Minetest_game: Sound designing

[SparkizX]

I'm a sound designer and I made a little list of sounds that are in the game.

Minetest sounds list

╔ games\minetest_game\mods\carts\sounds\
║
╠═ carts_cart_moving.1.ogg
╠═ carts_cart_moving.2.ogg
╚═ carts_cart_moving.3.ogg

╔ games\minetest_game\mods\default\sounds\
║
╠═ default_break_glass.1.ogg
╠═ default_break_glass.2.ogg
╠═ default_break_glass.3.ogg
╠═ default_chest_close.ogg
╠═ default_chest_open.ogg
╠═ default_cool_lava.1.ogg
╠═ default_cool_lava.2.ogg
╠═ default_cool_lava.3.ogg
╠═ default_dig_choppy.ogg
╠═ default_dig_cracky.ogg
╠═ default_dig_crumbly.ogg
╠═ default_dig_dig_immediate.ogg
╠═ default_dig_metal.ogg
╠═ default_dig_oddly_breakable_by_hand.ogg
╠═ default_dig_snappy.ogg
╠═ default_dirt_footstep.1.ogg
╠═ default_dirt_footstep.2.ogg
╠═ default_dug_metal.1.ogg
╠═ default_dug_metal.2.ogg
╠═ default_dug_node.1.ogg
╠═ default_dug_node.2.ogg
╠═ default_glass_footstep.ogg
╠═ default_grass_footstep.1.ogg
╠═ default_grass_footstep.2.ogg
╠═ default_grass_footstep.3.ogg
╠═ default_gravel_footstep.1.ogg
╠═ default_gravel_footstep.2.ogg
╠═ default_gravel_footstep.3.ogg
╠═ default_gravel_footstep.4.ogg
╠═ default_hard_footstep.1.ogg
╠═ default_hard_footstep.2.ogg
╠═ default_hard_footstep.3.ogg
╠═ default_item_smoke.ogg
╠═ default_metal_footstep.1.ogg
╠═ default_metal_footstep.2.ogg
╠═ default_metal_footstep.3.ogg
╠═ default_place_node.1.ogg
╠═ default_place_node.2.ogg
╠═ default_place_node.3.ogg
╠═ default_place_node_hard.1.ogg
╠═ default_place_node_hard.2.ogg
╠═ default_place_node_metal.1.ogg
╠═ default_place_node_metal.2.ogg
╠═ default_sand_footstep.1.ogg
╠═ default_sand_footstep.2.ogg
╠═ default_snow_footstep.1.ogg
╠═ default_snow_footstep.2.ogg
╠═ default_snow_footstep.3.ogg
╠═ default_snow_footstep.4.ogg
╠═ default_snow_footstep.5.ogg
╠═ default_tool_breaks.1.ogg
╠═ default_tool_breaks.2.ogg
╠═ default_tool_breaks.3.ogg
╠═ default_water_footstep.1.ogg
╠═ default_water_footstep.2.ogg
╠═ default_water_footstep.3.ogg
╠═ default_water_footstep.4.ogg
╠═ default_wood_footstep.1.ogg
╚═ default_wood_footstep.2.ogg

╔ games\minetest_game\mods\doors\sounds\
║
╠═ doors_door_close.ogg
╠═ doors_door_open.ogg
╠═ doors_fencegate_close.ogg
╠═ doors_fencegate_open.ogg
╠═ doors_glass_door_close.ogg
╠═ doors_glass_door_open.ogg
╠═ doors_steel_door_close.ogg
╚═ doors_steel_door_open.ogg

╔ games\minetest_game\mods\fire\sounds\
║
╠═ fire_extinguish_flame.1.ogg
╠═ fire_extinguish_flame.2.ogg
╠═ fire_extinguish_flame.3.ogg
╠═ fire_fire.1.ogg
╠═ fire_fire.2.ogg
╠═ fire_fire.3.ogg
╠═ fire_flint_and_steel.ogg
╠═ fire_large.ogg
╚═ fire_small.ogg

╔ games\minetest_game\mods\player_api\sounds\
║
╚═ player_damage.ogg

╔ games\minetest_game\mods\tnt\sounds\
║
╠═ tnt_explode.ogg
╠═ tnt_gunpowder_burning.ogg
╚═ tnt_ignite.ogg

╔ games\minimal\mods\default\sounds\
║
╚═ default_grass_footstep.1.ogg

I would like to ask one of the developers to take some time and make (based on the list above) list with description to each sound. After I get the list with description I could make better sounds for the game.

