Soundwave (Transformers)

Soundwave is a fictional character appearing in various Transformers continuities in the Transformers franchise. His most well-known disguise is that of a microcassette recorder. Throughout most of his incarnations, he is an undyingly loyal lieutenant of the Decepticon leader Megatron. He is commonly depicted as Megatron's communications officer and, in some interpretations, only speaks when mocking the Autobots.

Soundwave
Transformers character
Generation 1 Soundwave box art
Voiced by (English)Frank Welker
Voiced by (Japanese)Issei Masamune (Television series)
Nobuhiko Okamoto (Q Transformers: Mystery of Convoy)
In-universe information
AffiliationDecepticon
Sub-groupAction Master, Communications, Go-Bot, Targetmaster
FunctionLieutenant, Communications Commander and Warrior
Rank8
PartnerMegatron, Buzzsaw, Laserbeak, Ratbat, Ravage, Frenzy, Rumble, Space Case, Wingthing, Shockwave
Alternate modesCybertronian Jet, Microcassette deck, Cybertronian tank, MP3 player

Transformers: Generation 1

Voice Actor: Frank Welker


Soundwave is one of the most recognizable characters from the original Transformers series, because of his unique alternate mode – a microcassette recorder – and a distinctive monotone, computerized voice.[1]

File:Soundwave-alternate.jpg

Animated series

Throughout the entire Generation One cartoon, Soundwave was depicted as Megatron's loyal and emotionless communications officer and spy. In the show, he typically infiltrates a target and deploys cassette tapes who transform into robot spies to complete his objectives. Most of the figures designed to interact with the original Soundwave toy were shown filling out that role, with the exception of Beastbox and Squaktalk who never appeared in the show. However, he began to appear less prominently in the show's third season as newer characters began to fill out the episodes. In the Japanese spinoff Transformers: Headmasters, Soundwave was heavily damaged in battle and was rebuilt into a new body and renamed "Soundblaster".

Reception

According to X-Entertainment Soundwave was the top selling Transformers figure of all time.[2]

Beast Wars
Soundwave
Transformers character
In-universe information
AffiliationPredacon
Sub-groupBasic Beasts
FunctionWarrior
Rank9
Motto"From the sky to the sea, they will fear and respect me."
Alternate modesAlligator/Bat

A character named Soundwave—but with no relation to the original character—was released as part of the Beast Wars Mutants sub-line in 2000. As a Mutant, this Soundwave transforms from bat to alligator, with no humanoid mode. Due to his in-built radar in bat mode, and crushing jaws in alligator mode, he excels at a variety of missions. However, due to his situation, Soundwave is a dark and bitter character. He has an ultra-sensitive internal radar in bat mode, and in alligator mode, his tail can send seismic shockwaves through the ground.

IDW Publishing

This version of Soundwave also appeared in IDW Publishing's Beast Wars: The Gathering miniseries. Activated on Earth by Magmatron and a group of Predacons from the future, Soundwave and the mutants emerged from their stasis pods and took up residence in a swamp that they quickly made their own. When a group newly activated Predacons led by Transquito ventured through the swamp on a mission they were attacked by the Mutants. Poison Bite attacked Retrax, Soundwave attacked Powerpinch and Icebird attacked Transquito. Deciding the swamp was not worth their lives, Scourge and Insecticon fled. However, in "The Ascending" it is revealed that Powerpinch, Transquito and Retrax survived.

IDW's Beast Wars Sourcebook series identifies the mutant Soundwave as a former warrior who may have been a veteran of the Great War, though the details are ambiguous at best. Sourcebook #4 states that Soundwave became an actor/entertainer after the ratification of the Pax Cybertronia, developing a "dramatic flair in everything from his movements to his speech paterns".

3H Enterprises

In Transformers: Universe - The Wreckers the Mutants traveled to Cybertron and sought the guidance of the Oracle computer, seeking a cure for their condition. What they did not know is that the Oracle was under the influence of the Quintessons. The Mutants were sent to the outer Orion Cluster. Once there they were captured by the Quintessons, found in contempt by the five-faced aliens, and destroyed in an attack by a swarm of Sharkticons.

Toys
  • Beast Wars Deluxe Mutant Soundwave (2000)
Although the Beast Wars toy line had concluded in 1998, this sub-line was released during the Beast Machines era. Although the figures lack robot modes, they all feature vestigial robotic components—such as Soundwave's robot head, concealed within his bat mouth. A re-deco of the figure known as Leatherneck was intended for release in Transformers: Universe, but did not come to fruition.
This figure was based on drawings by Hasbro designer Tim Bradley.[3]

Transformers: Cybertron
Soundwave
Transformers character
Cybertron Voyager Soundwave toy in robot and jet modes.
Voiced byGarry Chalk/Robert O. Smith (English)
Taketora (Japanese)
In-universe information
AffiliationDecepticon
Sub-groupVoyagers, Micro Vehicles
FunctionInformation Staff
Rank9
PartnerLaserbeak (Killer Condor), Megatron
Motto"I hear the melody that is rebellion..." (Takara)
"That's just how we roll, dawg." (Hasbro)
Alternate modesPlanet X Stealth Bomber

In Transformers: Cybertron, Soundwave's origins are greatly altered. While in the original G1 continuity, he was a native of Cybertron like Megatron and Starscream, this incarnation of Soundwave is the second Transformer from the mysterious Planet X. This is also the first incarnation to have an actual vehicle mode. He transforms into a Planet X Jet (bearing a resemblance to a stealth bomber) and is partnered with a smaller robot called Laserbeak (Killer Condor in Japan). In the English dub of this series, he has a synthesized voice, similar to his G1 counterpart. Unlike the Generation One Soundwave, he speaks like a modern disc jockey—using terms like "He got served" and "Peace out, bots" and calling the battlefield, "The Floor", giving him more of a personality than his normally emotionless G1 counterpart. This version of Soundwave is unique in comparison to any other incarnation, as while in most other continuities, outside of the Armada trilogy, Soundwave was Megatron's most loyal soldier, this Soundwave has no true loyalty towards the Decepticon leader.

