As part pf my university curriculum, I have been granted the freedom to work on a project of my own design/choice.
For this project I am aiming to create sounds for a historical weapon and implement these sounds into Unreal Engine 5. This means the sounds will be contextual within the environment using effects such as correct reverb and environment interaction.
I'm also aiming to keep a consistent blog via this website of my journey with this project. More so than I did last time.
This first post will be discussing the research I have done into various different weapons. i will be weighing the pros and cons of creating sounds for these weapons and ultimately deciding on a weapon to attempt to create sounds for.
Firstly, I looked into the M3 Submachine Gun, which is most commonly known as the 'Grease Gun'. This weapon is small in nature and far better for close quarters combat.
The rate of fire for the weapon is High thus meaning a fast effect must be created for firing of the weapon. It also holds 30 rounds so the firing effect will be short due to the rate of fire. The smaller calibre of ammo also means the impact sounds are a lot lighter in nature.
This weapon is featured in a lot of media, meaning references will be easy to get and will make creating the weapon effects far easier.
The weapon utilises a magazine, this means an effect could be made to adjust the firing sound as the magazine empties.
As a compact gun there are not a lot of moving parts, which means creating movement sounds for the weapon would require less work.
Overall the hardest part of creating the sounds for this weapon will be the firing sounds, there isn't many special effects required for general use of the weapon as most of the mechanisms are simple.
'M3 Submachine Gun, Para Trooper'
The next weapon I researched was the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle or known also as the 'BAR'.
This weapon was used extensively by the US army in WW2 and rightfully so as it was a very versatile and reliable weapon.
Due to the larger calibre used this weapon features a far louder sound when fired. It's powerful in nature and destructive as well, impact sounds for the weapon will be a challenge as they are far more destructive in nature than the M3.
This weapon also features a lot more moving parts, there was a Bipod that was attached to the weapon along with a handle. These would require effects for movement as they weren't fixed in place.
The weapon fires at a slower rate compared to the M3 so creating a consistent sound will be far more easier. It also had 20 rounds in a magazine meaning less time firing.
Even wider appearance in media than the M3, so references for the weapon are easy to get.
Overall this would be a great weapon to create effects for. The bass required in firing and impact will prove a challenge but this could aid me in understanding the process behind creating firing sounds which would be a great skill to learn.
'M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle, Ohio Ordinance Works'
Finally the last weapon I researched was the Lee Enfield SMLE MKIII.
This weapon was also extensively during the Second World War by British Forces.
As a single fire rifle creating the firing effect for this weapon would be far easier although, similar to the BAR the higher calibre will require a loud firing sound along with impact effect. The weapon holds 10 bullets so little variety will be needed for the firing effect.
The bullets for this weapon where most commonly loaded in via hand or clip depending how empty the magazine was. This means a far more unique effect will be required for this weapon and creating these sounds may prove a challenge.
The weapon is also bolt action so an effect will be needed for this mechanism, and creating a satisfying sound for this will also be a challenge.
Overall this weapon will require a lot more unique effects compared to the other two, and this may be a challenge to replicate. However I feel it is best to select this weapon as due to the unique way it is operated, I will be able to showcase a greater set of audio skills further adding to my portfolio.
'SMLE MKIII, Canadian War Museum'
To conclude, I look forward in attempting to recreate the sounds of the SMLE MKIII. Despite the challenging nature of the weapon, I can pull from a multitude of sources in order to get the sounds just right for the weapon. I also have many tutorials online available in order to replicate the sounds of the weapon using objects I have lying around.