Hey I need some help creating a realistic and believable sound effect similar to a sonic boom or a warp-style effect. I'm using Cool Edit Pro V2.0 right now, anyone have any ideas of how I could get the effect I'm looking for? The effects I've gotten so far I've been told sound like metal being shoved through the microphone.

Try changing the sample rate at which your sound is played back. In other words, slow down the sound, stretching it out. Check out the Time/Pitch effects in the edit view of Cool Edit.

You'll also want to mess with the EQ quite a bit, get rid of the mids and bring up the low end. That will go a long way in shaping your sound.

And try adding a bit of reverb. It'll make it sound more "boomy" with some nice decay/rumble.

http://s14.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3GJQPBP0BULLW19EJ84ZEHIVUK

Go there to hear the sound I've generated. I don't think I've gotten it right yet...But I'm getting there...

If you just can't get the effect you want out of the sample you're using you might also want to try layering another sound under the original sample to get the effect you want. Let's say your current explosion has the right attack but not enough bottom end. I would try layering maybe a timpani sample that is pitch shifted way down to add the boom element and put it in another track if the timpani attack sounds wierd eq it out and mixdown the 2 samples together.