The package bio for Soundwave mentions that Planet X itself may be a total deception, and that it is actually a term the agents use to refer to their service to Unicron. Although he and Sideways are the survivors of a dead civilization, they actually serve Unicron throughout space and time as his heralds in taking over new worlds to replace his loss of previous forms.

Soundwave is armed with two cannons, and can hide himself behind holograms when working in conjunction with Laserbeak.

Animated series

Soundwave first makes his appearance in the episode Titan, offering to lead Megatron and his minions to the planet Gigantion, however in a scene featuring Sideways and Starscream aboard the Atlantis a purple cassette player with the Decepticon symbol is on board playing music to ease the tension between the two evil robots. It is not clear if this is Soundwave or not, but it is interesting that he appeared in "Titan" just a few episodes later. In his first encounter with the Autobots he fought Optimus Prime and Wing Saber in their Sonic Wing mode and was able to hold his own in combat until Megatron was defeated by Metroplex and the Decepticons retreated.

Shortly after they arrived on Gigantion and there Megatron was upgraded into Galvatron, Soundwave abandoned the Decepticons, and joined up with his counterpart, Sideways. During a battle with the Autobot Cybertron Defense Team, he revealed the history of his world, and how they desired the Cyber Planet Keys to get revenge on the inhabitants of Gigantion.

Later, he and Sideways attempted to intervene in the epic battle between Galvatron and Starscream in order to claim the Planet Keys and Omega Lock, only to be sent into another universe by the distortion caused by the two fighters' conflict.

However, Soundwave would appear later, when Starscream reached out to Galvatron across dimensions, seemingly trapped along with him and Sideways. However, Starscream seemed to have returned by the series' end, while Soundwave and Sideways were shown to have found a dimension where Planet X still existed.

Soundwave is the only major transformer in the series who never summons his Cyber Key. In his toy version, his Cyber Key opens his chest compartment to store Laserbeak or one of his two cannons. In his first appearance to the Autobots, Soundwave demonstrates the ability to do this without the aid of a Cyber Key.

G1 Soundwave makes a cameo appearance in the animated series as a blue boombox that Sideways used to hear music.

Fun Publications

The Cybertron incarnation of Soundwave was among the characters to appear in the comic strip published exclusively through the Transformers Collectors Club, arriving on the planet itself to observe Vector Prime, Sentinel Maximus and Omega Prime after their defeat of Unicron's heralds, Nemesis Prime and Ramjet, and capture of the Dead Matrix. Dispatching Laserbeak to recover the Dead Matrix from its place in storage, Soundwave threw the talisman into the black hole that had been created by the collapse of Unicron, allowing the Chaos Bringer's Spark to escape and infiltrate the planet Yst, which he corrupted and transformed into his new body. Soundwave would link up with his master, and watch the unfolding carnage of a Mini-Con civil war. However, when Unicron chose that moment to attack, Soundwave was attacked by several Mini-Cons, including Scythe and Perceptor. Unable to hit the smaller Mini-Cons, Soundwave fled with Unicron when Primus awoke.[4]

Toys
  • Cybertron Voyager Soundwave (2005)
The first actual homage to the original Soundwave in modern times, the Cybertron toy transforms not into a tape deck, but a sleek alien stealth fighter. Beyond this, however, the nods to the original character are many, from his head design, his multi-barreled shoulder cannon to his opening chest door, activated by his Cyber Key. Soundwave comes with a new incarnation of Laserbeak, who transforms into a battery bomb that can store within Soundwave's chest compartment. This toy was recolored into Universe Blaster. This toy was based on an F-117 Nighthawk.
  • Galaxy Force Voyager Soundblaster
A black repaint of Soundwave, predictably named Soundblaster, was released exclusively in Japan through Takara's "Toy's Dream Project" series. However this Soundblaster is a separate character from Soundwave.
  • Cybertron Legends Soundwave (2006)
A Micro class Soundwave was released in the third wave of the Legends of Cybertron toy line. It came without Laserbeak. In 2007 a Target store exclusive value pack of four Voyager class Cybertron toy was released. It included Jetfire, Megatron, Optimus Prime and Soundwave. All identical to their original releases.

Transformers Cinematic Universe
Soundwave
Transformers character
Soundwave's first appearance, in IDW comics.
Voiced by (English)Jon Bailey (Bumblebee)
Frank Welker (films)
Peter Jessop (2009 video game)
Bronco O. Jackson (Cyber Missions)
Isaac C. Singleton Jr. (2011 video game)
Voiced by (Japanese)Daisuke Gōri (2009 film)
Jirō Saitō (2011 film)
In-universe information
AffiliationDecepticon
Sub-groupDeluxe Vehicles, Human Alliance, Speed Stars, Triple Changers,
FunctionCommunication Officer
Rank8
PartnerThe Fallen, Megatron, Ravage, Laserbeak, Dylan Gould and Barricade
Motto"He who controls the flow of information controls the flow of battle.",[5] "I am Soundwave. I command all communications.", "No prisoners, only trophies.", "Cries and screams are music to my ears."
Alternate modesCybertronian jet/satellite, Cadillac SRX, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Films

In Revenge of the Fallen, Soundwave is only seen in his Cybertronian satellite mode, hovering above Earth in orbit. Like his original counterpart, he functions as a Decepticon espionage agent and communications officer. In the film, he receives a message from Wheelie on Mikaela Banes possessing a shard of the Allspark and orders him to retrieve it. Soundwave would later hack into a human satellite and discover the location of another Allspark shard, deploying his servant Ravage to retrieve it. Following the death of Optimus Prime, Soundwave would carry out Megatron's orders to prepare the Decepticons for an invasion of Earth. Soundwave would later locate Sam Witwicky's parents in Paris, France. Ravage was later killed by Bumblebee. Frank Welker returned to reprise his role as Soundwave in this movie, and the film following after. but unlike his G1 counterpart, his voice was not vocoded, which the character was well known for.

