Steam Sounds Supreme were recently approached by Steam Trains Unlimited for an exclusive interview. Below is the interview in full, where Matt tells of his passion for steam and where it comes from.
Q: You have a passion as creator
of superb sounds of Steam locomotives and what is included, but when did
your passion starts to appear?
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| Picture supplied by Steam Trains Unlimited |
A: "My name is Matt. I am the co-founder of steam-sound specialists Steam Sounds Supreme. My fascination with sound
goes back many years to when I was a child. As a boy, I used to listen
carefully to the sounds steam locomotives make. The feelings you
experience when a steam locomotive comes powering past you, sending
vibrations through your whole body, is something that you never forget.
And it’s an experience you want to enjoy again, and again, and again!
It’s often said that steam gets into your blood. What I believe is that
when you are a child, if you have an amazing experience, be that with a
steam locomotive, a racing car, motorbike, aeroplane or whatever; then
the emotion you experience at that moment will turn that experience into
your hobby for life! It becomes part of who you are as a person. My
interest in steam is certainly a huge part of who I am."
Q: What is your present occupation and is there any link between your profession and your passion?
A: "My present occupation is
Steam Sounds Supreme. It is my only means of income. Although things can
be a little tight month-by-month, my wife and I get by, and it’s thanks
to our loyal customer base. The customer base continues to expand
gradually as well. So, my profession and my passion are intertwined.
When a hobby becomes a profession, it can create a problem. Obviously,
there can be times when you are not enjoying the work as much. But when
it is your livelihood, you must keep going."
Q: When did you start to create sounds for steam locomotives (including the MSTS era)?
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| Picture supplied by Steam Trains Unlimited |
A: "When I first played the
train simulator game MSTS, right at the beginning, I thought it was
terrific. Of course, that was all there was at the time. I hadn’t heard
of Trainz. However, as new locomotives and routes began to appear for
MSTS, I started to wonder how the
steam locomotive sounds were put together. I started to dig a little
deeper, in an effort to understand how I could make what I heard
better. But, the MSTS audio engine was extremely limited in both the
quality of sound it would support and the way sounds were played. So, it
was not a particularly satisfying experience. When Rail Simulator came
out in 2007, I bought it straight away. The sounds were much better.
Locomotive exhausts were set as individual triggered sounds, instead of
the MSTS method of using loops. So, it was certainly a huge step
forward. But soon I became dissatisfied with the default sounds supplied
with the Black 5 and SDJR 7F. And from there, the early moves toward
setting up Steam Sounds Supreme occurred.”
Q: Are you a member and/or
co-worker of any heritage railway, railway museum, steam locomotive
society or miniature railway (live steam, 7,25 inch, 5 inch) that gives
you the insight in the working of the steam locomotive?
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| 'DARTMOUTH CASTLE' visits the Medina Valley Railway |
A: "I am not currently a member
of any society connected with heritage railways or engineering. In the
past I was a member of the Isle of Wight Model Engineers Society for a
period of 1 year, but that was a temporary thing. We had a brief foray
into 5’’ gauge steam, and we needed somewhere to run the locomotive we
had. We no longer own the locomotive, as it was unreliable. We have
returned to our first love, 32mm gauge (16mm scale) live steam. We have a
railway in our own garden. I personally own a ‘Silver Lady’ by
Roundhouse(similar to what was seen in the recent Channel 4 TV series
‘Biggest Little Railway in the World’) in Victorian Maroon livery, with
the name ‘Dartmouth Castle’."
Q: You create magnificent steam
locomotive sounds. How long does it take before a recording has been
converted into the virtual reality of TS20XX?
A: “Thank you. The length of
time to get sounds from a recording, onto a working Train Simulator
steam locomotive can vary, depending on the quality of the recording.
The factors which dictate this are:
(1). The performance of the locomotive on the day of recording;
(2) The weather and
(3) The state of play regarding the TS steam locomotive we record the sounds for.
(1). Sometimes you set
yourself up behind the locomotive(usually the front window behind the
loco on a heritage railway), eagerly anticipating capturing the sounds I
need, but on the occasion you visit, the driver does not provide the
sounds you want – I.E. Lack of whistling, doesn’t work the engine
particularly hard, or there are other sounds from the loco preventing
getting a clean exhaust sounds, like a leaking cylinder, a loud ejector
or often blowing off steam. These things can make for a poor recording.
That is the experience we have had with the Fitzwilliam Hunslet loco.
Getting clean exhaust sounds has proven to be very difficult.
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| A recent occasion when the weather let us down! |
(2). There can be occasions
when the weather is completely unsuitable for recording, most likely
rain. I won’t record in anything more than the lightest drizzle, as I
don’t want to risk damaging my equipment. And the sound of rain can
interfere with recording clear sounds as well.
(3). Sometimes recordings
are made with a future locomotive sound project in mind, so will be put
to one side until needed. Or recordings are made simply to increase my
catalogue. No such thing as too many recordings in my view!
But when all things fall into place, then it is at least 2-3 days work to complete the process. But
ideally it will take a week, as there will be lots of testing.”
Q: What kind of sound program(s) do you use to create your sounds?
