Sound design improvement in Forza 6?

[Speedster911]

Funny you mention the Jag. I picked that first last night for the S 750 race I am doing. It sounded so weak so I switched to the Skyline. MUCH better. I actually heard it drive by my Jag while I was in the pit stop menu and thought whoa! I am getting that!

Yeah, the Skyline has been a fav of mine since even before the Forza days. And they've captured the fierce and shrill audio character very well. You're saying you also find the XJ220's audio character ho-hum? That's the only one they did properly I think, out of the Jags.

And interesting we're discussing Jags - was watching a Top gear rerun yesterday where Clarkson was reviewing the F-type.. and he was actually complaining about the sound that as a regular road car... it's just too loud and raunchy. IRL, that car has highly desirable, meaty notes that the game failed to capture. Is it my imagination, or do some cars in the game just sound too basic, as if ahem.. borrowed from a certain game on a certain platform?

Also, I'm not hearing the audible differences in pitch tone and character as you make engine upgrades... most of them just become louder or whinier as a result of the RPM limiter increasing. Thoughts? Damn I miss FM4 and 5 sound...

 

[GranTurismo guy]

Yeah, the Skyline has been a fav of mine since even before the Forza days. And they've captured the fierce and shrill audio character very well. You're saying you also find the XJ220's audio character ho-hum? That's the only one they did properly I think, out of the Jags.

And interesting we're discussing Jags - was watching a Top gear rerun yesterday where Clarkson was reviewing the F-type.. and he was actually complaining about the sound that as a regular road car... it's just too loud and raunchy. IRL, that car has highly desirable, meaty notes that the game failed to capture. Is it my imagination, or do some cars in the game just sound too basic, as if ahem.. borrowed from a certain game on a certain platform?

Also, I'm not hearing the audible differences in pitch tone and character as you make engine upgrades... most of them just become louder or whinier as a result of the RPM limiter increasing. Thoughts? Damn I miss FM4 and 5 sound...

I'm sorry, but I'm failing to see how fm5 sounded better in any aspect at all.

 

[Speedster911]

I'm sorry, but I'm failing to see how fm5 sounded better in any aspect at all.

Well good for you man, that you think F6's sound design is better. What kind of sound system you running?

Just about any person on this forum and the official forum is saying F5's audio design/mixing and engine sounds were better, 6 took a step back.

As for my personal opinion, several engine sounds have been improved in 6, but 5 has noticeably better sound design and mixing. Just today I was doing the Indy car race at The Ring in the final volume of "stories of motorsport" and it left me a disappointed how the cars sounded a bit quiet and basic, compared to FM5.

You do own FM5, right? Just curious.

 

[GranTurismo guy]

Well good for you man, that you think F6's sound design is better. What kind of sound system you running?

Just about any person on this forum and the official forum is saying F5's audio design/mixing and engine sounds were better, 6 took a step back.

As for my personal opinion, several engine sounds have been improved in 6, but 5 has noticeably better sound design and mixing. Just today I was doing the Indy car race at The Ring in the final volume of "stories of motorsport" and it left me a disappointed how the cars sounded a bit quiet and basic, compared to FM5.

You do own FM5, right? Just curious.

A massive exaggeration. Only you and the person who made the fm4 thread have said that cars actually sound better in the previous games. Others have commented on EQ which is a very different matter to how the cars sound.

What sound system am I using? A TV.

 

[VXR]

I'll be a very happy boy if the F-Type gets its actual sound in an update. They can't be happy with it as it sounds nothing like the real car.

 

[GranTurismo guy]

I'll be a very happy boy if the F-Type gets its actual sound in an update. They can't be happy with it as it sounds nothing like the real car.

Sounds like they just went for the basic engine tone, but there's just no growl or shout to it.

 

[Mr Latte]

I spent just a small amount of time monitoring some cars via the 31 band eq.
Just focusing on basic stereo output and not altering the sound but monitoring only.
I have 3 of these EQ so could (if in the mood/lots of work) connect them all up to do realtime EQ changes for 6 channels.

A better or alternative method might be utilising 5.1 input on a sound-card and something like "PAS Surround Meter" which details all channels via PC software.

Just Look Here

The biggest issue with opponent cars drowning out the players own engine is something that cannot really be improved much. Reason being most of the cars engine noises are using similar "mid range frequencies" especially off the starting line and accelerating through the gears.

Tyre squeal does look like something that could be altered/reduced to be better implemented or less annoying. It uses some higher frequencies not used so much with constant running sounds like engine noise. Additionally off track sounds and kerbs also make more use of the lowest frequencies and these could be bolstered for more dynamic rumble/punch or altered more to a users own taste.

