The quote 'This is the way' became the defining mantra of 'The Mandalorian.' To create a sound that felt like a 'Space Western,' composer Ludwig Göransson experimented with various woodwinds, eventually landing on the bass recorder. Unlike the high-pitched plastic recorders used in schools, the bass recorder is large, wooden, and produces a deep, breathy, and lonely tone. Göransson processed the sound with digital echo and distortion to give it a futuristic, 'dusty' feel. The instrument became the sonic identity of the titular character, echoing through the empty canyons of desert planets. This choice was a legendary departure from the brass-heavy themes of the original Star Wars films, showing how a humble, ancient instrument can be modernized to define a new movie legend and his iconic dialogue.