The “Kill Bill siren” as it’s widely known is one of the most iconic sounds in trap music. Its instantly recognizable tension-building quality can help electrify trap beats giving them added drama. In this post we delve into the origin story of this classic trap tool and even show you how to create your own original sirens.

The Sirens 60’s Origin

While this classic siren is widely known as the “Kill Bill siren” due to its use in the movie of the same name, Tarantino actually borrowed this sound from the theme of the 1960s detective series Ironside. The theme was composed by the recently departed Quincy Jones and features one of the first widely recognized uses of synthesizer in television music. Its high-pitched oscillations and dramatic feel made the show’s intro iconic and unforgettable.

Quincy’s instantly recognizable sharp, siren-like synth intro instantly screamed suspense and urgency, setting the tone for the tense detective series.

This characteristic was not lost on Quinten Tarantino who tactically deployed the siren synth sounds in his Kill Bill movies. It was used prominently whenever The Bride, the protagonist, encountered her enemies. It was most likely Tarrantino’s use of the Ironside synth sirens that pricked the ears of early 00’s trap production cartel – 808 Mafia who were looking to inject added tension into their beats.

First Uses and Rise in Trap Music

While the Kill Bill siren had been sampled in numerous hip-hop tracks over the years, most notably Above the Laws “Murda Rap” and 2 Pacs “Guess Who’s Back?” 808 mafia are widely credited for first using and popularising it in trap production. In an interview for Fader, 808 Mafia producer TM88 stated –

“Me and Southside, we found the sound, but we didn’t think it was going to take over the world the way it did. Even artists now call me, like, “Man, can we get the Kill Bill in there? Or that little 808 Mafia sound?

Although the siren is closely associated with the 808 Mafia collective and almost serves as their unofficial beat tag, it didn’t take long for other trap producers to recognize its potential as a highly effective sound effect. It was the 2015 release of F Ck Up Some Commas by Future that really established the Kill Bill siren effect. After this seminal record, the siren could be heard on countless trap beats, particularly amongst up-and-coming beat leasers looking to ride the coattails of 808 mafia.

Why the Kill Bill Siren is so Effective

The Kill Bill siren works so well in trap production because it instantly captures listeners’ attention, building anticipation. Its high-pitched, oscillating tone stands out against deep 808 bass and sharp hi-hats, cutting through even the busiest of beats. It is also a very simple sound relying on a single glided note. As long as this note is in the same route note of the track it generally sits perfectly in a beat.

It’s also worth considering the Psychological effect of the siren. Its close association with the Kill Bill movies subliminally evokes an instant sense of danger or drama. This perfectly complements the confrontational themes often present in trap lyrics.

How to Make Your Own Kill Bill Siren

While the Kill Bill Siren is prominent in so many trap beats it’s still, however brief, a copyrighted sound recording. So, to negate any potential copyright issues we highly recommend sourcing a royalty-free sound-a-like effect. Be sure to listen out for any traces of cymbal as this would indicate it has been lifted from the original Ironside sound recording.

Or better still, why don’t you have a crack at creating your own Kill Bill-a-like siren effect?
Creating your own version is straightforward with a few production tools. Here’s a basic guide:

  • Oscillator Choice: Use a synthesizer that has a sine or triangle wave oscillator, as these produce the smooth, high-pitched tone necessary for the siren.
  • Pitch Automation: Set up pitch automation to create a repeating oscillation, raising and lowering the pitch rapidly for a siren effect.
  • Saturation and Reverb: Add some light saturation to give the sound an aged gritty texture. Then apply reverb to create a sense of space and intensity. Plate reverb is ideal. You can also try adding some tape delay if this is the effect you are going for.
  • Adjust Pitch and Length: Play around with pitch and duration to make the siren fit seamlessly into your beat.

There are a number of tutorials available that show you how to create the Kill Bill siren using different virtual synths. Check out the following video for a step-by-step guide to re-create the siren in Native Instruments Massive synth.

Conclusion

As we wrap up our exploration of this brief yet iconic sound snippet, we must recognize yet another corner of the music world that the legendary Quincy Jones has touched. Quincy’s groundbreaking use of a synthesizer in a 1968 TV theme has echoed through the ages, re-emerging via Quentin Tarantino to ultimately become a staple in modern trap music.

And whether you refer to it as the Ironside or Kill Bill siren it continues to be deployed in trap music, underscoring its dark, dramatic energy. So, whether you choose to use a sample or make your own, it’s hard to go wrong with this Swiss army knife of trap fx.

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