In Dark of the Moon, Soundwave was retconned into having been on Earth since the 1970s. He discovered the Autobot spaceship, the Ark on the Moon, and forcibly recruited various human servants from the U.S. and Russian space agencies to prevent further exploration of it following the initial Moon landings, while he ordered an army of Decepticons to steal most of the pillars onboard and hide under the moon's surface. In the modern day he appears at Megatron's base in Africa, where he and Laserbeak report the Autobot's recovery of Sentinel Prime and the remaining pillars from the crashed Ark. Megatron praises Soundwave's initiative in the decades-long plan and orders Laserbeak to kill their human allies. The only human ally they don't kill, Dylan Gould, has Soundwave disguise himself as a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG that belonged to Sam's girlfriend, Carly, in order to get close to the Autobots. He reveals himself and captures Carly once the two humans learn of Gould's alliance with the Decepticons, and threatens her in order to convince Sam to discover the Autobot's plans. During the battle in Chicago, Soundwave and Barricade lead several Decepticons in capturing some of the Autobots. Gould convinces Soundwave not to take prisoners, and Soundwave orders the others to execute their "trophies". Once Que is dead, Soundwave prepares to kill Bumblebee himself, but a Decepticon battle-cruiser hijacked by Wheelie and Brains drops fighters near Soundwave, distracting him and allowing the Autobots to fight back. Bumblebee attacks Soundwave who tries to shoot him, but is confused among the crushing ships and shoots the other Decepticons. He throws Bumblebee, but Bumblebee then slays Soundwave by sticking his cannon into Soundwave's chest and shooting upwards. This causes Soundwave's head to disintegrate, killing him instantly.

In Bumblebee, Soundwave is seen on Cybertron along with Shockwave and Starscream commanding the decepticons in the war against the Autobots. He apparently manages to capture Optimus Prime with the help of a small army and Ravage and then Prime escapes from them.

Creation and development

Almost from the moment the live action Transformers movie was announced in 2007, producer Don Murphy and the production team made it clear they did not want to feature mass/size shifting in transformation (excluding the Allspark), due to concerns over realism. With this process an inherent part of Soundwave's tape deck alternate mode, there was some discussion over whether or not to change it due to its obsolescence, or to include the character in the film at all. It was announced by Hasbro at SDCC 2004 that movie Soundwave would be a helicopter.[6] Early leaked movie scripts proposed that his alternate mode would be a helicopter, but animatics shown at the 2005 Comic Con were poorly received. This led to a rethink, with the eventual helicopter character rechristened as Vortex, then finally Blackout. 2006 script reviews named Soundwave as a spying boombox on Air Force One, able to transform into a small robot, but eventually, this character was amended to being Frenzy, with Don Murphy stating that Soundwave will be reserved for a future sequel, until they can "do him right". When the film was released on DVD a special on-line content from Best Buy showed early animation footage of Blackout as a blue helicopter with a head that resembled Soundwave.

In a USA Today online fan poll, Soundwave was one of the 10 Transformers that the fans wanted in the sequel, winning with 20% of the votes.[7]

Soundwave appears in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Soundwave is a satellite in the film, and he is also a Triple changer as he has the form of a Cybertronian jet as well. Soundwave is not seen in his robot form in the film. Frank Welker reprised his voicing role, and used his Doctor Claw voice from Inspector Gadget, which, when run through a vocoder, gives Soundwave his unique voice from the original animated series. The lack of this vocoder in the 2009 film left the voice sounding more like Doctor Claw than the original Soundwave. He has his minion Ravage to do his bidding in the film.

Soundwave also appears in Transformers: Dark of the Moon, this time transforming into a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and with Laserbeak to serve him. Soundwave is armed with sonic cannons.

His Hasbro Battle Bio states that he is 22 feet tall and that his main weapons are sonic cannons which can only be used in the atmosphere, as sound waves will not travel in vacuum.

Soundwave also makes a brief appearance in the movie Bumblebee. His appearance closely matches his G1 counterpart and appears alongside Shockwave and Starscream (a non speaking role). He is voiced by Jon Bailey, who also voices Shockwave in the film.

Comic books

In issue #4 of Transformers: Defiance, it is revealed that the reason for Soundwave to have believed to have been dead is because he was on the Decepticons ship that The Fallen was commanding, and that all of its crew were missing by the time Megatron noticed the emergency signal emitting from the ship while he was chasing the Allspark.

Soundwave first appeared in issue #2 of Transformers: Alliance where he arrived at the crash site of the Nemesis on Mars. There he found Dreadwing's head, as well as the body of Frenzy, then contacted Starscream and told him to rally to his signal. Starscream was surprised to hear from Soundwave, as he had been believed dead for years. Soundwave deployed a number of his forces on Earth, leaving others on his ship.

In Tales of the Fallen #5 Soundwave, still in orbit after the events of the 2009 film, notices someone has reactivated Ravage.

Soundwave appears in Transformers: Nefarious #1, set months after the events of the 2009 film. Bumblebee, Breakaway, Jolt, Knock Out and Dune Runner are sent to investigate spark fragments detected at Kingdom Petrochemicals. Arriving first Breakaway is warned by Soundwave to leave, but unwilling to give in the Autobot is swiftly defeated. Bumblebee and his team fire on Soundwave, who escapes. In "Nefarious" #2, Soundwave sent Dirt Boss, Reverb, and Brakedown to Wendover, Utah to find an "Initiative" facility. Soundwave then contacted Ravage in order to discover how he was resurrected. Then, he proceeded to assist Reverb, Dirt Boss, and Brakedown, in a fight with the Autobots. After a battle with Optimus Prime, Soundwave convinces the Autobot leader to join forces temporarily, in order to find "the Initiative".

