Polyphony Digital Looks to Hire More Sound Engineers for Gran Turismo [UPDATES]

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Kazunori Yamauchi has published the third post in his series discussing the engine sounds of Gran Turismo on Polyphony Digital’s “PitStop” blog.

In the first two posts, he discussed how the sound capturing process for the games has evolved over the years, and he’s now covered how sounds are captured today by the company’s audio engineers:

gt-engine-sound-lfa

The Dynapack is a type of “Dynamo” that is used to measure engine output, but unlike a roller type where the car is placed on top of the machine, the dynamo for applying load to the car is connected directly to the wheel hub of the drive wheels. Because it is connected directly to the hub, you don’t have to worry about tire slippage as you do using a roller type. You can then change the loads on the car as you like.
This means that you can almost completely recreate driving conditions with the car at a stand still.

We can do things that are like magic; like keeping the engine rpm exactly at 3000 rpm even at full throttle. Its easy on a Dynapack.
This makes it like a machine that was tailor made for recording engine sound.
Since then, we have asked Tanabe san of Amuse for his help in recording engine sound, and the cars with high quality sounds in Gran Turismo are generally those that have been recorded on the Dynapack.

He goes on to discuss the challenges of working with their older sound samples and making them compatible with modern surround sound systems:

In order to make the system compatible with true surround sound, it was set up so that the positions of a massive number of sound sources within a space, and the directions of sound emissions were calculated precisely. And with automatic gain control, the audio level of the entire scene was output without overflowing and without distortion. This made it so that engine sounds that used to be overdriven and extremely distorted until GT4 was now ringing through clean without distortion, and with an old sound sampling the weakness of the sound source became very noticeable.

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Although he did not reveal any specific comments regarding how the engine sounds will change in the future, he did say they are working hard to make improvements in this area (he’s already said a “major sound update” is coming to GT7).

He finished the post with an appeal to any Gran Turismo fans with a professional background in audio engineering, inviting them to join the team at Polyphony Digital to help them tackle this problem:

So any sound engineers, recording engineers out there that are like “Hey let ME improve the sounds of Gran Turismo!”, we’re hiring. It should be pretty fun working to unravel the mysteries of sound from a technical point of view, and travel all over the world recording sounds in the process.

If any GTPlanet readers fit the bill, I would encourage you to apply! More information about career opportunities with Polyphony Digital is available here.

UPDATE: The blog post has been updated with more specific information for those interested in applying for a position with Polyphony’s audio department:

We are currently recruiting Sound Engineers and Recording Engineers. Please email recruit_sound@polyphony.co.jp. The choice of content, style and format of any resume’s are left to the applicant.

Please note that applications can only be accepted in Japanese or English, and those who have passed the preliminary evaluation by email will be contacted by our staff.

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Comments (93)

  1. JASON_ROCKS1998

    I never had a massive ”Vaccuum” sound with cars in GT6 unless I used the bonnet or interior views of fast cars (Nissan GT-R, Lexus LFA, Corvette etc.) but I mainly use the chase camera so only a few cars (ACR Viper, Race Cars etc.) really annoyed me. But for people that have an issue with the sounds its good they bring out this update.

  2. oli440

    I think ever since Kaz stated that he too didn’t approve of sound in GT, he’s finally decided to up the game and get more employees in.

    If it means Subaru Imprezas will have that Boxer rumble in GT7, I will spare a moment to clap to him.

  3. GregOr1971

    Finally there is a choice for all the “I can do It better than PD” crowd to do a good thing and fix those “vacum” sounds for yourself (and all of us). But I guess it easier to post continous “I am so funny” posts, than do a real thing and apply for a job at PD. I thought so.

    1. MLRSparco

      There’s a difference between being able to do it and being qualified to be hired,most people I’m sure who mod sounds for other games aren’t sound engineers,they just had the spare time and taught themselves,so your post is invalid.

  4. biftizmo

    These dudes were doing interesting things with AI and Sound scape”s explained in this doc.
    I particularly like the search and destroy AI response..lol

  5. super_gt

    From the Editorial Department: We are currently recruiting Sound Engineers and Recording Engineers. Please email: recruit_sound@polyphony.co.jp.
    The choice of content, style and format of any resume’s are left to the applicant.
    Please note that applications can only be accepted in Japanese or English, and those who have passed the preliminary evaluation by email will be contacted by our staff.

  6. TomBrady

    What they really need is someone to do the AI.

