what IS the voice of Gamera ???

[Jinzo Ningen]

Watched Jiger and GotU over the weekend. First, it was so cool that the trilogy crew didn't mess with Gamera's trademark roar. (By choice or mandated by Daiei?) Too many tweaks or outright re-do's for Godzilla's rogue's gallery voices (Rodan, KG) in the Heisei films that were BAD and completely unnecessary.

Then I simply got to wondering... most of us know the story behind the creation of Godzilla's iconic roar. Does anyone know the story of Gamera's?? Listening to it in those films, I can't really place it as anything familiar (animal roar slowed down and/or reversed or whatnot) or even close to a sound I know (squealing tires, creaking metal hinge, etc.). Although a squealing tire is kinda... close. LOL

So... what exactly makes up Gamera's signature cries??? Inquiring minds want to know!!!!!!!!

[H-Man]

Isn't it just modified from elephant noises?

The only thing I outright disliked about Gamera, the Brave was that the filmmakers replaced the classic roar with that awful stock sound effect.

[lhb412]

Pretty sure Gamera's roar is a modified animal noise.

[Gentleman]

I've always loved that roar, and wondered about its origins. It doesn't sound elephantine to me, though.

Now that the thought is in my mind, I'm curious about other kaiju roars. Rodans has been a favorite of mine too, and I always wanted to know how it was done. Time to hit up Google.

[Rody]

^Rodan has one of the best monster roars, for sure. I recall hearing/reading somewhere that Rodan's roar was conceived in a very similar manner to Godzilla's. From what I've heard of (presumably) the original samples, I think that lines up:

[GFan]

I love that so many classic kaiju roars were created using vari-speed analog tape effects. It gives them a uniqueness that sets them apart from traditional generic animal roar sounds. I'd really like to know how Gamera's roar was made as well, it's definitely something sped-up, but I could never tell if it's musical in origin or animal sound.

[EricDent]

Gamera kinda sounds like an Elephant (maybe sped up & backwards with a loop)?