Techno's Influence On Car Sounds
Electric cars are revolutionizing the automotive industry not only in terms of environmental impact, but also in terms of noise. Car manufacturers are looking for sound producers and designers to help create innovative and unique sound palettes for electric vehicles.
Techno music has long been associated with the automobile, incorporating automotive themes into the sounds of artists such as Juan Atkins and Gary Numan. Listed as a Model 500, Atkins is deeply involved in the automotive industry, the fusion of man and machine, and technological manufacturing.
One of the main problems of electric vehicles is their silence. Apart from the noise of the internal combustion engine, the electric car makes almost no noise, which can be a problem for pedestrian safety. Automakers have the freedom to create their own EV sounds, and some are getting creative. Instead of recreating traditional machine sounds, they explored new possibilities that incorporated the human voice and unconventional instruments like the didgeridoo. Electronic musicians are often at the forefront of redefining car sound.
Sound designers like Richard Devine have played an important role in shaping the electric car's audio environment. Devin works with Jaguar and uses programs like Kyma, Max/MSP and Reactor to design engine and cabin sounds that include real-time synthesis, de-synthesis and additive synthesis. The aim was to create a harmonious blend of past and future with a distinctive sound that retains the essence of the old Jaguar models while incorporating futuristic touches.
Another example of a music/car collaboration is the collaboration between Green Lord Motors (GLM) and Japanese manufacturer Roland. Roland GLM's Tomikaira ZZ has adapted the supernatural sound synthesis architecture used in synthesizers for electric cars. The challenge was to match the noise changes to acceleration and speed, which required a complete overhaul of the existing synthesis code to make it work in the car. The result is a traditional yet neo-futuristic audio environment inspired by sports cars and space movies.
Automakers are moving away from recreating traditional engine sounds and focusing on creating new soundscapes. Musicians such as Jean-Michel Jarre collaborated with Renault to create a "caring" and "friendly" sound. Even automotive companies are aware of the impact of car noise on urban spaces and are trying to create a more inclusive environment for humanity.
With the advent of electric vehicles, customization has become even more important. Drivers can customize the sound on board, for example creating personal playlists. For example, Richard Devine began experimenting with creating his own custom sound for the Tesla Model 3 Performance using the GlideSphere speaker system.
After all, the collaboration between man and machine in the automotive industry is a reflection of technological principles. Instead of being dominated by machines, humans are collaborating with technology to create a better world. This combination of man and machine manifests itself both in music production and in the sound design of electric vehicles.