Novels

In the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen coloring book Soundwave is depicted hacking into a military satellite.[8]

Television

In Cyber Missions #1, Soundwave successfully infiltrates the NEST command base (in his satellite mode, oddly), which is guarded by Bumblebee. Soundwave transforms and smashes the screen projecting Optimus Prime and engages the Autobot. Bumblebee fires a shot, but Soundwave sends it back to Bumblebee as a sonic boom. Bumblebee then fires several more rounds with Soundwave frantically trying to absorb all the bullets, but is finally blown backwards. In Cyber Missions #2, Bumblebee trapped Soundwave in a vacuum-sealed electromagnetic bubble, rendering his abilities useless.

Video games

Like the movie, Soundwave coordinates the mission to the playable Decepticon. His voice is now a similar Vocoder fashion of his G1 counterpart.

In Dark of the Moon, Soundwave is a playable character. He is ordered by Megatron to destroy a Sector 7 nest base that contains information about Sentinel Prime. Soundwave is among the Decepticons that greet Shockwave at the end of the game in South Africa. He shows Shockwave a 3D hologram of Chernobly and the artifact he must recover. He transforms into a Modified white SUV similar to a Cadillac SRX

In the Nintendo DS game Revenge of the Fallen: Decepticons, Grindor, Sideways, Soundwave and Starscream greet a new Decepticon protoform and send him on a mission. Soundwave directs the new protoform to survive on Earth.

In the downloadable content pack for the Xbox 360 and PS3, Soundwave is confirmed to be a playable character. He is probably based on the Deluxe toy.

In Transformers: Dark of the Moon: Stealth Force Edition for the Wii and 3DS Soundwave is a playable character, and (like with the PS3/360 version) transforms into a heavily modified Cadillac SRX

In Transformers: War for Cybertron, Soundwave is a playable character taking the alternate form of a cybertronian truck. He is playable in levels 3, 4 and 5 of the decepticon campaign and is a boss that players have to fight in the autobot level 2. Like all characters within the game he is playable in escalation mode, and players have to have their decepticon leader look like him in multiplayer mode. In the game his default weapon is a neutron assault rifle, although he does have an energon repair ray in level 5 of the decepticon campaign.

Toys
  • Revenge of the Fallen Deluxe Soundwave (2009)
A Triple Changer that transforms from Cybertronian battleship to satellite and robot.
The toy stands 12.5 centimeters tall in robot mode.
  • Revenge of the Fallen Deluxe Soundwave G1 redeco (2009)
A redeco of Soundwave in blue and gray, resembling his G1 colors. Bundled with Voyager The Fallen and Voyager Megatron (2007 version) in the Toys "R" Us exclusive Gathering at the Nemesis gift set.[9]
  • Revenge of the Fallen RPMs Soundwave (2009)
A non-transformable diecast car the size of Hot Wheels or Matchbox cars. This Scion xB-derived vehicle depicts Soundwave's alternate Earth mode, based on that of his Transformers Animated incarnation. An illustration of his robot mode is molded on the undercarriage.[10]
  • Revenge of the Fallen Legends Soundwave (2010)
A new Legends mold of Soundwave, which transforms into a satellite.[11][12]
  • Revenge of the Fallen Deluxe Black Soundwave (unreleased)
A Chara Hobby exclusive in Japan, this figure is a black redeco of Soundwave.[13]
  • Revenge of the Fallen Deluxe N.E.S.T Infiltration Soundwave (2010)
A blue and red redeco of the original Deluxe Soundwave from the film. Will be included in a N.E.S.T. Battle two-pack with a redecorated Bumblebee sporting a N.E.S.T. symbol on the driver and passenger side doors.[12]
  • Transformers Speed Stars Soundwave (2010)
A reissue of the RPMs Soundwave diecast car.
  • Transformers Speed Stars Stealth Force Soundwave (2010)[14]
A non-transforming Scion xB (designed similarly to the Speed Stars diecast car) that mechanically opens its panels and reveals hidden weapons at the slide of the roof.[15]
  • Dark of the Moon Burger King Flip Out Soundwave (2011)
A BK Kids meal toy available at Burger King restaurants in the U.S. The toy consists of a detailed head that opens to reveal a small robot body, giving the overall figure a Bobblehead look. It also has parts that glow in the dark.[16]
  • Dark of the Moon Cyberverse Legion Bumblebee vs. Soundwave (2011)
A Walmart exclusive Legion (formerly Legends) set featuring a gold redeco of Bumblebee and a purple redeco of Soundwave - both originally released in the Revenge of the Fallen line. Also included in this set is an orange redeco of Universe Legends Rodimus.
  • Dark of the Moon Mech Tech Deluxe Class Soundwave (2011 in Japan, Cancelled for the Hasbro version, 2011 in Asia)
An all-new Deluxe mold of Soundwave, which transforms into a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. Includes Mech Tech weapon and satellite dish. It is told that the toy has been cancelled along with Target's Leadfoot, Human Alliance Soundwave and Deluxe Wheeljack in the states. It could be unknown if it is actually released or not. This toy was cancelled due to retailers such as Walmart, Target,etc. wanted Hasbro's new Transformers Prime toy line, so they stopped doing these figures. It was cancelled along with Deluxe Leadfoot, Deluxe Wheeljack, and Human Alliance Soundwave, in the Asian market, Soundwave saw release in deluxe form.[17]
  • Dark of the Moon Mech Tech Deluxe Class Soundblaster Soundwave (TakaraTomy, 2012)
A black redeco of Deluxe Soundwave as an homage to Soundblaster from the Japanese G1 prequel toy line, Diaclone. Only in Japan with white Wheeljack, small stripes Bumblebee and white with red Ratchet.[18]
  • Dark of the Moon Human Alliance Soundwave with Laserbeak and Mr. Gould (2011 in Japan, later 2012 in the states)
A new Human Alliance figure of Soundwave with Laserbeak and a 2-inch Dylan Gould driver figure. Soundwave's license plate reads, "SUPERIOR" - a reference to his catch phrase, "Soundwave superior," from The Transformers: The Movie. Laserbeak transforms into a blaster with a mounting point for any human figure. As with the Deluxe figure, this figure is officially licensed from Mercedes-Benz. It has also been canceled with the Deluxe figure mentioned above and the other two Autobots.[19][20]
  • Dark of the Moon Cyberverse Legion Class Soundwave (2011)
A brand new Legion mold of Soundwave that transforms into a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.[21]
  • Transformers Cyberverse Legion Soundwave (2012)
This toy is sold along with the Transformers Prime Cyberverse figures.
  • Age of Extinction Movie Advanced Series Deluxe Soundwave (2014)
This toy is black/gray redeco of Dark of the Moon MechTech Soundwave, was renamed Darkside Soundwave. Darkside Soundwave transforms from a fully licensed Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG into a robot.
  • Movie The Best Human Alliance Soundwave (2017)
Released by Takara Tomy to conclude the 10th anniversary of the live-action film series, this Soundwave is an extensive redeco of his Human Alliance toy, without the Laserbeak and the Mr. Gould figure.
  • The Last Knight Tiny Turbo Changer Soundwave (2017)
Released in Series 1 of Tiny Turbo Changers, Soundwave changes from robot based on his appearance in Dark of the Moon to a sports car of fictitious origin. He features articulation at his shoulders and waist and his hands are compatible with Cyberverse weapons and other small accessories. Blind-Bags stamped with the letter 'H' contain Soundwave figures.

