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Introduction:
There have been a number of people asking about where to find information on the various audio mixes, dialogue changes, sound effects used for the Original Trilogy films over the past few months.
So much so that oojason had started work on compiling an ‘Audio Index Thread’ (amongst some other ‘OT•com Archiving’ projects) shortly before he left the site. Thanks to oojason for allowing me to finish his project, and also to Fated-Dualist for asking ooj’s permission and forwarding me on the files and ideas I’ve been able to continue that work and have now completed this project thread (I think!).
I hope this thread will be of some use, interest and help for finding audio information on the Original Trilogy films. To both showcase and archive the knowledge, help and information (not to mention the resoluteness & dedication) of the OT•com members on here.
This is simply an attempt at an index for the numerous OT•com threads about all things audio in the Original Trilogy.
Also included in this thread are some hopefully insightful or informative online articles on the audio used for the three classic Star Wars films.
Some thread content may discuss multiple changes, cover various issues, or overlap into differing categories etc. Sorry.
If you know of any OT•com threads or quality online articles on all things OT audio, and would like to add them to this Index, please post them below. Thank you.
The Main Categories:
• The Original Trilogy Sound Mixes
• Changes to Dialogue and Sounds in the Original Trilogy films (and also alternative dialogue and sounds)
• General Original Trilogy Audio threads
• Original Trilogy Sound Effects (+ info on Ben Burrt etc)
• Original Trilogy Scores, Soundtracks and Radio Dramas (+ info on John Williams etc)
^ Some OT•com threads and online articles may discuss various topics and issues, and overlap into different categories or subjects.
The ‘Original Trilogy Discussion’ and ‘Theatrical Cuts vs. Subsequent Releases’ sections of the OriginalTrilogy•com feature many, if not all, of the above audio threads found in this thread.
More Original Trilogy audio threads can also be found in the following threads and OT•com site sections:
Radio Drama threads can be found in ‘An Index & Help Thread for Beyond the Original Trilogy…’
OT Soundtracks threads can be found in ‘An Index & Help Thread for The Expanded Universe Discussion’
Audio Preservations threads can be found in ‘An Index Of Projects for Star Wars Preservations…’
Audio Quality / Improvements threads can also be found in ‘An Index Of Projects for Star Wars Preservations…’
If you know of any OT•com threads to include in here, or any insightful or informative online articles on the all things audio for the Original Trilogy please post them below. Thank you.
The Original Trilogy Sound Mixes:
• Star Wars sound mixes - by Moth3r
• The “OFFICIAL” audio mixes of the Original Trilogy - Help needed - by russs15
• 70mm 6-Track Dolby Stereo mix differences - by mysycamore
• Question on the 1977 70mm Soundtrack Recording - by REJ27
• Empire Strikes Back 70mm - by Vaderisnothayden
• The Empire Strikes Back: Sessions Questions (Two Music Cues In Particular) - by Tack
• Hopefully the last 70mm vs. 35mm ESB audio differences thread - by morgands1
• Anybody ever notice the audio drop-out on ROTJ? - by Mielr
• Project: The other differences in the SW mono mix - by TServo2049
• Mono mix music edit - Did anybody notice this before? - by TServo2049
• Were the original unaltered mono or 2.0/4.0 matrixed sound tracks for the original trilogy on a home release? - by 10GigTriforce
