Sound editing: Technical Info and Tips

[Pawgy]

I don't believe i have ever seen a game with sounds and sound paths as screwed up as gtr2.
It is easy to find and change the .aud file. but if you open it for a variety of cars you see 20 different paths to find the actual sound file for a particular car . it really does not make sense.
if you open the sound folder some cars have there own folder like Alfabs BMw and some go into
a gtr folder or A gtr2 folder or even an ALMS folder. or a cars folder. many files in these folders are duplicates of files in other sound folders. When installing many mods in gtr2 I have had lots of cars that don't have a proper sound .I have just given up .I find an aud file I like and copy and rename it into the car that does not have a sound or is just plain lousy to start with.

Very bad sounds in gtr2 and very confusing.

Pawgy

[pitstop25]

Hi all i am looking for some help getting an rfactor sound into gtr2 the problem i am having is the .wav is not the same as the way they have done it with gtr2 so ext_power on rfactor is????? in gtr2 i tryed to work it out but agtre 3 hrs i just aint getting any were can you please help

thanks

[TheNewBob]

Originally Posted by pitstop25

Hi all i am looking for some help getting an rfactor sound into gtr2 the problem i am having is the .wav is not the same as the way they have done it with gtr2 so ext_power on rfactor is????? in gtr2 i tryed to work it out but agtre 3 hrs i just aint getting any were can you please help

thanks

You'll need to match the pitch of the sound with the NaturalRPM value in the .aud file. Its time consuming, particularly with with minimum and maximum values too.

I tend to use the values in the corresponding .sfx file from rFactor.

[muzarati]

How do you edit the rev limiter sound?

[modbaraban]

TC/Limiter is a sample that is looped without any pitch changes. Look at the sfx file to find it.

RF Endurance Series mod (for example)

// AMBIENT SOUNDS (INSIDE)

VS_INSIDE_SPEED_LIMITER_TOGGLE=1.0,GTM\2\switch.wav
VS_INSIDE_LAUNCH_CONTROL_TOGGLE=null
VS_INSIDE_WIND_NOISE=1.4, secondary\roadstones_in.wav
VS_INSIDE_ON_FIRE=0.5, secondary\fire_in.wav
VS_INSIDE_HORN=Null
VS_INSIDE_TRACTION_CONTROL=6, EnduranceSeries\997_GT3_RSR\int_rupteur.wav <-------- THIS (inside)

// AMBIENT SOUNDS (OUTSIDE)

VS_OUTSIDE_SPEED_LIMITER_TOGGLE=null
VS_OUTSIDE_LAUNCH_CONTROL_TOGGLE=null
VS_OUTSIDE_WIND_NOISE=1.5, secondary\roadstones_ex.wav
VS_OUTSIDE_ON_FIRE=0.5, secondary\fire_in.wav
VS_OUTSIDE_HORN=Null
VS_OUTSIDE_TRACTION_CONTROL=5, EnduranceSeries\997_GT3_RSR\ext_rupteur.wav <-------- THIS (outside)
VS_INSIDE_SEAT=Secondary\seat.wav 
VS_INSIDE_MIRROR=Secondary\mirror.wav

[muzarati]

Do you mean this is the pit lane limiter? What about at max rev (7500 rpm)?

[modbaraban]

RF uses the same sound for pit-lane limiter and traction control. When the engine reaches the 'red line' there is no extra sound added, it's just the normal engine sound that's being interrupted in a weird way. You can try and remove the engine sound samples (eg. ex/in_low, ex/in_med, ex/in_high...) floor it in neutral and you'll hear nothing.
It may be different for SimBin titles.

[muzarati]

Cheers thanks for the info

[Jamirofan89]

Hey guys! I'm new around here and this is my first posting.
I really like sounds and been experimenting with them.I wanted to make the cars louder in tv-replay mode but the cars that had engine sound only had wind noise after tweaking
If someone has a good setup especially for P&G mod for the cars to have more "realistic" volume when those V8s pass by please drop me a message on how should I adjust it!

[DucFreak]

Originally Posted by Jamirofan89

Hey guys! I'm new around here and this is my first posting.
I really like sounds and been experimenting with them.I wanted to make the cars louder in tv-replay mode but the cars that had engine sound only had wind noise after tweaking
If someone has a good setup especially for P&G mod for the cars to have more "realistic" volume when those V8s pass by please drop me a message on how should I adjust it!

There's no such thing as more "realistic" sound by raising the volume within the sound samples.

