I want to learn more about recording cars and integrating the sound into a game, so I'll be putting my car on a dyno for recording.
What's this project for?
I run a vehicle-centric audio blog called Track Time Audio, where I write about things that sound cool and relate to vehicles. I've always wanted to record my own sounds using the tips and tricks I've learned through my love of cars but have never had the resources to go through with it. I hope to one day end up working in the video game industry on a racing game title and the hands-on experience from this project would help get me there.
Wait, what car?
I will be using my own car for this project, a 1985 Mercedes 190e-16V. This is also the car in the project photo. The car has a 2.3L 4-cylinder engine and even on stock exhaust has quite a bit of throatiness which I love listening to while driving. It's also old enough (and imported from Europe enough) to have minimal restriction in the exhaust system, which contributes to the great sound. The car presents a fantastic recording opportunity since I have unlimited access to it and gives me freedom to record as hard as I want. A variant of this car, the 2.5L "Evolution II" has appeared in a number of games already and should sound similar, but not the same.
Where is my money going?
I will be doing the recording at a yet-undetermined dyno shop somewhere around Minneapolis. Your donations will be going mostly toward funding the shop's time and labor but also towards renting or acquiring additional professional recording gear, as the number of windscreens and shock mounts needed surpasses what I own. Shops typically charge $100-150 per hour just to be in the space. Should there be any extra donation, I will be able to afford extra time to prepare video of the shoot and write thorough analyses. I may even be able to afford another dyno day with a much cooler car! Video of the session will also be available and heavily promoted on my blog. All backers will be credited and sincerely thanked on my blog as well! (If you wish to remain anonymous let me know.)
What happens with the recordings?
My hope for the finished recording is to implement the captured sounds into a usable product, for example as a 3rd-party vehicle in GTR, as well as a demonstration in FMOD. The completion of these projects would enable me both to showcase the recordings and to demonstrate that I can integrate the material into a workable form for video game production. Your donations are kickstarting (intended!) my career and for that I am eternally grateful! As for what you can do with them, check the user license update in the FAQ section!
FAQ
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If I can exceed my goal by at least $300 I'll be able to hire a local film crew to produce a quality spot for you guys, plus a much more detailed set of blog posts on the experience. If there's even more then I will be able to rent more microphones!
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For recorders, at minimum I will go straight into my MotU 8pre for 8 channels. I also have both an H4n and H2 at my disposal which will be used for interior captures. If I can swing it I'd like to get a DR-680 for an additional 6 channels plus portability for future projects.
Microphones at my disposal include 2 dpa 4061s, ntg2, audix OM1, sm57, 2x NT1a, and a contact mic or two. I will be renting D112 and D6 kick mics for more positions. I'd like to get some Heil dynamics, the pr20ut is my favorite sounding dynamic mic.
I will be recording in 96k/24 .WAV as it's the lowest common quality across all of my equipment. That will be what the $50+ donations have access to.Always open to suggestions, too!
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This answer is being updated today, 5/4/12. I have made take lists for you to look at and made available as .PDF. It's been broken into 2 parts, first being things that need to be recorded on the dyno: www.tracktimeaudio.com/docs/001DynoSheet.pdf and the second being things that don't necessarily need to be done on the dyno: tracktimeaudio.com/docs/001FoleySheet.pdf. For all sounds, both an Interior and Exterior perspective will be captured, with the exception of things that can't be heard externally like switches etc.
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I must admit I had not thoroughly planned this out beforehand, and as such had not correctly addressed usage rights from the onset. For that, I apologize. Here is the rundown of the usage agreement.
First, the sound files will not be sold after the conclusion of this KS project, so please do get it now while you still can!
Second, I have decided to remove required attribution, however if you would still like to, please credit David Nichols @ Track Time Audio.
However, the right to repackage and/or redistribute the pack of sounds as a pack of sounds is still being reserved. Let me clear this up with a few examples. You are welcome and encouraged to take these sounds and create a video game or film or installation or any sort of creative project. What isn't cool is reselling the pack or sharing it in part or in entirety on a soundfile hosting site. To word it differently, the right to have access to the pack is limited to those who have purchased the pack via donating to the project.
Now, I have been asked by some folks at some sound sharing sites if the sounds will be available to their user databases. My intention is to release a very small subset of the sounds under public domain such that those sites and their respective communities may have access to them. The amount of sounds available will be less than 10% and closer to 5% of the total amount in the pack, so you definitely will want to donate!
The $1 ringtone is under open license, so feel free to do with it as you wish!
My apologies for the confusion here, and thank you for your comments and thoughts.
37
Backers
$1,645
pledged of $1,500 goal
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Funding period
Apr 27, 2012 -
May 27, 2012
(30 days)
- First created · 0 backed
- Has not connected Facebook
- Website: tracktimeaudio.com
Pledge $1 or more
5 backers
Sweet Aston Martin DBS Ringtone! Delivered as an .mp3 - I've been using this as my ringtone for a while now and I love it! I recorded it at a local car show. If you watch the video, it's the sound at the beginning.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $10 or more
6 backers
A simplified collection of the recorded audio from the dyno session. This will be an edited soundfile showcasing the best of the sound I captured, about 45 seconds in length. Feel free to use it for whatever you'd like. Plus the above!
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $30 or more
4 backers
Track Time Audio T-shirt! You will get the first set of new printed shirts before they are available on the TTA store front. Printed on a white short-sleeve via cafepress. Plus the above!
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $50 or more
13 backers
The final complete soundbank of unedited sound files! The whole shebang! Every sound that comes out of this car is yours! This will include door shuts, switches, latches, the dyno recordings, and hopefully some on-the-road recordings as well. Delivered via download. Plus the above!
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $100 or more
1 backer
The entire soundbank delivered to you on a DVD with case! There might be some extra goodies thrown on there, too... Plus everything above!
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $250 or more
2 backers Limited (2 of 4 left)
TTA has been steadily expanding to over 1200 visitors per month! Wouldn't it be great if they could see your ad right on the sidebar? Donations will let you put up to a 200x100px image and link to whatever you'd like (within reason) for a whole year!
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012
