Video summary

How to make a Dog Bark into an Alien Laser Sound!

Main summary

Key takeaways

Art and Creativity

Overview

This video shows how to transform a dog bark recording into a “laser sci‑fi weapon” sweetener/topper sound using a step-by-step audio effects chain and automation.

Artistic Techniques / Creative Process

  • Dynamic control for impact: Heavy compression to shape the bark into a more sustained, “weapon-like” tone.
  • Time-domain modulation: Flanger and a very short delay to create an electronic/robotic character.
  • Pitch shaping (with automation): Pitch shifting upward with automated movement (starts higher, then drops back) to create “laser sweep” motion.
  • Spatial “tail” design: Subtle reverb for space/texture, with tremolo automated to activate mainly during the tail—so the flutter happens after the body.
  • Parallel low-end enhancement: Add an octave-down layer to increase body and low-mid presence.
  • Targeted EQ shaping: Large low-frequency boosts plus low-mid warmth to make it feel like energy/impact rather than a bark.
  • Transient/punch treatment: A low-focused transient enhancer (with highs rolled off) to deliver a quick “bump” without harsh spikes.

Effects Chain (As Described)

EQ

  • Mentioned as the first step; in this case, “not actually doing anything with it.”

Compressor (FabFilter Proc 2)

  • Gain reduction: ~10 dB
  • Threshold: -14
  • Ratio: 5
  • Attack: fastest
  • Release: ~132
  • Make-up gain: +6.8 dB

Flanger (FabFilter “kilohertz flanger”)

  • Delay: 0.2 ms
  • Depth: 0.35
  • Rate: 73
  • Motion: 3.54 Hz
  • Scroll: on
  • Spread: 24%
  • Feedback: 74
  • Mix: 100% (fully wet)
  • Note: “free mode” yields slightly different results each play (useful for printing variations).

Delay (FabFilter Timeless)

  • Delay: 6.69 ms (extremely fast)
  • Feedback: 32.7%
  • Mix: ~20% (just above)
  • Goal: short-delay + feedback for a robotic/electronic feel

Pitch Shifting (Little Alter Boy)

  • Pitch up: 7
  • Format: 3.9
  • Quantize mode
  • Mix wet: 100%
  • Automation: pitch starts at 12 then drops to 7

Reverb / Chorus-Style Coloring (Pro-R2)

  • Character: 100%
  • Thickness: 100%
  • Distance: 0 (more early reflections)
  • Brightness: slightly reduced
  • Width: ~29.7%
  • Mix: ~1% (very subtle touch)

Tremolo / Tail Flutter (Sound Toys Tremolator)

  • Depth: max
  • Rate: ~120 BPM, but MIDI off so it operates in milliseconds
  • Shape: default
  • Automation: tremolo is automated so it doesn’t flutter during the main body—it starts during the reverb tail.

Pitch Layer Down (Zplane)

  • Adds an octave down
  • Mix: ~23%
  • Stacking/parallel signal for more low-end body

EQ (Low-End Emphasis)

  • Boost low end: +16 dB at ~56 Hz
  • Add low-mid warmth: +8.5 dB around ~120 Hz

Transient Punch (Spiff)

  • Amount: 8.9 (set quite high)
  • Roll off highs to avoid top-end spikes
  • Goal: low bump/punch without harshness

Intended Use

Described as a “laser sweetener” that can be layered over an actual gunshot sound for extra body and snap, useful for sci‑fi weapons or energy shield effects.

Creators / Contributors Mentioned

  • Matt Yokum (host/creator)
  • FabFilter (Proc 2, Timeless, and a flanger plugin)
  • Sound Toys (Tremolator)
  • Elastique (Zplane)

Sound Toys / plugin authors as brand contributors are included via the plugin names above (no individual people named).

Original video