TRANSFORMERS: THE BASICS on SOUNDWAVE - Updated for 2023!

[@DanGamingFan2406]

"Soundwave superior." Yes, yes he is. Amazing that for 40 years, he's remained one of the most popular and integral characters in the franchise. Every version is amazing, but my personal favorite is the Prime version. Cold, ruthless, fiercely loyal to Megatron, and always two steps ahead of the Autobots. Plus his sleek, faceless design is awesome.

[@watershipup7101]

Very much agreed

[@waterbullstudios9195]

Prime and Gen 1 are the best.

[@darkneon5637]

Agreed

[@orangeinferno]

Hot take: Prime soundwave is bad Soundwave design. Good con, good villain, bad soundwave design.

[@CruiserToneFan]

he takes a UAV drone which usually imo is kinda ugly, and makes it look good THATS impressive lol

[@DrakeBoehm]

Everybody loves Soundwave. Even the writers. You can see it throughout the fact that he consitently gets awesome roles and designs

[@returnedtomonkey8886]

40 years and soundwave manages to stay a fan favourite. Absolutely superior

[@SyverReborn]

Soundwave superior, all others inferior

[@darkneon5637]

​@@SyverReborn The future of the Decepticon

[@RatedShadowXrd]

@@SyverRebornautobots inferior

[@jasonotto9126]

My headmasters soundwave I had managed to keep in the box for years was basically my kids first 'teddy bearing tried to offer him all my others even my way overpriced springer remake which I loved. But no soundwave 😂 p.s waking with him sticking into my spine did not waver my love for him... or my son 😅

[@TheDarkSparkVault]

He has been my favorite Decepticon, he is my favorite Decepticon, and he shall always be my favorite Decepticon!

[@HubPie3]

My sister and I aren't the closest, but I'll always remember Soundwave as being her favorite Decepticon. She's the music person in my family, so Soundwave's sound abilities and alt mode won her over. I'm more of a Thundercracker person (IDW at least, come on, I want to see TC used more as a character and not just a Starscream redeco), but Soundwave's pretty cool in his own right.

[@SeviathTheHumanDrago]

Thundercracker from the Transformers Cybertron Series in the Unicron Trilogy of Shows might be what you want. Granted he's just comic relief, but he's very powerful as well.

[@Ketchamfamily]

Soundwave has always been my favorite transformer ever since I rediscovered G1. His Voice, his design, his loyalty to Megatron, his skills. Everything about this master of stealth, song, and subterfuge makes him truly Superior in my eyes. Hence my username and Icon mention him. I also love how dammed near consistent he has been over the years and I cannot wait to see more of him in the future.

[@MDestron2282]

You said it. I was about to type nearly the same thing. Not only was he loyal to Megatron but there are times in the G1 show where Megatron warns Soundwave to get out of the way before he fires and things like that. Any other Decepticon would've just been blown away by Megatron without a care.

[@Ketchamfamily]

@@MDestron2282 Right I think that is what sets Soundwave apart from other loyal cons like say Cyclonus. Most cons are loyal to Megs because A their scared of him, B their too stupid not to revolt against the guy, C they are just bootlicking followers who just want to be around the big guy, or D is brainwashed to do so. However, soundwave is one of the few Cons who genuinely follows Megatron out of loyalty and duty. The only other cons I can say do that are Shockwave or Shadowstriker. Honestly, that is the biggest reason I love him so much He gets shit done but still looks out for Megatron back, and visa versa with Megatron.

[@Daftotron]

I'm really surprised that communication trucks aren't the go-to for every Soundwave depiction lately. They're perfectly boxy and fit his role as communications officer. Just make his "cassettes" turn into the spare tires and it would be perfect

[@ChrisMcFeely]

It felt like they *were* for a hot second, after the "evergreen" designs came in and standardized his appearance across toys, comics, and cartoons - much like Megatron settling into a grey-and-black tank for the back half of the 2010s. EarthSpark was an unexpected shakeup!

