I've been fiddling around with GPL on a machine without any soundcard,
and was very suprised at the huge difficulty in estimating speed that
is caused by the lack of sound.
The graphics are very good at telling you whether you are going 30,
60, 90mph etc., but it is the engine note that seems to tell my brain
whether I am doing 35 rather than 30.
Anyone else noticed this?
GPL Rank +6.48 Monsters of GPL +340.25
Its a well known fact for all who ever drove a small sports car, folowed by
a seat in a big limousine. U might still be going just as fast in that limo,
but the feeling of speed is simply not present like in a sports car. Sounds
are much more muffled, suspension is softer and the tires are more quiet and
run smoother. All in one- car sounds play a major role in Sim experience
from my point of view.
That is why I am very sensitive about using GPL car sounds. With my quality
headphones on I can tell appart very small tonal changes, and once I get
used to a car sound i have great trouble swapping it for a different one. I
tried new car sounds just few days ago, and finally gave up when I was 1 sec
per lap slower no matter which car. It felt/roared great, but sounds were
not in snyc with my hand/foot coordination.
Mike
Todd Walker
GPLRank: +81.60
twalker at jam dot rr dot com
http://twalker.d2g.com/gpl
I think that's why some find it hard to race when they're in a pack of cars.
You lose the sensory input from your own car, so you may not do as well.
Eldred
--
Dale Earnhardt, Sr. R.I.P. 1951-2001
Homepage - http://www.umich.edu/~epickett
F1 hcp. +16.36...Monster +366.59...
Never argue with an idiot. He brings you down to his level, then beats you
with experience...
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: but it is the engine note that seems to tell my brain
: whether I am doing 35 rather than 30.
:
: Anyone else noticed this?
:
Yup, in real life I drive by engine sound. I've taught two girlfriends to
drive 5-speeds. The first step was to get them to shift from the passenger
seat by listening to the engine pitch and knowing when a shift was imminent
and detecting the subtle lift as I was ready to shift.
Once I was pulled over in a radar trap. Based on the engine sound I
admitted to 60 km/h - the radar gun said 62.
Dale.
Tom
