Audio Recording (on track) of your SDrive35is for a videogame?

tag_tim

Member
Hi all,

Bit of a quirky request, but hopefully someone can help please!

(hope this is ok to post – was going to ask a moderator first, but I cannot work out how to contact them as advised in the FAQ, as I cannot send private messages…)

Our company produces audio for videogames, and we are looking for a BMW z4 SDrive35is to record for an upcoming game.

Our intention is to get this recorded at Millbrook Proving Ground, which is between Milton Keynes and Bedford (but it could be somewhere else in roughly the same area – tbc).

The idea would be – you bring the car along, we spend some time attaching a few mics into the engine bay, and then some around the exhaust/s (likely using suction cup type mounts that don’t damage your car!), and then either you or another driver (tbc) will then drive the car up and down the straight several times, recording some full load ‘ramps/sweeps’. This involves a slow rolling start, changing up to probably 4th gear, and then applying full throttle while at low RPM, and allowing the car to speed up all the way to the redline, then backing off when reached. We also need to record the opposite – decelerations from high RPM, coasting back to low RPM.

We will also need to record a few other bits and pieces like startup, switch off, blipping the throttle (in neutral), tickover etc. We would also do a bit of normal driving, up and down the gears, for reference.

There will be no thrashing the car around a track or sliding about trashing the tyres. There won’t be any wheelspinning or skidding. The health of the car (and people!) are of course paramount.

So there should be nothing here that is going to break your car, but it needs to be in good shape obviously, as high rpm in 4th gear is likely to be quite fast…certainly over 70mph!

As well as the mics attached to the car, we will also record trackside too for passbys. We will send you clips of what your car sounds like :)

We are happy to discuss expenses to cover your time and fuel etc. The session is likely to take around 2-3 hours in total including the setup/down time. Actual running time will be short…maybe 15-30 minutes?

Ideally we are looking for a stock model…appreciate this will not be as noisy as a modded car, but this is what the client is looking for.

Hopefully there might be some takers who are roughly in this area who might be up for this please? Aiming for end of this month, so in a couple of weeks time.

Please get in touch if you are interested!

Thanks!

Tim

The Audio Guys Limited
 
Oh the intrigue. :o :? 8) :rofl:

And the thought of an E89 going around corners fast. :lol: :driving:

Just kidding. :wink:
 
I have flown over Millbrook at 4 in the morning, watching cars go around and around.
Now i know what it was, always wondered.
 
Now if only I had a 35is. This sounds like a fun day. Especially being a gamer, Would love to know my car was in a game..
 
Just had a quick look at the company and it looks like they do a lot for Forza Motorsport, so a pretty big game!

Am I right in saying that the 35i has the same exhaust system as the 35iS? Because then this would simply be the difference between a stock map (stage 0 = 35i) and a stage 1 map (stage 1 = 35iS) meaning that any remapped 35i would also produce a very similar sound.
 
Beeacon said:
Just had a quick look at the company and it looks like they do a lot for Forza Motorsport, so a pretty big game!

Am I right in saying that the 35i has the same exhaust system as the 35iS? Because then this would simply be the difference between a stock map (stage 0 = 35i) and a stage 1 map (stage 1 = 35iS) meaning that any remapped 35i would also produce a very similar sound.

The exhaust is different
 
Hi,

Thanks for the replies and apologies for the delay in updating the thread – have been out of the office and out and about!

Anyway, great to see there is some interest...a few answers then…


We don’t actually know what the game is as yet. It is something new, so will likely be ‘secret’ for a while yet! However, as you may have noticed from our company name, yes, we have been involved with some big racing games, so it is likely to be something pretty cool :)

The exact location and date are still tbc. We are liaising with another company who are sorting the logistics out.

The insurance is also tbc as it is kind of tied to the location used. In any case, the insurance would cover accidental damage to the vehicle, and presumably injury cover etc. However, any insurance will not cover breakdown or mechanical failure so it is important you understand that this part is ‘at your own risk’.


Anyway, hopefully that addresses the main points for now. It is likely to be an interesting day, and also very likely we will be recording other cars on the same day too.

Given that I cannot send any private messages, hopefully it is ok for me to post my email address here if anyone wants to speak to me directly about anything or wants to register their interest. It is [email protected]

Thanks again!

Cheers

Tim
 
I might be up for it depending on the details. I’m quite far away but if it’s not an awkward day or silly o’clock I can probably do it :thumbsup:
 
Any more information [ref]tag_tim[/ref]? Time/Date etc.? Will we get any time for some unofficial hooning aswell...
 
sunnydays said:
mcbutler said:
or a 35i, they sound the same.

No they don't. They have different exhausts, and their is an audible difference between the two in terms of volume level.
Different in what way? I was intrigued by your answer so spent 5 min comparing part numbers of exhausts on both vehicles all of which are identical apart from the rear system, which is 1.5kg heavier on the S !!!!!!!!!

My 35i has the exhaust flap isolated in the open position and its pretty loud when 'poked'....
 
mcbutler said:
sunnydays said:
mcbutler said:
or a 35i, they sound the same.

No they don't. They have different exhausts, and their is an audible difference between the two in terms of volume level.
Different in what way? I was intrigued by your answer so spent 5 min comparing part numbers of exhausts on both vehicles all of which are identical apart from the rear system, which is 1.5kg heavier on the S !!!!!!!!!

My 35i has the exhaust flap isolated in the open position and its pretty loud when 'poked'....

I beleive the 35is has a different muffler.

Edit: It may actually be the same muffler, but with different packing / dampening inside
 
Hi again,

Apologies again for delay and thanks for the further interest.

Dates are looking like either 29th or 30th October, so next Tuesday or Wednesday. You may get a choice of days - they are currently trying to fit multiple vehicles into both days. Same goes for times, it will be a question of agreeing a slot, so that is still tbc.

I would doubt somehow that you will get opportunity to hoon about :) The client is hiring exclusive use of the straight in order to do this, and rules and health and saftey are quite stringent, so much so, I think Millbrook insist on there being a 'minder' present to ensure that everything goes smoothly/nobody does anything dangerous/unauthorised.

It is looking likely that the volunteer will need to sort out some insurance for this themselves, and the cost of this will be covered, as well as any other expenses/costs agreed. Details of who to contact regarding the insurance will be passed on - it is just easier if the owner of the car does this, as they will need all your personal details anyway.

I am being asked to pass on contact details of anyone who is interested, so please let me know? You can then speak to them directly about the insurance and costs and final details etc.

It might be that if nobody with a 35is volunteers then they may consider something similar...so please let me know in any case?

Thanks again!

Cheers
Tim
 
Hi again all,

I have no takers on this then?

Need to sort this out quite quickly now as I am told that the recording will definitelty now take place next Friday 1st November.

As I say, expenses and costs are being offered, so you are able to get paid for doing this. You will need to negotiate this with the organiser but they are assuming that this will cost them money for you to take your car there.

The plan is that you can drive the vehicle if you are up for doing that - if not, then a driver can be sought from Millbrook to drive instead.

Anyway, last call really on this, as we need to cast the net wider if there are no takers here, and start looking elsewhere pronto!

Please drop me a mail if you want to discuss - [email protected]

Thanks!

Tim
 
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