A Sigh for a Merlin

[ATAG_Snapper]

All of us know what a Merlin sounds like. If the hair doesn't stand up on the back of your neck -- it ain't a Merlin. The external sounds that we have now for Spits and Hurries are something else altogether. Anyone who rides a motorcycle on a highway recognizes that sound immediately: an 18-wheeler semi tractor trailer pulling rubber dog shyte to Detroit.

About a year ago a modder named Jafa nailed the external Merlin sound. The flyby sound started well but unfortunately sucked eggs through a Hoover vacuum as it passed by. Here's an old video I made to illustrate the point:


https://vimeo.com/24922949
https://vimeo.com/24922949

I'm hoping (praying, actually) that a talented modder reading this with a fine ear and determination to match can capture the true sound (external and external flyby) of our beloved Merlins. :D

(And apologies to the late Alex Henshawe for borrowing the title of his classic book)

EDIT: OK, while I'm on a roll here.....the 109's sound. Does anyone else remember how nasty they sounded in (IIRC) the earlier v. 1.59 retail version? The external sound that featured the supercharger's whistling growl that sounded like the 109 was here to kill something? And frequently did? IMHO this sound was greatly toned down in the subsequent patches.....a clear case of fixing something that wasn't broken.

[TheVino3]

It puzzles me that the talented sound modders we had last year have all fallen below the radar. Its a shame now that the game is in a relatively stable state.
I think the sound engine was completely re-written, and that may have just put them off having to start from scratch again.

I'm going to look into sound modding at some point, as sound editing is what I really like doing, but CloD (like many many games) is really hard to crack (for amateurs like me anyways :goofy)

[ATAG_JTDawg]

Have to agree . but wasn't this when they started to break the game , an show us something pretty an giving planes that didn't start :thumbsup:

[Roblex]

I don't agree that Jaffas mod sucks on the flyby. It is a vast improvement. I would be quite happy to have his version.

[il_corleone]

Has any one the original SoundMod for the early version? would be much apreciated, thanks ;)

[Catseye]

I loved the Merlin sound mods from IL2 1946. There were several of them but most had the flyby making your hair stand on end. I recall Jaffa even had a slightly different tone for the Mustang Merlin. And . . . . . the 109 supercharger whistle wow!

What I really liked about those mods was the apparent mixing of the prop-wash into the engine sounds on the flyby so you got the Merlin dopplar stutter on approach and leaving during the flyby.

Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps.

Check this vid out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmR-A-yJknw

Cheers

[Roblex]

surfing forward from the original video, as you do :-), I found this beautifully put together collection of spitfire gun-cam films and a tribute to the women who helped build them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv8rFPLN_Fg

[Tiger_33]

All of us know what a Merlin sounds like. If the hair doesn't stand up on the back of your neck -- it ain't a Merlin. The external sounds that we have now for Spits and Hurries are something else altogether. Anyone who rides a motorcycle on a highway recognizes that sound immediately: an 18-wheeler semi tractor trailer pulling rubber dog shyte to Detroit.

About a year ago a modder named Jafa nailed the external Merlin sound. The flyby sound started well but unfortunately sucked eggs through a Hoover vacuum as it passed by. Here's an old video I made to illustrate the point:


https://vimeo.com/24922949
https://vimeo.com/24922949

I'm hoping (praying, actually) that a talented modder reading this with a fine ear and determination to match can capture the true sound (external and external flyby) of our beloved Merlins. :D

(And apologies to the late Alex Henshawe for borrowing the title of his classic book)

EDIT: OK, while I'm on a roll here.....the 109's sound. Does anyone else remember how nasty they sounded in (IIRC) the earlier v. 1.59 retail version? The external sound that featured the supercharger's whistling growl that sounded like the 109 was here to kill something? And frequently did? IMHO this sound was greatly toned down in the subsequent patches.....a clear case of fixing something that wasn't broken.



Hi All.

And now if the dream became reality?:D

[Mysticpuma]

Hi Tiger.

I have to be honest, your sound effects in HSFX are truly amazing and I could listen to them all day! I love the Mustang flyby, it's just incredible!

I hope you are keen to have a look at modding the sounds for CloD as I know it would benefit from your input.

I hope your posts is a sign of your interest?

Cheers, MP

[ATAG_Snapper]

Hi Tiger, and welcome to the forum! :salute:

I don't have HSFX installed since all my flying time has gone into Clod (and a little bit into DCS P51D, A2A WOP3 Spitfire, and even ROF :D). From what Mysticpuma just posted, I'd love to hear your P51 sounds. Do you have a soundfile available? EDIT: better yet, just a Youtube or Vimeo link. :D

EDIT 2: Found it:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=q-4ccqui9lk

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=q-4ccqui9lk

YESSSSSSS!!!!!!!! :stunned:


In the meantime, if you're interested in joining Team Fusion, be sure to drop a PM to Buzzsaw or IvanK and intro yourself!