Transformers Animated
Soundwave
Transformers character
Voiced by (English)Jeff Bennett
Voiced by (Japanese)Nobuo Tobita
In-universe information
AffiliationDecepticon
Sub-groupDeluxe Vehicles
FunctionSonic Warrior
Rank5 (Takara)
PartnerLaserbeak, Ratbat
Motto"You haven't heard anything yet!"
Alternate modesScion xB, Media Player (Soundwave's spark core)

Transformers Animated Soundwave has a completely different origin story from most other versions of Soundwave. Starting off as an Earth-based robot toy, he became sentient after exposure to the Allspark. Whilst his robot mode still retains elements of his original tapedeck incarnation, more so in his toy form, his alt-mode is now a loudspeaker-equipped Scion xB. He also possesses two supporters: Laserbeak, who transforms into an electric guitar he uses for a sonic boom attack, and Ratbat, which becomes a keytar for use in sonic hypnosis. His voice, now provided by Jeff Bennett in the United States and Nobuo Tobita in Japan, once again requires a vocoder to create Soundwave's trademark robotic monotone voice.[22]

Animated series

Soundwave was originally a simple robotic toy that Sari got for her birthday, built by Megatron as a part of a plan to take advantage of Sari's careless and repeated use of her Allspark key to continuously upgrade the toy until it serves as a suitable body for Megatron to host. However, the excessive usage of the key to enhance Soundwave caused an unexpected side-effect: Developing almost Cybertronian sophistication at an alarmingly increasing rate to the point of becoming self-aware to the point where he refuses to take orders from Sari (or any other human) any more. It was by observing the common labor-robots in the city that he concluded that not only robots are superior to humans in every way, but that it's illogical that robots are forced to succumb to their human masters, and it should be the other way around. By then, Megatron introduced himself to Soundwave through televisions in a nearby electronics store as his creator "of sorts" to impose unto him his plan to crush the Autobots. At first, Soundwave declared this illogical to fight robot-kind until Megatron insisted that they were traitors that upheld the human race's slavery of all robot-kind, convincing Soundwave to ultimately side with the Decepticons with the intent to overthrow all humans and obliterate the robots that protect them. He used his technology-manipulating speakers to summon all nearby labor-robots to convert them into his new Transformer body while using his stereo-system to spark a robot-revolution against their "human-oppressors." All automated forms of public transportation stopped and the city's labor robots jumped the Autobots when they appeared on the scene. After failing to convince Bulkhead into joining him and killing Sari in the name of all robot-kind, it appeared that Bulkhead destroyed Soundwave with a single blow of his powerful wrecking-ball arm, shattering his body into hundreds of pieces. However, unknown to the Autobot, his core survived, in the form of a small, almost-invisible media player.

Soundwave regenerated at Christmas time as ex-Sumdac Systems Vice President Porter C. Powell, who had acquired Soundwave's original patents while he was in charge of the company, was distributing multiple Soundwave toys during the Christmas season. Soundwave managed to reprogram some of the toys, using one of them to spike the Autobots' oil nog. With the Autobots now sedated and out of commission, Soundwave proceeded to take them to the basement where he attempted to brainwash them into taking on his ideology as Decepticons by placing them in a virtual program in human form. However, the plan was briefly halted by the attempted intervention of Sari as well as the Autobots learning the truth of where they are. Soundwave had a backup plan, using Laserbeak to force Sari into a retreat, then using Ratbat in keytar mode to complete the Autobots' reformat. Soundwave succeeded in placing the Autobots under his control, and used the numerous toy replicas of himself to take control of the humans in Detroit. However, since Sari was techno-organic, she was immune to the mind-control waves. Soundwave was defeated when Sari recruited the help of Scrapper, Snarl and Wreck-Gar to fight the brainwashed Autobots, and was smashed apart along with Ratbat by Optimus using Laserbeak's guitar mode as a makeshift axe. Though Soundwave's core still remained intact, it was eventually turned off by Sari before being rescued by Laserbeak. It is unknown what became of Soundwave after that.

