Highlight: Here's How The Inspiring Sound For This Audi Spot Was Created

Posted April 16, 2014 by Asbjoern Andersen in SFX interview

It’s always great to experience projects where the music, sound design and visuals blend together really well – and that’s what I saw and heard in this new contest entry for The Audi Talents Awards.

The sound was created by Etienne Marque and Pierre-Jean Beaudoin from France, and I decided to ask Etienne to share some details on how they did it.

First off, let’s have a look at the full video, featuring sound by Etienne Marque and Pierre-Jean Beaudoin:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-FMmNXU6qY

And here’s the sound design in isolation:

Hi Etienne, please introduce yourself and the project:

My name is Etienne Marque and I’m a French audio designer. I’m currently at Ankama where I work on several projects such as games, TV shows, commercials, etc. I also do freelance work.
The spot was done with my friend, composer and sound designer Jean-Pierre Beaudoin. It’s a submission for the 2014 edition of the French Audi Talents Awards contest.

What’s the contest about?

The Audi Talents Awards program was created in 2007 to support young designers. It focuses on the fields of Short Film, Design, Contemporary Art and Music. A professional jury selects projects, meets the artists and selects one of them in every field. Audi offers a year of sponsorship for the winners.

How did you decide on what the spot should sound like? And how did you achieve the great rhythmical flow and sync between the sound and visuals?

Our goal was to mix/morph music and sound design as much as possible. We had a long exchange while watching videos on how we imagined the cutting, rhythm and tone should be. So before we even started working on it, we already had a good overview of the project.
We work iteratively. We do a quick run individually based on our initial discussions and impressions. We put together music and sound design; listen, then revise again. We do this process a number of times until we’re happy with the results.

How did you create the soundscape for the spot?

I used sources from my sound bank, in addition to some field recording and synths. For the field recording, I particularly went for small motors, electric machines (computers, printers, coffee machines, etc), various mechanisms. For example, I used the CD player of my car when the screen comes out of the dashboard at 2:03 in the video.

Did you use any particular plugins or SFX libraries?

Some plugins & tools: Pro Tools 10 (a lot of Elastic Time), NI Reaktor (I’m a big fan), Camel Audio Alchemy, SoundHack freeware, Plogue Bidule. The gear included a Rode Nt6, JrF contact mics and pickups, Mixpre-D and a ZoomH2n.

What was it like working on the project?

We did three videos for the project – and out of the three, this one was the funniest to do. It was also the one that we feared the most, but in the end it turned out to be super quick and fun to make. We did fewer iterations than expected – and even if it is sonically quite heavy, we are very happy with the result. The biggest constraint was time. We did this as a fun side project, so time was limited.

What’s next for you?

Right now I’m working on several unannounced projects for Ankama, as well as some personal projects. I am always looking for new projects and new challenges.

Thanks to Etienne Marque and Pierre-Jean Beaudoin for sharing some details on the project!
Find out more about Etienne’s work here, and Pierre-Jean’s work here.

Please share this:

THE WORLD’S EASIEST WAY TO GET INDEPENDENT SOUND EFFECTS:

A Sound Effect gives you easy access to an absolutely huge sound effects catalog from a myriad of independent sound creators, all covered by one license agreement - a few highlights:

Game Audio Packs - Game Sound Effects Libraries Quute UI – Modern & Cute User Interface Sounds Play Track 506 sounds included
Rated 5.00 out of 5
$29
Add playful charm and polished precision to your apps, games, devices, and everything in between with Quute UI. This carefully crafted collection of sonic treats strikes a great balance between vibrant and sophisticated, with over 500 carefully curated and ready-to-use sound effects. From crisp button clicks and snappy pops to smooth swipes, delightful selects, and charming notifications, each sound is fine tuned for intuitive feedback. Whether you’re building a sleek app, developing a vibrant game, or working with dynamic motion graphics, Quute UI gives you the sounds to bring your User Interface to life.
Perfect for

Mobile & Desktop Apps

Video Games

Animation & Motion Graphics

Smart Devices & Wearable Tech

Film, TV & Commercials

Interactive Kiosks & Installations

Websites & Social Media

Kids’ Media & Edutainment

Product Demos & Walkthroughs

Features

Over 500 tastefully designed sound effects.

Edited with precision to ensure minimal latency & optimal responsiveness for seamless integration directly into apps, games, and devices.

UCS-compliant with fully embedded metadata, making it easy to search and organize.

High Quality – 96kHz, 24-bit WAV files.

Robust Mono Compatibility, helping the sounds translate excellently across all devices, big or small.

100% Royalty-Free – Use in unlimited projects, no extra fees.
Keywords
Click, Tap, Button, Press, Touch, Toggle, Push, Select, Confirm, Notification, Message, Text, Achievement, Accept, Tactile, Activate, Verify, Tick, Scroll, Type, Adjust, Pop, Bubble, Plip Plop, Like, Sparkle, Magical, Crystal, Chime, Shimmer, Anime, Twinkle, Interact, Interface, Navigation, Alert, Response, New, Unlock, Success, Level Up, Upgrade, Victory, Complete, Reward, Trophy, Celebration, Prize, Win, Goal, Correct, Approved, Positive, Finished, Back, Undo, Discovery, Haptic, Motion, Swipe, Slide, Swish, Virtual Assistant, Droid, Communication, Data, Telemetry, Signal, Beep, Emergency, Computing, Scanning, Emote, Calculating, Loading, Transmission, Delete, Cancel, Deactivate, Remove, Decline, Deny, Error, Refuse, Reject, Incorrect, Mistake, Wrong, Invalid, Block, Failed, Hi-Tech, Futuristic, Menu, Console, UI, Keypad.