If T10 do nothing to address the volume issue of opponent cars. It may be more enjoyable from an audio perspective to enjoy the "drivers car" when driving in events alone. Here with only the "drivers car" the EQ could be more effective in adapting how a car sounds across the frequency range to your own taste...

 

[Speedster911]

A massive exaggeration. Only you and the person who made the fm4 thread have said that cars actually sound better in the previous games. Others have commented on EQ which is a very different matter to how the cars sound.

What sound system am I using? A TV.

There you go, that explains it: TV sound.

Get a proper digital sound system with an amp and all, then get back to us. Practically night and day.

Happy motoring.

 

[GranTurismo guy]

There you go, that explains it: TV sound.

Get a proper digital sound system with an amp and all, then get back to us. Practically night and day.

Happy motoring.

That's the issue. "Us" is "you".

 

[Speedster911]

That's the issue. "Us" is "you".

Okay then, no point in arguing.

You can get back to ME once you have a proper sound system to make some 'real-world' comparisons.

 

[GranTurismo guy]

Okay then, no point in arguing.

You can get back to ME once you have a proper sound system to make some 'real-world' comparisons.

I don't need tonnes of high quality noise to tell if a car sounds as it should. It doesn't magically change the tone of the samples.

 

[Speedster911]

I don't need tonnes of high quality noise to tell if a car sounds as it should. It doesn't magically change the tone of the samples.

Okay you're right...

So the fact that a "proper sound system" can output a higher dynamic frequency range which gives you distinct highs, mids and lows probably has nothing to do with it.

Case closed.

 

[Spitty]

After testing many more cars, especially cheap cars in stock form vs. cheap cars with all engine upgrades I'm slightly disappointed with the sound in this game.
In the beginning I was hyped because I drove luxury cars like the AMG GT and Audi RS7 which all sound very good.
Well obviously the *affordable* cars don't get the special treatment...
@Speedster911 The environmental sound effects like going over gravel, rumble strips etc. are better in 6 though.

 

[GranTurismo guy]

Okay you're right...

So the fact that a "proper sound system" can output a higher dynamic frequency range which gives you distinct highs, mids and lows probably has nothing to do with it.

Case closed.

You know how you can identify a song regardless of what the speakers are? It's like that.

Don't get me wrong, I would love to be playing forza with a great sound system, but my point is you can hear what you need to to judge whether or not a car sounds accurate with a normal TV speaker.

@Spitty forza 2 is still the best in the series for difference between stock and modified.

 

[Spitty]

You know how you can identify a song regardless of what the speakers are? It's like that.

Don't get me wrong, I would love to be playing forza with a great sound system, but my point is you can hear what you need to to judge whether or not a car sounds accurate with a normal TV speaker.

@Spitty forza 2 is still the best in the series for difference between stock and modified.

I know right?...it's so sad, some cars had completely different exhaust notes after upgrading.

Back to Fm6: I just had a test drive with the new Camaro Z28 and it sounds absolutely brilliant.
So we get premium and standard sounds in Forza?

 

[Amills313]

Yea the Z28 sounds mean!!! I agree with you though I wish they upgraded the sounds when you upgrade your car..

 

[GranTurismo guy]

One moan I will have is the vtec engines sound quite distorted now. I was hoping we had fully left that in the past.

 

[Amills313]

I appreciate the Vtec kick in sound but it sounds bad.. I agree with you, but at least Vtec kicks in lol!

 

[VXR]

I've just enjoyed the E46 M3 sound whilst curating my latest photo update. The stock car has that signature rasp to the exhaust, whilst the tuned model I created to around CSL spec with race intake and airbox gave that carbon bark to the induction. I just wish they'd add the CSL in a DLC pack.

 

[Speedster911]

^^ I get the feeling T10 have handpicked certain cars and modeled their sound properly.

 

[Speedster911]

After testing many more cars, especially cheap cars in stock form vs. cheap cars with all engine upgrades I'm slightly disappointed with the sound in this game.
In the beginning I was hyped because I drove luxury cars like the AMG GT and Audi RS7 which all sound very good.
Well obviously the *affordable* cars don't get the special treatment...
@Speedster911 The environmental sound effects like going over gravel, rumble strips etc. are better in 6 though.

Well, gravel and tire squeal is quite nice, though when going into and coming out of tunnels, the sound doesn't quite bounce off the environment the way it did in FM5. The effect seems subdued, much like it is in H2. Also, the whoosh effect as you drive past objects and go underneath passovers, was more convincing in 5. The rumble strips? They're fine in 6, though too loud and bassy on some tracks (reminds me of F4). The wind and road noise also seemed more audible in 5.

