Artificial Sound – You’re Doing It Wrong

"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54) 04/10/2015 at 11:05 • Filed to: noiselopnik

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The Nissan 370Z is the latest car to get engine noise artificially pumped into the passenger compartment. As Patrick George points out, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Instead of modifying something that would improve both performance and sound, they took the easy and needlessly complex all at the same time way out, and Nissan's VQ isn't exactly a musical instrument like a Ferrari V12 to begin with. More and more cars are getting this technology these days, despite many enthusiasts hating it.

I think manufacturers are completely missing the true potential of this technology. Why take an unpleasant sounding engine and pipe that unpleasantness through the speakers? If you're going to make artificial vroom vroom noises, let's go all the way. Forget the VQ – I want a VR. That's right, I want my 370Z to sound like a GT-R on the inside.

In fact, if it sounds like a GT-R, why do I need a 370Z in the first place? It's never going to be as fast as a real GT-R, so I might as well save a few bucks and get an Altima. Or a Sentra. Or a Versa. Yes, that's what I need – a Versa that sounds just like a GT-R on the inside. Talk about the ultimate "slow car fast." That turn into the work parking lot just became Adenauer Forst on the Nurburgring, and in a Versa it feels that fast at just 15mph.

Think of the marketing potential. Ford could make the Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost sound just like a WRC car (if anyone in the US knew what rally is). There is no bad sounding Mustang these days, but people who rent a bare bones V6 could hear what it's like to drive a GT350. BMW's fleets of 328i leases could pipe the sound of an M3 into the cabin, enticing their drivers to consider an upgrade when the lease is up. Scion FR-S drivers could hear themselves driving a Supra twin turbo, while their BRZ cousins could pretend they have an EJ257 from the WRX STi under the hood.

They could even go cross-brand within the same corporate structure. Imagine a VW Golf TDI that could sound like an Audi R8, or the Quattro Group B rally car. Or maybe a Porsche 911 – modern water cooled or classic air cooled, take your pick. You could even make your Fiat 500 sound like a Ferrari La Ferrari. (OK, that may be going a bit too far.)

It wouldn't take very much work at all to make this happen. Manufacturers are already using artificial sound technology. They already have samples of all the sounds from their cars. All it would take to mix them up a bit would be a little programming applied to the existing technology. Just add an arcade game style Select Your Car menu to the existing infotainment system, and it's done.

If artificial sound is here to stay, let's at least have some fun with it. Going overboard trying to make it sound real only makes it too real to be real – or, something. Instead, let's try to make it somewhat realistic, but throw in the option to be realistic in an entirely different way – or, as some people will prefer, to turn off the system completely. That, alone, is an option that most existing artificial sound systems don't have, and that many people would prefer.

djmt1 > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 11:10

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Peugeot do this already and specifically with the GTR too.

jariten1781 > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 11:15

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There're apps that do that.

Mattbob > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 11:16

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could you imagine the misinformation that bros would spout about their versa having a GT-R motor because that is what it sounds like, and that's what they selected on the screen?

or "yeah bro, this mazda 3 has a twin turbo rotary, just get inside and listen to it go."

Tareim - V8 powered > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 11:22

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well the GT86/BRZ isn't 100% artificial as it comes from the intake to the footwell rather than through the speakers , granted there is some kind of generator in the way but I'm guessing it just increases the volume of it and make it only activate on certain amount of throttle rather than creating a fake noise

Justin Hughes > Tareim - V8 powered 04/10/2015 at 11:25

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Exactly - it lets the sound come through only above 4000 RPM. There are different "filters" for different purposes. I haven't modified mine, but I think the most popular filter is a rubber cap to plug it completely.

Justin Hughes > jariten1781 04/10/2015 at 11:28

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I imagine that with an OBD2 scanner to get RPM it would be easy to program one. Additional data could make it even better - a sudden change from boost to vacuum could trigger a blow-off valve or anti-lag, for example.

drdude > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 11:44

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Everytime I shift the BRZ, i make a PFFFFSSHHH!! blow off noise in the car.

It drives my wife nuts.

I also do it when shes driving (its technically her car)

THAT drives my wife insane.

iamnotseanclark > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 11:45

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Electric cars should have the option of producing the sound the cars from the Jetsons make

cazzyodo > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 11:45

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I was just thinking about a "Select your sound" menu. It would be hilarious!

EP05 > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 11:45

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People have coded the M135i to sound like an M6 and other M vehicles on the BMW forums.

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthr…

macanamera > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 11:47

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Sorry, but I have to point some stuff out.

