Hey everyone,
I’m Nicolas, and I’m the sound engineer behind Motocross The Game (MTG). Today, I’m excited to dive into how sound plays a critical role in shaping the immersive experience we’re building for MTG. Sound in a motocross sim isn’t just background noise; it’s your direct connection to the bike, track, and energy of the race. Whether it’s the high RPMs of an engine that tell you to shift or the subtle scrape of a tire telling you you’re losing grip, every audio cue is designed to give you vital information to ensure you give the right input at the right time.
Motocross is visceral. It’s raw, chaotic, and precise all at once. To capture this we’re going all-in to create the most realistic sound experience possible. The bikes you’ll hear in MTG are not your bone stock bikes, but actual race ready machines equipped with high-performance engines and aftermarket exhaust systems. We record directly from these beasts using state-of-the-art techniques to ensure that what you hear in the game mirrors the real thing.
Precision Recording: Capturing Every Nuance
To achieve the most realistic sound experience possible we use a dual-microphone setup for the engine sound. One mic is positioned close to the engine to pick up the mechanical sounds, while the other is placed at the exhaust to capture that throaty, full-throttle roar we all love. Everything is recorded using a high-fidelity Nagra recorder which allows us to capture every detail without relying on heavy post-processing. The result? Pure, unfiltered sound that feels as alive as the bikes themselves.
We don’t just record bikes sitting still; we put them through their paces in real-world conditions. From startup growls to limiter screams at high RPMs, every phase of the engine’s performance is captured under load, ensuring the sounds you hear in the game respond dynamically to your inputs.
Mixing, Mastering, and Engine Simulation
Once we’ve captured the raw audio, the real work begins. Using Cubase, we carefully mix and master each sound to ensure clarity and balance. But that’s just the start. We then feed the audio into an advanced engine simulation tool. This allows us to replicate the complex behavior of real engines, from seamless RPM transitions to the way a bike’s sound changes under different loads and conditions, such as riding up a hill, hitting the limiter, losing traction or other situations.
The tool we use runs two systems in parallel to bring these sounds to life: The first system will handle RPM transitions, making them smooth and natural while also making a clear distinction between engine load varieties. The 2nd System ensures steady, consistent sounds when you’re holding a gear.
This combination ensures that every twist of the throttle, every shift, and every limiter bounce feels real and authentic. With this you’ll get a clear sound reference of the bike’s behavior, just like in real life since motocross isn’t about gauges, it’s all about listening and feeling.
Dynamic and Spatialized Sound
Each bike in MTG features multiple distinct sound sources for the engine, exhaust, tires, suspension and so forth. This multi-source approach means that the sound changes depending on your (camera-)position, creating a layered, dynamic audio environment. With spatialized sound design you’ll feel immersed in the action whether you’re flying down a straight in an open field or weaving through tight corners in a dense forest.
The Little Details
It’s not just the engine that gets our attention. We’ve recorded every sound you can think of, from the click of a gear shift to the thud of tires hitting the dirt. We’ve even captured the subtle differences in tire noise across surfaces like sand, mud, and hardpack.
Every sound is there for a reason. It adds to the realism and helps you feel like you’re really there, but it will also provide you with situational awareness; are there other players close to you? How is your bike performing? Are you dragging your bars? etc…
What This Means for You
Our goal is simple: to create an audio experience that’s as exhilarating as motocross itself. Every throttle twist, gear click, every battle for the holeshot should feel - and sound - exactly right. We’re incredibly proud of what we’re working on, and we can’t wait for you to experience it for yourself.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about the sound design in MTG. If you’re as excited as we are to hear this all come to life, follow us on social media and back our Kickstarter campaign. Your support helps us bring the best motocross experience to your screen.
Sincerely,
Nicolas