Anyway, the game is what it is, and I'm loving every moment.

 

[McLaren]

Not sure what Forza you were playing, but the environment affects the sound way, way more than it ever did in FM5. Barriers & tunnels produce a much more audible sound than in the previous game.

 

[Speedster911]

Not sure what Forza you were playing, but the environment affects the sound way, way more than it ever did in FM5. Barriers & tunnels produce a much more audible sound than in the previous game.

What? No man! Go to FM5 and take any car with loud raspy notes through the Bernese Alps tunnel. Do the same in F6 Bernese Alps.

I can related to the barriers part.. you can hear your engine echoing off trackside walls and objects, but tunnel sound ain't that impressive. Seems kinda muted.

 

[McLaren]

What? No man! Go to FM5 and take any car with loud raspy notes through the Bernese Alps tunnel. Do the same in F6 Bernese Alps.

I can related to the barriers part.. you can hear your engine echoing off trackside walls and objects, but tunnel sound ain't that impressive. Seems kinda muted.

Your example seems more related to the argument folks have had that the car audio has been turned down if it sounds muted.

Environmental effects in general, are still much better now. Coming off the straight at COTA before Turn 12 & hearing the exhaust audio pick up in that small section of turns is very close to the real circuit.

 

[Speedster911]

Your example seems more related to the argument folks have had that the car audio has been turned down if it sounds muted.

Environmental effects in general, are still much better now. Coming off the straight at COTA before Turn 12 & hearing the exhaust audio pick up in that small section of turns is very close to the real circuit.

I have to admit certain parts of the tracks (IRL as well) give off some sick reverb which has been recreated well by the game. However, the overall reverb effect, including the distinction between engine and exhaust sound was far better in FM5. This was especially evident in replays as your car would drive by.

Anyway, to each their own. Enjoy the game. 👍

 

[FosterG]

I know right?...it's so sad, some cars had completely different exhaust notes after upgrading.

Back to Fm6: I just had a test drive with the new Camaro Z28 and it sounds absolutely brilliant.
So we get premium and standard sounds in Forza?

And the mighty LaFerrari sounds....just wrong, wrong, wrong, it was much better in f5

 

[Speedster911]

And the mighty LaFerrari sounds....just wrong, wrong, wrong, it was much better in f5

Bro, I just fired up FM5 after a lengthy reinstall and save sync - instantly, everything just sounds right: the ambient effects, the engine sounds on up and down revs, how the car drives past the camera and you hear the engine first, then the exhaust.. the distinction between engine and exhaust notes... or how easing off the throttle makes the car or cars more audible around you.. you can even hear their notes so well, with the revs and downshifting. Brilliant!

In replays, cars sound like actual, mean-ass high horsepower cars. Why did T10 have to cut all that audio gimmickry from F6? To accommodate higher cars and night/rain maybe?

I'm just sad to know FM6 ditched so many good things from 5, in terms of sound. I've only compared the P1 and F12 Berlinetta sounds so far.. they are so much more detailed and distinct with several levels of variation in pitch and tone.

WHERE did all that go in FM6? Don't know what happened - did they fire some of the guys who worked on FM5? Is this how sound is going to be in future Forza.M games? T10 needs to find a way to get back Caveizel.. pronto!

FM6 feels a lot like going from FM4 to 3, in terms of sound. When you really spend time and think about it, FM5 has a lot of polish and pizzazz when it comes to audio, maybe something it doesn't get enough credit for. Even some of the tracks look better (minus the excessive rays and high-saturation lighting).

And is it my imagination, or do the cars actually look better too in F5? The orange peel effect is more pronounced, I also noticed.

Just sad. I'm glad I didn't give away my FM5 copy!

 

[FosterG]

Some of the cars sound good, others are not good at all, the P1? It sounds flat mean in project cars, if you drive it chase cam view the Ferrari sounds better but still not F5 good.

 

[GranTurismo guy]

The P1 is definitely more accurate in fm6 than fm5.

The LaFerrari I'm not sure of. Does it actually have that deep intake noise that you hear in the interior cam?

 

[Speedster911]

The P1 is definitely more accurate in fm6 than fm5.

The LaFerrari I'm not sure of. Does it actually have that deep intake noise that you hear in the interior cam?

Friend, a most humble suggestion - you will need an amp and speakers to hear and feel the distinction or variations in pitch, tone and character between the two games. A digital sound system brings the experience alive by tapping into a noticeably higher frequency/dynamic range which lets your sound system output highs, mids and lows in the sound frequency range, as the developer intended.

No arguments please! Just get a decent sound system, doesn't have to be very expensive; then drive the same cars stock AND fully upgraded in both games.