Car's Sound Signature...

[M.D. Holloway]

Audio synthesis and noise reduction in modern vehicles | EDN

This is a cool article.

Audio optimization has become a mainstream issue for today’s auto designers. From compensating for the absence of engine noise to keeping sound levels down in the vehicle interior, audio synthesis and noise suppression solutions can help.

In seeking ways to counter rising fuel prices and lessen environmental impacts, the auto industry is staking out two key trajectories. One is the industry's commitment to lightweight design. The new VW Golf, for instance, weighs in at over 100 kg lighter than its predecessor. The other is the trend toward hybrid and electric vehicles that can complete at least part of a journey solely on electric power.

What both developments have in common is the challenge they present for vehicle noise optimization. The lower the vehicle’s target weight is, the less material can be installed to reduce noise, meaning that noise penetrates the vehicle interior (and passenger ears) unmitigated.

[Zeke]

And if you roll down the window, it all goes away. Who want's to be transported in a sound proof chamber? Certainly not a bunch of sports car owners. I don't like Targas, but hooray for them anyway. Same goes for motorcycles and anything else that puts the rider/driver into the experience.

My old '96 Jag is too sterile but at least it has some feedback from the induction.

[intakexhaust]

Loud pipes saves lives

[Schrup]

The road noise in my brand new Civic was so bad you couldn't hear the radio on a concrete freeway. I had a good audio system & alarm installed straight away, problem solved. I've tried noise canceling headphones & got no benefit, probable due to tinnitus.

[RWebb]

milt - you want to reduce the bad noises (tire & wind; maybe tranny) and hear the good noise (cams, exhaust, maybe the timing chain; but no droning)

thx, mike - PS, one word: aerogels

[HHI944]

Originally Posted by Zeke

And if you roll down the window, it all goes away. Who want's to be transported in a sound proof chamber? Certainly not a bunch of sports car owners. I don't like Targas, but hooray for them anyway. Same goes for motorcycles and anything else that puts the rider/driver into the experience.

My old '96 Jag is too sterile but at least it has some feedback from the induction.

**** you can have a conversation in whispers at 120 in my jag.......unless it's raining! I have the sunroof back and windows open though

[intakexhaust]

All joking aside, one of the most quite cars - OPEN top - to experience is the 53 Pack. Caribbean. The interesting thing was this car was heavy with tall bias ply tires. And this car was seriously laden with metal trim - cast and not so much as tin stampings, so there was no creaks, rattles either. I had a piece of interior door trim off, the part above the interior door panel that meets the window.... guessing that cast piece weighed 5 lbs. alone!

Anyhow, at 45 to 50 mph with the top down, there is absolutely no wind draft bothering front and rear seat passengers! If out on a backroad cruising with no other traffic or noise interference, a backseat passenger can carry a normal voice level conversation with those in the front. Amazing whatever the engineers were doing back then, intentional or not for a quiet ride, but it worked. Packard straight 8 are quiet runners.

[72doug2,2S]

Aerogel in the garage

[Christien]

I remember a review of a BMW 1 series (I think) on top gear - synthesized engine sound is played through the car's sound system!

[HHI944]

I know they did that on the M3, didn't know they did on other models

[M.D. Holloway]

Originally Posted by RWebb

milt - you want to reduce the bad noises (tire & wind; maybe tranny) and hear the good noise (cams, exhaust, maybe the timing chain; but no droning)

thx, mike - PS, one word: aerogels

I know! I am in the process of co-writing a book with my Son (its taking a while so don't expect it on the shelves anytime soon...) but its Fantastic Materials of the Future NOW! and its about way cool materials and one chapter is going to be on aerogels! Good to collect miro-metorites as well!