[rubenwardy]

The name explains what the thing is for. For example, default_chest_open is played when ..a..chest..opens....

Note that .1. .2. .3. are variations of the same sound

[SparkizX]

I do understand that. But I'm gonna give quick example: default_grass_footstep You want it to sound like walking on dry grass, meybe wet grass or even just healthy grass, these sounds do vary in how they sound.
So you see that is what I need. I don't need when it is used. I want to know how you imagine them to sound.

[rubenwardy]

As a sound designer, shouldn't you be deciding that?

[SparkizX]

No, I already learned that the hard way. One time made sounds for client and then he said it is not what he imagined, but he didn't gave me any description. So that is why I want to know what my client want it to sound like and how he imagined that.

[SparkizX]

If I get the description before Sunday Midnight I can schedule my visit to the studio. Otherwise it will take me longer.

[Desour]

Oh, a sound designer, interesting!

I'll just throw some thoughts into the room:

• Wool has no own sounds.
• Dirt, sand and co. could have different sounds.
• Digging would maybe sound less mechanical if the dig sounds were shorter, more silent, higher in pitch and faster (=shorter) than the dug sounds.

[SparkizX]

Well that could be done no worries.

[sofar]

I welcome the enthusiasm. I certainly would like to help make your efforts successful.

Have you done this before? Do you understand the licensing requirements and attribution requirements?

Are you going to be altering sound effects or adding new ones?

[SparkizX]

I will be at first rerecording all the sounds.
Then if asked I will be adding new ones.
All of the Pro Tools sessions I can share if asked.

[SparkizX]

I have done this before. I've been sound desiging under a pressure in Game Jams. But now I will have more time to do recordings so it will be better quality. Other than that I've been creating things mostly for my friends.

[SparkizX]

I just realized that I haven't mentioned in prevoius comment which midnight, so I'm gonna say it is GMT + 01:00.

[paramat]

What would also need to be done is mark the sounds that were more recently made (at great effort), are already good and don't need replacing.

Maybe we can decide the sounds that most need replacing so that you can direct your effort, there are certainly many we don't like but haven't had time to replace yet.

My list of sounds that are more recent and are already good, i would oppose replacing these:
cart moving
chest close/open
snow footstep
tool breaks
water footstep
fencegate close/open
glass door close/open
steel door close/open
flint and steel
player damage

Other core devs may have sounds they don't want replacing. For example the metal sounds are more recent too.

As a rough guide, look at the date of addition of each sound, the ones to focus on are the ones added '6 years ago'.

Sounds i consider bad:
dirt footstep is too harsh and crackly, needs to be softer.
grass footstep is a little too harsh, a softer sound would be good.
gravel footstep is a little weird.
~sand footstep is again too harsh, not soft enough. This needs to be the sound of soft, deep dry sand, like in a desert or dry beach sand.
wood footstep sounds too hollow and resonant, like the player is wearing clogs, maybe a more solid sound.~

EDIT: New sounds added by #2605

[SparkizX]

This is only idea.
Let's let community say which sound are the worst and based on community saying which is the worst and why I could then focus my first efforts on these sounds.

[SparkizX]

Time of making is the worst option in my opinion because even old sounds could be good.

[paramat]

Yes some of the old sounds may be fine.

[sph0lt0n]

>

grass footstep is a little too harsh, a softer sound would be good.

OTOH isn't this sound also used when MOBs approack on grass? A softer
sound might mean less warning.

Also, I've been meaning to add a screeching sound for mine carts when the
brake is applied, but haven't gotten around to it...

On Fri, Apr 26, 2019 at 7:25 PM Paramat [e-mail] wrote:

What would also need to be done is mark the sounds that were more recently
made (at great effort), are already good and don't need replacing.

Maybe we can decide the sounds that most need replacing so that you can
direct your effort, there are certainly many we don't like but haven't had
time to replace yet.

