I feel like this is a newb question so here it is; how do I make sounds for games I am making? I know I can download them but I want to know how to make them. I do have a musical background if that helps. What do you guys use to make sounds for your games?
I use the Java synthesizer to make my own sounds. AudioFormat, AudioLine, and buffers with random numbers to create sound. 
But i dont mean like background music, like specific sounds for something like a gun shot maybe. something like that
You can use free sounds from the web. You can use a sound creating tool. And you can record real sounds. Different people favor different approaches.
what kind of sound creating tools are there?
SFXR is a good (free) tool to create simple Retro Soundeffects.
Also, this book is quite fantastic when it comes to understanding sound effects better. I am not so fond of pure data though.
Thanks guys for all the help, ill be sure to use these resources in the game im making!
I use FL Studio and it works great…key thing is just find a synthesizer you like and use it. I have made some ridiculously cool sound effects by just thunking around. Another way is to take a sample say from one of the links above and process the shit out of it.