Being the creator of those sounds, I can assure you two negative things resulting from more volume (even more than it is) in either the external sound samples or sound command file:

1)- distorted, muddy sounds (as they are already in the limit).

2)- when racing with other cars near you, it will drown your own car sound.


...maybe trying to raise the volume up in the speakers/headphones would be a better idea.

[Jamirofan89]

Okay.I try that.Thanks!

[HenryCO]

Very interesting thread. I am totally new in sound editing but I want to try some things for an rfactor mod. I wonder if there is some kind of software tool to test the sound files as they would sound in-game without having to run the game. It has been already commented in this thread but the link suggested do not work.

thanks.

[starletinho]

Here it is .FMOD, you put the sounds ,put them in the rpm bar , natural rpm and enjoy your samples all together .

http://www.fmod.org/index.php/download

If im not mistaken its the FMOD Designer.

[HenryCO]

Thanks a lot. This is what I was looking for.

[backb0ard]

What does the Attenutation entries do?

// ATTENUTATION

EngineRange=80.0
EngineShape=1.00
EngineAmbient=2.00

ShiftRange=80.0
ShiftShape=1.00
ShiftAmbient=2.00

OtherRange=80.0
OtherShape=0.70
OtherAmbient=0.70

[modbaraban]

Originally Posted by backb0ard

What does the Attenutation entries do?

Basically it messes with all sorts of stuff Unfortunately I never found a proper explanation of these parameters. But I've been experimenting.
They change the way the volume increases/decreases with distance from the sound source i.e. the car, more precisely the sound comes from XYZ you'll find in the engine.ini file:

EngineSound=(0.40, 0.500, -1.95)

Here's an extreme example of what can be achieved
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHzHXglCBs4
Later I've been able to achieve better results with this.
note how loud the car gets when it's close, but how quickly it becomes silent when it goes further away.
This also brought weird side effects like the engine was too quiet or too loud when using certain cameras like hood or bumper cam, or using look back button etc.

Engine = engine rev samples
Shift = up/downshifts and backfires... and probably gearbox whine too
Other = tire sounds, contact

[DucFreak]

Originally Posted by backb0ard

What does the Attenutation entries do?

// ATTENUTATION

EngineRange=80.0
EngineShape=1.00
EngineAmbient=2.00

ShiftRange=80.0
ShiftShape=1.00
ShiftAmbient=2.00

OtherRange=80.0
OtherShape=0.70
OtherAmbient=0.70

You're not paying attention, young padawan...

Already aproached in reply n.16 in this thread.

[backb0ard]

oh my apologies, missed it the first browsing through.
thanks to modbaraban

another question though, I was editing some engine sounds' equalization and in-game there were some sort of tweeting flying saucers as I increase rpm. what causes this? is it clipping?

[burps]

Hi backb0ard,

I think I know what you mean.
Mostly you will take the sound of an onboard video from youtube or somewhere else.
This could be maybe audio compression artefacts, that could happen during recording (because of the poor quality of the audio compression method the Camera was using) or maybe compression artefacts, when audio and video was compressed for the upload on youtube.
The common procedure is:
(1)Streaming a sound from an onboard vid - (2)take a sample of it - (3)bring it to the same pitch - (4)maybe then EQ, Compression etc. (I prefer Multiband Compression) - (5)bringing the sound in game.
Then, above mentioned artefacts could be much more audible when pitched up and/or through (4) compression. Audio editing stage (3) could also be the cause of it, remember you pitch the original sound (up/down) and then the game sound engine will pitch it again depending on rpm. This could also lead to some strange effects (sometimes only at higher or lower rpm).
And, if you listen exactly you can often hear some strange artefacts in to the source audio too and it is better then to stream the sound from another vid or take the sound of a similar engine, if the original sounds are too bad.

Cheers,

burps

[Sphinx666]

Learned allot from your tutorial, but I'm still not sure how the transmission sound works, could you explane?