1. The GTR doesn't sound great. It's quieter inside than a VQ. The turbos absolutely kill the noise. I had a Stillen exhaust on mine that still wasn't as loud as a stock VQ.

2. The VQ doesn't sound bad. It was one of the first widely available engines that actually had a distinct (and kind of loud) noise of its own, one that you could recognize from far away. For some reason, the VQ37 doesn't sound as good as the VQ35 did, but they are still similar.

3. When you hear GTRs that sound ridiculous, they have a Meisterschaft exhaust. It's one of the most popular exhausts for that car and it's the one that really makes it sing. Stock, the GTR is absolutely underwhelming when it comes with noise. It was one of my biggest problems with that car.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 11:48

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I really don't understand why this fake sound thing is...a thing. You're either in two camps:

A) average buyer, wants car to be quiet, wants engine noise at a minimum

B) enthusiast, wants real engine noise, knows the fake sound pumping is dumb.

Either way, there's no benefit to this tech.

Paullubbock > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 11:48

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Take it a step further. Put weather resistant speakers hidden but on the outside and pump the sound out make the whole world think your crappy car is pimped out under the hood.

HammerheadFistpunch > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 11:49

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You don't even need OBD, you can plug them into the cigarette lighter and the voltage reads the RPM.

Wild Weasel > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 11:49

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This whole thing about playing engine sounds through the speakers is still relatively new. I'm just waiting for the day that someone has one with a speaker or two blown. What's that going to be like? Is it going to sound like a giant sewing machine?

The whole thing is going to go very wrong eventually, and I suspect it's going to be hilarious when it does!

Davos Swinney > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 11:49

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What was stopping them from doing something like the Focus ST and fitting it with a sound symposer. Sure, some would consider it "artificial" but at least it comes directly from the engine bay and not through the speakers.

Justin Hughes > macanamera 04/10/2015 at 11:49

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I only used Nissan as an example because they make the 370Z, which now comes with artificial sound, that inspired me to write this in the first place. I'd prefer a Ferrari V12, a Jaguar F-Type, or a flat-4 turbo rally car, personally.

Jolteon > djmt1 04/10/2015 at 11:50

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You mean Renault.

alan > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 11:50

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i think the whole idea is dumb. i would rather have a silent cabin than a fake sound. the mustang once had a pipe from the engine to the cabin to bring in sound. at least that was a real engine sound not a digitized sound

NougatPassion > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 11:51

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I would like to hack into the artificial sound files, and change them. For instance, in an m3, instead of hearing the sounds of a fake, but high performance turbo 6, you get the sound of a tugboat. Or, change it so that instead of the sound rising with acceleration and falling with decel, reverse it, just to ruin everything.

True > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 11:51

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If they do it at all, they are doing it wrong.

I mean, seriously, who is asking for this "feature"?

NougatPassion > Tareim - V8 powered 04/10/2015 at 11:53

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A lot of "sporty" cars do that now. The NC and most likely ND miata do it. The Fiesta and Focus ST,the toyobaru twins. I assume there are plenty of others out there. I'm ok with the "sound symposer" or whatever they are calling them since it's actually real induction noise.

boobytrapsandtreasure > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 11:53

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Forget engine and exhaust noise. I want to hear bedroom talk at ever increasing volume and enthusiasm over the sound system voiced by Gina Gershon. The faster you go the more *encouraging* the soundtrack.

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 11:53

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"Nissan's VQ isn't exactly a musical instrument like a Ferrari V12"

Ok, I agree with this.

"Why take an unpleasant sounding engine and pipe that unpleasantness through the speakers?"

You are incorrect. At least that's my opinion. But you are wrong. The VQ sounds amazing. If you don't like it you shouldn't be shopping for a Nissan/Infiniti in the first place.

"so I might as well save a few bucks and get an Altima. Or a Sentra. Or a Versa."

Now you are bashing on the 370 for no apparent reason. Sure it's creating dramatic effect but who the hell is going to cross shop a sports coupe and a Versa? Get real.

"Think of the marketing potential."

We're back on track and I can understand your idea.

ScoobsMcGee > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 11:54

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This. Sometimes I think that the sound tube on the BRZ only exists so that everyone can be informed that there is a 12v plug behind the glove box.

Dr. Steve Brule > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 11:54

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As the former owner of a 350Z, I have to disagree that the engine's exhaust sounds unpleasant. Full disclosure, I had a Y-back single-outlet exhaust on it and it was lovely.

timgray > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 11:55

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This is just the high tech version of the Honda Fart Can muffler. Does nothing but make it louder, except you get to hear it and I dont have to suffer with it.

