Both, mainly PC though as the only console games I play now are GT5 and Wipeout HD.
I've read about some people having stereo tactile effects, how is that done if you're using the .1 output of a x.1 surround sound system? And can you get tactile if you're using headphones? I'm only curious at the moment but I'd hate to find out that going from mono to stereo effects is more expensive than just buying the stereo equipment in the first place, if you know what I mean?
Stereo is only the beginning my friend. Racing games and FPS are perfect for surround tactile, matching directional tactile with the same surround decoding for surround sound. Of course it does not suit all sources but it can be a very entertaining yet experimental concept. You should consider the Aura Pro for under your seat as it is rather slim. It is available from Parts Express
Here. They will ship really fast too but you will have likely customs fees to pay.
Mr Latte Paints A Picture
I have had moments in testing playing games (on a temporary ever changing setup) and here is an example of what is possible.
Your car could be on the left hand rumble strips of a corner, your right up behind a car in front and a car to your right hand side is trying to overtake with another car right behind you. (Game dependent on how it uses its audio) it is possible in that situation this is what you could experience:
1) Feel vibrations of the rumble strip to the left of your seat/cockpit.
2) The car directly in front, it's exhaust and your engine revs are buzzing in your pedals.
3) Car attempting to overtake on the inside to your right can be felt bashing the right hand side of your seat/cockpit.
4) That car behind, you can feel its engine tone slightly getting stronger in your back as it approaches.
5) While all that is happening you also feel non directional low end bass through the seat for all effects.
The above is possible, not on any sold one box solution but only with the experimentation some of us have been doing regards utilising surround decoding, manipulating it and using multiple tactile devices gaining the best usage for tactile performance.
You cannot get stereo from the LFE, it is a mono signal. You have to use the Left/Right stereo channel information for this. The LFE is best tuned for what its' meant for, the low end effects. You could use a frequency cut off from around 50Hz to over 100Hz for the LFE to tune its performance. What many people fail to realise it also depends on what "DSP Mode" and the source being played used on a AV Amp/Reciever as to what the tactile and in particular LFE will output. Games and even music now is sometimes recorded in a studio that may produce an effect on the LFE channel that does not go to the stereo channels. So a good tactile combination relies on the LFE just like a subwoofer in a speaker configuration.
The LFE channel (Low Frequency Effect) can drive your buttkickers and yes I believe you can use headphones. For the bass shakers It is done using the telemetry, look at the PDF file I provided.
Most AV amplifers will disable the LFE output when connecting headphones. Their are ways around it by selecting a multiple audio out configuration from your PC/console or even possible via tv audio output.
I have done a lot of experiments with tactile transducers mainly on frequencies and placement. I have been driving a lot of trips in my mx5 with the sole purpose of defining the intensity and type/frequency of vibration you get from different parts of the car, and this is what I've found.
Shifter - strongest feeling of engine vibrations
Pedals - second strongest engine vibrations
Seat - strong input from the roadsurface, but none from the engine
Wheel - combination of a little engine vibration, but mostly roadsurface
What that translates into in my setup is that the seat TT will recieve only the lowest frequencies producing the sensation of an uneven surface, the curbs etc., while the rest of the TT's recieves higher frequencies, creating a more buzzing feel the matches the revs of the engine.
If I had to choose only 1 transducer in my setup, I would definately go for the one that vibrates the pedals. By far this is what gives me the greatest sense of immersion. But having it all is a blast - if you fit tractile feedback to your rig you will not regret it - perhaps only that you did not do it a long time ago. :-)
As a bare minimium for a high level of tactile enjoyment the following is required.
Several friends on these forums have such...
Seat = Stereo Left/Right
Seat = LFE
Pedals = Centre (or possibly PC telemetry data)
This can be advanced by adding extra units to the gearstick area, and having multiple stereo combinations. Even using "surround channel" tactile (GT5 / Dirt 3 / Shift 2 uses this alot).
The main problem with tactile is different sources/games can have different strengths in effects and volumes. We havn't even mentioned the problem with tactile hotspots and how to get around that. So a well thought out tactile configuration can be designed to give more user control via equalisers/bass enchancers. It all can become rather technical and then implementing subwoofers as these have advantages over tactile particulary with low-mid frequencies. Lastly you then have different makes/models of tactile that perform differently and some are better used in certain ways than others. Not all tactile units are virtually silent like Buttkickers, many do make an audible noise as well.