• Sound mixes from different versions of star wars - by kenkraly2007
• 4(as opposed to 3) audio tracks for the original theatrical run of Star Wars? - by danny_boy
• 35mm Stereo Sound Question - by m
• 7.1 vs 5.1 vs stereo vs mono - by Avatar_Emil
• 1981 Star Wars re-release- which audio mixes were used? - by SpilkaBilka
• Difference between the theatrical versions and the first VHS home releases? - by J00CE
• Question about the 85 mix - by Vaderisnothayden
• Changes in 85 ANH mix - by Vaderisnothayden
• Questions about audio mixes - by Vaderisnothayden
• Additional material in ANH 1993 mix - by Vaderisnothayden
• A New Hope: Theatrical 1977 stereo mix vs. 1993 stereo mix - by SpacemanDoug
• 70mm mix to ’93 mix comparison - by Belbucus
• What was changed for 1995 THX version? - by Cthulhunicron
• Pre-'97 VHS sound mixes? - by clutchins
• 1997 Special Edition Audio Mixes, GOUT-Synced (Released) - by HAL 9000
• Star Wars Trilogy Special Edition Audio Visual Press Kit - by anthony72
• Question about audio in Star Wars 97SE - Tantive Klaxons - by mutantchair
• Any Interest In A Corrected 2004 DVD? (“Deliberate Creative Decisions” info) - by Neil S. Bulk
• Can someone please explain WHY the audio on the 2004 ANH DVD is so messed up? - by AdamWankenobi
• No DD 5.1EX in ANH…Ripped off We Want DTS (2004 DVD) - by MossMan
• What sound mixes are on the 2006 DVDs ? - by pittrek_
• Soundtrack for Star Wars OOT DVD? (2006) - by BountyHunter
• So how bad is the 2011 Star Wars sound mix really? - by Funcha
• Current issues with Star Wars 2011 Blu-Ray audio? - Funcha
• Audio Mixes used for the 2019 SE release of the Original Trilogy - any issues? - by Gonk-DB94
• The Definitive Theatrical Audio Mix? - by OpenRift412
• Shot List Spreadsheet - v0.6.05 - 6 films - Multiple SW Audio Mix Changes - by none
Some general online articles & sources of information:
• Recording the Star Wars Saga - Analysis by Chris Malone - at Malone Digital (pdf format)
• Star Wars Audio Mixes - at David Ely
• The Sounds of a Galaxy Far, Far Away - at Wide Angle Closeup
• Theatrical Audio Resources - at Saving Star Wars
• Exclusive Interview: The sound of Star Wars - with Matthew Wood (2011) - at Home Cinema Choice
• George Lucas, Star Wars & a Disappearing Cello - The Story of THX Cinema Certification - at THX
• Unaltered Original Star Wars Trilogy on Blu-ray (sound mix info) - at lddb.com (aka the Laserdsic Database)
• How George Lucas’ Ideas Blazed Trails for Dolby Sound Over 40 Years of ‘Star Wars’ - at Variety
• Star Wars (1977) - Dolby/Mono Mix Differences - at the SpaceHunterM YouTube channel
• The Empire Strikes Back (1980) - Dolby/Mono Mix Differences - at the SpaceHunterM YouTube channel
• Star Wars: what is the ‘definitive’, original 1977 edition anyway? - at Episode Nothing
Changes to Dialogue and Sounds in the OT (+ alternative dialogue & sounds) :
GENERAL ‘CHANGES TO THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY’ THREADS:
• Is there a list for Pre 97 Versions and their changes both audio/visual ? - by Afton Robotics
• OT Audio Changes - by SkyderHouseMafia
• I thought this was interesting - sound differences in OT releases - by 20th Century Mark
• is there a list of 2004 DVD audio changes? - by tellan
• 2004 DVD, Changes in Sound? - by Jambe Davdar
• Yes, I bet you have! (2004) - by tlbauerle
• New dialogue found (more may be coming) A&E’s Empire of Dreams (2004) - by Hardcore Legend
• Vader’s voice change in the OT - by Nilbog (re both in the OT, and then later SE changes)
• Can we get some love for Yub Nub?