// TRANNY-SAMPLE MIX

VS_INSIDE_POWER_TRANNY_1=GTR\tw_M3_onlow.wav
VS_INSIDE_POWER_TRANNY_2=GTR\tw_M3_offmid.wav
VS_INSIDE_COAST_TRANNY_1=GTR\tw_M3_onhigh.wav
VS_INSIDE_COAST_TRANNY_2=GTR\tw_M3_onhigh.wav

TrannyInitialRampRPM=1200.0 // ramp volume up to this driveshaft RPM because low pitches sound bad

TrannyPowerBlendRPMInside=(2250.0, 6500.0) // blend range using driveshaft RPM
TrannyPower1RPMTorqueInside=(2917, 600.0) // natural RPM at which sample was recorded, transmission torque (in Nm) for maximum volume
TrannyPower2RPMTorqueInside=(3550, 1700.0)

TrannyCoastBlendRPMInside=(2250.0, 6500.0)
TrannyCoast1RPMTorqueInside=(2917, 800.0)
TrannyCoast2RPMTorqueInside=(4392, 800.0)

[burps]

TrannyPower1RPMTorqueInside=(2917, 600.0) // natural RPM at which sample was recorded, transmission torque (in Nm) for maximum volume

I think the underlined parameter is the one to explain - the rest should be self explaining.
Afaik, if you decrease the value, the volume of the tranny samples will be raised and vice versa. E.g., if you increase the transmission torque value to 1200 Nm, the tranny samples will be played half as loud (?) as before, because the engine has to make an incredilble amount of torque to play the transmission sounds at their maximum volume. Just try it and see how much it changes.

Cheers,

burps

[Sphinx666]

Originally Posted by burps

I think the underlined parameter is the one to explain - the rest should be self explaining.
Afaik, if you decrease the value, the volume of the tranny samples will be raised and vice versa. E.g., if you increase the transmission torque value to 1200 Nm, the tranny samples will be played half as loud (?) as before, because the engine has to make an incredilble amount of torque to play the transmission sounds at their maximum volume. Just try it and see how much it changes.

Cheers,

burps

That one I knew, but I'm more interested in the details like for example how can I make the trany sound higher when of the throtle then when on the throtle and such. It's not self explanatory at all, I tried allot and still can't figure it out good enough.

Here is the link to the transmission sound I like to replicate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keSFheWfYz0
Know what I mean? It can be done I know it but for that I have to understand what each number does.

[burps]

how can I make the trany sound higher

You mean making it louder off throttle!?

Then decrease the underlined values:
TrannyCoast1RPMTorqueInside=(2917, 800.0)
TrannyCoast2RPMTorqueInside=(4392, 800.0)
If that would be not enough, you will have to raise the volume of the sound sample (TrannyCoast) itself.
You can also try to change the sound of the sample (with EQ or/and effects) to suit to your needs.

Good luck,

burps

[Sphinx666]

That worked, seams the problem was that the Coast and Power were inverted for some reason. Another question:

Does any of you have any idea how can I replicate the specific rpm oscilation/wobble of the racing cars. If you don't know what I mean listen when they shift and get back on the throttle. Examples of games that reproduce it quite nicely are Need for Speed Pro Street, Colin McRae Dirt 2 and I eaven heard a moded 911 GT3 RSR (996) in rFactor that had it, and if it can be done in rFactor it can be done in GTR2 and GTR Evo right. I tried to get intouch with the creator of that mod but no luck so far.
I would like to state at this point that yes I am moding other peoples mods but since it's for personal use I don't see a problem.

[frederick59]

hello,how can i get shift up backfires sound like in porsche 997 when they accelerate and change gears
and also how can i make these backfires loud?
thanks a lot

[modbaraban]

Is there a way to open any SimBin sounds for editing? Their wav files can't be open or played by the software I'm using.

[DucFreak]

Originally Posted by modbaraban

Is there a way to open any SimBin sounds for editing? Their wav files can't be open or played by the software I'm using.

They sure can mate.

...doing it all originally from scratch is best, cleaner and most artistical aproach though (IMHO).

Try using one of these two (or both, on different areas they complement great to me):

• WAVELAB: http://www.steinberg.net/en/products/wavelab.html
  
  
• SOUNDFORGE: http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/soundforge

[shaystarwars98]

I'm doing a new exterior idle sound for the StreetSim Murcielago LP 670-4. Hopefully you can help me because you made the sounds .

The idle speed of the car is 1300 rpm. In the original sound, the natural rpm was set to 4800 rpm. My sample was recorded at 1300, so i changed the natural rpm to 1300 for the off-throttle. That worked perfectly.

My problem is with the on-throttle. I used the same sample, and changed the natural rpm from 4800 to 1300, and the idle sound on-throttle played back perfectly as you would expect, but then when I accelerated, it would add a weird and really annoying, loud whine to the acceleration engine sound. As soon as I went back to the aud file and changed the natural rpm back to 4800, the whine stopped, but my idle sound obviously had the pitch changed way down and made the idling sound sound like crap.