    Maybe steal someone from Milestone. Their AI is fast, and unlike Codemasters AI, they don’t smash into the back of you all the time.

  7. TomBrady

    They should hire the guys that did the Shelby Cobra mod in Assetto Corsa. That thing sounds amazing. Better than any car in the main game, and better than most cars in GT6

  8. Lambob

    Why is there a PD employee vacuuming the inside of the cars in every picture above?
    /epic facepalm, no wonder!

    1. TomBrady

      It says right below the text box when you write a comment that Trolling will result in a suspension of your account, yet you write a comment like this?

      I hope you get suspended because you’re seriously delusional if you think that’s even funny.

      I think you need to vacuum your carpets because obviously you haven’t heard a vacuum in years if you think they compare to the engines in GT6.

    2. jlmcmillan1978

      TomBrady, smarta$$ jokes regarding the sound might be getting a bit old, but it’s not trolling if it’s true. The vast majority of cars with a severe sound problem in GT6 suffer from a whooshing whining sound that is more like a vacuum cleaner than it is a car. There’s a simple solution here, if PD doesn’t want to be the butt of these jokes, then they must make these cars sound like cars, not vacuum cleaners, hairdryers, etc. Good to see they are trying to explain the issues and are working on it. I hope we see the long awaited improvements to the sounds with GT7 or else I’m not buying it.

  9. Foxiol

    Just go to Sweden and talk with the sound engineer from Simbin Studios, the guy behind the GTR saga, Race07 and RaceRoom Racing Experience (R3E) and hire him.

    Problem solved PD.

  10. Sick Cylinder

    This doesn’t look cutting edge to me. All the major car companies use VSAC’s to test the interior and exterior sound of their own cars and to develop the exhaust note which they want produced. It is such a standard thing that it is known as a VSAC (Vehicle Semi-Acoustic Chamber) and their are specialist companies which sell these chambers to the motor industry. Recording on a Dynapack isn’t enough – the vehicle needs to also be in a VSAC.

    Why don’t PD ask the manufacturers to supply them with sound samples. This could save a massive amount of work – PD would then use a sound engineer to edit the samples as required. The manufacturers already have these samples and PD already have a good relationship with the manufacturers.

    1. Sick Cylinder

      I meant to type Semi-Anechoic Chamber – all the major car companies spend time testing interior and exterior sound and developing exhaust pipes in those.

      For some manufacturers the car sound is more important than others because of their image or market sector – Jaguar puts a huge effort into this. Surely PD can get sound samples from the manufacturers – then edit them as appropriate?

  11. infamousphil

    8 to 5 odds, it ain’t gonna work as we all are lead to believe. I ain’t gonna fall for this BS explanation. Go ahead and spend your time, money and resources on this much needed solution. Yall need to do something about it.

    From what I read, it’s not going to be enough. Just my opinion ;)

    1. NA

      It just amazes me that after all of these years, fixing the sounds is still made to sound like PD is doing something on par with the first lunar landing or something.

      I mean, yes, sounds in a video game is highly technical, and requires skilled people to pull it off, but really now. When you’re still struggling to achieve what many other devs have been doing with their own titles, for years in some cases, I think it’s time to stop pretending to be the pioneer in this category of game development. PD focused on other things, and now they’re behind in the sound department. That’s all there is to it.

      And yes, many of those other titles actually sacrifice overall realism in favor of what “sounds good” to the player, and maybe PD has a different view on that, a different goal, but it’s not that those other devs don’t know how to make it realistic. They just choose not to, because let’s face it, “sounds good” sells games.

      The technology, skill, and the people that can make it all work have been around for quite awhile. PD needs to quite making like nobody has a clue, like everything has to be invented from scratch, and get up to speed with the rest of the industry. After they do that, then is the time to start pioneering. Not before.

    2. Magic Ayrton

      NA This just reminds me of the “Gentlemans agreement” the Japanese had with their sports cars having no more than 276bhp back along.. maybe they did this to favor developers like Turn 10.. we concentrate on graphics and they can do sound – kind of as a selling gimmick.. those days are gone and all developers are going to have to do the absolute best job that they can if they want to remain credible and somewhere even remotely near the top. Just my opinion.

  12. 208SpeedGeek

    I’ve traveled and lived all over the world doing work as an audio engineer. Picking up and moving isn’t a big deal…

  13. TokoTurismo

    The poor souls who want’s to get hired for this… You do realize that you may need to be in Japan in order to be hired by PD, right? Some folks need to step back and think first before rushing out like a mad man to get a job THAT’S LOCATED IN ANOTHER COUNTRY!