• OUT Audio: Pablo Speaks - by Zion
• Star Wars coming to Blu Ray (UPDATE: August 30 2011, No! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!) - by Adium
• Special Edition to 2011 Audio Changes - by DVD-BOY
• Maclunkey - by screams in the void (when the technology didn’t exist back in '77, '97, '04, or '11 for Greedo to say ‘Maclunkey’)
• Shot List Spreadsheet - v0.6.02 - 6 films - Mono Mix Changes Added by - none
Changes to Each Original Trilogy Film…
STAR WARS:
• The Definitive - tractor beam - Close the blast doors - Blast it, Biggs/Wedge - you don’t taste very good - Noooooo!!!" - Preservation Guide - by russs15
• “Close the blast doors” - by stealthboy
• 2011 Rocks and 2004 Krayt Call in this Clip from Starwars.com - by nickyd47
• What’s Your Favorite Version of the Krayt Dragon Call? - by nightstalkerpoet
• Obi-Wan’s Krayt Dragon call changed on DVDs (2004) - by Boba Fett
• The Krayt Dragon Call (2011) - by The Nerd
• Now it’s just getting ridiculous- Obi Wan’s new howl (2011) - by adywan
• Voice dubbing in the first film - by TServo2049
• Beru’s voice - by Moth3r
• Star Wars (1977) Aunt Beru Original Audio - by dwsiddall
• The missing Dianoga music - by Haarspalter
EMPIRE STRIKES BACK:
• R2 doesn’t taste very good - by jeffreyschmid
• “Alert my Star Destroyer to prepare for my arrival.” What was the point? - by Stampede
• “Bring my shuttle.” - by gulducati
• The Emperor & line change in ESB SE 1997 - by auraloffalwaffle
• DEVASTATED - by lostITlucas (re Boba Fett’s voice change)
• All Stormtroopers with Jango’s voice - by Obi-wonton
RETURN OF THE JEDI:
• What was your first reaction to Vader’s “Noooo” in ROTJ? (2011) - by Windows7Guy100
• first “NOOOOO!” and now… - by RBS-1980
• Lapti Nek History and Intrigue - by none
• The Lapti Nek Appreciation Thread - by DominicCobb
• The Surprisingly Strange Story of “Lapti Nek” - by AntcuFaalb
• Max Rebo band SE - by Quackula
• Am I the only one who prefers the old ewok music? - by swfan_79
• Yub Nub music - availability? - by Mandriel_
• Can we get some love for Yub Nub? - by WookieeWarrior77
• Victory Celebration - by SS4DarthPayne
Some general online articles & sources of information:
• Detention Block Shootout Audio Evolution - at the SpaceHunterM YouTube channel
• ‘Special Edition Changes’ - at the Saving Star Wars website - re audio changes for '97 SE & '04 SE
• One & Only Thread About Star Wars Trilogy Audio Quality (2004) - at DVD Talk Forums
• ‘Star Wars’ Blu-ray Controversy: Has George Lucas Made Two Terrible Audio Alterations to the Original Trilogy? - at Slash Film
• A Pair Of Awful Audio Changes For The STAR WARS Blu-rays (2011) - at Film Bluff Online
• Star Wars Original Trilogy Changes: Darth Vader’s “Noooooooo!” (and more) - at Star Wars Shot First
• George Lucas Himself Gave Greedo the Last Word in Controversial New Star Wars Edit (2019 SE) - at Vanity Fair
• The New Emperor Scene in Empire Strikes Back is the most worst post-release change in all of Star Wars - at Screen Crush
• MACLUNKEY! The Han/Greedo scene has an inexplicable change on Disney+ because George Lucas will never stop changing it - at Tech Crunch
• The 15 most pointless changes George Lucas made to the original Star Wars trilogy (inc audio changes) - at DigitalSpy
General Original Trilogy Audio Threads:
1997 Special Edition:
• Going to Mos Eisely music used in 2011 Blu ray/1997 Special Edition onwards? - by Patricier
2004 Special Edition:
• Star Wars DVD Music Mix Botched!! (2004) - by Neil S. Bulk
• Letter to LFL about DVD Defects (No OT vs SE discussion) (2004) - by ADigitalMan
• Any Interest In A Corrected 2004 DVD? (“Deliberate Creative Decisions” info) - by Neil S. Bulk
• Can someone please explain WHY the audio on the 2004 ANH DVD is so messed up? - by AdamWankenobi
• 2004 DVD 2.0 sound - by Harmy