How can I get the idle on-throttle sound to sound perfectly without adding this weird whine to the rest of the sounds??? I don't even understand how that's possible as it has nothing to do with any of the other sounds, just the idle sound. I didn't add any transmission whine sounds or anything, just the idle sound and changing the value of the natural rpm from 4800 to 1300.

Please help!!! Thanks in advance.

[shaystarwars98]

I know it's long and complicated, but can someone please help???

[DucFreak]

Originally Posted by shaystarwars98

I'm doing a new exterior idle sound for the StreetSim Murcielago LP 670-4. Hopefully you can help me because you made the sounds .

The idle speed of the car is 1300 rpm. In the original sound, the natural rpm was set to 4800 rpm. My sample was recorded at 1300, so i changed the natural rpm to 1300 for the off-throttle. That worked perfectly.

My problem is with the on-throttle. I used the same sample, and changed the natural rpm from 4800 to 1300, and the idle sound on-throttle played back perfectly as you would expect, but then when I accelerated, it would add a weird and really annoying, loud whine to the acceleration engine sound. As soon as I went back to the aud file and changed the natural rpm back to 4800, the whine stopped, but my idle sound obviously had the pitch changed way down and made the idling sound sound like crap.

How can I get the idle on-throttle sound to sound perfectly without adding this weird whine to the rest of the sounds??? I don't even understand how that's possible as it has nothing to do with any of the other sounds, just the idle sound. I didn't add any transmission whine sounds or anything, just the idle sound and changing the value of the natural rpm from 4800 to 1300.

Please help!!! Thanks in advance.

Sorry mate, I did not create the externals sounds for that car, only the internal sounds... can't help you there, sorry.

By your description (just trying to imagine as I have no idea about those sounds) I would say that you may have the idle set for ON-throtle and not just OFF-throtle.
If that's the case, perhaps you'll have to change the pitch or/and the RPM lenght (powerband width in use) for that sample in ON-throtle, to make it blend better with the next following sample. All that is done in the AUD file (see the explanations on opening topic posts).

[shaystarwars98]

I knew there was a difference between the internals and the external sounds.. The ones on the inside were much more realistic..

Originally Posted by DucFreak

By your description (just trying to imagine as I have no idea about those sounds) I would say that you may have the idle set for ON-throtle and not just OFF-throtle.
If that's the case, perhaps you'll have to change the pitch or/and the RPM lenght (powerband width in use) for that sample in ON-throtle, to make it blend better with the next following sample.

So basically you're saying I will have to use two different files for the on-throttle and off-throttle?

I did think of taking the sample for the off-throttle, copying it and using it as the on-throttle, but changing the pitch way down of the sound and then in the AUD file keeping the natural rpm of that sound 4800rpm. However, I couldn't find the right pitch, and so in game the sound would be too low-pitched or too high. That is where I've stopped, as I am now completely at a loss as what to attempt next.

What exactly do you mean by "powerband width in use"?? I still don't understand why, when changing the natural rpm to 1300 and using the sample as the idle sound it works, but when i do it for the on-throttle it adds a whine...

Originally Posted by DucFreak

All that is done in the AUD file (see the explanations on opening topic posts).

Yeah, of course I use the AUD file.. otherwise I wouldn't be able to edit all of these sounds..

[ep16]

Originally Posted by aaarvinzzz

some car mod in gtr2 have a low volume than the default cars in the game..what part of the sound file will i change?

About 2/3 of the way down. Can't remember what the lines are actually called but they are controled by simple decimal numbers. Raise for increased volume. Lower for quieter engine sounds.

[jesterv2]

hey,ive got a question,i have made my own internal sounds by following ducfreak's tutorial,thanks alot it helped me out very good!!
anyway,im trying to get a certain sound just after shifting up.
i dont exactly know how to describe it,i think it's sortoff a little vibration sound.
watch this video,just after shifting up you hear a little vibration.
this also appears in f1 cars

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Deq1I...el_video_title

i also want this in gtr2,what do i have to do to get that?
thanks in advance!!

[satya166]

I have a problem.

When I play GTR2 and I'm using the cockpit camera, when I look at the RPM Gauge and the Speedometer, there's always nothing there. No numbers, just the bar for the RPM. Any help?

Computer Specs:

Processor: Intel i7, 4.2 gHz
RAM: 2.5 GB
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate
DirectX: 11
Display: nVidia GeForce 7600 GT 512 MB

Thanks if you can help.

