Groupe Renault shared this series of videos, taking a behind-the-scenes look at sound design work synth pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre has been doing, along with IRCAM and the Group’s sound design teams.
The videos are in French with subtitles, and explore the team’s process for creating two types of sounds for the brand’s future electric vehicles: Vehicle Sounds for Pedestrians (VSPs) and the Welcome sound sequence, which plays when you sit in the car.
Video Summary:
“This series on the story behind the sound design shows you the work in progress and Jean-Michel Jarre’s contribution to it – as an artist as well as an engineer. It also shines a spotlight on an amazing human adventure, and the goals and challenges surrounding sound design, during the countdown to reveal the sounds that will enhance Renault’s next electric model.
Everyone was wearing their thickest coat and warmest scarf that damp and cold winter day southwest of Paris – and spending it working in an underground car park was probably not most people’s idea of fun. Except for Renault Group’s and Ircam’s sound design teams, who were back with Jean-Michel Jarre, this time at the Technocentre in Guyancourt, for a rather unusual day at work: listening to the VSPs they had created, in real-life conditions and at various speeds, to choose the best ones.
The Megane E-Tech electric doing the honours during the experiment had a busy day too, driving forwards, backwards, at 15 km/h, at 30 km/h, and parking. Lips occasionally curled in doubt but the team was generally satisfied that the sounds they had developed were what they wanted and had struck the right balance between sending a warning and showing a caring attitude.
We started with several leads, short-listed the best ones ourselves, then we let the team decide. We fine-tuned the ones we had selected and unanimously selected the final one.”
In the last decade, it’s become more and more common for auto makers to employ sound designers in the development of electric cars.
Back in 2011, we reported on sound design for the Nissan Leaf, which includes a sound synthesizer, because it’s so quiet that the car could otherwise be dangerous to pedestrians. In 2015, Roland announced that it was creating a synthesis platform for electric cars.
More recently, we interviewed composer and sound designer Richard Devine on sound design for the Jaguar I-Pace, and reported on the sound design work Hans Zimmer has done for the BMW M line.
would be a lot cooler if they got an underground
sound designer. like me or you!
Same. Instead of turning to Hans Zimmer to churn out another so called electronic score yaaawn,
they turn instead to some unknown as yourselves writing on synthtopia : I’d far prefer this.
sound design for cars; this is beyond silly.
Sound design has been an integral part of motor vehicle design (and all industrial design) for decades. Did you think that a manufacturer leaves it up to chance what a door lock sounds like? Or an engine? A turn signal? The trunk lid? Every single perceptible sound that a car makes is designed. The same applies to all other audible products, including food. Or do you think that cookies or chips sound like that by chance? Sound sells, and therefor it is designed.
What is silly is asserting that sound design for objects is useless/silly…
EVERYTHING which makes a sound (even the sound of your car door when it closes) is designed and engineered to sound like “it should sound”. Even the sound of food is controlled (what would you think if your potato chips would not sound crispy, even if the chips ARE crispy when you bite in it and tastes ok ? You will immediately think that there is a quality problem)
“More recently, we interviewed composer and sound designer Richard Devine on sound design for the Jaguar I-Pace, and reported on the sound design work Hans Zimmer has done for the BMW M line.”
More recently we made unpaid ads for Jaguar, BMW & Renault.
fixed it for you
Corporate interviews for brand media like the Renault channel are usually paid, as are sound design commissions by artists. Nobody makes advertisement for free.
Very proud of Jarre’s work ethic and talent. Thank you for your ongoing gifts.
I can’t help myself, but going from the Oxygene-masterpiece over a New Years techno-disco to designing a broombroom sound for a car is quite a downgrade for an artist …..
They should hire Richard D. James for the Vehicle Sounds for Pedestrians (VSPs). Im sure he could make a few sounds to scare people off the road.
Or annoy with the same damn sound his entire career that fanboys just cannot get enough of…
it seems like scaring people off of the road is the opposite of what they’re going for here. please try to remember that you too become a pedestrian every time you get out of your car.
No sound can replace a V8 engine.
I’ll take “no sound” thank you
but every electro beats a v8 when it becomes to moment of force by 0 speed 😉
i dont care the sound i need the force and speed 😉 *just kidding*
off topic back to sound design
gary numan should have been a slam dunk.
lol
I made a sound on my neutron the other day that sounded like a moped revving, they could have used that.