Story of Sosumi & the Mac Startup Sound

2023-03-10 01:24:39

Right here is the true story concerning the Sosumi beep, Mac startup sound, and different sounds I created at Apple. So many myths and concrete legends about these sounds. I stored my secret about Sosumi for a decade after leaving Apple. I feared if the reality have been identified it could be eliminated. I’m happier than anybody may think about these sounds I created are nonetheless round.

Sosumi Beep

Hearken to the Sosumi beep

I used to be interviewed for a documentary concerning the historical past of the Macintosh in San Francisco. They gave me free beer too!

Sadly, my favourite scene was deleted within the remaining edit of the film. Fortuitously, I discovered this clip on the slicing room flooring. Right here I’m, telling the true story behind the city legend of the notorious Sosumi beep sound on the Macintosh.

This clip is from the film: Welcome to Macintosh. Within the subsequent video beneath I inform a extra full model of the story.

Right here’s a uncommon clip (sorry concerning the low audio high quality, not my fault however I may repair it). This was taken from the premier of the Welcome to Macintosh film. I used to be on a Q&A panel with Steve Wozniak, Andrew Hertzfeld, and Man Kawasaki. I set the mark on this clip to function me and the Sosumi story ????

Mac Startup Sound

Hearken to the Mac startup sound

The ultimate chord of the Beatles “A Day In The Life” is a tremendous second, and was a key (pun meant) inspiration for my Mac startup sound.

In an fascinating twist of irony (and I do love irony) the Sosumi sound happened attributable to a trademark dispute. My most well-known sound is now formally an Apple trademark (what took them so lengthy?). A sound trademark is uncommon. Among the few examples are the 20th Century Fox orchestral fanfare, the NBC chimes (which additionally occurs to be primarily based on a C-Main chord), or the THX “deep note.”

However by far my favourite interview passed off at a espresso store close to my residence. In the event you bounce to the 13:15 mark, I inform the story of how I created the Mac startup sound. At 24:35 I inform the extra full story concerning the Sosumi beep, and the context of the brand new sounds I added to Mac System 7.

Sadly the unique has vanished from YouTube. I like these guys at One Extra Factor. What occurred to them? Right here’s a duplicate I discovered.

Mac and iPhone Digicam Sound

Hearken to the digicam sound

One of many different sounds I created for the Mac is the one you hear if you take a screenshot (press Cmd-Shift-3). That is additionally extra well-known because the sound you hear when taking a photograph on the iPhone and iPad.

It’s a recording of my trusty previous Canon AE-1 from the late ’70s.

The Designer of Apple’s Most Iconic Sounds

This final video has grow to be a favourite. CNBC contacted me asking if they may come to my home and ask some questions on what I had finished whereas at Apple. I obtained to indicate off my music room stuffed with vinyl data, a didgeridoo, and reveal the instrument I used to create the Mac startup sound.

Meet the person who created Apple’s most iconic sounds

Articles About The Apple Sounds From Jim Reekes

I’ve been gathering many articles about my work over time. I’m at all times stunned by how a lot this record continues to develop, and the way fascinating persons are in listening to these tales.