Toys
  • Animated Deluxe Soundwave with Laserbeak (2008)
A Deluxe sized figure that transforms into a Scion xB-like vehicle. Soundwave's bio describes his alternate mode as an SUV, although the Scion xB is actually a station wagon that resembles a small minivan. Its most notable feature is that one of his "minions", Laserbeak, is present in the form of a Flying V-style electric guitar that transforms into a bird. It can also be attached to the top of his vehicle mode or held like a guitar in robot mode. His upper torso has the look of an old cassette player door, set up as a nod to his G1 toy.
  • Animated Deluxe Electrostatic Soundwave with Ratbat (2009)
A gray/red redeco of Soundwave, which resembles G1 Soundblaster. Ratbat comes with this figure and transforms into a keytar.[23]
  • Animated Activators Soundwave (2009)
A Scout-sized figure with near-instant transformation at the push of a button.
  • Animated TA-16 Deluxe Soundwave (Takara Tomy) (2010)
The 2010 Japan release version of Deluxe Soundwave by Takara Tomy sports a metallic dark blue finish, as opposed to the matte finish of the Hasbro version.. Also bundled with TA-03 Voyager Ironhide (Bulkhead).
  • Animated TA-25 Activators Soundblaster (Takara Tomy) (2010)
A gray/red redeco of Activators Soundwave. Available only in Japan.[24]
  • Animated TA-47 Deluxe Electrostatic Soundwave (Takara Tomy) (2010)
The Japan release version of Electrostatic Soundwave.[25]

Transformers: Timelines (Shattered Glass)
Soundwave
Transformers character
Timelines Soundwave
In-universe information
AffiliationDecepticon
Sub-groupCommunications
Rank9
PartnerTreadshot
Alternate modesMicrocassette Recorder, Van

This Soundwave is an alternate good version of the Generation 1 character from the BotCon exclusive "Shattered Glass" comic, in which the Decepticons are on the side of good and the Autobots on the side of evil. His appearance is based on the white music label Soundwave MP3 player, while Buzzsaw seems to be based on Steeljaw in appearance.

Fun Publications

Soundwave first appears as a member of Megatron's forces in the Transformers: Timelines story "Shattered Glass" story by Fun Publications. He helps in the attack on the Autobot's Ark launching platform, working with Buzzsaw.

Soundwave makes a cameo in the fiction "Dungeons & Dinobots", a text based story. When the Autobots are gaining the advantage in an attack on the Arch-Ayr fuel dump he calls in the Mayhem Suppression Squad to help the Decepticons.[26]

Soundwave appears in the story "Do Over". He is among the crew of the Nemesis, which follows the Autobot's Ark to Earth. When the ship is damaged in battle with the Ark he escapes in a stasis pod to Earth.[27]

Soundwave is spotlighted in the story The Desert Heat!. In this story, having crashed to Earth in an escape pod, Heatwave recovers Soundwave and helps his fellow Decepticon get back online and assume an Earth-style alternate mode.[28]

Soundwave appears in the story Eye in the Sky. Cliffjumper, Crasher, Frenzy, Heatwave, Ravage and Soundwave are sent on a mission to Burpleson Air Force Base to stop the Autobots from controlling the GODS defense system. Heatwave uses his powers to convince the GODS transmitter to fire the weapon on itself and stop the Autobots from taking control.

Soundwave is spotlighted in the story Blitzwing Bop. The Elite Guardsman Thunderwing intercepts a radio signal from Earth which mentions Soundwave. Finding Soundwave is wanted for a minor offense from long ago he heads to Earth. Thunderwing finds Soundwave involved in a battle the Autobot Blaster for the possession of the malfunctioning Decepticon Blitzwing. Although not interested in the dispute, Soundwave convinces Thunderwing that Soundwave cannot leave Earth for trial on Cybertron until his commanding officer can be notified, and the only way to get Starscream online is to rescue Blitzwing. Thunderwing is still unwilling to takes sides in the battle against Blaster, merely following the Decepticon, but Soundwave tricks Blaster into mentioning a crime he committed on Cybertron while Thunderwing is in nearby. Thunderwing immediately goes into arrest mode and tries to capture Blaster, but Blaster escapes in a malfunctioning Stellar Spanner. With Starscream back online Soundwave confesses to his minor crimes and Thunderwing passes a sentence of community service on him.

Toys

An official toy exists, as part of the SG Blaster Vs SG Soundwave box-set, and is a repaint of the G1 Soundblaster toy (itself, a retool of the G1 Soundwave toy). In addition, the white Music Label Soundwave figure matches his colors almost exactly, save for the Decepticon symbol on his chest, and has been officially repurposed as one of this character's forms.

  • Timelines Deluxe Shattered Glass Soundwave (2012)
A BotCon 2012 exclusive white and blue redeco of the Universe/Classics 2.0 Deluxe Ironhide/Ratchet figure with a new head sculpt. The van's side panels are decorated with "Cold Slither" logos as a nod to the G.I. Joe episode of the same name.[29]

Transformers Aligned Continuity
Soundwave
Transformers character
Voiced by (English)Isaac C. Singleton Jr. (Cybertron video games)
Frank Welker (Animated series)
Voiced by (Japanese)Nobuhiko Okamoto (Robots in Disguise)
In-universe information
AffiliationDecepticon
Sub-groupOfficer
FunctionOfficer of Communications
Rank8
PartnerLaserbeak, Megatron, Starscream, Shockwave
Motto"Soundwave superior, Autobots inferior."
Alternate modesCybertronian Truck/Boombox, General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper

Soundwave was a gladiator around the same time as Megatron. He has many pet Mini-Cons who work for him, particularly Laserbeak.

Prime series

Soundwave is one of the main antagonists in the 2011 computer animated series Transformers: Prime.[30] Unlike his previous incarnations, Soundwave rarely speaks, instead recordings archive audio and videos from other sources and repeats it when needed, displaying it on his face, which is composed entirely of an electronic screen. This was because Duane Capizzi, the producer of the show, wanted Soundwave to contrast with the talkative Starscream. to his silent persona, the show's staff compared him to Star Wars' Boba Fett. He is armed with two cables that extend from his chest that have an electrical appendage on each end that have a variety of uses, and can create portals to transport objects. He is rarely seen in combat, spending most of his time supporting the Decepticons as a communications officer and technical specialist. However he is shown to be a proficient fighter when circumstances need it.