• Why wasn’t Hamill on the commentary? (2004 DVD) - by SpecialEditionSaboteur
2006 GOUT DVD:
• Do you think they’ll fix the sound issues? (2006) - by SpecialEditionSaboteur
• audio campaign? aka “cut your losses” (2006) - by Tomland Flash
• what dialogue tracks? (2006) - by Jeneia
• 2006 OT DVD: Audio anyone? - by 20th Century Mark
• German ANH DVD OOT audio track: Entire part of dialogue missing in Chapter 13 - by Master Sifo-Dyas
2011 Special Edition:
• Star Wars audio remixed again! (for the coming 2011 blu ray set) - by Bobby Jay
• So how bad is the 2011 Star Wars sound mix really? - by Funcha
• Current issues with Star Wars 2011 Blu-Ray audio? - Funcha
2019 Special Edition:
• A New Hope audio corrected? (2019 SE) - by tbird97
MISC. THREADS:
• Question Dubbed Language - by kurko1992
• What’s Star Wars like in your language? - by Anakin Starkiller
• Misheard line in ESB - by ratpack1961
• Yodaspeak: A Study In Yoda’s Speaking Patterns and Their Frequency in the Star Wars Movies - by doubleofive
• Intercom voices in the OT - by LexX
• Anybody willing to list every foreign dub? - by Danfun128
• The lost song from Jabba’s palace - by lord3vil
• The Lost Sail Barge song - by Dat_SW_Guy
Some general online articles & sources of information:
• Star Wars Trilogy ‘Audio Defects’ (2004) - at AVForums
• Yoda-Speak: A Study of Yoda’s Speaking Patterns and Their Frequencies - at The Secret History Of Star Wars
• Ewok Celebration - aka Yub Nub - at Wookieepedia
• Remaster Class: Star Wars - at Sound & Vision
• ‘Star Wars’ Trilogy Debuts on DVD (2004) - at Steve Hoffman Music Forum (inc ‘Deliberate Creative Decisions’)
• Star Wars DVD audio issues (2004) - at Audio Review Forums
• Star Wars 2004 DVD - Recall and Other Issues - at YakFace Forums
• Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray Review (2011) - at Audioholics
• Star Wars: The Complete Saga Blu-ray Review - at Big Picture Big Sound (includes the Lucasfilm PR statement re audio defects)
• Audio drop-outs/glitches on Star Wars Complete Saga Blu-ray set - at Big Picture Big Sound Forums
• Essential Tips for Orchestral Positioning and Mix Panning - at SoundFly
• 31 Things We Learned from the ‘Star Wars’ Commentary - at Film School Rejects
• How One Line of Dialogue Changed the Entire Star Wars Universe - at Film School Rejects
• Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga 4K Blu-ray (2019 SE) - at blu-ray website
Original Trilogy Sound Effects (+ information on Ben Burtt) :
• Ben Burtt’s “Special Effects: Anything Can Happen” - by Ripplin
• Star Wars - The Sound - by Skyranger
• What is your favorite Star Wars sound effect? - by JennyS1138
• Lucasfilm Fanfare - by CHEWBAKAspelledwrong
• The Tie Fighter Sound - by MusciallyInspired
• Ben Burtt Quits… - by The Cassidy
• Ben Burtt redeems himself…he doesn’t like CG effects replacing a good story - by RATLSNAKE
Some general online articles & sources of information:
• Sound Design of Star Wars - at FilmSound
• 10 Iconic Star Wars Sound Effects & How They Were Created - at ScreenRant
• Ben Burtt & the Sounds of Star Wars - at The Kennedy Center
• The iconic sound effects of Star Wars - at Fantha Tracks
• The solitary pleasure of Star Wars (from our archive) - at the the BFI’s ‘Sight & Sound’ Dept
• Empire at 40: Ben Burrt interview - at the official Star Wars website
• Ben Burtt Interview: The Challenge of The Empire Strikes Back - YouTube video at the official Star Wars website
• Sound Designer Ben Burtt Deconstructs the Audio Effects Used in ‘Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back’ - at Laughing Squid
• Ben Burtt creates the sound for ‘Star Wars: Episode VI - Return Of The Jedi’ in vintage 1983 video - video from Eyes On Cinema
• Return Of The Jedi turns 30 - Secret Ewok Language - at MTV
• The Sounds of Star Wars - 2 minute vimeo video in appreciation of Ben Burtt’s work on the OT.
