Recording the AH-64D Apache
Echo 19 recorded one of the 1st/211th Apaches for iniBuilds/KwikFlight’s new AH-64D-inspired attack helicopter for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Air Pirates
It all began with an opportunity with the Utah Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment - nicknamed the “Air Pirates”! The team at the 1st/211th was very excited to help get the sounds we needed to faithfully recreate their aircraft in a simulator that millions of people can access.
After a long day of traveling and getting stuck at a connecting airport overnight due to weather, the team was gracious enough to be flexible with our recording timeline. Thankfully, the rain held up just long enough to get the needed audio!
Working with the 1st/211th was a fantastic experience, and we hope that the audio you’ll be able to experience in MSFS with KwikFlight’s new “Hutner” will be a worthy recreation and a dedication to those who fly/maintain these incredible machines in the real world.
Dedication to Immersion
The thing about sound is that it’s extremely subjective. While everyone may not necessarily agree on what “good” sound is, we all know what bad sound is, don’t we?
The iniBuids / KwikFlight team approached us several months ago to discuss the sounds on their Hunter. We convinced the team that an authentic, powerful, and immersive soundset would go a long way for this project. Sound is one of the biggest complaints in payware addons, as pilots often expect to “hear” great things as much as they “see” great things.
That’s where we stepped in.
The KwikFlight Hunter features a meticulously recreated sound set with unique characteristics that set it apart from many other add-ons available today, particularly those provided by Echo 19.
The external rotor mix alone consists of four distinct variations, each influenced by collective and cyclic inputs. Additionally, the Hunter includes a wide range of custom and unique internal audio elements. Sounds such as the avionics, transmission whine, and internal APU have all been recorded in ambisonic format, which provides a surround sound experience. This adds a true sense of immersive depth to the sounds you will experience in-game.
Echo 19 also created and integrated an array of custom effects, from mission dialogue to missile launches and the very prominent cannon sound.
Thanks to the 1st/211th's help and support and KwikFlight’s investment, the Hunter has one of the most prestigious rotor-wing sound sets available.
Audio Rich
Finally, a distinctive livery design was created to honor the 1st/211th, recognizing their significant contributions and legacy.
Photo provided by Sim user “IronWings VP”