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[mikeisted]

Hi All

I am going to build sound generator for my Zero S ZF9 and thought I'd throw the discussion open to see what others thought might be useful features.

I've tried unsuccessfully to contact SoundRacer and so I'm going to put something together myself.  Whilst harder work, it gives the opportunity to do other things as well as replicate ICE engine noises.

Thoughts right now are around:
- Sound needs to reflect speed of bike (pitch? volume? linear? exponential etc?);
- Easy to localise, especially at low speeds when around pedestrians;
- Choose from hi-tec effects and/or classic ICE sounds;
- Must sound good and enhance enjoyment of riding;
- Simple to install (just connect to 12V supply) and no (or only optional/fun) setting up and customising.

All thoughts and advice welcome!

Cheers

[Justin Andrews]

Well for starters, I'd look at using granular synthesis to generate your engine audio.

[Lecram]

Something like this? 

[steven_first]

Something like this? 

Damn...beat me to it!

[Doctorbass]

I have bought the EVSM-2 from soundracer with succes. It work well.

Just try contacting the guy on FB

Doc

[tyskmoped]

Do you have any video Doctorbass? Greets

[mikeisted]

Hi DoctorBass

Good suggestion, but I'm already well down the route now - have built and tested the synth circuits - now scouting amp/speaker combinations for all-weather use

Hope to have something up and running by the end of the week and will then play with sound combinations for fun.

Cheers

[mikeisted]

Justin - granular synthesis looks fun and I'll investigate how to include it. 

Thanks for the advice!

[MotoRyder]

How 'bout sound synthesis of "loud barking dogs" to deter all the little yappers in neighborhoods fron running alongside and nipping at the heels of cyclists. 
Hit the Sound Button and a streaming sound of angry barking dogs coming from the cycle would definitely be an "ear-opener".   

[mikeisted]

So far, granular synth included as input along with a tai fighter and a doberman.... Should be good!

[mikeisted]

Just thought - doberman likely to turn into a Pekinese as bike speeds up... Could be embarrassing.:/

[Doug S]

Just thought - doberman likely to turn into a Pekinese as bike speeds up... Could be embarrassing.:/

Other way around. As the bike is coming toward you, it's a chihuahua. When it's going away, it gets bigger.

[mikeisted]

Quick update - synth circuitry has been built and is entirely software configurable.  I'm just scratching the surface of what it can do and sticking to playing with some granular synth sounds in the first instance.  Thanks for the suggestion, Justin.

Still waiting for 20W amp and mylar speakers, so may not be able to install this weekend.

I've attached a sound file (hope it uploads ok) of one sound I am working with at the moment.  The idea is to have a bass component which is independent of speed, and a treble component which is proportional to the speed.  The treble component is also delivered in 'chirps' and mixed with a little pink noise to aid localisation of the sound.

Speed and acceleration (which modulates bass tones) is taken from built-in GPS.

On my Zero ZF9, there's a big space under the seat, so for ease I'm building an all-in-one mono unit right now.  Next step will be to place the speakers behind the belly pan on each side of the battery and sort mounting/waterproofing there.  That would take full advantage of the 20W stereo amp on board.

I'd also like to start playing with some sound samples (yes, and the Doberman!) for fun.  For myself, I'm less interested in ICE sounds right now but will get around to that later I think.  It seems to me there are more interesting things to be done first (e.g. fitting a magnetometer and adjusting the sound for bike lean).

[Burton]

This thread needs pictures ... in fact, there should have at least been 2 per update

Are you using off the shelf components or making your own circuits and soldering them onto a project board?

Would love to get a list of what you are using and how they are interconnected.

I am more interested in synthetic sounds over trying to replicate ICE sounds. I have thought about just miking the belt side of the motor (as it is the nosiest) and amplifying the native sound since to me it sounds pretty cool.

I haven't started to do research into components yet but I do mic the other side of the motor for vloging purposes.

[mikeisted]

Sure thing Burton.  I'll post some pictures over the next few days as I go from breadboard to solder the prototype.