That Goddamn Fog Horn -- i.e. Dancehall Sound Effects

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Yeah those sound effects date back even from before the birth of ska - they were a means for one soundsystem to distinguish itself from its rivals. In the book Bass Culture there's a funny anecdote from the fifties about a sound system operator going to buy a ship's foghorn to sound over the music at his next dance and getting a totally incredulous response.

― Gunderson, Wednesday, 27 June 2001 02:57 (twenty-four years ago)

four years pass...

At the dancehall club, on reggae radio shows, etc, I hear so many recycled sound effects. The fog horn would be the most recognizable to me. Wondering if these sounds are from famous sources, or just kicking around on sample CDs, or...?

Deadly Dragon Sound System here in New York has a bunch of sounds available (grouped, nicely, into "laser," "scifi" and "warfare" categories):

http://www.deadlydragonsound.com/v3_selectors.php

Also, if anyone wants to point out their favorite effect...

― Rob Uptight (Rob Uptight), Monday, 18 July 2005 16:22 (twenty years ago)

Nah I think they are just from old sound effects LPs and CDs. Their use goes back to dub at least (maybe even earlier.) Favorite effect is definitely air-raid siren.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 18 July 2005 16:38 (twenty years ago)

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