An Orchestra at Its Disposal: Bentley's Virtual Sound

Bentley has even enlisted an orchestra in the process of creating virtual sounds to add emotion to its EVs. Thanks to this, they claim to have faithfully recreated the sound of their historic V8 engine.

Many people still shy away from buying electric cars because they feel they lack emotion. In particular, those who seek the joy of driving tend to put off buying an EV for longer. There are various elements to the emotion they speak of, but surprisingly, the most influential factor is sound.

Manufacturers are well aware of this fact. That is why many have tried, almost from the moment they introduced electric vehicles, to compensate for the lack of emotion by implanting virtual sounds. BMW, for example, commissioned Hans Zimmer to design their sound. The most progressive company in this field is Hyundai.

With the introduction of the Ioniq 5 N and 6 N, they have meticulously refined their Active Sound Design, and not content with that, they have gone so far as to create RPM-linked sound variations, reproduce fuel-cut sounds, and even generate virtual gearshift jolts through the motor. Their results are rather impressive and have been particularly well received overseas.

The virtual sound of the recently unveiled Genesis Magma was even more astonishing. Not only did it faithfully transplant the engine sound, but it also restored the emotion that was thought to be lacking in electric vehicles. Many manufacturers are thus working to add emotion to their EVs, and Bentley has now joined their ranks.

Bentley has stated that they are designing an engine sound imbued with their identity for their first electric SUV, which is due to be launched shortly. One interesting point, however, is that this work is being carried out in a rather classical manner rather than a digital one. To be more specific, rather than using synthesisers, they are using sounds played by real musicians on acoustic instruments as the source for their virtual sound.

The reason for adopting this approach is precisely the irregularity that only humans can produce. First, Bentley recorded what makes their historic V8 engine sounds so appealing and then analysed them in the studio. During this process, they realised that emotional connection arises primarily from the rhythm, rather than from the repetition of mechanical sounds.

So they sought a way to create the most human sense of rhythm, and consequently assembled an orchestra centred around drums to record the source material. In particular, they focused on the irregularity inherent in the sound of internal combustion engines. In reality, the engine sound we hear varies slightly depending on RPM, but also on a host of conditions such as the engine's type and construction, the fuel mixture, and air density.

It therefore does not produce a constant tone and wave pattern, but rather generates irregular pitches and waves according to the circumstances of the moment. This corresponds to the irregularity found in human beings, and for this reason, those who are sensitive to emotion often perceive a sense of life in these irregular rhythms. A prime example is the sound of the vintage Harley-Davidson OHV engine. While it cannot be described as mechanically perfect, its imperfection gives rise to a distinctive beat and rhythm from which one feels a sense of kinship with its very being.

Having analysed where this kind of emotional experience through sound originates, Bentley recreated the irregular pulse characteristic of internal combustion engines using drums. Of course, drums were not the only instrument used. They carefully layered the sound using the full range of orchestral instruments, including bass guitar and viola.

According to Bentley, the goal of this sound design was to recreate their classic V8 engines, such as the 6¾-litre V8 and the supercharged V8 of the 1930s, in a way that was both original and faithful to their heritage. They also sought to reflect the driver's acceleration response and driving patterns, aiming to capture the warm sensation unique to classic machinery that moved in tandem with a real person.

As we have not yet had the chance to hear it in detail, we cannot know just how human and warm this sound will prove to be, but at the very least, it strikes us as a better approach than clinging to sci-fi interpretations simply because it is an electric vehicle, and for that reason, we look forward to and cheer on their endeavour.

Sadly, however, there will inevitably be something missing when it comes to fully enjoying their results. Of course, that is not their problem. To fully understand what emotion their sound evokes when combined with the car, one must ultimately experience the sum total of what they have created. In other words, you would have to buy Bentley's forthcoming electric SUV to find out. Yes, in the end, it was not our understanding that fell short, but our financial means.