All the best,

Snapper

[vranac]

http://www.audiosparx.com/sa/display/sounds.cfm/sound_group_iid.3565

http://www.audiosparx.com/sa/summary/play.cfm/crumb.1/crumc.0/sound_iid.344957

[ATAG_Naz]

Oh wow, Tiger has appeared! :thumbsup:

Excellent excellent. Brilliant sound modding work in the original IL2 series from Tiger....really hope he gets stuck into Cliffs.

The news just gets better and better !

[Meaks]

Excellent video Snapper,and wow,I'd forgotten how good Jafa's Merlin sounds were,truly superb..........with you all the way on this one buddy:thumbsup:

[Shado]

Jaffa's sound mod was really starting to take shape it was miles away frow where we were left with the original sounds, the flybys werent perfect but i'm sure a little more time spent with the sound engine we would today probably some of the best sounds available in a flight sim, shame he moved on.

[ATAG_Snapper]

Jaffa's sound mod was really starting to take shape it was miles away frow where we were left with the original sounds, the flybys werent perfect but i'm sure a little more time spent with the sound engine we would today probably some of the best sounds available in a flight sim, shame he moved on.

+1

Actually I'm a big fan of Jafa's work, and he graciously gave me permission to use his sound files in a short video I made almost two years ago. The iconic flyby sound of the Merlin-equipped Spits and Hurries have eluded every Clod sound modder so far. I was a little harsh in my "sucked eggs through a Hoover vacuum cleaner" descriptor, although that's miles better than "sucked screaming kitties through a Hoover", I suppose. Hopefully Jafa has a sense of humour. :D

Sound is so important to a quality video/video game. Someone did a trial once that found that viewers will quickly change a TV channel if the sound quits even if the picture is fine, but will tend to stick with a blacked out TV program if the sound is still good. (I read it on the Internet so it must be true.)

I remember Janes WW2 fighters had some great sound recordings of external flyby's (and wonderful Big Band period music, too!). A2A's Wings of Power 3 Spitfire 1a/2a has some wonderful sound (though I HATE the awkward FSX interface and graphics!). Hopefully Clod will get there in the sound dept. too.

[jafa]

Boo ... and I still have thoes original sound files I made for Cod , but I went on to make a much better set for il2 , il2 however has a more complex ,better PRS set up than Cod it would be nice if this could be transfered to Cod.

Sucked eggs....really ?

Jafa.

[ATAG_Bliss]

You have to know, Snapper. I can assure you he meant absolutely no disrespect.

But he did get you to post here :)

Let us know when you are ready to help improve this again. You'd be surprised what could be done.

[Muffin]

Boo ... and I still have thoes original sound files I made for Cod , but I went on to make a much better set for il2 , il2 however has a more complex ,better PRS set up than Cod it would be nice if this could be transfered to Cod.

Sucked eggs....really ?

Jafa.

Hey Jafa, is there any chance of your merlin sound mod working on this current patch. It's a damn-sight better than the current sound. I apologize if i am missing something major. I'm a bit technically inept.

Muffin

[ATAG_Snapper]

Boo ... and I still have thoes original sound files I made for Cod , but I went on to make a much better set for il2 , il2 however has a more complex ,better PRS set up than Cod it would be nice if this could be transfered to Cod.

Sucked eggs....really ?

Jafa.

Sucked eggs? Of course not! Humblest apologies! :-)

Actually, I'm one of your biggest fans. And I'll gladly take an egg shot in the face if it means you might have a look at Team Fusion. :D

Good to see you here, Jafa! :thumbsup:

Snapper :salute:

[Furious]

+1

Sound is so important to a quality video/video game. Someone did a trial once that found that viewers will quickly change a TV channel if the sound quits even if the picture is fine, but will tend to stick with a blacked out TV program if the sound is still good. (I read it on the Internet so it must be true.)

Totally true. When it comes to immersion, we are (mostly) sitting at a desk pretending to be in a spit. We don't get any sensations apart from visual and auditory ones. Sounds are an essential part to feeling "like you're really in there". It could be just the click of a magneto switch, or the sound of the gear being let down, but sounds are 50% of the experience.
The merlin sound in the game is frankly woeful, immersion-wise feels more like you're driving a 75cc...

[jafa]

Sucked eggs? Of course not! Humblest apologies! :-)

Actually, I'm one of your biggest fans. And I'll gladly take an egg shot in the face if it means you might have a look at Team Fusion. :D

Good to see you here, Jafa! :thumbsup:

Snapper :salute:

Im afraid im a bit out of the loop these days I have nither il2 or cod installed , im concentrating more on real world stuff and my amature film projects , I am more than happy to help out if im needed , but I can never be as heavily involved as I once was with il2 , I have to admit though what you guys are doing here is exciting , as cod has what looks like huge potential.