[@SteamGiants]

​@@ChrisMcFeelyCan you please do Decepticon Triple-Changer Octane for this year's Obscure Characters Month... I'm begging you!🥺

[@martl8615]

​@@SteamGiantsnot obscure enough.

[@cjvelasquez4886]

@@ChrisMcFeelySoundwave should consider of taking the transformation into any vehicle as he pleased I mean what if he could take the form of any vehicles he look up at.

[@worldssmallestdestron7819]

or turn them into satellites that plug into him, speakers, and stuff stuff like that.

[@DavidHutchinson0713]

Just wanna make two comments: 2:25 I'm sure most of us already know this, but the famous voice begins with Frank Welker doing the voice he does for Doctor Claw, the main antagonist of the Inspector Gadget series, which is then modulated through a vocoder, resulting in an electronic, "synthesized" voice, you can say. Apparently, the reason Frank did this was to help himself distinguish Soundwave from Megatron during the recording sessions, since he was voicing two characters who converse with each other pretty regularly, meaning that every now and then, he might be basically recording a scene by himself in the booth. That said, there have been times in the cartoon where, due to mistakes by the sound editing team, the vocoder was not applied, allowing you to clearly hear the Doctor Claw voice. In addition, the Bay movies did away with the vocoder altogether, and Prime Soundwave's one line downplayed the vocoder to emphasize the natural Claw voice instead; in Robots in Disguise '15, the vocoder is back in the spotlight. 8:11 On the topic of Soundwave's cassette player mode, there is one redeco of his G1 toy that has always been of great interest to me. In 2013, there was this limited edition redeco that was made in collaboration with Linkin Park, who did the theme songs of the first three Bay movies (and a trailer for the Rise of the Dark Spark game). This "Linkin Park Soundwave" was gold and black, coming with gold versions of four of his cassette minions (Ratbat, Ravage, and the completely identical Laserbeak and Buzzsaw). This Soundwave didn't have any stickers, factory-applied or otherwise, but it did have a tampographed Decepticon symbol that you can see beside the tape deck when he's in tape player mode, and the Minutes to Midnight-era Linkin Park logo (the one that has the circle) was tampographed on his chest. The box was basically stylized to look like a black-with-gold-accent Soundwave in cassette player mode, with this stylized "tape" that says "Linkin Park / Transformers Mix" at the "tape deck". I think it was sold on this specific music store, that was (at least at the time, since I have no idea of its current status) owned by Linkin Park turntablist Joe Hahn. I've always felt that redeco was awesome. EDIT: I thought the LP Soundwave toy had a tampographed insignia in his shoulder (think of Optimus Prime), but upon recheck, I was mistaken. Correction has been made.

[@loccaleus1]

My first transformer my mom and step dad got me...will always be my favorite out of all of them. My 2nd is star scream because he was my second. Megatron will always be my favorite when it comes to personality tho.

[@Loremastrful]

A return to one of the great. I opt to call a group of Soundwaves a Decibel. A fun Radio Shack fact. Audio cassettes served as an early storage medium for programs and software. Right after Punch cards and reels of magnetic tape and before pizza sized floppy disks. I found it cool. This was right when personal computers took off tying Transformers to cutting edge technology.

[@jesusromanpadro3853]

That's way many, if not all, of the cassettes shared a data storage function. Although it was, at best, a secondary function.

[@RomLoneWolf23]

I love the idea of Soundwave being a true believer of the Decepticon cause above all else, ready to turn against even Megatron if need be.

[@ecembrew]

That voice in 1984 sounded like nothing else on TV... it was amazing

[@queen_sectonia]

Finally!! And update on my favorite decepticon ever 😊 (also love to see more comically powered starscream)

[@redalpha7284]

Finally, a long awaited video remake of the basics of Soundwave.

[@mattr75]

I still wish I owned the Masterpiece version of Soundwave. Still, solid update to this classic video for the Basics

[@DeamonChocobo]

Definitely prefer him as a Boombox, but him as an alien ship or satellite really works. I did love his design in Cybertron, but nowadays standard Jets are so stealthy it feels more out of place to see the Stealth Bombers they give him than it is to see a boom box with cassette tapes. Basically a modern updated Seeker (an F22 or F35) would be stealthier than just about any of Soundwave's "Stealth Bomber" alt modes.