My list of sounds that are more recent and are already good, i would
oppose replacing these:
cart moving
chest close/open
snow footstep
tool breaks
water footstep
fencegate close/open
glass door close/open
steel door close/open
flint and steel
player damage

Other core devs may have sounds they don't want replacing. For example the
metal sounds are more recent too.

As a rough guide, look at the date of addition of each sound, the ones to
focus on are the ones added '6 years ago'.

Sounds i consider bad:
dirt footstep is too harsh and crackly, needs to be softer.
grass footstep is a little too harsh, a softer sound would be good.
gravel footstep is a little weird.
sand footstep is again too harsh, not soft enough.
wood footstep sounds too hollow and resonant, like the player is wearing
clogs, maybe a more solid sound.

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[paramat]

Any footstep sound loud enough to be a warning at a distance will therefore be far too loud for a player's own footstep, so we can't consider that.

[Desour]

For example the metal sounds are more recent too.

However, they sound a bit weird imo. But they are also hard to do good because metal sounds different in different situations.

MOBs [...] A softer sound might mean less warning.

Wouldn't it be much scarier and ergo funnier if the mobs made instead some other, more creepy sounds, eg. breathing, scratching or screaming when you turn around to them.

screeching sound for mine carts when the brake is applied

:+1:

[TumeniNodes]

A lot of the sounds have a high pitched "click" sound in between files. It sure would be nice to get rid of that, as it is very irritating.
If you listen carefully as you are punching leaves this is where it is most noticeable.

Another area I'd like to see focused on, is adding sounds for menu clicks and even when selecting slots in the hud bar...
This is an area very lacking in the project, and it is deserving of some attention.

But I am happy to see this. Getting good, custom sounds would be very welcome.
Audio is _so_ important.

[paramat]

I made the leaves dig sound quite recently, it may indeed not be ideal, but when i edited it i started and ended the sound on a sample of zero value. I zoom in to individual samples and cut at a zero value. So i'm not sure what causes these 'clicks' you hear. I'm not sure i've noticed them myself. Maybe each sound needs a very short fade in and fade out to soften the ends?

[TumeniNodes]

It is very noticeable when walking on grass and sand too.
The sound may not still exist in leaves, I will have to double check. But the sound I am talking about is in between every single file swap, a split second of an extremely high pitched 'click"
Almost as if leaving the needle on a record at the end, and it gets stuck there repeating that horrid sound (probably not many here who even remember record players : P

Sound fx can be very difficult to work with.
I had attempted to replace wood chopping sounds with files I made myself and it turned into a mess.
If I recall correctly, just replacing one wood dig sound file, caused problems with the wood walking sounds. But I do remember getting very frustrated over it and just quit.

[SparkizX]

I was gone for quite a long due to exams. But finally I will be available for another 2/3 months.

[plainoldcheese]

Not sure if I should leave this here or open a new issue but ill post here and see what happens.

@TumeniNodes and @paramat I had a look at the default_grass_footstep1.ogg default_grass_footstep2.ogg and default_grass_footstep3.ogg and they do indeed start and end at zero crossings but i believe the clicking comes from the few transients that appear in the sounds ( most noticeable in the middle of the audio clip.) By reducing the volume of these sections the clicking goes away.

before

after

I could fix a couple of the bad ones and leave a pull request if this is fine?

[SparkizX]

I could do this better using rx 6.

[paramat]

Yes a PR to do that would be welcome, i will probably +1 it.
I suggest only altering the most extreme transients, as the quieter ones are probably acceptable and a natural part of the sound.
For example, in that waveform above i would suggest only altering 1 transient.

[plainoldcheese]

@paramat ok will do, still want to keep it sounding crunchy 👍

[SparkizX]

Better idea would be using compressor with propper threshold

[TumeniNodes]

@kevin-nel did you ever end up making a PR for this?
I am bumping this because I got side-tracked with IRL matter, but such a PR would be very welcome.

[plainoldcheese]

@TumeniNodes The grass sound clicking and popping did get merged but I havent worked on any new sounds. also beccame quite busy.

[SparkizX]

Holy f... I opened this issue long time ago and forgot about it.

[paramat]

Closing due to #2710 and inactivity.
We should only change sounds that really need improvement, i made a short list in https://github.com/minetest/minetest_game/issues/2359#issuecomment-487230440

2605 is now merged.

We could open new issues for very bad sounds that need replacing.