have several cheap toy versions that are intended to be whirled around like a bullroarer, but when the drum end is held and the rod is turned slowly, they make a great creak (or squeals, or eerie voice sounds...). here are a couple of quick photos of one of these. the "drum" is just a cardboard tube, like a paper towel tube, with a "head" made of contact paper.
i hope this helps!
-g
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-- www.gregorynormanbossert.com --
-- www.suddensound.com --
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