My favorite program is: SOUNDFORGE.
I have version 4.0, it''s been in the package
with my sb-live!, so I suppose, it''s not very expensive :-)
But, it IS good!
I think, version 5 or higher is already available.
You can do some basic effects, like changing
the frequency, reverse the signal, change amplitude.
For creating effects I found the filter section as
most important. You can add/take away the frequencies
you want.
I made an absolutely realistic tank-motor sound
from an electric can-opener, for example.
It''s not enough to just set the sample frequency down,
some tuning with filters made it sound real.

Important: you can remove the electric humming sound
you have everywhere, escpecially with bad shielded
wires (50Hz here, is it 60Hz in USA ? dunno...)

You can also do a bit of sound synthesis with SoundForge.
This is good to produce these cool effects of older
movies like "forbidden planet" and other sci fi
stuff like that.

Of course you can add delay, reverb, chorus effects and
the like...
Simulate stereo by phase-shifting.
Distortion effects..

Did I forget something?


You say, you have sounds in your mind.
Hope, this isn''t something serious, you should
consult a psychologist... ;-)
No, seriously, if you want to get the sounds from
your mind into the computer, then EXPERIENCE is
what you need, to get the desired results.
You''ll have to chose some software, get comfortable
with it, and then try...try...try...
You will get better, and it will take less time to
get what you want, but not in two days or so.
Believe me, (at least this time ;-) I know what I''m
talking about.


However, SF4.0/4.5 is my absolute fav.
(and I DID try different programs before ;-)


Steve

Well, best would be, of course, you have real weapons,
but you may be right, it''s difficult to convince
some guys at the army letting you record gun sounds ;-)

You could use toy-guns, and then modify the sound,
with above mentioned (or other) software.
Toy guns sound too bright, add more low and some mid frequencies.

I''ve recorded some exploding fire crackers, experimenting
around, like putting them into a can, and other things
to get different sound basics, for modifying later.
We built a little plastic wall around it (one side
open, to prevent too close reflections, which you would
record, too. It''s not good to have too much room-sound
influence in a sound basic, for it will sound ugly
when using it in 3D-sound engines).
The "wall" took much of the wind sound, we didn''t want
to wait for nice weather (hey, north-germany, nice weather,
ha ha ha....)

!!! DON''T EXPERIMENT WITH EXPLOSIVES !!!

I used really small (and legal!) crackers, which may be able to make your skin
black, but not to cut off your fingers.
And I used "electrical detonation", from secure distance.
I don''t risk my health for some good sounds, of course, and you
shouldn''t either.

The little crackers are now acceptable hand granade
sounds, and one became a nice BIG explosion.
the loose paper stuff we put around it, caused
a crumbling rock sound, when the paper-pieces fell
down on the floor (in the "low frequency" -version,
of course )


ATTENTION: For things like that, I really don''t
recommend you to use expensive microphones!!
Well, maybe they would sound better, but
how many times? ;-)
I killed a mic., when I fastened it too close to the
exploding stuff.
It still worked, but the membrane was damaged, and it sounded
bad, then.
Also, too close distance causes distortions,
at some very low distance even, if you reduce the amplification
with your soundcard''s mixer. It''s the membrane, which
oscillates unregularly, when too close, not the overdriven
amp., in this case.

If you have only a cheap mic with low bandwidth,
it can be difficult to record sound, that you''re not
going to modify much. Ie. you want a dog''s barking,
then you just record a dog''s barking sound, nothing
to modify.
Well, you''ll have to try adding the missing frequencies
with the filter section.
I''d prefere to have a good microphone to record sounds
"of nature",
active filters cannot replace a good sound base (in my opinion)
But good mics are expensive, that''s why I use the
crappy mic of my old SB-16 package, that thin plastic
creative-labs thing :-)
Well, it works...

Really funny, the toilet thing ;-)
I AM gonna try this :-)
(yes, I do try almost everything that could produce sounds
that have a chance to be useful for something :-)


Well, I put the mic about 15 cm from the explosive,
but not pointing directly towards it, rather pointing
45 degrees next to it.
(15cm are about 6 inches, if I remember correctly..)

Go to Radio Shack and look for the keyboards with the "Gunshot" tone. Awesome sound with various possibilities. You could modify this sound into a laser or plasma blast. If you cant afford the $150 price then find someone who already has the keyboard and borrow it or something. The keyboard has midi capabilities.