Soundwave (TFA)


 * Soundwave is a Decepticon from the Transformers Animated continuity family.



Soundwave is technology gone wrong. Machines are superior to humans: more logical, more intelligent, and longer lasting. It does not compute that humans control their robotic helpers, and Soundwave aims to lead the robot proletariat to rise against their fleshling bourgeoisie. The Decepticon cause is logical in Soundwave's optics, and he joined them in the hopes of overthrowing the human/capitalist oppressors. With an army of subservient mechanoids that he can control through powerful signals, that uprising just might be possible.

His arsenal of weapons and gadgets is unusually large, and includes powerful speakers, wiretaps, voice modulators, sonic signals that control lesser robots, and the uncanny ability to assimilate other devices into his body.

He has a pet bird that transforms into a guitar and a pet bat that transforms into a keyboard.

"I am Soundwave. I am Decepticon. The revolution begins now."

- Soundwave

Animated cartoon

 * Voice actor: Jeff Glen Bennett (English), Jaron Löwenberg (German)



Soundwave was a robot originally designed by Megatron. Megatron suggested Isaac Sumdac give Soundwave to his daughter as a birthday present... this seemingly kind act, of course, had a sinister ulterior motive. Megatron knew Sari would use her AllSpark-enhanced Key on Soundwave, which would allow him to upgrade... and ultimately become Megatron's new body. What Megatron didn't count on, though, was that the upgrades would actually make Soundwave self-aware and that he was able to control other robots with sound. Additionally, Soundwave concluded that machines should be the masters of the world, and humans would be an ideal slave force. Megatron decided that if Soundwave couldn't be a new body, he would be a new soldier.



He contacted Soundwave and tried to convinced him to join the Decepticons, take control of the machines in Detroit, and steal the Key. At first Soundwave refused, but then Megatron told Soundwave that the Autobots lived to serve the humans. Once he was convinced, Soundwave promptly upgraded himself into a transforming body using controlled robots, and began his task. He started by taking over all the robots in Detroit and using Tutor Bot to kidnap Sari Sumdac. The revolution of the robot was, however, quickly opposed by the Autobots. When Bulkhead came to rescue Sari, Soundwave blasted him with a sonic blast, then appealed to Bulkhead to join the revolution because he did not want to hurt a fellow machine, reminding him how Bulkhead was replaced by Soundwave himself. Bulkhead acted as if he was about to kill Sari...then used his wrecking ball to shatter Soundwave. The machines were restored to their normal operational status, and the day was saved.

Unknown to all others, however, Soundwave still functions as a small piece even after Bulkhead pummels him to scrap metal.



Porter C. Powell takes Isaac Sumdac's original design for Soundwave and creates new, more smaller versions of himself and sells them as toys on Christmas. Prime is suspicious about these duplicates and believes that Soundwave is still alive. It is shown that a few of the toys seem to be either under his control or are actually Soundwave himself.

Animated



 * Soundwave (Deluxe, 2008)
 * Accessories: "Laserbeak" guitar


 * Soundwave transforms into a pseudo-Scion xB (about a century too late, are we?) that got a "Pimp My Ride" music style treatment. That's awesome. He also comes with his partner Laserbeak, who changes from a guitar to a bird. Also awesome. Laserbeak can mount on the top of the roof of Soundwave's car mode and perch on his arm (or store on his back) in robot mode. Very awesome. When the two wheels turn to the front on his shoulders, they look just like speakers. And the tuning knobs are just the right size to fit in the screwholes on his arms, so he can look like he's strumming Laserbeak when in guitar form. Extremely awesome. There is one problem with the toy, though. Many have reported that the paint on Soundwave's back will melt, crack or rub off over time. Soundwaves "eyes" have been known to be poorly painted on. Not so awesome.




 * Electrostatic Soundwave (Deluxe, 2009)
 * Accessories: "Ratbat" keyboard guitar


 * Electrostatic Soundwave has the same model, but his awesome new paint job is black and red. He still transforms into the Scion.  He comes with Ratbat.  Ratbat transforms into one of those cool keyboard guitars.  Ratbat fits onto Soundwave's vehicle mode top.  Ratbat's head can be plainly seen in his guitar mode, not very awesome about that.  Soundwave looks meaner in this action figure.  Soundwave has new designs on his hood and fender.  Ratbat has these puny little legs.  All in all, this toy is awesome.


 * Soundwave (Activators, 2009)


 * This Soundwave has an activators model and is the same design and colors. Little is known about this figure.

Trivia

 * Soundwave's eyes are a reference to 2000 AD's ABC Warriors.


 * In the cartoon, his eyes can be either "Decepticon" red or "Generation 1 toy" yellow. Everybody's happy!


 * The box he was in when given to Sari—as well as his remaining component after Bulkhead first defeated him—are obvious references to the alternate mode of Generation 1 Soundwave.


 * At BotCon 2008, it was revealed that the production staff of Transformers Animated were completely unaware of the Soundwave toy's Laserbeak-guitar, hence why it was not included in his debut episode.


 * It was likewise revealed at BotCon 2008 that Soundwave's "tape deck" form seen at the end of Sound and Fury was based upon Takara's Music Label MP3 player Soundwave toy.


 * Soundwave's alternate mode is based on an unproduced design for a Classics toy of the original Soundwave.


 * Soundwave's alt-mode is referred to as an SUV in his bio, but a Scion xB is technically a station wagon.


 * Soundwave's digitally enhanced voice was also a referrence to the original, although Frank Welker didn't reprise his role. Too bad.