Justin Hughes > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 04/10/2015 at 11:55

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I'm not being serious. I'd rather eat my own eyeballs than drive a Versa every day.

fairlady78 > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 11:55

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And then in 20 years when we're all buying them used and the speakers are all staticy and crackly the engines will sound even worse than they did to start with... I'd rather spend the extra money and effort on parts of a car that really matter.

timgray > drdude 04/10/2015 at 11:55

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Iprefer a racing setup, so I go Pffshh pop pop.... and when downshifting... Pop pop pop pop....

theredtape > drdude 04/10/2015 at 11:56

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That's awesome. It might not have a turbo, but you will risk divorce to pretend it does :).

The-Guy-They-Warned-You-About > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 11:57

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Am I the only person on the planet that would prefer a quiet vehicle?

Justin Hughes > ScoobsMcGee 04/10/2015 at 11:57

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This! I had no idea it was there until I read about it on the forums and went digging for it. A lot of digging.

Chariotoflove > iamnotseanclark 04/10/2015 at 11:57

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Brilliant!

Sir FR-S (Formally CR-Z) > drdude 04/10/2015 at 11:58

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-in British narrator voice- Here we see the modern husband. Knowing that if he ever said honey lets get a turbo his hopes would be shot down. So he has explored a modern subversive method of implanting subliminal messaging: the turbo whoosh. As we can see when in the car no matter who is driving between gear changes he makes the whoosh. Pretty soon his wife will find she is doing the same subconsciously. It will be only a matter of weeks before sometime in bed she will say the magic words to you... "Honey, I want to blow our car." success!

PheeNoIVI > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 11:58

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This idea is even worse then just pumping the engine noise through the speakers like they do now.

YoeMeyeR > drdude 04/10/2015 at 11:58

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..."he makes a PFFFFSSHHH!!"...

Is that how badly you want a turbo in your Berz?

Justin Hughes > The-Guy-They-Warned-You-About 04/10/2015 at 11:58

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It would be nice if even the existing systems had a simple, basic "off" setting for people like you. I'm being serious, not sarcastic. This time.

charrigan > macanamera 04/10/2015 at 11:59

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am I the only one who thinks the vr sounds almost the same as a vq and both sound horrid with open exhaust

Crossed > Tareim - V8 powered 04/10/2015 at 11:59

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I don't know if that's 100% true. I ripped the sound tube out as soon as I could, it's literally just a tube, there doesn't seem to be an active system that makes it louder during higher rpms.

Justin Hughes > PheeNoIVI 04/10/2015 at 11:59

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You don't want to pretend your Fiat 500 sounds like a Ferrari? OK, neither do I.

Makoyouidiot > iamnotseanclark 04/10/2015 at 12:00

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tie fighter sound

djmt1 > Jolteon 04/10/2015 at 12:00

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Yes I do.

foxbody > drdude 04/10/2015 at 12:00

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i like the cut of your jib.

live2skico2 > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:00

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how about having different 'channels' for the sound - like the radio. you can select which car you want to sound like

jimz > Wild Weasel 04/10/2015 at 12:00

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if they're powered by the existing radio/amplifier, that shouldn't happen. The amplifier isn't going to be able to give the speaker any more power than it would playing music.

jimz > Davos Swinney 04/10/2015 at 12:01

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you've got to find room to route such a tube, and modify sheet metal tooling to give it a pass-through into the cabin. ain't cheap to modify stamping dies.

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:03

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Good man!

jimz > Crossed 04/10/2015 at 12:03

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if it's like the one on the Mustang GT, there's a chamber with a diaphragm somewhere in there to seal it and act as a low-pass filter.

dogisbadob > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:03

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Does the fake engine noise use its own dedicated speakers, or do they share with the radio? Imagine trying to listen to a CD *and* the fake engine noise.

Driver > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:03

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How about 10,000 watts pumping Top Fuel engine noise into a Pinto?

none8239487234 > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:04

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Artificial sound is the price of owning a modern car. With all of the design requirements that automakers have to deal with these days they have to do something to make their heavy sound deadened cars more appealing. Just wait though. I'm sure some creative person will figure out how to replace the audio with something more appealing.

Wild Weasel > jimz 04/10/2015 at 12:05

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It doesn't need to. Given enough time, speakers just go bad. When I took my Sunfire out of storage last year, both rear speakers were buzzing so bad I had to disconnect them. My Mazdaspeed3 had a speaker that would buzz intermittently when I traded it in. If I kept it, I'd have replaced it very soon.

