Buzz
Not all sounds we hear in our surroundings are as they seem. Some are intentionally crafted to trigger our imaginations and perceptions. A prime example of this occurs when we link a specific sound with the quality or effectiveness of a product.
Manufacturers are aware of this tendency and frequently design the sounds their products produce to align with our misconceptions. The automotive industry is particularly notorious for this, though industries like film, mobile phones, and even food producers are also joining the trend.
10. Electric Car Motors
Unlike the engines of gasoline or diesel vehicles that generate substantial noise, electric and hybrid vehicles have much quieter engines. In fact, these electric engines become even more silent at lower speeds, providing a peaceful driving experience.
The near silence of these engines poses a danger to unaware pedestrians, who often don't realize an electric vehicle is approaching. Research by the European Union shows that pedestrians are 40% more likely to be hit by an electric vehicle than one powered by a gasoline engine.
This is why, in 2019, the European Union required that manufacturers of electric and hybrid vehicles incorporate synthetic engine noises, called the Acoustic Vehicle Alert System (AVAS). This system produces artificial engine sounds when the car is traveling below 19 kilometers per hour (12 mph).
While the EU allows manufacturers to choose the sound they prefer, it must resemble that of a traditional engine. Every new car coming off the production line must be equipped with this sound, and older models on the streets must be retrofitted to make these sounds by July 2021.
9. Noise Inside the Car
Regarding noisy gasoline engines, automakers have long worked on reducing engine noise. Today, car engines are far quieter than they were in the past. Additionally, car manufacturers have redesigned their interiors to minimize outside noise, offering a much quieter driving experience.
The extreme quietness has become a challenge for manufacturers of high-performance cars. The engines tend to lack the loud, aggressive sounds that are typically associated with sports or turbocharged cars. Additionally, the sound of the engine is muffled by the vehicle's quiet cabins, which further detracts from the iconic sports car experience.
To solve this issue, modern automakers now incorporate synthetic engine noises inside the cabins of their high-performance cars. Ford and Porsche utilize a system called the Sound Symposer. This is a pipe that connects the intake manifold (the component that channels air and fuel into the engine cylinders) to the rear of the dashboard.
The Volkswagen Group has adopted the Soundaktor (derived from 'sound actuator') in cars from its Volkswagen, Audi, and Skoda brands. The Soundaktor is a compact device positioned at the base of the windshield. It functions like a speaker, generating artificial sounds that are directed into the cabin.
BMW features a system known as Active Sound, which amplifies the engine noise and transmits it to the driver via the car's speakers. While BMW asserts the sounds are authentic, some critics question whether they might be artificially created.
8. The Widespread Use of Sound in Film
In films, nearly all non-dialogue sounds we hear aren't real in the sense that they weren't recorded during the shoot but are instead inserted during postproduction. This is because filmmakers and sound engineers prioritize capturing clean dialogue on set. Additionally, the sounds added afterward are often of superior quality compared to the actual sounds.
Sounds added in postproduction are known as Foley, crafted by professional sound designers called Foley artists. These artists often produce sounds in unconventional ways. For instance, horse hoof sounds might come from clashing two halves of a coconut, just like in Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
To replicate fire noises, Foley artists use materials like steel wool, cellophane, and potato chip bags. Playing cards or books imitate the sound of money. That clicking gun sound is made by a briefcase latch, while a bird's wing sound comes from striking two hand gloves or a feather duster together.
Foley artists also get inventive when creating sounds for fight scenes. They simulate punches by striking raw meat, chicken, or phone books. For head smashes, they often use pumpkins or watermelons.
7. Screams At Stadiums And Sport Arenas
Stadiums and sports arenas are typically expected to be filled with noise. But what happens when they fall eerily silent or don’t have enough sound? Well, we introduce artificial noises to fill the gap!
To begin with, architects often design stadiums with acoustics that trap sound. However, some stadium operators go a step further by injecting artificial cheering through the loudspeakers. In some cases, they even capture actual crowd noise and amplify it before playing it back through the system. Occasionally, managers may bypass the crowd entirely, working with TV stations to add fake sounds for the viewers watching from home.
However, adding fake noises can come with a hefty price tag, as some sports organizations deem the practice illegal. In 2015, the NFL fined the Atlanta Falcons $350,000 after they used fake crowd noise during a game at their home stadium, attempting to simulate the roar of fans.
6. Fake Bird Sounds on Golf Courses
Have you ever noticed the bird calls during a golf tournament? It turns out, they're not always genuine. In 2000, CBS confessed to adding artificial bird noises in their live broadcasts of the PGA Championship.