Ps - Ive just thrown an egg , can you see it yet ? I guess it could strike .........any.................second.....:-P

[ATAG_Snapper]

Ha! Good stuff! :thumbsup:

I'm not on Team Fusion, so I'll leave it in Bliss' capable hands to bring you up to date on this.

All the best in your current endeavours, and thanks for stopping in. Scrambled eggs taste pretty good! LOL

[ATAG_Snapper]

Totally true. When it comes to immersion, we are (mostly) sitting at a desk pretending to be in a spit. We don't get any sensations apart from visual and auditory ones. Sounds are an essential part to feeling "like you're really in there". It could be just the click of a magneto switch, or the sound of the gear being let down, but sounds are 50% of the experience.
The merlin sound in the game is frankly woeful, immersion-wise feels more like you're driving a 75cc...

Here's a quick video I made from Air2Air's Wings of Power 3 Spitfire 1a/2a sim. Pardon the lousy filmic values (eh? whazzat? :P), this FSX-based third party sim does not play well with my CoD peripheral hardware & software settings, and I was in no mood to piss around a whole evening trying to get 'em to fully cooperate. But the sound recordings are, IMHO, very good.....although I realize Clod's dynamic sound engine works completely differently.


https://vimeo.com/57825881
https://vimeo.com/57825881

[Katdog5]

Speaking of awesome sounds...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YioXYhbVPA&feature=feedlik

ps- always enjoyed Jafas work.

[ATAG_Snapper]

Great video! Love the countra-rotating props "slowed down" by the vid cam's shutter speed/frame rate. :thumbsup:

[ATAG_Septic]

Speaking of awesome sounds...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YioXYhbVPA&feature=feedlik

ps- always enjoyed Jafas work.

That's a beautiful sound, a keeper thanks. The fly past at 2:30, imagine a Cliffs Merlin sounding as powerful.

Septic.

[ATAG_Slipstream]

That's a beautiful sound, a keeper thanks. The fly past at 2:30, imagine a Cliffs Merlin sounding as powerful.

Septic.

:)

[Tiger_33]

Ok .... we know that COD has a new sound engine (FMOD EX).

FMOD EX is a very good working environment but unfortunately the developers have not released the SDK.

So I tried to change some sounds with a few tools and it's a nightmare to modify the samples and do something good.:sad!:

After + hundred hours of work for cut,mix,test etc.. here is the result of this short video.


https://vimeo.com/58826952

It's not perfect but I think it's still better than the original.

If I could have in my possession the 2 FMOD main files from developers (bob.fdp and core.fdp) I'm sure I could do something really cool.

Next step the Jumo 211 .. it's really horrible ...

One question for Team Fusion :

As for the old Il2, did you extract the source code from the files.sfs
which allows access to sound management?...perhaps it'not java code now ?

[murkz]

Thank you Tiger_33 for all the hard work on improving this simulation, it is very much appreciated.

[71st_AH_Vertigo]

Ok .... we know that COD has a new sound engine (FMOD EX).

FMOD EX is a very good working environment but unfortunately the developers have not released the SDK.

So I tried to change some sounds with a few tools and it's a nightmare to modify the samples and do something good.:sad!:

After + hundred hours of work for cut,mix,test etc.. here is the result of this short video.


https://vimeo.com/58826952

It's not perfect but I think it's still better than the original.

If I could have in my possession the 2 FMOD main files from developers (bob.fdp and core.fdp) I'm sure I could do something really cool.

Next step the Jumo 211 .. it's really horrible ...

One question for Team Fusion :

As for the old Il2, did you extract the source code from the files.sfs
which allows access to sound management?...perhaps it'not java code now ?



Sounds awesome to me, Tiger.. Love the little echo in the weapons firing..
Great work!
V

[J2_Sturm]

Wow, that 109 sounds awesome, Tiger ! :thumbsup:

At the risk of a lynching, :stunned: I'd say I've never understood the attraction of the Merlin sound, the 109 "whistle" is where it's at :-P and you captured a fantastic base note as the motor runs up.

[Kling]

The CLOD 109 sound has a bug that occurs exactly 50% of the times you go on external mode.

Try it.
exactly half of the time you can hear the supercharger on flyby mode. The other half it sounds like a tractor.
I made some videos a while ago and posted on youtube.

First video is what it should NOT sound like (No supercharger)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yso_Kaf2UMg

This video is what is SHOULD sound like with the supercharger
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZzkYED8hMY


To reproduce this sound bug:
Go from cockpit mode to external or flyby mode. Listen to what you hear. Then go back into cockpit and once again go on external mode and you should hear the difference, depending on what you heard the first time you did it.

[philip.ed]

Tiger, those sounds are incredible.