[@Technodreamer]

I really liked the "Predator drone" mode from Prime.

[@pat1r1ck]

i think you mean, cassette player. boombox is reserved for blaster. i kinda dig the stealth bomber idea or communications truck if we can't get cassette player soundwave.

[@cybersilver5816]

The B2 Spirit and the coming B21 Raider would like a word with you. Stealth bombers are very much still viable in modern militaries and offer better RCS than fighters that need to remain maneuverable. Soundwave being one still fits the roll as a force multiplier better than just another seeker interpretation.

[@pat1r1ck]

@@cybersilver5816 yeah, this one would definitely be the perfect form for soundwave. luckily, no one remembers dreadwing who also transform to something similar

[@elpizo1789]

@@pat1r1ck that just sounds like a decent remold opportunity.

[@Elite-0Zero]

Given how tediously the TFUK fans like to pick the bones and retcon every aspect of the franchise, it’s amazing we haven’t yet had depicted a scene of young revolutionary Megatron telling Soundwave to hold still while he traces his face for his new cool logo.

[@strifenineteen]

He stopped being the "face" of the Decepticons when they introduced "The Fallen" who became the new symbol

[@gundam833]

Soundwave is by far one of my most favorite characters. The appeal of the toy as a kid that could hold smaller cool Transformers is what did it for me. That voice though from the OG series in 84' was another cool feature I digged.

[@Kaenbyou-lw6mo]

I love how desgins for Soundwave throughout Transformers ranged from a cassete player to a tentacles freak.

[@radwolf76]

Watching Revenge of the Fallen in the theater, when THAT scene came up, I leaned over to my spouse to try to whisper "I've seen enough hentai to know where this is going"... they punched me in the arm on word 3 so I shut up.

[@shockwave191]

I think that Soundwave being a Satellite is a really cool idea that should be considered one of his alt modes

[@jamesaaaronamoguis]

Frank Welker will always be voice of Soundwave from G1 to Robots in Disguise!! He's a true decepticon spymaster: "Soundwave Superior"!!! 16:05 But I love Prime, Cyberverse and Earthspark version of Soundwave!!

[@thekylenorton]

That classic idw look in one of those last screenshots is probably my most favorite look he has

[@sivanlevi3867]

In Generation 2, another Soundwave toy, a recolor of Laser Cycle Road Pig, was planned for release but was cancelled. I love this 'Con and everything about him. My favorite incarnations are his Generation 1 and IDW versions. In my Transformers roleplay, me and a friend play Soundwave as a peace-loving 'Bot who switched sides after growing restless with Galvatron's leadership, now leading a group of Decepticons into abandoning violence and accepting peace to become Deceptibots.

[@christianbrown2471]

One of the 1st toys of mine G1 Soundwave is still one of the coolest looking, best voice, and overall badass from G1. Not so sure that nobody would follow an uncharismatic boor after all!!

[@gabrielchee8470]

4:36 its been a hot minute, but its good to have that back

[@NemetFox]

I've been enjoying the new incarnation of Soundwave in the new Image/Skybound comics.

[@calvinmatthews1527]

It's amazing how one gimmick & a cool-sounding voice can make a character so iconic! Soundwave has become my favorite Decepticon too. He's one of those Transformers who can't be mistaken for nor replaced. Also, never give him a mouth please.

[@PrincessMatrix]

I cannot wait to see more Soundwave in Earthspark!

[@AStromlessLightning]

as can be seen in the flashback of this scene (11:31), Soundwave's body was more compact and this, considering that Laserbeak is attached to him, means that the other minicons are dead

[@StrikerFX47]

I love Soundwave so much. Hes not even one of my favorite decepticons but one of my all time favorite transformers characters.

[@HaiNguyen-bk4cc]

Thank u for making one for Soundwave. Absolutely my fave Decepticon!!!! “Soundwave Superior!!”