    1. TheProRacer

      People don’t care if the studio is in another country, at least I don’t. Polyphony is one of the most prestigious studios in the world, so of course many want the job. There isn’t a reason why the shouldn’t apply at all.

    2. SZRT Ice

      pres·tig·ious
      preˈstijəs,-ˈstē-/
      adjective
      adjective: prestigious

      inspiring respect and admiration; having high status.

      Not for nothing, if I was offered the right position at PD, I’d fly to Japan for the position. But it’d have to be like Director of development/art direction or something of that nature for me to consider.

  14. Johnnypenso

    I figured that when they preceded the hiring invitation with the word “like” people would realize it was a joke. Apparently not. I’ve never seen an ad in the paper or on a website anywhere that said, “Like, we have this position available”…lol.

  15. Radracing

    PD should consult with Lucas Arts they are pioneers of THX and could teach them a thing or two on how to develop sound without needing to actually record each and every car in real life. You just need a good sound studio and a good sound engineer that knows the difference of a particular car, the type of engine and a sample of sound of actual car to mimic whatever type of exhaust system is on. i.e. stock, after market and racing exhaust.

  16. kollosson

    Car sounds were not something that bothered me on GT5 or 6, It just wasn’t on my radar until I read complaints on this site, then I kind of focused on it and yeah, I had to admit that some of the car sounds were lame, whilst a few others are awesome. Deffo we will see new sounds in GT7 but GT6? then again seeing as the game engine is kind of open source I don’t suppose replacing sound files would be much of a problem really.

    1. biftizmo

      Yep a sound remix patch…I’m wiv u!.for individule cars we already got…but I think we’re already seeing some improvements to the latest cars we”ve been getting….
      I”m sure that some cars will have to be re recorded and then patched but mostly thier recording has been good it’s just not coming across to the many variants of end user good.
      So we got many variants between cars, some good,some better, some even better.some great…some awsome but we only refare to them as standard or premium cars and we need them all if not only just to use as a variety of in game opponents. I’m just looking forward to what they gonna have to do with the sound for VR..a whole new sound scape exsperance..

  17. vrossi

    I’ll do it.
    It’s easy.
    Throw all the engine sounds on a mixer.
    Put everything up to 11.
    Hit record.
    DONE

    1. HuskyGT

      Then everything would sound like in NFS Shift. So no. There is more into sounds that just making them LOOUUUDD YOOO!!

  18. Zachtan1234

    Dear PD,
    I would like to suggest that you hire Yamaha, an acoustics expert to handle the sounds…. This will also give you more manpower to better improve the gran turismo experience by allowing you to focus on physics and car models….

    1. thehobnob97

      Same here, I just need to hit up google translate to work out everything.

      I’m also quite sure that delivering newspapers each morning counts as something! ;)

    1. chengman

      I’m pretty sure 90% of GTP doesn’t speak Japanese at all.
      Darn touchscreens and your fancy tech. Don’t kick me out of the type box.

  19. HuskyGT

    Wow! This is actually happening? If it is, then congratulations PD for taking the best decision. I wish luck to all who apply, and good luck to PD in hopes that they get the right person.

    If all comes out alright and they do it right, I can certainly wait until GT7. And for the new sound team: remember that it’s not only how loud it sounds, or how raw and realistic; what matters the most is that you match the right sample to the right cars. You can have the most realistic sound ever, but it won’t matter at all if a Subaru BR-Z ends up sounding like a Nissan 350Z.

    Again, good luck!

  20. SZRT Ice

    Contract the sound engineers @ Evolution Studios!

    Each reference car was fitted with at least 16 separate microphones to authentically capture the sounds of the engine from 360 degrees, inside and outside of the car. Some had four mics on the exhaust alone.

    In-game, the engine sound reacts to your perspective. Pan around a stationary car gunning its engine and the sound shifts with the camera position (relative to where the engine is).

    When you race, the engine sounds are different based on which of the six camera views you choose — inside or outside of the car. You’re not hearing the same engine audio with a filter — it’s all recorded separately.

    The recordings were so accurate that BMW and Mercedes-Benz AMG requested copies to replace their existing library.

    In many cases, Evolution’s audio captures are the most high definition recordings of these cars in existence.

    Bespoke sound effects were recorded for every action in the game. You won’t hear a single stock sample.