[Redback]

I know this is an old post, but I feel honor bound to say thanks for all the sound file notes.
Cheers

[Slicerer]

Allow me to say thank you to this awesome post, really got me going. Enjoy seeing it perched weirdly on the top of the forum list from me bumping it.

[Vanillah]

Hi, I have a strange question. In these days RaceRoom has posted some preview images of Georg Plasa BMW 134 Judd, forthcoming in download.

I have already made ​​this car for rFactor, posting a video on YouTube at the #1st anniversary of the Georg's death on 2011 Rieti/Terminillo.
It's a beta version, the livery is not complete but body, phisycal and all the work is just at 90%.

Well, overall we all remember the real car also for his awesome sound, tipically of the Berg HillClimb cars with a F1 engine inside: dark and angry approaching, terrifying and similar to that of an F1 away ...

My answer is simple, but in this month I DON'T found a solution to my trouble: speaking of external cam (TV cam) is there a way to render in rFactor this sound difference?
Let me explain, there is the possibility to give the car a different sound in TV cam mode when I see her coming (front view) from when it are away (back view)?

Attention, it's different problem about doppler effect and acceleration/brake/release: I need TWO different engines sound when I look the car front and when the car is passed and go away ...

Someone had resolve the problem?

Thank you all!

[modbaraban]

The answer is simple: no. I know exactly what you mean. Most cars sound different depending if the exhaust pipes are pointing in the direction of the microphone/listener or not. As far as I'm aware none of the released ISImotor-based sims can simulate this. Sorry.

[jandri]

Ho, one more that did it. Nice 3d model.
Like modbaraban said you cant do that. That engine sound difference is usually in front engined cars because while going towards you you hear it sucking air and any other noises by the engine. While going away you hear exhaust gases from the exhaust pipe(s). Only 1 sound is supported.

I wanted to model that car too. But progress is way too slow.
http://www.nogripracing.com/gallery/...p?photo=143884

[scottydog]

Is there any reason why a specific wav file wouldn't play the sound ingame?

Trying to make my own sound mod for the 787b, but there is no ingame sound even though the wavs and all file paths in the aud file are ok...

[DucFreak]

Originally Posted by scottydog

Is there any reason why a specific wav file wouldn't play the sound ingame?

Trying to make my own sound mod for the 787b, but there is no ingame sound even though the wavs and all file paths in the aud file are ok...

Need more details mate, that's really stripped of info.

In anycase, try the following in an atempt to diagnosis the problem:


1) Bitrate and sample rate of the .WAV ? (should be 16-bit, and 22.050Hz, 44.100Hz or 48.000Hz - last one is better)

2) Is the volume in that specific .WAV sample high enough to be listened in game togheter with other engine samples and sound effects? (try adjusting the slider in the Audio options of the game, i.e, if it's an engine .WAV sample and just for a test try to decrease the volume sliders for the other sounds/effects. If still not working, try next to raise the volume in the specific .WAV sample)

3) In the .AUD file, is the path for that specific .WAV file really OK ? (watch for spacing, spelling and/or weird/wrong characters; small things as these pass unnoticed many times)

4) If it's an engine sound sample, and still in the .AUD file, is the MinimimRPM and MaximumRPM for that sample within the values that it was supposed to be listened? (make sure that it also has no characters typed by accident, that might break the parameter string)

5) ...and the pitch, is the NaturalRPM with correct values and/or making any effect?
(again, make sure that it also has no characters typed by accident, that might break the parameter string)

6) Is the .AUD file name matching the respective line pointed out in the .CAR file of the vehicle you're trying to make sounds for? (if not, correct that and restart game)

There might be other small situations that are caused by simple and common human error (files not in place, silent gaps in the specific sample, etc, etc) but I can't recall more atm.

[scottydog]

Thanks for the info man - the bitrate was the problem, for whatever reason GTR2 silences certain bitrates. *shrug* Fixed with a quick touch up in Audacity.

Your tip on looping the sounds effectively is very useful, thanks for that also.

Now begins the huge trial and error process off getting the rev ranges right

[DucFreak]

Nice.
Now comes the fun.

[jorgemodek]

Hey ducfreak first of all i would like to thank you for making this tutorial

I was in times a sound modder of tdu2 .. it required a very diffferent sound technique from gtr2 so i always want to give it a try on a more "open" game

O que pensas ? (what do you think of it ? )

[Leaves]

Thanks for the info in this forum, can't emphasize how much the car sound in GTR2/rfactor adds the experience. Cheers big ears