[@Bydnelg]

Hard to say which version I like the best because each new version brings in more I like about him. Its interesting how consistent it is for his improvements in character design.

[@stu729]

One of the most memorable scenes of Soundwave that I remember from the IDW Comics run was when Ravage was killed by the DJD on the Necrobot's planet, and Soundwave felt it while on Earth, keeling over in obvious emotional turmoil. When you think of Transformers, if you don't think of Soundwave in the top 5, you're doing it wrong.

[@DeadEnderDtNeoExe]

Me and my girlfriend actually have our own version of soundwave who does take a lot of inspiration from the comics and has gone on quite the past so yeah. Fun

[@radwolf76]

First Decepticon seen in the G1 cartoon, and his Alt Mode was a T-Pose. (Ok, it was supposed to be a cybertronian streetlamp, but c'mon, this madlad was T-Posing back when Dinosaurs were roaming the Earth.)

[@AnthonySanchez-k9s]

The update on soundwave is awesome. The original will always be the best thanks

[@VenomWithEyes]

Soundwave's relationship with his cassettes varies between continuities. In some, he sees them as his children, others, his allies. The weirdest one I know of is when Soundwaves cassettes were his mentors (the transformers equivalent to parents).

[@klortikterra4423]

Soundwave and Shockwave. my top 2 deceptions, i can never get those two out of my mind. gotta love the fact that Soundwave has stayed very consitant his entire life.

[@MissileVidsYoutube]

The prime series was one of my favorites, if/when I make my own transformers universe I'd base my soundwave off of his prime version with some g1 thrown in as well, or idw. I've only read a couple bits and pieces of idw but the more I hear if it the more I love it

[@bthsr7113]

It is fascinating how some Transformers are highly consistent... but Soundwave has adapted and changed in major ways.

[@anwenlokier2292]

In my school vr game, it was revealed that he got Decepticon bio powerhouse Goalius Decepticon emergency signal and sent overlord to his original location and he was seen during a unity dance fair with DJ pon3 in maretime bay

[@templarw20]

I'm a fan from the start. Never had the original toy, but loved him in the G1 cartoon. As an adult fan, I've loved the Prime and Cyberverse incarnations. Soundwave superior, indeed.

[@CharlyDeamen]

IDW comics and Prime made me utterly LOVE Soundwave. What's not to like? He's reliable, capable, doesn't do empty talk (or any at all), and is good with "children". It may be a bit of a fanon interpretation, but seeing Soundwave as being a bit of a fiercely protective "single dad"... works for me. Also I love his Prime version, what I call his "Slendermech" version (after Slenderman). Hence the icon. He had such a presence!

[@johnosbourn4312]

My favorite version of Soundwave is still the classic tape deck incarnation, also, Chris, you forgot to mention that Soundwave is a major character in the new Transformers Reactivate game that's coming soon, and a new figure of him has been made, and released in a two pack with Optimous Prime.

[@caseyp8173]

That's definitely a terrific video of the updated basics on one of my all-time favorite Decepticons: Soundwave! As usual, my favorite version of Soundwave is obviously his 80s G1 version, the live-action movies, Transformers Prime and its sequel Robots in Disguise, as well as comics and video games and his Cyberverse version. Soundwave is, indeed, what he always says: Soundwave SUPERIOR!!! 👍👍👍

[@joseluissifuentes8639]

Fun fact about Soundwave: In Angry Birds Transformers, Chef Pig was used as Soundwave and while it may not be accurate to today’s iterations of Soundwave, he did have an homage to his original profile written by Budiansky considering how Chef Pig was always the backstabbing schemer to rise up to the ranks of the pigs even as to try to take the King Pig title

[@firewarrior8298]

They should have made chef pig starscream instead of a minion pig

[@joseluissifuentes8639]

@@firewarrior8298 I agree, but sometimes I gotta love obscure information about TF characters

[@firewarrior8298]

@@joseluissifuentes8639 same, but honestly the decepticon choices for that game were pretty weird, why was corporal pig galvatron instead of king pig for one.