John Fitzpatrick, an ornithologist, made the discovery after realizing that the bird sounds matched those he had previously heard during another game. He reached out to CBS, where a staff member confirmed that the network had broadcast recorded bird noises during the championship.
Interestingly, in 2001, CBS acknowledged that several birdwatchers and ornithologists had also called to inquire about the artificial bird sounds. The network made headlines again in 2019 when bird enthusiasts suspected that it was inserting fake bird noises into the broadcast of the Masters.
Suspicion grew when an unusually high amount of bird sounds was heard during the game. The noises suggested that the golf course was teeming with birds, even though it wasn't the case. CBS denied the addition of fake bird sounds this time, but clarified that they had amplified the real bird noises at the course.
5. The Sound of Car Turn Signals
That ‘tick-tock’ sound you hear when you activate your car's turn signal or hazard lights is artificial as well. While it was once a real sound, it has a history tied to the invention of the turn signal itself. Turn signals were first introduced in the early 20th century, but they weren’t standardized, and each car manufacturer had its own unique design.
This changed in the 1930s, when Joseph Bell developed the modern turn signal. Bell's version worked by using a bimetallic spring that touched a metal piece, completing a circuit. The spring would break contact almost immediately, causing the light to flicker and produce a characteristic 'tick-tock' sound as the spring repeatedly made and broke contact with the metal.
Later designs of turn signals incorporated electromagnets. Despite the shift to electromagnets, the ‘tick-tock’ sound persisted, as the magnets pulled and released hinged metal armatures. Today's turn signals, however, do not produce sound, thanks to computers replacing the mechanical parts. Still, automakers include the sound, often pumped through the car's speakers or another device hidden in the dashboard.
4. The Sound of Potato Chips
Chip manufacturers engineer their products to have that satisfying crunch because it’s tied to our perception of freshness. A 2004 study supports this, showing that we equate crunchy potato chips with freshness and chips lacking crunch with staleness.
The study was conducted by Professor Charles Spence from Oxford University. He gave headphones and potato chips to a group of 180 participants. The headphones, as Professor Spence claimed, merely amplified the sound of the chips being eaten. However, he was actually altering the sounds of the chips as the participants snacked.
Participants connected louder sounds with freshness, while quieter ones were associated with staleness. Potato chip manufacturers have long been aware of this, which is why they design their chips—and even their packaging—to be noisy. Now you understand why a bag of chips crinkles so much when you pick it up.
3. Comfort Noise
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers often face the problem of unwanted echo during calls. This echo is caused by background noise that occurs during moments of silence—something that happens frequently, given that people are silent for about half of their conversations.
To maintain good sound quality, VoIP providers must eliminate this background noise. In the past, they used technologies like echo cancellation (EC) and silence suppression (SS) to manage it. Nowadays, they simply add comfort noises during quiet periods, preventing background noise from taking over.
Comfort noise is generated by computer algorithms that replicate the real sounds produced by radio signals. This noise also helps reduce bandwidth usage, saving both users and service providers money. However, the downside is that these algorithms can sometimes create unpleasant sounds that quickly become grating.
2. The Mosquito
The Mosquito is a contentious crime deterrent that uses artificial sound to repel people. Specifically, it targets teenagers. Its creator, Compound Security from the United Kingdom, is open about this, promoting the device as an 'anti-teenager alarm,' 'teenager repellent,' and 'ultrasonic teenage deterrent.'
Compound Security claims the Mosquito is an ideal tool for preventing crime and clearing areas of unwanted teenagers. The company asserts that their primary customers are businesses facing issues with groups of kids and teens who often gather in certain spots, either to commit crimes or simply cause disturbances. They boast that the Mosquito has the 'teeth to bite back at these kids.'
The Mosquito functions by emitting high-pitched sounds aimed at a specific area. The noise is described as irritating and similar to the sound of an alarm clock. However, due to the frequency of the sound, it is only audible to those under 25, as younger individuals tend to have sharper hearing compared to older people.
The Mosquito is still a highly debated device, as it targets all teenagers and young adults within its vicinity, regardless of whether they're involved in criminal activity. However, it's been adopted by various companies, including ScotRail, who installed it at their Hamilton and Helensburgh stations in Scotland. ScotRail decided to implement the device after noticing an uptick in crimes committed by teenagers at these stations.
1. Fake Camera Shutter Sounds
The familiar shutter sound you hear when a digital or mobile phone camera takes a picture is, in fact, artificial. Modern cameras don’t require that noise, as it was merely the sound of the mechanical parts operating in older camera models.
Today’s digital cameras and mobile phones don’t make any noise when capturing photos. Nevertheless, manufacturers intentionally included the shutter sound, which is played through a small speaker inside the device. Fortunately, most users can easily switch the sound on or off as needed.