Additional Download Information
This download includes two types of file structures to suit different workflows:
1. Individually edited files for ready-to-go direct integration into your games, apps, and devices.
2. Grouped/Glued files containing 4–10 sounds per WAV, ideal for Sound Designers who prefer this type of file management.
Add to cart
Door Sound Effects Doors Various Play Track 551 sounds included $59

In the quiet narrative of spaces, doors play a pivotal role, their sounds marking transitions and moments of privacy. The click of a lock on a wooden door, the gentle sweep of a corridor door opening and closing, and the tactile feedback of an entrance handle offer a sense of security and belonging. The unmistakable sound of a key turning in a lock, the soft thud of a closet door, and the distinctive clinks of lock mechanisms punctuate the silence with intention. The smooth hiss of a hydraulic door contrasts with the creak of an old wooden apartment door, each adding its own chapter to the story of daily comings and goings, encapsulating the essence of threshold moments in the fabric of everyday life.

Add to cart
Cloth and Fabric Sound Effects Clothes Play Track 608 sounds included $59

Step into the world of everyday life with this collection of cloth sounds that capture the essence of human activity. From the gentle drag of cloth against various surfaces to the rhythmic impact of clothes hitting furniture, each sound adds depth and realism to your auditory landscape. Experience the soft rustle of cotton coats and jackets, accompanied by the satisfying thud of their drop. Delve into the subtle whoosh of fabric boxes and the distinct friction of jeans, offering a versatile range of textures that enrich any scene with authenticity and detail.

Add to cart

Explore the full, unique collection here

Latest sound effects libraries:

Animal Sound Effects Demonic Pigs Play Track 12 sounds included $10

The Demonic Pigs audio library features 12 terrifying pig creature squeals, perfect for any horror film or game that is sure to strike fear into your audience.

Add to cart
Foley Sound Effects Nepali Traditional Broom Play Track 10 sounds included $8

During my stay in Nepal I visited a small village called Nala, and the people there all used hand made bamboo brooms to clean their homes. I thought it would be fun to do a bit of recording, as the sound of the broom is much rougher and thicker than most western brooms.

Add to cart
Cinematic & Trailer Sound Effects Steel & Strength Play Track 971+ sounds included $30

Gym Machines Sound Library – Extensive Collection of Fitness Equipment Recordings

Whether you need metal impacts, heavy machinery sounds, or layered textures for sound design, this library offers an unparalleled selection of gym machine recordings to enhance your projects.

All recordings were captured at 192kHz / 32-bit, allowing close-up recording without distortion and preserving ultrasonic frequencies for advanced sound manipulation.

Extensive Machine Collection
– Back Machine
– Bench Press Bar Set
– Cable Crossover Machine
– Chest Press Machine
– Multi Power Machine
– Pec Deck
– Pulldown Machine and more

Flexible & Organized for Sound Designers
– Each recording is available in separate microphone takes, giving you control over the tone and texture of each sound.
– Files are intuitively named for seamless navigation and layering.
– Some recordings retain their natural reverb, providing versatility for different applications.

40 %

OFF

Add to cart
Cinematic & Trailer Sound Effects PIANO FX – Horror Audio Toolkit Play Track 500 sounds included $59

PIANO FX is an extensive selection of 500 meticulously recorded and processed WAV files, focusing on dissonance, tension, and impact. Designed to enhance horror, thriller, and suspense-driven soundscapes, this collection explores the piano’s raw and expressive potential beyond traditional harmonic structures.

Core Features:
• Music Box & Toy Piano FX – Fragile, eerie, and detuned textures, perfect for unsettling childlike melodies and psychological tension.
• Piano Clusters (Low & Mid-Range) – Dense, resonant note groupings that generate deep, evolving tension.
• Trilling Piano Strings – Agitated, unstable textures that enhance sonic dissonance.
• Reverse Piano FX – Eerie, unnatural swells for cinematic buildups and unsettling transitions.
• Piano Stingers – Sharp, high-impact tonal strikes for dramatic punctuations.
• Hits & Impacts – Processed percussive piano effects designed for weight and depth.
• Phantom Note Strikes – Isolated, haunting resonances that evoke spectral presence.

Each sound has been carefully recorded, processed, and designed by sound designer Alessandro Romeo to integrate seamlessly into modern trailer music, film scoring, and experimental sound design. The toolkit provides a versatile foundation for composers looking to push the boundaries of cinematic tension, offering a balance of organic rawness and designed precision.

14 %

OFF

Add to cart
Car Sound Effects Nissan Qashqai 2013 SUV Play Track 242 sounds included, 51 mins total $65

All files are recorded 32bit, 192 kHz, with RØDE NTG1, Line Audio Omni1 and FEL Clippy XLR EM272 microphones, Sound Devices MixPre-6 II recorder. Library contains wav files of driving, interior and exterior foley, mechanical and electrical sounds. It is also available in UCS.

Add to cart