    They’re also a first party Sony Dev team! It just makes sense!!!

    1. SZRT Ice

      If they got paid? Yes. Also, DC and GT are different enough to warrant a purchase of both imo. But then again, that’s just me. Right now DC has favor/favour over GT7 for me. But knowing that ES did the sounds for GT7 would definitely be a brownie point in GT7’s favor if it ever came to fruition.

  21. Amac500

    I’ve noticed that certain cars in the game have had the sound greatly improved on, like the Alfa Romeo 8C for example. Gotta give PD credit where its due, they are making the effort right now. Can’t wait for this months update as well, should be anytime now!

    1. Magic Ayrton

      Which cars sound better then apart from alfa? The lexus we got a little while back sounds lovely on my Dts setup

    2. HuskyGT

      Lexus IS-F, LFA, the Alfa 8C as Amac mentioned, the Zonda C12 (C12S and 7.3), BMW M5, Viper SRT/10 and ACR (with the sports exhaust), Senna’s cars, among others. At least these cars are among the most correct and also the best sounding. I could list them all, but the post would be way too long.

      I haven’t noticed any cars actually being retouched on their sound. Will try the 8C this afternoon.

    3. chengman

      The Gallardo sounds pretty accurate along with the R8 V10. Aston V12 Vantage sounds good excellent.

  22. Magic Ayrton

    I would love to take the role as audio tester once they have put a better audio engine together with new samples in place, talking to the engineers and fine tuning the sound to perfection. If it raises the hairs on the back of my neck then it’s getting towards the right direction!

    Will be keeping a close eye (ear?) on GT7 when it comes out!! no porkies now PD lol

  23. Impulse101

    This is the best GT-related news I’ve heard in months. Best of luck to PD in finding good talent.

  24. Vassalfada

    I’m sound engineer in SimBin Studios (GTR, GTLegends, Race 07, Race Pro, Raceroom) since 10 years and it looks like people tend to like my job, even here in this forum. I really enjoy Gran Turismo since GT2 so I’d be happy to help Polyphony fix the sound issue once for all.

    I just can’t find my way to apply on the SCE japanese website. Does anyone know an easier way to contact them or send an email. Any help would be greatly appreciated :)

    1. FSportIS

      Wow that is great to hear. Beside applying through PD website, i think you should contact the admin of this GTP or whoever writes blog to send the words out. PD is definitely aware of this site.

    2. Vassalfada

      I left a message on the PitStop blog. Hope that will be enough but I might contact an admin aswell.

    3. JohnScoonsBeard

      I love the sounds in the Simbin games. Good luck in helping PD. when are Simbin going to make a console sim racer?

    4. thesoundguy

      But you didn’t do the sounds for the Simbin GTR series, nor did you do the sounds for GT Legends. Those breakthrough audio techniques were developed by Greg Hill of Soundwave Concepts and Dr Stephen Baysted who now work for Slightly Mad Studios. Greg also works on iRacing, rFactor and many other developers of racing games and simulators including race teams, F1 and movie studios.

  25. TheProRacer

    If the team needs a sound engineer, I’d gladly be up for the job. I’m looking for a job that has to do with technical things like this, and I would love to have a job at Polyphony. Only one issue: I don’t speak Japanese…

  26. vr6cas

    Man I choose the wrong profession, (CDL-A Truck Driver), talk about job security, somebody is about to get a good career for years to come. First day on the job and Kaz gonna be like-Kaz and his new employee is going to walk outside and see a long line of a hundred plus cars or so and Kaz like we need all these recorded and there is fifteen hundred more behind that, soooo get to work, it’s going to take a while and take your time, we don’t rush things around here, lol.

  27. Sick Lenny

    I looks like he kind of explains (inadvertently) where his infamous “sounds too real” comment came from.

    Also, it sounds like Griffith500 was right in his theories as to where PD is going with the sounds. All the more reason he needs to be hired there. Maybe they’ll let you work from home Griff (so you don’t have to move to Japan)!

  28. hsv

    If you’re looking for someone with zero experience in the field, which I think would fit me in quite nicely with the crowd, I am very much open to the job.

    1. Griffith500

      I think they’re looking for professional experience rather than direction-less hobbies. My limited portfolio might be more useful (stylophone recreation in “software”, yo), and I’d recommend that any prospective applicants look at bolstering theirs. :)

    1. chengman

      This is very small. Turn 10 has around a thousand employees and EA has numbers in the 5 figure numbers.

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