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F1 tests new microphone to improve engine sound

Published on 25 Nov 2017 13:55
11
By: Fergal Walsh

F1 is working to turn up the engine volume for the sport's television viewers. After earlier efforts to amplify the actual engine note for the trackside spectators failed, Liberty Media now has a new approach.

Auto Bild claims that instead of trying to make the 'power units' actually louder, the new idea is simply to improve the sound for those watching television. To that end, a specially-developed, heat-resistant microphone was placed very close to the exhaust of the Force India cars in Abu Dhabi as a test.

The German report claims that the F1 microphone project has been aided by a Hollywood sound engineer who worked on the films Rush and The Fast and the Furious: "The engine noise sounded more authentic and raw," the report concluded, revealing that earlier versions of the mic were tested in Austin, Mexico and Brazil.

An official working on sound for F1 commented: "The new version is not quite finished. We have discovered that a wind deflector improves the sound even more."

mbmwe36

Posts: 533

It's just amplifying a bad sound. It sounds marginally better IMO, but at the end of the day, the sound isn't good, and it's just a band aid on a broken leg.

1
Nov 25 2017 - 14:36

F1 News Force India

Replies (11)

mbmwe36

Posts: 533
It's just amplifying a bad sound. It sounds marginally better IMO, but at the end of the day, the sound isn't good, and it's just a band aid on a broken leg.
- + 1
- Nov 25 2017 - 14:36
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Agreed, improve quality rather than volume. Mind, its gotten better. Remember the sounds of the 2014 Renault?
  + 0
  
  Nov 25 2017 - 15:02
- mbmwe36
  
  Posts: 533
  I had blocked that out, so I had to turn to youtube, and to make matters worse it was a comparison between the old V8 and the 2014 PU.
  The new PUs definitely sound better than the 2014 (Renault) but not by thaaat much.
  + 0
  
  Nov 25 2017 - 15:54
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  I'd say the difference is significant enough, I actually find the Ferrari units to have a pretty pleasing sound. But yes, there is still alot left to do. I sorta miss the gurgling sound from the Honda units, even if that sound came from a lousy unit. XD
  + 0
  
  Nov 25 2017 - 16:05
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Oh, and this is me being silly again, but didnt the 2014 spec Renault unit sound sort of french? I always heard a sort of sound resembling "Eeeeeeaaaaaaauuuuu Eeeeaaaaaaauuu".
  + 1
  
  Nov 25 2017 - 16:07
- mbmwe36
  
  Posts: 533
  More often than not over the past 3 years,
  I'd say the Honda unit have had the best sound. But that's like being the most attractive at the burn unit.
  Yes, some would say the Le Coq'ed up in 2014 - Okay, that was terrible.
  
  I'm watching F2 as I write this, and the sound here is just on a completely different level! This is what F1 should be striving for.
  + 0
  
  Nov 25 2017 - 16:33
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  I probably like the Ferrari unit's sound best, but I'd say the Honda produces the second best sound. Read some comment from a guy who figured it sounded like a mix Between the Mercedes and the Ferrari, and I found that description fitting.
  
  That pun was magnifique! Certainly not a coq up!
  
  Yeah, F2 and Super GT has some amazing sound. Whats weird IMO is that SGT has turbocharged straight 4-bangers, and yet they produce louder and better sounding noise.
  + 0
  
  Nov 25 2017 - 17:55
- mbmwe36
  
  Posts: 533
  I've never seen a SGT race before, so I had to youtube it (again). They sound incredible! They sound a little more "beefy" than I would like for a F1 car. I prefer the high pitched scream for F1 cars. But still I'd take the SGT sound over the current one any day of the week, and twice on Sunday!
  + 0
  
  Nov 25 2017 - 22:11
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  I agree, I want loud screams from F1 cars, but the SGT cars' roars are nice. I just think its impressive how a 4 banger from a much smaller series can be so much better sounding than the pinnacle of motor racing. I find the series to be very fun in general, I rarely get bored during a race despite it being a more endurance focused series. That its aired for free on Youtube is a neat bonus.
  + 0
  
  Nov 26 2017 - 00:52
renaultFanF1

Posts: 80
This is so ridiculous, it's not even funny any more. Microphones??
- + 0
- Nov 26 2017 - 09:34
RogerF1

Posts: 501
If they mapped the sound Ok they could then do a voice over on formula E and make that sound like a real car as well!!!!
I'm 100% with you Renaultfan, this is not funny it's stupid.
- + 0
- Nov 26 2017 - 14:55