[@rdhnl]

Soundwave is my favorite character in the whole transformers franchise. It is the one Deceptacon that I respect, no matter white continuity he’s in. Like in transformers prime and in G1 and multiple others, he’s treated as a loyal servant and soldier to Megatron. And others, like IDW, comics, and Cyberverse, treat him as more than just a loyal soldier. And he’s willing to do what it takes. For his home planet, I respect him in every show, and what he stands for. I know he is portrayed as a villain, but even villains deserve respect for what they do and what they believe in.

[@ForgimusPrime]

I'm sure your Obscure characters videos are in progress already but I was going to suggest one for next year: Treadshot

[@khalidshubbar6911]

Soundwave is the GOAT. Trigger-happy for obscure characters month.

[@trexadvent4726]

What do you think makes Soundwave different from the other Decepticons? Is he similar to Bumblebee since he's the right hand bot of Megatron?

[@Bmontepeque11]

Cassette Man really did us a good one by existing and becoming Soundwave :') ❤️

[@slicerneons3300]

There are so many Casettes characters we can get besides just Laserbeak, Ravage, Rumble, & Frenzy. I hope SS Core Class keeps us in giving us more Cassetticons and Cassettebots. I also want a Marvel Purple repaint quite badly.

[@serina3872]

One of the few things i liked about animated was when soundwave was a toy his eyes where yellow like the G1 toy

[@Blackout5871]

Always loved Soundwave. Even as a kid I thought he was neat. I'm a giant Prime fan but all the same, the War for Cybertron game is my favorite look for him.

[@ItsYaBoi123]

You should do an episode on the current weaponizers, brunt cog sixgun and more and where they came from and their purpose now

[@OnDavidsBrain]

"It's been a while." "Yaaaaay yeaaaaahhhh!"

[@krimsonklaww611]

Kimda love that Machine Wars and Mutant Beast Soundwave

[@robertfrazier6563]

I'm always a fan of G1 version of Soundwave but I always wondering how many cassettes he can fit in his chest.

[@ComicGuy74]

Such fun video. Thanks, Chris!

[@lordfury18]

Prime soundwave is still my favorite overall, second only to the original and its purely cause of how quiet he was, dude was easily one of the strongest cons but refused to be anything other then the cons spy master/communications expert! and lets not forget the one and only time he spoke in prime, THAT was the most perfect line delivery

[@DragonspineInfiniteZero]

Idk if transformers can change their voice components but if they do... i'd like to think soundwave has a special spot for all the voices hes had from frank welker to Isaac C Singleton Jr. Like a shelf full

[@LeoTheW]

Soundwave is one of my most favorite decepticons😊

[@jaymcnally461]

Soundwave is my favourite 🤩 transformers franchise and I like how he do minis cassette tapes cons because he is amazing 🤩 ❤

[@isaabushi9770]

Soundwave truly, is the perfect Decepticon and he always will be to soundwave the greatest decepticon in transformers history

[@pipoms]

the transformers prime design is my fav and what came after is awesome

[@tylermcweeny2256]

In the Bumblebee movie Soundwave is holding Megatron

[@TheSandwhichman108]

Anyone think it would be cool to see a take on soundwave as Decepticon leader in a series where Megatron is stone cold dead? Megatron is to be feared but I always had the feeling soundwave could do far worse to me if I tried anything.

[@jefrey1769]

Fun Fact!:Soundwave is my favorite decepticon and i can voice him badly

[@vustvaleo8068]

there's also a reincarnation of him where he is a CD player thus his minions turn into disks.

[@dragonslairproductions5138]

I didn't know that he inspired the Decepticon logo, that's kinda cool

[@legodoc1853]

IDW Soundwave was amazing

[@Vampirewerewolf1]

I am pretty sure the Top 5 Transformers list contains Optimus Prime, Megatron, Soundwave and Starscream for many people.