• Star Wars Sound Architect Ben Burtt Finds Himself in the Outer Rim - at Vanity Fair
• Ben Burrt Wikipeida Page
• Ben Burtt IMDB Page
• The Sounds of Star Wars - a link to the comprehensive book by JW Rinzler
OT Scores, Soundtracks and Radio Dramas (+ information on John Williams) :
• An Index & Help Thread for The Expanded Universe - by oojason (+ scroll down to the ‘Soundtracks / Music / Audio threads’)
• The Music Discussion Thread - by BB-Rey
• Star Wars Scores and Releases - a general discussion thread - by captainsolo
• Original Soundtrack - by Darth Simon
• RTJ Soundtrack Album - by parrotmonkey
• Star Wars Soundtracks Ultimate Collector’s Edition - by suspiciouscoffee
• John William’s Opinion on the Special Editions - by Davis
• Star Wars Radio Dramas - general discussion thread - by Count Dushku
• Star Wars Radio Drama - update in 1st post - completed review - by Anchorhead
• NPR Radio Show - My Thoughts - by DarkFather
• Star Wars Radio Drama - Special Edition - by The Bizzle
• PT Radio Drama - by The Boost
• A thought on Prequel Radio Dramas - by fishmanlee
Some general online articles & sources of information:
• May the Score Be With You: How John Williams Defined the Sound of ‘Star Wars’ - at The Ringer
• The inimitable music of Star Wars - at ABC (Aus)
• How Star Wars music lets us feel the Force - at The Conversation
• ‘Star Wars’: How John Williams Helped Created An Epic - at U Discover Music
• John Williams IMDB Page
• John Williams Wikipedia Page
• The Star Wars Record Collection #3: Star Wars – Original Soundtrack double LP - at Episode Nothing
• Star Wars on CD: Which soundtrack releases are the best? Part two. - at Episode Nothing
• Star Wars Trilogy: 1997 SE vs. 1993 Anthology - at the JWFan website
• Making sense of all the Star Wars soundtrack releases - at the JWFan website
• Star Wars Soundtrack Releases - at Soundtrack Collector
• The Complete Star Wars Trilogy: Original Radio Drama, Limited Edition (CD - 1996) - at Amazon (Unabridged)
• Star Wars Trilogy: The Original Soundtrack Anthology (1993)) - at Wookieepedia
• Star Wars Trilogy at Discogs
• Star Wars '77 at Discogs
• Empire Strikes Back at Discogs
• Return Of The Jedi at Discogs
• The Original Star Wars Trilogy Adapted into a 14-Hour Radio Drama by NPR (1981-1996) - at Open Culture
• Listen to the original NPR radio drama adaptations of the first STAR WARS trilogy - at BoingBoing
• Star Wars Radio Drama - Wikipedia Page
• Star Wars Radio Drama - Wookieepedia Page
Note: The informative JWFan.com website (and forum) is a quality source of information for much of John Williams’ work on the Original Trilogy films - as well as information on Star Wars audio in general.
If you know of any OT•com audio threads to include in here, or any insightful & informative online articles on ‘all things audio for the Original Trilogy’ please post them below. Thank you.
I am not in any way an audiophile, and so there may be some threads listed in the wrong category etc, or that I’ve overlooked for inclusion in here.
So if you spot any errors, mistakes or broken links, please let me know and I’ll attempt to fix or amend them.
If any of you audiophiles want to use any of the content of any of this post to put together a better or more in-depth Index or thread please go ahead.
Last Updated: 1st March, 2021.
As Gonk is no longer around - the site staff will keep this thread updated - though please post up any threads & suggestions for inclusion in here.