Skip to Content

History Behind the Mac Startup Sound

by C.K. Sample, III May 26th 2005 at 5:36PM

Apple logoMusic Thing is running a story covering the history behind the Mac Startup sound, and they even have a link to an mp3 of the actual sound file [file link].

The sound was created by Jim Reekes, the same guy who invented Sosumi. According to Reekes, "The startup sound was done in my home studio on a Korg Wavestation. It's a C Major chord, played with both hands stretched out as wide as possible (with 3rd at the top, if I recall). This just sounded right to me. I wanted something really fat, heavy bass, high notes, and a sharp attack. The chiffy sound was from pan pipes and something like a stick hit (I'm testing my memory here). I wanted lots of evolving timbres, stereo phasing, and reverb for further richness."

And, finally, here's my lame attempt to replicate that signature sound via type: BuhWAAAAAAAAH. Now you try! 

View Tags

Related Stories

Categories

Audio Cult of Mac

Music Thing is running a story covering the history behind the Mac Startup sound, and they even have a link to an mp3 of the actual sound...
 

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

12 Comments

Filter by:
Gavin Strange

Duuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh although i wish it went: HUUZZAAAAHHHHHHH

May 27 2005 at 8:13 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Lacy

Mmmmm...sounds like a 5th on top to me.....not a 3rd.(sad git)

May 27 2005 at 7:35 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ben Poole

Re the sad Mac sound, I believe there was a different chord depending on what the underlying problem was: a good Apple engineer presumably had to have a good ear ;o)

May 27 2005 at 4:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ben murray

frrrrrrrrrrMMMMMMMMMMMM ooh my lips feel funny now

May 27 2005 at 4:04 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ryan

The screeching tires and breaking glass was real. It was either my Centris 660av or PowerMac 6100av that had that. I think it was the 660av. Most dreaded sound ever to hear.

May 26 2005 at 11:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
aprodite

Some Mac's had different "Sad Mac" sounds, I remember my old Mac IIfx used to sound like "breaking glass" when it wan't happy. I seem to recall another mac having the sound of screeching tyres followed by a smashing sound, but it was so long ago I'm not sure if that was real or just my imagination. Anyone out there know for sure?

May 26 2005 at 8:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
narco

I wish someone would post the old "sad mac" sound. I don't remember how it went, but I think it sounded like the music to the old NES game Wizards and Warriors. Fishes, narco.

May 26 2005 at 7:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
David

Ahem. http://folklore.org/StoryView.py?project=Macintosh&story=Boot_Beep.txt&sortOrder=Sort%20by%20Date

May 26 2005 at 7:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
yPod

dwoinnnnnnnnnnnnnmn :(

May 26 2005 at 7:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Aaron Willis

screeeedily-screedily-BOIOING!!!!! Well, that's what I wish it sounded like. I always thought that was the noise that uncle steve makes when he yawns.

May 26 2005 at 6:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Buy an ad here

Hot Apps on TUAW

Tweets

© 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.