On-Field Sounds; Let's Get Back to Pads Popping

[Senator Palmer]

The one thing that I have always loved about football at any level is the sound of pads popping; that flat, packing sound that plastic makes when crashed into one another as warfare is waged in the trenches. It's one of the things that brings us deeper into the game on a purely visceral level as we watch from the comfortable distance of our couches. One of the great things the NFL did to accomplish this was put parabolic microphones on the sidelines.

Take a peek over Hasselbeck's left shoulder.



I think it's time for Madden to totally nix the artificial sounds they've put in this gen and get back to the old fashioned natural sounds of grunts and, groans, and the quick, simple thump that the ball makes when it hits a receiver's hands. To their credit, they did get rid of that annoying cannon sound that you'd hear in '08 whenever you connected on a deep pass. Madden 11 was an definite improvement:

Small sample...

<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/C6MiAe_Q3t4" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640"></iframe>

But let's go all the way. The sounds at the beginning of each play; the ball being snapped, and the initial collision of the offensive and defensive line should be re-done. And it doesn't have to be overly showy. Listen to the way the Falcons o-line comes off the ball:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-air-an...WK-17-Michael-

The sounds are subtle when mixed in with the rest of the stadium, but they are noticeable and they connect you on a subconscious level with the physicality of the game.

Oh, and when we lay a big hit, let's hear this:

<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/c2IzFGTgyZg" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="480"></iframe>

or this...

<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2ZiHzZgottA" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="480"></iframe>

not this...

<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0TIZv_Nh-xQ" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640"></iframe>

[timbeau0805]

Re: On-Field Sounds; Let's Get Back to Pads Popping

Co-signed, completely.

[RedZoneD25]

Re: On-Field Sounds; Let's Get Back to Pads Popping

I like this. I just wonder if this falls under something the NFL wants to avoid with the concussion thing.

[roadman]

Re: On-Field Sounds; Let's Get Back to Pads Popping

I like it too, but the NFL won't allow shoulder popping hitting.

[over9000yards]

Re: On-Field Sounds; Let's Get Back to Pads Popping

Problem is both the real-life hits you showed were obvious helmet-to-helmet from previous seasons. You want to look at a big hit, look at the clean big hit that Ray Lewis layed on Dustin Keller of the NYJ in week 1.

[Senator Palmer]

Re: On-Field Sounds; Let's Get Back to Pads Popping

Problem is both the real-life hits you showed were obvious helmet-to-helmet from previous seasons. You want to look at a big hit, look at the clean big hit that Ray Lewis layed on Dustin Keller of the NYJ in week 1.

The Ray Lewis hit is legal anywhere. Hall turned the ball upfield and put his head down. He wasn't defenseless at all.

And I was actually referring more to the sounds of the game. Right now the on-field action is too artificial. There is an audible difference between the on-field collisions you hear in Madden and the collisions you hear on Sunday.

[over9000yards]

Re: On-Field Sounds; Let's Get Back to Pads Popping

Well yeah, I agree with you on the part about the hits sounding different.

Where I'm coming from is that a big helmet-to-helmet hit, might sound different than a big hit that is legal. I'm not sure, haven't done any research on it. Just a thought.

[Senator Palmer]

Re: On-Field Sounds; Let's Get Back to Pads Popping

I like this. I just wonder if this falls under something the NFL wants to avoid with the concussion thing.

I was wondering about this also. I know that they have to submit every celebration to the NFL for approval, and there have been some cool ones in the past that have been nixed. I imagine it's similar with on-field action, but I hope that process wouldn't effect how organic the audio is. These are the sounds the NFL has worked to give us every Sunday on our TV, I hope the Goddell Commission wouldn't hate on the video game for doing the same thing.

[mm boost]

Re: On-Field Sounds; Let's Get Back to Pads Popping

regardless that is not the point. On madden 11, the big hit, it sounds like a trash can hitting the skull of Mick Foley in a Hardcore match in the WWF, not like Ray Lewis putting the smack down on a helpless receiver.

Another thing I don't get that EA has yet to implement, is how on replays, they are in slow motion with no sound. In the NFL, when they show a replay, they show it full speed and it has the sound amplified so you can hear someone getting wrecked. That is what EA needs to add to really hit home realism aspect.

[LiquorLogic]

Re: On-Field Sounds; Let's Get Back to Pads Popping

regardless that is not the point. On madden 11, the big hit, it sounds like a trash can hitting the skull of Mick Foley in a Hardcore match in the WWF, not like Ray Lewis putting the smack down on a helpless receiver.

Another thing I don't get that EA has yet to implement, is how on replays, they are in slow motion with no sound. In the NFL, when they show a replay, they show it full speed and it has the sound amplified so you can hear someone getting wrecked. That is what EA needs to add to really hit home realism aspect.

Exactly, the audio, as it is now, is a gross exaggeration; I don't see why the NFL would have a problem with a more realistic, practical audio. Also, the sound of the crowd's reaction also plays a big part in the audio.

We need to hear the crowd yell "Ohhhhhhhhhhh," when reacting to a big hit.

[ch46647]

Re: On-Field Sounds; Let's Get Back to Pads Popping

Agreed! The current audio in Madden is atrocious. The crowd is generic and sounds completely disinterested, and the on-field sounds just like a bunch of crumpling paper.

[Segagendude]

Re: On-Field Sounds; Let's Get Back to Pads Popping

I hope Ian and the sound dept. watched Sound FX on NFL Network over the weekend.

Some awesome on-field sounds there......besides the smack talking, plenty of hits and sounds the OP is referring to.

[huskerwr38]

Re: On-Field Sounds; Let's Get Back to Pads Popping

regardless that is not the point. On madden 11, the big hit, it sounds like a trash can hitting the skull of Mick Foley in a Hardcore match in the WWF, not like Ray Lewis putting the smack down on a helpless receiver.

Another thing I don't get that EA has yet to implement, is how on replays, they are in slow motion with no sound. In the NFL, when they show a replay, they show it full speed and it has the sound amplified so you can hear someone getting wrecked. That is what EA needs to add to really hit home realism aspect.

EXACTLY!!! I was trying to pinpoint what that sound is like and you hit the nail on the head. It sounds like a trashcan being slammed onto someone's head.

[mm boost]

Re: On-Field Sounds; Let's Get Back to Pads Popping

lol exzachary.

Also, another audio thing that bugs the SHAT out of me...when you challenge a ruling on the field, the sound is jacked up and pre-determined.

Example: I am home team (cowboys), eagles visiting. They catch a pass in endzone, referees call it a touchdown. I challenge the call on the field, his foot looked out of bounds. When it cuts to the referee about to make the call, the audience is ALREADY booing before the call is actually made, and then he says the call on the field stands. WTF, it completely ruins the surprise. The crowd shouldn't know what we don't know...they are usually the last ones to find out, yet they start cheering before the call is even made. Very minor annoyance, but an annoyance none the less.

There is so many sound things that bother me, I could write a term paper on it.

Crowd ambience on an exciting play, crowd after you win a tight/close game at the end with a game winning field goal, player interactions on the field, commentators going silent on big moments in the game, etc.

[TNT713]

Re: On-Field Sounds; Let's Get Back to Pads Popping

Well what do you know... I fully agree with a fellow OS member about changes Madden needs. Who'd have thunk it.

These vids illustrate the BOOM of Madden... Which is kool in a way, but it doesn't sound like football.

I wonder if there is a better representation of authentic sounds in previous Madden games and what the overall response was then. I seem to remember more authentic sounds being in the game before - but I'm biased - so I could be imagining things.

Later