How We Do It
How we created the Super Hornet Audio Pack for Microsoft Flight Simulator
Just like any project we work on, it starts with a goal and an aircraft. Whether it’s a small Cessna, an expensive luxury helicopter like the Bell 407, or in this case - a multi-million dollar military aircraft, one requirement is consistent: We need to get close enough.
Over the years of building connections, talking with folks in the aviation community, and building professional experience, one of the most valuable elements of creating audio is social networking. Once we can obtain access to the aircraft, the process is relatively straightforward but still challenging.
In the case of the Super Hornet, we were able to get access to an F model Super Hornet at my local airshow in town, through connections and official media access. The demonstration unit was more than happy to help with any recording needs and was instrumental in the creation of this audio package.
Over the years, I've accumulated a set of professional recording equipment that I can customize for specific aircraft. In this photo, I am using a Rode NTG3 shotgun mic, combined with the onboard stereo mic capsules on the Zoom H6 recorder. The H6 was set to record incoming audio at 96 kHz at 24-bit for the highest possible recording quality.
Offscreen, to the right, another microphone array was set up with a Rode NT4 (stereo X-Y) paired with a Zoom F3, recording at 32-bit float and also 96 kHz. I was able to capture some audio at up to 192 kHz, which is as impressive as 96 kHz.
I kept the equipment to a minimum because I had to transport it back and forth from the media area at the show, which was about a half mile away and only accessible by walking or golf cart.
This year, in 2024, our access to the military performers would not have been possible without the Battle Creek "Field of Flight" Airshow and Balloon Festival! This airshow has been a popular event in the SW Michigan area for a very long time and is one of the coolest traditions our area has. Not only this, but our show is one of the most sought after for the various military acts. Specifically, the "Rhino Demo Team" has stated that Battle Creek is one of their favorite shows to perform at and has been a staple in the lineup for several years, back to back.
I hope you would consider checking out this amazing show sometime! Considering how expensive other shows are, this one is definitely one of the most affordable events. General admission tickets are usually only $15 per person (kids under 3 feet tall are usually free) and parking is only $5 most days. Considering how many military performers have been scheduled in the past few years, it's one amazing deal - especially for someone like me who can be out at the field every day!
As I mentioned earlier, the Rhino Demo Team was extremely supportive of whatever audio captures I needed - as long as we were safe and out of the way of the crew's needs to prep and launch or recover the aircraft (easy enough). The team also allowed us to use exclusive GoPro footage that was used to help create the new cockpit ambiance that you hear in our audio pack!
I wanted to mention another person who played a key role in this project: my friend Marvin Boyd. He is a skilled videographer with a passion for aviation photography. Marvin took on the responsibility of creating a "mini-doc" of the Rhino Demo Team. As part of my responsibilities, I aimed to assist him in capturing audio for his video, including interviews and the actual performance. Take a look at the final result below!
After the airshow ended, I started editing the sounds I had recorded during the week-long event. It took several weeks to finish because I had other projects to focus on. Once the basic audio structure was completed, I began compiling and editing the audio to match the default Super Hornet in Flight Simulator.
To create the flyby sounds alone, I used over 52 different samples.
The most advanced flyby audio system ever created in a flight simulator… all integrated natively with Wwise.
It is crucial to understand the advanced capabilities of our flyby audio system for the Super Hornet. Our work in this area is highly unique within the industry. We have paid careful attention to ensuring that the aircraft sounds distinct in all phases of flight from a remote perspective.
When the aircraft is in afterburner, it will sound different on approach compared to when it is in milpower. The same can be said when it's flying past the camera. Every throttle adjustment creates a distinct sound, and the player can experience this firsthand. Being able to control such incredible power in a flight simulator is truly awe-inspiring.
A photo I took while recording one of the demonstrations.
We're not finished yet! As we continue to learn more about Wwise and push the boundaries of our simulation, we'll keep updating this audio package. There's a lot to look forward to, especially with the new Flight Simulator 2024 just around the corner, which we plan to support at no extra cost to our customers.
The Super Hornet Audio Pack for MSFS marks a new milestone for Echo 19. We poured all our efforts into creating this add-on. The community has been enjoying the audio so far, with some saying that it "feels like you're getting a brand new aircraft." Since the base aircraft is free, it's incredibly easy for everyone to experience our work.
I hope you've enjoyed this small look into the production of the audio pack for the Super Hornet. It was truly a labor of love, and I'm incredibly proud of the product we've created.
Thanks for reading!
Tyler (CEO/Founder)