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| Recording device and microphone take a well-earned rest! |
A: “To record the sounds, I use an Olympus LS-100 digital recorder, with an Audio-Technicashotgun microphone. This gives great results!
Editing the sounds is done using Goldwave audio editor, Nero Wave Editor
and a free program called Wavosaur. All these programs offer different
vital tools which help me to create the sounds I do. Goldwave offers the ability
to add Cue Points. These are vital when making exhaust sounds. Nero
Wave Editor features a tool called Time Correction. This speeds up a
looped sound without raising the pitch. An important thing when creating exhaust loops – used for high speed
exhaust sounds. Wavosaur is unique among the three, in that it is the
only one that support Loop Points. Adding a loop point to a sound sample
is perfect when you need to create a looped sound but also want a
beginning and end to the sound. Perfect for making whistle loops.”
Q: What is the best TS20xx experience you ever had?
A: “I think it would have to
be connected with what I feel are the best locomotive sounds I have ever
created. Steam Sounds Supreme have a very good working relationship
with Victory Works. We have enjoyed many reciprocal arrangements over
the past few years – I do something for them, in exchange for a task
they carry out for us.
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| Picture supplied by Steam Trains Unlimited |
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| Picture supplied by Steam Trains Unlimited |
The standout has to be the
S160. I agreed that I would supply the sounds. I had a great time
recording for this project, as I think the USATC S160’s are one of the
most awe-inspiring steam locomotive types in the UK. Most of that awe is
felt when that 5-note chime whistle is blown. It was important to make
sure all aspects of the sounds were as good as possible, but the most
important part had to be getting that 5-note chime whistle in-game,
sounding as good as in real life. The kind of sound that gives you goose
pimples! I managed to sort out some sounds I liked for the whistle
sounds. One for a more distant
sound, and one for when the loco is directly next to the camera
position. In my communications with Peter(of Victory Works) I was trying
to explain how I wanted to be able to position myself lineside, but
still have access to a handle, so you could blow this amazing whistle in
a dynamic way. What do I mean by ‘dynamic’? I had introduced a dynamic
whistle to some releases a few months earlier. Basically, a dynamic
whistle control enables you to play with the whistle sound by gradually
increasing the volume and pitch as you press down the whistle lever.
This gives an awesome effect, when I find a suitable whistle sample.
Peter delivered! He created a control where you could change the brake
handle on the HUD,into a whistle control, providing a way of playing
this dynamic whistle from the lineside. The moment I tested this out for
the first time, yes, that was the best experience I have had in TS to-date!"
Q: Have you any other family, friends or relatives that are passionate about steam locomotives?
A: “My close family have an
interest in steam, particularly my Dad, Grandad and Uncle. But I think
the word passion for steam would best describe how my uncle & friend
Jonathan feels about steam locomotives. When I was in my early teens,
that passion began to rub off on me. And when we lived under the same
roof for a period of 6/7 years, we would travel to many steam event
around the country, experiencing the power and thrill of steam – many
unforgettable moments!”
Q: Are you working with (retired) train drivers and or with heritage railways in order to complete the sounds you create?
A: “No, I have never
enjoyed the privilege of working alongside such experienced individuals.
I know that some of the guys I do sound work for – Victory Works,
Digital Traction – consult experts where possible. Pieces of information
have come my way which have had a positive influence on making sounds
better, and reflect more closely real-life experiences with a particular
locomotive type.”
Q: Do you use any other resources to create your sounds?
A: “The only other resource
that comes to mind is the built-in tools that come with Train Simulator –
the Blueprint Editor. This piece of software is where all the
parameters are set, for when each sound sample is used in the game
situation. A lot of trial and error is needed to get things just right.”
Q: Have you ever driven a steam locomotive?
A: “Not a full-size one. As
mentioned previously, I own a 32mm gauge live steam Silver Lady
locomotive. This is radio controlled. I have also had the opportunity to
drive and fire two 5” gauge steam locomotives in the past as well.”
Q: Do you have any new project in mind since the release of your last sound?
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| Picture supplied by Steam Trains Unlimited |
A: “I
have a lot of sound projects in the works. But the one I really want to
do, but don’t yet have the sounds for is the LMS Duchess. As soon as I
get a recording of one, then a sound pack will follow. The same goes for
the ‘Gresley’ A4. We have received many, many requests for an A4 sound
pack. All that is stopping us doing it is a lack of good sound sources.
Again, as soon as we have something to work with, a sound pack will
follow.”
Q: What can you tell to inspire fellow train simmers to drive mainly with steam locomotives?
A: “This is a tricky question
because really, you must be passionate about steam in real life first, I
would say. However, Train Simulator can disappoint at times, if you
love real steam, because some pieces of steam loco DLC have sounds which
are not up to scratch. So, if you have been disappointed by the sounds
of steam locos in Train Simulator in the past, we’re here to make up for
that, as our sounds are a huge step towards immersing yourself in a
believable world. Sounds will make or break any simulator experience.
Steam Sounds Supreme will certainly make your Train Simulator experience
a significantly more enjoyable one. Steam locomotives live. They have
personality. Our sounds go a long way to adding that personality to your
steam driving experience!”