Soundwave speaks only once in the episode "Minus One". Once again, his voice was modulated like his G1 counterpart, albeit less enhanced. Frank Welker reprises his role as Soundwave for that episode.

In the Darkness Rising 5 part mini-series, Soundwave detects the presence of Arcee, so Starscream sends a pair of Decepticons to attack her. Later, Soundwave detects a signal from deep space, which he is certain is Megatron, so the Space Bridge is opened, and Megatron returns. Later, Soundwave deploys Laserbeak at Starscream's orders to capture Fowler in order to locate the Autobot base. He is later assigned to highjack an Earth bond radio telescope array to location of Cybertron, as part Megatron's plan to use their Space Bridge to transport Dark Energon to Cybertron. However the Autobot's young human allies figure out the Decepticons have highjacked the array and go to the array to shut it down. The young computer wiz Raf hacks into the array computer system, and Soundwave attacks them. He cuts the array's main line locking the dishes in place. While preparing to leave, the Autobots human ally Miko takes a picture of Soundwave with her cell phone, Soundwave responds to this by taking a picture of Jack, Miko, and Raf (possibly with the intention of passing it along with information of their connection with the Autobots onto his fellow Decepticons).

Soundwave is well aware of Starscream's treachery against Megatron, and on several occasions saved Megatron from his treacherous lieutenant. In "Masters & Students", Soundwave sent Laserbeak to make sure that Starscream retrieved the incapacitated Megatron from the Space Bridge wreckage while he witnesses Optimus' battle with Skyquake. In "Sick Mind" when Starscream and Knock Out conspire to euthanize the comatose Megatron, Soundwave at first appears to consider agreeing with the two, but points out the cord of Bumblebee's cortical psychic patch Bumblebee is hooked up to, and orders Megatron be put back online so that he will not have fallen by an Autobot's hand.

In "Rock Bottom" Megatron reveals he is aware of Starscream's ongoing treachery due to Soundwave having constant surveillance on the traitor and relaying his attempts of usurping him.

In "One Shall Rise" Pt. 3, Airachnid is placed in temporary command of the Decepticons when Megatron leaves to aid Optimus in defeating Unicron. In an attempt to secure her power for good, and to escape Unicron's wrath, Airachnid suggests that the Decepticons leave Megatron to continue their efforts on another world. Soundwave, being eternally loyal to Megatron, vetoed her orders and displayed unexpected combat skills to secure the ship for when Megatron returned. It is implied that, although Megatron is made aware of Airachnid's attempted grab for power, he does not punish her until Soundwave reminds him of her treachery in the season 2 episode "Crossfire".

In "Orion Pax" Pt. 1, Megatron orders Soundwave to remove Arcee from the ship after she broke in to try to rescue Optimus Prime. Soundwave manages to open a ground bridge to bridge her off, right before Orion saw her.

In "Triage", Soundwave hunts for an ancient Cybertronian relic. Having lost his minion Laserbeak, he continues the search on his own, fighting Wheeljack to claim the relic, the Resonance Blaster and defeat Wheeljack before he reclaims Laserbeak. He returns to the Nemesis with Megatron's prize, and is highly praised for it by Megatron, putting Knock Out and Dreadwing to shame who lost their relics to Arcee, Bumblebee and Starscream.

In "Hard Knocks", Soundwave captured Smokescreen and brought him on board the Nemesis after the Decepticons learned that Smokescreen was a clue to finding the final Omega Key.

In "Regeneration" and "Darkest Hour", Soundwave, along with Starscream and Knock Out, captured the children and held them for ransom unless the Autobots gave the Omega Keys to the Decepticons. However, when Optimus Prime destroyed the Omega Lock (and the Keys with them), Soundwave retreated back to the Nemesis with the other Decepticons.

In "Darkmount, NV", when Jack and Arcee were spotted in Jasper following the destruction of the Autobot base, Soundwave sent Laserbeak, along with two Vehicons, to terminate them. However, after Laserbeak was destroyed, Soundwave was unable to retrieve any surveillance footage from his remains.

In "Scattered" and "Prey", Soundwave was present when Shockwave presented Predaking to Megatron.

In "Rebellion", when Starscream sent out members of his armada to investigate a number of Autobot signals, Soundwave pointed out to him that their army was thinly spread and suggested that the Autobots were using the Harbinger as a base of operations. He later retreated with the other Decepticons as Darkmount was destroyed by Optimus Prime, aided by Agent Fowler and several Air Force pilots.

In "Thirst", he oversees the destruction of the mutant Terrorcons and is confronted by a newly freed Airachnid, who regained control of her Insecticons. When she charges him he opens a space bridge to one of Cybertron's moons stranding her and her minions.

In "Minus One", Soundwave is taken captive by the Autobots and questioned for information regarding Megatron's motives. However, Soundwave erases all the data of Megatron's plans before Optimus gives Ratchet approval to crack him open. The normally mute Decepticon then taunts the Autobots in his own voice before deactivating. Later, Laserbeak attacks the Autobot base and hooks up with Soundwave, reactivating him and giving him a new copy of Megatron's plans. He then proceeds to incapacitate Bulkhead and Smokescreen before kidnapping Ratchet and bringing him to the Nemesis.

In "Deadlock", Soundwave fights Jack and Miko (who is in the Apex armor) on the bridge of the Nemesis. With help from Raf, Jack and Miko trap Soundwave in the Shadowzone.

Robots in Disguise (2015)

Soundwave returns from the Shadowzone in the tenth episode of the second season of the sequel series Transformers: Robots in Disguise. He escapes, trapping Bumblebee in the Shadowzone. Then, he quickly immobilizes most of the Autobots before getting tricked by Fixit and the humans into letting Bumblebee back in. The Autobots corner Soundwave and throw him back into the Shadowzone. However, he returns in the final season, as a major antagonist with a new body. In "Collateral Damage", he tries to return Megatron from his exile but his plan failed when he was defeated by Bumblebee and his team along with Optimus Prime who was upgraded with Hi-Test.