[@jonahdengler3858]

11:43: It’s called an MQ-9 Reaper, “Patrick Star”, an unmanned type of military drone jet. 🤨

[@blimbam]

I still think soundwave should turn into a suitcase laptop and the minicons could be USB sticks

[@deepseastonecore3017]

How often do l make jokes about chemistry? Periodically.

[@chengkuoklee5734]

Ah, Soundwave the coolest Cybertronian. When i first exposed to G1 Transformers, i always thought Soundwave is way more cooler to be Optimus nemesis.

[@samuelsnyder2097]

I have the wfc soundwave and the animated soundwave good update video of him Chris

[@uriamudeltoro5075]

*in my best Soundwave voice..... "Operation: PICK YOUR FAVORITE" ❤❤❤

[@VINNICENTE]

TFP soundwave altmode is what i like, its a jet version of the general atomics MQ-9 REAPER drone, however, there is a jet UAV named the RQ-4B global hawk, its bigger and winder wings, i suppose making soundwave a jet MQ-9 is good and all because if he took the form of the original one he would be very slow and he had to rely on ground bridges alot more

[@lachauntiswashington231]

I like him in Cyberverse. It would be cool if the toy could play actual cassette tapes.

[@laudreport3798]

Soundwave and Megatron were and STILL are my favorite toys of all time. In 1983 I was 10 years old, tomorrow I'll turn half a century old and I would STILL play with Mega & Wave if I had them 😀. Sadly these toys no longer exist as when they were originally released in their original forms, especially "Megatron" 😔 Megatron was a 1911 Colt .45 and it eerily resembled the original weapon, (I'm not kidding! Old school knows what I'm talking about) heck it even felted and looked like a real gun! Megatron, nowadays would for sure be banned, as it resembles a real gun, maybe that's why it's not reproduced in it's original form. 😔 Soundwave was my second favorite of the Transformers toy series. In my opinion, my opinion! The Decepticons had better toys. And yes, the Autobots were my heroes and back then I wished they had better tough looking toys, and of course they were more powerful than the Decepticons. Thank you for these beautiful cartoons and toy memories. 👊😉

[@DonaldWWitt]

"What's a Tape Player?" -My Nephew, wounding me.

[@lareh5501]

I wouldn't mind a commercial Soundwave in the RIB coloring (1:17), nor a comic purple version (3:37). I'd slso take an alternate head with mouth (3:47)

[@Necrotronus-2007]

16:05 SOUNDWAVE SUPERİOR!!!

[@dattroll2019]

and just in time for my birthday, perfect

[@gabriellucasteixeira9272]

Soundwave: superior!✊😔

[@the_priest_of_holy_moon_cult]

Soundwave is my favorite transformers i love his look his voice Is just so damn cool!!!!! The only figure i have of him is r.e.d version and its one of my favorite figures!

[@Maswartz226]

Honestly I say a modern Soundwave should be a computer of some kind with the cassettes being USBs

[@krishacz]

been a while since we got mention of Cosmically Powered Starscream!

[@stoozdee]

6:09 “…while 1997’s Machine Wars made him a pregnancy test.”

[@Lucky_Star778]

Recently got a G1 Soundwave! This definitely feels like fate haha

[@phoenixlandingstudio6594]

I’m old old school, I just want the Soundwave that turns into a lamppost.

[@danielmiller8004]

Soundwave is still my favorite decepticon

[@blatherscite]

My all time favorite decepticon

[@aunk1134]

my favorite decepticon, to me he will always be the true leader of the decepticons, and yes he is always going to be superior

[@Mike-mf3ed]

Animated Soundwave is my favourite in terms of design and abilities, but Prime Soundwave is way better in terms of story.

[@ian1231100]

1:34 See? Frenzy is blue!

[@FictionalFactory]

Obscure character nomination the "Rainmakers"

[@unknownairplane8589]

I happen to own a Big Funko Pop of Soundwave that I got from a local Funko Pop store for a really decent price from what I could find them for online, I only got it for a decent price because it was on sale.

[@alexgiles9031]

1:33 Frenzy. *Interesting.*

[@blueraccoon1088]

I can assume the characters are apelinque and toxitron for next months based on the silhouettes