I was recording a singing wine glass for a video game SFX pack.

The idea was to edit and process “perfect” takes, to turn them into a loop for a “this player’s energy shield is active” sound.

I got what I wanted. But there were also odd and alien squeaks, boops and rasps from my finger’s less-than-perfect revolutions round the glass lip.

It’s stuff I normally discard. But a thought new to me came: what if these could be used to voice the foiling of an incoming projectile?”

I auditioned the anomalies on a separate track I named “Awkward potential.” Each was unique and would’ve given the shield a dynamic and responsive character.

It didn’t work, but I’ve a new approach! :D