Audio engineers, fake engine noise, and why I prefer old cars

https://medium.com/thoughtful-design/c23c5fb86266

Although this technology is interesting - and it's certainly impressive that cars of the Impala's ilk are getting this level of refinement - this is pretty representative of why I prefer old cars. Don't get me wrong, sorting out the squeaks and rattles is definitely one way to make a car seem more polished and "upscale," this manipulated engine noise and fake turn signal relay clicky stuff really rubs me the wrong way. I want to actually experience the car I'm driving, not some electronically generated facsimile thereof.

I'm with you on this...but if you can make my 175,000 mile vinyl cladded Pontiac sound like a Ferrari, it would be nice. for like, 5 minutes.

If we're going that way, make my heap sound like an R-2800 or V-12 Merlin at full song.

exactly. noise should be made by the engine/exhaust/etc. Music comes from the speakers. The sound tubes etc that some newer cars are getting is just stupid.

alex wrote: I want to actually experience the car I'm driving, not some electronically generated facsimile thereof.

Well, the turn signal thing can't be helped because it's all done with electronics now instead of what amounts to a self-resetting fuse. Any audible indicator is going to be faked, just as much as a cell phone's ringing isn't going to be a physical bell strapped to the side (impractically cool though that may be)

Engine note is also going to be difficult, since a lot of engine note is intake noise, and many cars nowadays don't really correlate throttle position to engine load. Once you're much past idle, that throttle gets whacked open and engine power is down to cam phasing and injection timing.

I'm just going to stick with my crap cars. I happen to like all of the squeaks and rattles.

It makes me feel less beat up when my knee starts clicking. >.>

the new Z28 Camaro has a stereo with a single speaker which has the sole function of operating as a federally mandated door chime.. well, maybe it still does radio stuff- but it's only got that one speaker..

Don't a lot of people notice when something is wrong with their car by the noise? If you are only inside the car when it is running and there is a bunch of noise cancelation and fake engine noise how will they ever know something is amiss? And I realize not everyone in the general public pays attention to how the car sounds, but a lot do notice when something changes, will they still be able to?

In reply to fritzsch:

They should just program in troublesome sounds that correspond with whatever code its throwing. Also, the low gas light can trigger the classic "car out of gas shutdown" television sound effect they've used forever.

Wait, car company execs! I was being facetious! FACETIOUSSSSSSSSSSSS!

Gearheadotaku wrote: exactly. noise should be made by the engine/exhaust/etc. Music comes from the speakers. The sound tubes etc that some newer cars are getting is just stupid.

I don't have a real problem with the sound tubs -- the noise is still coming from the engine/exhaust/valves, it's just that with all of the insulation they add to cars these days you can't hear it. So they include a duct to let just enough of the engine noise bypass that insulation.

The speaker-generated digital sounds are stupid, though.

codrus wrote:

Gearheadotaku wrote: exactly. noise should be made by the engine/exhaust/etc. Music comes from the speakers. The sound tubes etc that some newer cars are getting is just stupid.

I don't have a real problem with the sound tubs -- the noise is still coming from the engine/exhaust/valves, it's just that with all of the insulation they add to cars these days you can't hear it. So they include a duct to let just enough of the engine noise bypass that insulation. The speaker-generated digital sounds are stupid, though.

but what if you see a Prius go by and it makes a noise that sounds like George Jetson's briefcase car? that's just adorable..

fritzsch wrote: And I realize not everyone in the general public pays attention to how the car sounds, but a lot do notice when something changes, will they still be able to?

Given what I see/hear, people don't notice.

Paradoxically, the people who DO bring in their car for strange noise on cold start (for example) drop off the car with the stereo on and loud, and the HVAC on full blast.

I still wish we could charge an extra $50 for stereo left on...

Knurled wrote:

fritzsch wrote: And I realize not everyone in the general public pays attention to how the car sounds, but a lot do notice when something changes, will they still be able to?

Given what I see/hear, people don't notice. Paradoxically, the people who DO bring in their car for strange noise on cold start (for example) drop off the car with the stereo on and loud, and the HVAC on full blast. I still wish we could charge an extra $50 for stereo left on...

add the $50 into the "shop supplies" charge..

Knurled wrote: Engine note is also going to be difficult, since a lot of engine note is intake noise, and many cars nowadays don't really correlate throttle position to engine load. Once you're much past idle, that throttle gets whacked open and engine power is down to cam phasing and injection timing.

Then I want to hear that, whatever it sounds like. It'll still be sound of the intake tract doing its thing. Different from before I'm okay with; fake, not so much.

fritzsch wrote: Don't a lot of people notice when something is wrong with their car by the noise? If you are only inside the car when it is running and there is a bunch of noise cancelation and fake engine noise how will they ever know something is amiss?

When it finally stops?

fritzsch wrote: Don't a lot of people notice when something is wrong with their car by the noise? If you are only inside the car when it is running and there is a bunch of noise cancelation and fake engine noise how will they ever know something is amiss? And I realize not everyone in the general public pays attention to how the car sounds, but a lot do notice when something changes, will they still be able to?

Most just ignore till it dies, stops moving, catches fire, or a wheel falls off.

codrus wrote: I don't have a real problem with the sound tubs -- the noise is still coming from the engine/exhaust/valves, it's just that with all of the insulation they add to cars these days you can't hear it. So they include a duct to let just enough of the engine noise bypass that insulation. The speaker-generated digital sounds are stupid, though.

That's about how I feel about it, too - sound tubes to let the engine noise in and keep other noise out are similar to designing a muffler to sound "right" instead of just flow the most gas with the least decibels.