40k - How does a bolter sound?

[Victor Thorian]

The title explains it all, they shouldn't sound like full-automatic machine guns but they are not pistols either. As I know there are many people here who are exteremely knowledgeable about 40k, I hope you can enlighten me on this subject so I can use it on my latest fanfic.

[Solo]

The title explains it all, they shouldn't sound like full-automatic machine guns but they are not pistols either. As I know there are many people here who are exteremely knowledgeable about 40k, I hope you can enlighten me on this subject so I can use it on my latest fanfic.

Realy frakkin' loud!

[Tengu]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Vr4P-NBaIX4

[Victor Thorian]

With all due respect, I don't think they should sound like that, given that their modes are either half automatic or four round burst mode. They shouldn't, in my opinion, sound like an Ak-47. Don't you think a "tak-tak-tak-tak" sound is more like it?

[Tengu]

Well, Dawn of War is canon...

[Destro_Yersul]

Ok, my thoughts.

Take a machine gun, fire it on full auto. increase the time between shots by a little bit, make it 3 times as loud and add sort of a fwoosh sound in the background. then add really loud explosions after every shot, and possibly a few wet slapping noises.

The wet slaps are not part of the bolter's firing. Those are the remains of whatever it fired at.

[Zorg]

Well it depends - if they're still describing them as gyrojets (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyrojet) then they'd fizz like a small rocket (http://youtube.com/watch?v=zeQOemeXvQI) or firework being essentially, well, a small rocket.

But given the visual depictions as large bore cased hand cannons I'd make it more akin to an automatic deep bore shotgun like a Protecta or a SPAS-12. Vids of various ones here (http://youtube.com/watch?v=IwC85njIE0k), here (http://youtube.com/watch?v=xiMQ981lph0)& IMO the best idea here (http://youtube.com/watch?v=7wg1pFNwTOE).

[Victor Thorian]

But given the visual depictions as large bore cased hand cannons I'd make it more akin to an automatic deep bore shotgun like a Protecta or a SPAS-12. Vids of various ones here (http://youtube.com/watch?v=IwC85njIE0k), here (http://youtube.com/watch?v=xiMQ981lph0)& IMO the best idea here (http://youtube.com/watch?v=7wg1pFNwTOE).

My thoughts exactly! Those things are .. brutal.

[LordVader]

I believe the text sound used to represent them is "dakka-dakka-dakka".

[BRC]

I believe the text sound used to represent them is "dakka-dakka-dakka".

Only if Orks are using them. You see, Any sort of automatic (or semi-automatic) firearm used by an Ork makes a Dakka noise. There are no exceptions.

[Mr. Friendly]

You got that right mate! Dakka is da sound Ork weapons make.

http://the-waaagh.com/a-to-z.html#d

Bolters (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolter_%28Warhammer_40%2C000%29#Bolt_Weapons): (from wikipedia)

Bolters fire explosive .75 caliber rocket-propelled rounds (as referenced in some fiction, and a replica of the .75 cal bolt shell purchasable from the Black Library proves), and are similar in nature to the real-world Gyrojet. They are more sophisticated than lasguns or slug-throwers, and more powerful than equivalent sized weapons in either case so are given to the more deserving or capable (e.g: the Adepta Sororitas or the Adeptus Astartes). Each round contains a mass-reactive explosive payload, triggered milliseconds after impact, blasting the target from within. Bolters are made in pistol, rifle, machine gun, and gatling rotary cannon form.

Here is an interesting site about updated gyrojet weapons, which even discusses the sound. http://www.deathwind.com/project.htm

You might find some video/audio of Gyrojets firing;

Personally, I have always imagined bolters as sounding like Steyr TMPs.

[Mr. Scaly]

Bolters sound of Warhammer fans laughing. :smalltongue:

If they're supposed to be a rocket launcher on full auto, maybe it's more like a series of 'whoosh'ing sounds of rockets flying.

[LordVader]

Only if Orks are using them. You see, Any sort of automatic (or semi-automatic) firearm used by an Ork makes a Dakka noise. There are no exceptions.

No, Marine bolters too, I think. I could be wrong though.

[Moff Chumley]

You sholdn't be able to hear it firing for the explosions. But if you insist, I say a low rumble. Like Primus. Primus is the sound a bolter makes. :smallamused:

[Victor Thorian]

Imperial Armour vol.4 says:"..the distinctive bark bark bark of the rounds launching..."

Hmm. I guess I should just write "bolter sounds" and be done with it.

[Lord_Asmodeus]

The sound of a bolter firing has been described as barking, coughing, thunder, dragons roars, grenades exploding, and so on. The point being the sound at least runs on "rule of cool" so whatever sounds cool and dramatic, and at least somewhat gunnish and epic, will fit fine.