Books

Soundwave appears in the novel Transformers: Exodus. He was one of Megatronus's opponents and nearly defeated him, however this instead brought respect between the two. Soundwave commanded the Mini-Cons Ravage, Rumble, Frenzy, and Laserbeak, and joined Megatron as one of the Decepticons.

Soundwave appears in the short story "Bumblebee at Tyger Pax" by Alex Irvine.[31]

Soundwave appears in the novels Transformers: Exiles and Transformers: Retribution.

Video games

Transformers: War for Cybertron :

A playable character in the last three chapters of the Decepticon campaign. While Shockwave is established as Megatron's second-in-command, Soundwave is shown acting as Megatron's right hand during the campaign in Shockwave's absence.

Soundwave assists Megatron and Breakdown into infiltrating Iacon, defeating Zeta Prime, and hunting down Omega Supreme. He is also a boss in the Autobot campaign, being the warden of Kaon Prison in the Decepticons' capital city and using his tape cassettes Frenzy, Rumble and Laserbeak to attack. The Autobots manage to defeat him, but not before he delivers a fatal blow to Zeta Prime, absorbing what remained of his life force energy in order to regenerate his own strength, and then manages to escape before Optimus can finish him.

Aside from transforming into a Cybertronian truck, Soundwave can also turn into a boombox, as shown right before his boss battle, in the game's ending credits and a GameStop promotional commercial for the game featuring Shockwave.[32] In this mode, he plays the Stan Bush songs "The Touch" and "Till All Are One".

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron;

In this sequel to Transformers: War for Cybertron, Souundwave is playable in two levels. The first time is in Chapter 9 in which he rebuilds Megatron after he was destroyed by Metroplex. The other level is the final one in which Soundwave boards the Ark and helps destroy the Ark's defenses. Rumble and Laserbeak assist Soundwave in these tasks. He pops up throughout the rest of the game as an NPC.

Toys
  • Generations Deluxe Cybertronian Soundwave (2010)
A new mold, based on his appearance on War for Cybertron.[33]
  • United UN05 Deluxe Soundwave Cybertron Mode (2010)
The Japanese version of the Generations figure by Takara Tomy is in a metallic repaint.
  • Prime Cyberverse Legion Soundwave (2012)[34]
  • Prime Robots in Disguise Revealers Deluxe Soundwave with Laserbeak (2012)
A new Deluxe mold of Soundwave, which transforms into a UAV. A piece of his chest separates to form Laserbeak, which can mount on either of his hands.[35]
  • Prime: Beast Hunters Deluxe Soundwave & Ravage w/ Thunder Talon (2013)
A retooled and a repaint of the Deluxe Robots in Disguise Soundwave. Soundwave comes with a new chest piece which can transform into Ravage and comes with a Talon Grapple Gun.
  • Prime: Beast Hunters Cyberverse Legion Soundwave w/ Sonic Saw (2013)[36]

Transformers: Cyberverse
Soundwave
Transformers character
Voiced byMarc Swint
In-universe information
AffiliationDecepticon
FunctionSpy

Soundwave appears in Transformers: Cyberverse, appearing sporadically in season one and becoming a primary villain starting in season two. More brutish and petty than previously incarnations, he is often shown playing fitting music for whatever situation is at hand on his speakers, annoying both Autobots and Decepticons alike.

References
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  2. X-E - The Top 8 Transformers Figures Of All Time!
  3. "Transformers - More Than Meets The Eye, Robots In Disguise - Transformers @ The Moon". www.transformertoys.co.uk. 2008-12-26. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
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  13. "Chara Hobby Exclusive ROTF Soundwave Gallery". Tfw2005.com. 2009-09-06. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
  14. TFW2005.com - HFTD Scout and Legends Wave 2 Released in the Philippines
  15. TFW2005.com - Walmart Update - Official Images of Upcoming Transformers Figures
  16. Club BK - Latest Toys Archived 2010-01-26 at the Wayback Machine
  17. TFW2005.com - New Walmart Listings: More New Transformers: Dark of the Moon Toys
  18. TFW2005.com - Soundwave (Soundblaster)
  19. TFW2005.com - Detailed Images of Human Alliance Soundwave
  20. FullMetalHero.com - Dark of the Moon Soundwave Gets 3 Toys; Human Alliance Confirmed with Laserbeak Archived 2012-03-24 at the Wayback Machine
  21. TFW2005.com - Soundwave (Legion)
  22. Jim Sorenson & Bill Forster (August 15, 2009). Transformers Animated: The Allspark Almanac. Idea & Design Works Llc. pp. 78–79. ISBN 978-1-60010-487-9.
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  24. TFW2005.com - Takara Tomy Animated Soundblaster Gallery
  25. TFW2005.com - Takara Tomy October and November 2010 Toy Release Solicitations
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  27. S. Trent Troop and Greg Sepelak (2009). Do Over. Illustrator Yuki Oshima. Fun Publications.
  28. http://www.transformersclub.com/_images/DHpage1.jpg
  29. BotCon.com - 2012 Box Set Previews: Soundwave
  30. TFW2005.com - BotCon 2010 Transformers: Prime Panel Coverage
  31. MTV.com - Learn How Bumblebee Lost His Voice in This Short Story from Exodus Author Alex Irvine
  32. GameSpot Video Transformers War for Cybertron Storyline Movie2.flv - YouTube
  33. TFW2005.com - Official Images of Generations Blurr and Dirge
  34. "Soundwave (Mercedes SLS AMG)". 2012-01-22.
  35. Soundwave with Laserbeak - Transformers Prime Main Line - TFW2005
  36. "Beast Hunters Cyberverse Legion Soundwave - Transformers News - TFW2005". 2013-01-16.
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