Investigation - Polaris sounds
24 Dec 2020Eeka
Investigation purpose: Test the existence of unique sound effects supposedly coming from Polaris, as reported here and here.
Findings:
It is impossible to select/target Polaris from a distance of 417ly in the current version of the game as it is to any other permit locked system. It is only possible to target it via External Panel, in the navigation tab;
The system does not emit any peculiar sound effect when selected/targeted from short distances (tested from 5, 11 and 17ly);
The system does not emit any peculiar sound effect when the observer's ship is pointing directly at it (tested from 5, ~439 and ~400ly);
All systems emit different noises when selected in the Galmap. Those sound effects appear to be played in a random pattern instead of being related to the bodies present in the system. Polaris does not have an unique sound effect from the Galmap either;
The pitchy noise of the video is part of the silent background soundtrack which is not related to any celestial body in particular, but to specific environment conditions;
All system bodies have peculiar sounds in the FSS that vary according to its type, atmosphere, surface features and other characteristics;
Investigation:
On 22nd of dec 2020 19h53 UTC I departure the CW - MelRose, in the Iota Centauri system, aboard the ERV Orgun heading towards Polaris to run some tests and collect data about the variables involved.
The testing was made from Wredguia PC-G b39-2, Wredguia WT-I d9-51, Wredguia VY-P c19-5, Wredguia XB-K B39-0 and Parcae systems. Greater distances (400 and 439ly) are measured relative to the Wredguia PC-G b39-2 system which is the closest to Polaris.
The testing consisted in dropping from super cruise, turning off sensors and engines (other modules did not have noticeable effect on sounding), target or point the ships reticle directly to Polaris and listen to all sound effects generated by the game for a couple of minutes (between 5 to 10m).
It was observed that a background 'soundtrack' starts playing as soon as you leave your ship idle and soundless. The pitchy sound in the video can be observed in this soundtrack but in a quicker and lower way, regardless of where you're pointing your ship or target selected.
This behavior is consistent in Horizons and Classic versions of the game. Pointing the FSS to the system from the closest range possible (5ly) also doesn't have any different effect.
The author of the video do not give any detail about how to reproduce the sound that is showing in his video. It was not possible to contact him directly. His channel is very small and had no activity in the past 4 years.
I have left him a message in the video stating my findings so far and asking if he thinks differently from my conclusions to please provide more information about how to reproduce the supposedly special audio effect.
My conclusion is that the 'silent background soundtrack' is only played in specific conditions thus not all players would be aware of it. Still, it is not related to any system in specific and can be reproduced by keeping your ship with thrusters and sensors modules turned off (flight assist also works) regardless of direction your ship is pointing at/targeted at. It is also required to be in normal flight and away from any possible sound interference source such as stations or other ships.
The difference in the pitchy noise from the YouTube's video to the noise observed in the investigation may be due to some audio quality reduction from previous versions of the game (the video was made in 2015). This may be done in order to reduce game file size.
Still, the game has abundant sound details and having hidden information in this 'dimension' is a possibility that should be taken into account by any investigator/researcher.
I have ceased the investigation on 23rd of dec 2020 23h41 UTC.