[LordVader]

I'm a firm supporter of Dakka Dakka, I think Turnsignals uses that.
Alternatively, simply listen to DoW marines shooting and take that.

[Kane]

From what I understand, as a gyro-jet weapon, they'd make very little sound. I've always seen cases flying and muzzleflashes on art, but I just assumed they were drawn that way because it was badass. (I believe they're described as caseless)

Gyrojets would have a small charge that propels the bullet out of the gun. This is weak. Modern gyrojets can be stopped by placing your finger over the barrel of the gun while firing. However, shortly after it clears the barrel, the engine on the 'jet' part kicks in, and it accelerates.

My best guess is a quiet 'thmp' for the firing, and then a 'whoosh' -type noise for the jet, once it starts. The 'gib' type sound effects for the impact.

[LordVader]

That's logical, but you've failed to take one thing into account;
This is Warhammer 40k and these are SPACE MARINES!!!!

Therefore, their weapons must be the very definintion of badass, which means that they have to have as large a muzzle flash and as lound a firing noise as possible. :smalltongue:

[Nonanonymous]

Much like the original Quake's rocket launcher, only much, much more rapid.

[Were-Sandwich]

I always imagined them as sounding like an AK-47, or an MG42, but much, much deeper, and a crapload louder. I think Fire Warrior got it all wrong, but then the bolters in the game are more like grenade launchers.

[Breltar]

I always imagined them more as a little louder than a Mk. 14 grenade launcher, and a bit more rapid firing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1Jg36qwsog

The report you hear a few seconds later are the rounds exploding after they hit the target.

Though the Mk. 14 grenades are 40mm...

[Theork]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSmmKTXmQMM

When the dreadnought opens fire with it's storm bolter, that's what a boltgun should shound like! :smallbiggrin:

[Drglenn]

From Fire Warrior:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZhXIsnoOhI&feature=related

[Eita]

The title explains it all, they shouldn't sound like full-automatic machine guns but they are not pistols either. As I know there are many people here who are exteremely knowledgeable about 40k, I hope you can enlighten me on this subject so I can use it on my latest fanfic.

No one knows what Immaculate Sound the Holy Bolter makes, for the death screams of its most-deserving victims drowns out all other noise.

Also, as for how bolters actually work, the most plausible sounding theory that fits in with DoW and most novels (as well as the bolter casing in Nottingham) is that it's like a gun until the projectile leaves the barrel. Then, the engine kicks in propelling it the rest of the way. That's why every single bolter looks like a tracer.

[Dragor]

I always imagined it as a loud 'Dumph-dumph-dumph' sound. Try saying 'Dumph' very loudly and very quickly and you'll see what I mean.

[Zenos]

I think i read somewhere that bolters make a thundering noise when they fire. I cannot verify this, however.

[Shifty]

I think they'd sound big, and heavy. Like something designed for the express purpose of killing heavily armoured sentients. Also, I think the rate of fire on them would be a bit slower than your usual burp gun. More like a chugging barrage of diamond-tipped hellfire than a withering curtain of small arms fire. Also, these are space marines we're talking about, so I'm going to err on the side of Righteousness and posit one of these as possible sonic analogs.

20mm Oerlikon Autocannon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muDj4HT767Y)
Edit: For the record, 20mm is pretty close to .75 calibre, giving this a bit of credibility, and the visual effect is pretty much what's described by the codex.

Or, my personal favourite, the 35mm Oerlikon AA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3G7VbSIANU&feature=related)

[psilontech]

*dakka!**dakka!**dakka!**dakka!**dakka!**dakka!*

[KilltheToy]

Keep in mind that GW has a habit of the Rule of Badassness trumping the actual canon. Officially, bolters have caseless ammo, which means that there isn't much of a muzzle flash and um..no casings. But a huge muzzle flash and a crapload of smoking casings looks freaking awesome, so that's how they're usually displayed.

I would guess that a bolter would sound somthing like a combonation of a machine gun or assault rifle and a grenade launcher being fired.

Which would mean somehow combineing *DAKKA DAKKA DAKKA* and *POOMPH* .

Also, I would like to say the following to all the Imperial servants that have congregated here:

DEATH TO THE FALSE EMPEROR! GLORY TO CHAOS AND THE WORD BEARERS!

Thank you, that is all.
*runs away before Inquisition arrives*

[Dervag]

Also, as for how bolters actually work, the most plausible sounding theory that fits in with DoW and most novels (as well as the bolter casing in Nottingham) is that it's like a gun until the projectile leaves the barrel. Then, the engine kicks in propelling it the rest of the way. That's why every single bolter looks like a tracer.I figured it has to be that. Bolters are lethal even at very close ranges, which suggests that they get quite a lot of speed in the gun barrel. Otherwise, they'd tend to ricochet off their targets and blow up in midair, where they would be far less effective, at short range.