None of that has to do with how much power the amp puts out. Speakers just don't last forever.

PheeNoIVI > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:05

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Any car sounding like a Ferrari would be awesome. Of course. But if it doesn't actually sound like one, why fake it? To me that's the same exact thing as putting a fart can on a Honda.

Tatanko > Makoyouidiot 04/10/2015 at 12:05

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That's my license plate! I'd love it if the sounds matched my plate :p

jimz > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:06

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the problem with that is that any "enhancement" really can't make one type of engine sound like another type. the fundamental sound of an engine depends entirely on its cylinder layout, firing interval, and firing pattern. no enhancement scheme can make a four cylinder sound like a crossplane V8, for example. The overall characteristics of the two engine types are just too different.

pootiestang > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:06

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I remember seeing this idea on an episode of pimp my ride a while back, they called it car tunes and supposedly you could cycle thru different legendary engine sounds to simulate while you drive your fresh xzibit blessed ride.

It is probably one of the stupidest things automakers do, well besides using takata airbags. I could see this being a gag if they did it for nissan versas, fiestas, smart cars, etc. But it is something super lame for people who want to hear a non-artificial version of their cars engine. its even sadder when people have no idea the car they're driving isn't really making that engine sound, (gti owners, i'm looking at you)

JCAlan > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:07

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Yep. Make my Buick sound like a Ducati please. NOW

Admiral Picard > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:10

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Fake engine noise through the stereo that I cannot turn off would be a deal-breaker for me.

MultiplaOrgasms > macanamera 04/10/2015 at 12:12

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Ever heard about personal opinions on things?

thedangler > Paullubbock 04/10/2015 at 12:13

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Pimp My Ride did this with some system that was readily available - I think they made some POS sound like an aston martin or something.

macanamera > MultiplaOrgasms 04/10/2015 at 12:13

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I have, but then I remember my opinions are the most important and valid.

marcoaml78 > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:13

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what happened to sound engineers tuning the exhausts to produce notes that were pleasing to the ear...meh, those were the days.

Ad_absurdum_per_aspera > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:14

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Artificial Sound - You're Doing It Wrong

Is there a right way to do a wrong thing?

Greasemonkey > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:15

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V8? V10? V12? Anything you want.

Steve Zissou > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:15

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You can do this now...all you need is a bluetooth OBDII reader, a car, and this app: http://www.soundracer.se/?p=514 . I drive a Shelby V8 to work every day!

Gonemad > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:15

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Can I make my Civic sound like an F-16 engine spooling up when I start it? Or like a Huey?

Can I have the horns of a Transatlantic on the outside instead?

Even better, can I make it sound like a Harley Davidson V-Twin?

If you wanna do something stupid, let's go ALL THE WAY.

Justin Hughes > marcoaml78 04/10/2015 at 12:16

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It still happens occasionally. The last Mustang Bullitt had an exhaust specifically tuned to sound like the car from the movie. And I LOVE the sound of the F-Type in all its growling glory. But my BRZ will be getting an aftermarket exhaust at some point, because the stock one sounds like... well, nothing, really.

MoparMap > Paullubbock 04/10/2015 at 12:17

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That's my thing. I want my car to sound good no matter where I'm sitting. Walking behind a car idling is much different than standing next to it or sitting in it.

knsaber2 > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:18

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Uranium > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:18

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I'd get a 991 that sounds like an air-cooled Beetle. Haters gonna hate.

Justin Hughes > Steve Zissou 04/10/2015 at 12:20

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Too bad I have an iPhone! But there has to be something out there that'll work.

TJDMAX > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:20

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Pimp my ride did this already. Way back in the day. They installed some ridiculously loud sound system and hooked it up to some box that had pre programmed engine noises in it. And it would match your pedal so your shitty box van could sound like a Ford GT.

From my understanding though, most of the systems in place in vehicles today don't pump sound through the car's stereo. Its done through intake tubes and such. So it would be a different system all together to do what you are talking about.

While i'm not the biggest supporter of this technology, i'm also not grotesquely offended by it. You have to remember (and this seems to be a huge issue with people on Oppo and Jalopnik) is that us enthusiasts don't control what the car world will do. We are such an insanely small amount of the population that auto manufacturers wisely choose not to listen to our requests and let our choices dictate what cars they make. They are selling cars to a much larger population that doesn't care about the same features we care about. The fact is that most people don't want to hear noise when they drive their sports car. And for that rare occasion they put it into sport mode or whatever they can get a little extra excitement by hearing the car a bit better. The point of the system isn't to make your car sound like something its not...its to give you the option to either hear it or not.

