How do you recreate thunder storm sounds?

Answer 1

In modern days, thunder sounds are recreated by CDs or digital audio in most theaters and video/audio productions. These audio clips can be obtained almost anywhere. Many sound effect CDs are available across the internet and in music stores. In the older days of theater and production, thunder sounds were created by suspending a large (4'x8') sheet of thin guage metal and "playing" it with padded mallets. The playing action to recreate a rolling thunder effect is similar to a drum roll with an ending accent. With modern sound effects, audio clips and CDs the key to reproduction is obtaining speakers that can reproduce the low frequencies clear and acurate. Required amplification can range from several hundred watts of audio power to over 10,000 watts depending on the venue size and room acoustics.