[92 Cdt. Kiwikillemoff (QJ-Z)]

Brilliant...I hope there is room for you on the Mod team!

[92 Sqn. Philstyle (QJ-P)]

Tiger, Can you apply a +5dB boost to the EQ between 100Hz and 300Hz on the merlins? - only on the externals.

The internals are amazing.

[ATAG_Snapper]

Ok .... we know that COD has a new sound engine (FMOD EX).

FMOD EX is a very good working environment but unfortunately the developers have not released the SDK.

So I tried to change some sounds with a few tools and it's a nightmare to modify the samples and do something good.:sad!:

After + hundred hours of work for cut,mix,test etc.. here is the result of this short video.


https://vimeo.com/58826952

It's not perfect but I think it's still better than the original.

If I could have in my possession the 2 FMOD main files from developers (bob.fdp and core.fdp) I'm sure I could do something really cool.

Next step the Jumo 211 .. it's really horrible ...

One question for Team Fusion :

As for the old Il2, did you extract the source code from the files.sfs
which allows access to sound management?...perhaps it'not java code now ?

Simply amazing!

What I posted on Vimeo: "Those are the best I've heard for Clod. You've managed to effectively reproduce the iconic Merlin Doppler sound on the flybys with none of the typical IL2/Clod vacuum-cleaner whoosh as the plane egresses. Excellent work, Tiger!"

[SlipBall]

Thanks Snapper!...I must have missed that...Merlin sounds fine on the start up, weak in flyby, the 109 is not convincing without that missing whistle sound :grrr:

[Kling]

Hi All.

And now if the dream became reality?:D

Awesome sounds Tiger! Im a big fan of your flyby sounds for il2 1946 and I refuse to play il2 without your sounds!!

However would it be possible you think to make the internal engine sound "scream" more while on full power? Right now it sounds amazing but it sounds like the engine is running maybe on half the power in your videos. I would imagine that an engine on full power would be deafening for your ears... It would be great that when you increase to full power you could really "hear/feel" that now your are pushing your engine to its limits and this you should not do for too long kind of feeling. (refering to mostly internal sounds)
Anyway, its just a question,is it possible and do you agree??! ;)

Keep up the good work!

[Recoilfx]

Ok .... we know that COD has a new sound engine (FMOD EX).

FMOD EX is a very good working environment but unfortunately the developers have not released the SDK.

So I tried to change some sounds with a few tools and it's a nightmare to modify the samples and do something good.:sad!:

After + hundred hours of work for cut,mix,test etc.. here is the result of this short video.


https://vimeo.com/58826952

It's not perfect but I think it's still better than the original.

If I could have in my possession the 2 FMOD main files from developers (bob.fdp and core.fdp) I'm sure I could do something really cool.

Next step the Jumo 211 .. it's really horrible ...

One question for Team Fusion :

As for the old Il2, did you extract the source code from the files.sfs
which allows access to sound management?...perhaps it'not java code now ?



Wow, Tiger, that sounds so awesome! I love the machine/canon shots!

[Mattias]

https://vimeo.com/58826952


:salute: Tiger,

your sounds sound amazing in my ears :thumbsup:

Cheers/m

[Punch]

Would love to get Tiger's sounds back into the game..............I've been playing with the sound files , seeing what could be edited but alas I think it's beyond my simple file editing abilities. I Found a couple of programs that might be of use to others toying with this.
The sound files are packed in a .fsb file and are called upon by the event handler "bob.fev" . Both files are located in "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\il-2 sturmovik cliffs of dover\parts\bob\fsamples"

FMOD Event Player..............to open the bob.fev file "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\il-2 sturmovik cliffs of dover\parts\bob\fsamples\bob.fev"

This is very useful for viewing/playing the .wav files connected to events.

FsbExtractor............ This can extract all the files form the bob_bank01.fsb file "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\il-2 sturmovik cliffs of dover\parts\bob\fsamples\bob_bank01.fsb "

If someone manages to extract the wavs in the order they're in the .fsb , let me know how

FMOD Designer........ With this you should be able to create a new .fsb and .fev file , place in the game and play edited wavs (I Think :doh:)

If anyone is playing around with the sound files and can shed some light on how they might be edited , perhaps post something up :)

[VO101_Kurfurst]

Wonderful work (the samples were taken from WW2 Online? It sounds very much so! But that one has excellent sound FX).

One observation, the gun firings sound very much like as if only a single gun would be firing. Could it be solved? With some very small change in phase perhaps (guns do not cycle at exactly the same time, well perhaps synched guns on German planes do). Especially noticalbe with British 8-gun batteries and German wing guns.

[Wandalen]

:salute:

Undoubtedly, the sound is half the game. But I think most fying FW today use a Russian engine and not orginal BMW.
Here is a great video of a ME 109 and a FW 190 :)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfvQnlYB3IE