Randy Thom's office at Skywalker Ranch sits tucked into the Northern California gully where some of cinema's most iconic sound effects were created, from the whip cracks of Raiders of the Lost Ark to the explosions in The Empire Strikes Back. That rich sonic history permeates the sound designer's workspace. Among the digital tools are analog curiosities like archaic microphones and reel-to-reel tape decks, and the walls are lined with framed posters from the more than 100 films he's worked on. His studio is a testament to the vital role sound plays in our favorite movies.