20mm Oerlikon Autocannon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muDj4HT767Y)
Edit: For the record, 20mm is pretty close to .75 calibre, giving this a bit of credibility, and the visual effect is pretty much what's described by the codex.I now have a theory about where bolters come from. In the misty past, before the Horus Heresy, the officer of some elite unit was talking to the quartermaster in a museum.

They saw footage of one of these weapons being fired.

"Yeah. I want one of those, only handheld."

I'm not kidding; it's perfect. Except that we need to overlay the small rocket engine hisses onto the individual rounds.

[Revlid]

If a bolter punches through a cultist's chest and out the other side, shredding the bodies of several more as it detonates in the woods, does it make a sound? More to the point, does it matter?

[Victor Thorian]

Of course. It is imperative that we know all about how our glorious armies administer Emperor's Justice.

[Bryn]

I got my hands on the Imperial Munitorum Manual yesterday, which confirms some relevant information. It specifies that the rockets fire once clear of the barrel, and that the gun fires at a 'relatively low velocity' before being accelerated by the rockets in the bolter rounds. To be honest, I have no idea whether or not this would affect the noise, knowing relatively little about real-world guns, but I assume that the velocity of rounds leaving the gun would have some relevance to the way it sounds; in addition, each shot would probably have two sounds due to the firing of the rocket (I think this has been said before). Finally, it says that bolters have a 'loud report'.

On the other hand, the Munitorum Manual is hardly a definitive source, being published by the Black Library, so really I would say that a bolter sounds however you want it to sound :smalltongue:.

[Dervag]

If a bolter punches through a cultist's chest and out the other side, shredding the bodies of several more as it detonates in the woods, does it make a sound? More to the point, does it matter?Yes and yes.

After all, how are you supposed to know that the random 'excessive' bolter rounds you fired into the woods hit anything?

I put excessive in scare quotes because there is no such thing as truly excessive bolter fire.

[GolemsVoice]

Have you ever heard the sounds that pruging a house full of chaos scum makes? The glorious sound of bullets meeting the deserving flesh of the traitor, the heretic, the mutant? The victory cries of thousands of loyal warriors of the Imperium? That's the sound they make, an eternal prayer to the hungry gods of war, each round a sacrifice to the Immortal Emperor of Mankind.
Questions, Citizens?

[BlueEyedPaladin]

Mentioned in the "Inquisitor" and early 40K books when an Imperial Fists Captain, Lexandro d'Arquebus, joins Inquisitor Jaq Draco.
The (as far as I'm aware) definitive description of a bolter's sound is:

"RAARKpopSWOOSHthudCRUMP"

The RAARK is the ejection of the bolt round, the pop is the ignition, the SWOOSH is the propellant powering the bolt on its way, the thus is the bolt impacting, and the CRUMP is the muffled explosion as the bolt tunnels and explodes. "It was ever this rowdy way" says the novel.

I'm aware that the early novels aren't considered exactly canon, but it seems a reasonable sound for it, to me.

[Raimun]

DEATH TO THE FALSE EMPEROR! GLORY TO CHAOS AND THE WORD BEARERS!


Umm, no... ?

[The Glyphstone]

I got my hands on the Imperial Munitorum Manual yesterday, which confirms some relevant information. It specifies that the rockets fire once clear of the barrel, and that the gun fires at a 'relatively low velocity' before being accelerated by the rockets in the bolter rounds. To be honest, I have no idea whether or not this would affect the noise, knowing relatively little about real-world guns, but I assume that the velocity of rounds leaving the gun would have some relevance to the way it sounds; in addition, each shot would probably have two sounds due to the firing of the rocket (I think this has been said before). Finally, it says that bolters have a 'loud report'.

On the other hand, the Munitorum Manual is hardly a definitive source, being published by the Black Library, so really I would say that a bolter sounds however you want it to sound :smalltongue:.th

If the Munitorium Manual is anything like the Uplifting Infantryman's Primer, you can probably take anything written there as the exact opposite of the truth.:smallbiggrin:

[Squark]

TotalBiscuit fires a bolt pistol for the first time in Space Marine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb50aAFiOpM&t=5m4s)

This is what Space Marine went with for a Bolt pistol's sound, and Here's (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb50aAFiOpM&t=6m10s) the first time he fired the bolter proper.

[factotum]

Holy four year thread necromancy, Batman!

[The Glyphstone]

Holy four year thread necromancy, Batman!


Great Modthulhu: I am so ashamed I didn't see that.