HeyYouGuys > Paullubbock 04/10/2015 at 12:20

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Just strap a duck call to the BOV.

MultiplaOrgasms > macanamera 04/10/2015 at 12:22

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Wrong. Mine are importanter.

Justin Hughes > Gonemad 04/10/2015 at 12:23

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According to this comment , you can already make it sound like a Harley!

Personally, my startup sequence would be more like this.

Father Dougal McGuire > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:23

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I hate artificial sound but I really like your idea. Imagine a Fiat Twinair that sounds like a Harley, lol!

MoparMap > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:23

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I have a volume button for my exhaust in the ash tray of my 67 Dart. It opens and closes the electric cutouts, so I can cruise in comfort or let the guy next to me know what real music sounds like.

Ad_absurdum_per_aspera > The-Guy-They-Warned-You-About 04/10/2015 at 12:24

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Seriously, though: The ability to make good performing exhaust systems that are quiet too, so you can listen to music, enjoy a road trip without hearing loss, and leave for work early without waking up the neighborhood, is one of the underrated triumphs of automotive engineering in recent years. Why spend money and effort to subvert it, especially in such an inherently phony way?

macanamera > MultiplaOrgasms 04/10/2015 at 12:26

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Not according to my opinions bruh

MultiplaOrgasms > macanamera 04/10/2015 at 12:28

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In my opinion this is bullshit.

macanamera > MultiplaOrgasms 04/10/2015 at 12:29

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well my opinions could beat up your opinions

GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo > macanamera 04/10/2015 at 12:29

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I had the pleasure of working near a guy who owned a Nismo 350Z with an Injen SES exhaust system, and he would let it rip as he left...what a noise.

User1312 > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:29

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Totally agree with this. Make the audio volume adjustable to mute. Allow equalizer-style settings, or just presets to mimic other models. Or just don't bother and take the whole feature out..

seriouslywhyiskinjastillterrible > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:30

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Why not just route the exhaust through a huge resonator under the dash.

manufacturers are just not jalop enough these days.

Joe Darté > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:32

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Forget it, I want my Dart to sound like a cruise missile taking off.

Justin Hughes > seriouslywhyiskinjastillterrible 04/10/2015 at 12:33

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That would make exhaust leaks interesting...

TomMetcalf > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:34

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We could even expand outside the realm of cars. How badass would it be if your car roared like and actual LION when you hit the gas. Or perhaps the scream of an angry baboon, or the sensual mating call of the male moose.

MultiplaOrgasms > macanamera 04/10/2015 at 12:34

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Oh we're playing that game again? Just wait until I get some opinions from my homies, then we'll talk.

rillweid - Now with more TRD and less TDI > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:35

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I believe the Renault Clio RS has this feature in it. I recall seeing it on Top Gear when they were in Italy doing the hot hatch test.

seriouslywhyiskinjastillterrible > JCAlan 04/10/2015 at 12:36

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Buy my old water pump. That sounded like a idling Ducati. ...for a while.

macanamera > MultiplaOrgasms 04/10/2015 at 12:38

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psh my crew spends 3 hours a day working on their opinions at the gym so bring it on

seriouslywhyiskinjastillterrible > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:39

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I was going to dump it through the air con anyway.

Think of the weight savings.

MultiplaOrgasms > macanamera 04/10/2015 at 12:41

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In my opinion this could become quite interesting, but I have to admit I am slightly opinionated on that front.

carlifornia > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:42

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Fake Engine Noise is like a fake orgasm. It might sound similar, but surely does not feel the same.

dct > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:44

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This doesn't bother me so much when it is used to manage NVH characteristics of the engine and drivetrain in a manner similar to noise cancelling headphones. The "photoshopping" of the engine is annoying though, although, upon reflection, having the equivalent of the Corvette's "butterfly" exhaust that gets loud under power would be a cool feature in the car...

rigidjunkie > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:44

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I disagree. The current V6 Mustang sounds terrible.

SomeKid > Justin Hughes 04/10/2015 at 12:47

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I used to drive my 14' versa note around in really low gear pretending it sounded and drove like a GT-R.

And whenever people looked at me (obviously in jealousy), I would turn off the traction control and spin the tires at any speed (in my mind).

I was so cool back then (last year, in my mind).

RazoE > djmt1 04/10/2015 at 12:48

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Renault. They're the ones that own Nissan.

RazoE > drdude 04/10/2015 at 12:49

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My Supra used to do that on its own;) When we drove in her Supra (non-turbo), she'd sometimes make the noise.