Deep Note
The Deep Note is the sound trademark of THX, being a distinctive synthesized crescendo that glissandos from a relatively narrow frequency spread (about 200–400 Hz) to a broader frequency spread (of about three octaves). It was created by James A. Moorer,[1] a former employee of Lucasfilm's Computer Division (later known as Pixar Animation Studios) in late 1982.[2] The sound is used on trailers for THX-certified movie theaters, home video releases, video games, and in-car entertainment systems.
"THX sound" redirects here. For the sound certification, see THX.The Deep Note was partially previewed on the opening track of the 1983 album The Digital Domain: A Demonstration, where it was included among sound effects that were combined with the Deep Note itself. The Deep Note debuted later that same year at the premiere of Return of the Jedi in Los Angeles.[2] It also appears at the beginning of the fifth track to Asia's third album Astra, 'Countdown to Zero.'
In popular culture[edit]
In a 1994 episode of The Simpsons titled "Burns' Heir", there is a parody gag of the Deep Note, with the Simpson family in the theater watching Siskel & Ebert: The Movie. The Deep Note causes multiple things in the theater to explode seemingly from acoustic resonance, and ends with Abraham Simpson yelling "Turn it up!" THX executives liked the parody so much that the scene was later remade into an actual THX movie trailer, with the scene being redone in a widescreen aspect ratio by Film Roman.[17]
"Dumbest Girl Alive", the opening track on the album 10,000 Gecs, by hyperpop duo 100 gecs, begins with a sample of the THX Deep Note.[18]
Jacob Collier recreated the THX Deep Note in '100,000 Voices' which is the opening track to his 2024 album Djesse Vol. 4. He discussed his inspiration and method of recreating the sound with an audience choir in the March 4th 2024 'Switched On Pop' podcast.