I think I need a cockpit... (7th November 2012)

  • Thread starter the_greeze
  • 347 comments
  • 72,134 views
My cockpit is an ''amateur job'' comparing to yours...
Congratulations ! 👍

Newbie question for you: where did you find the pedals ?
 
2 words:

worthless and crap.

I mean In-cre-di-ble and Brilliant 👍

Can I buy it? :D
 
@kikie: :cheers: Thanks for the kind words but sorry, not for sale! :lol:

@nurburgring: They are indeed G25 pedals removed from the pedal box and inverted. The brake pedal however, is a replacement/enhancement for the standard pedal. You can read more about it here mate :)

@Mr. Latte: The current tactile configuration is:-

Front Left Channel - Left Aura Unit
Front Right Channel - Right Aura Unit
Centre Channel - Front Buttkicker
LFE Channel - Rear Buttkicker

As you see, I have two Buttkickers. One is mounted directly under the seat, the other is mounted under the floorboard. The two Auras are also mounted under the floorboard (see pic). The Aura units have been taken from those old Aura Interactor vests that were available years ago. Cheap-as-chips on eBay and they give good results for the price.



The Buttkicker under the seat is also isolated (with four anti-vibration mounts) because it was too harsh connected directly to the steel frame. Isolating it like this has vastly improved the effect! 👍



It's early days for testing this setup but so far I've had good results. The rear Buttkicker (fed from the LFE channel) setup is sorted. The front Buttkicker is giving good results from the centre channel (particularly when you're right up-the-ass of the car in front; you can really feel the engine/exhaust note!) and the two Aura units are responding well to front left and right channels (great effects from the rumble strips).

All in all, I'm pretty happy with the configuration at the moment but I'm still experimenting! Comments/ideas are always welcome :)
 
I have one easy question: it is really worth it inverting the pedals? It is a matter of looks, or it is really easier and more confortable to operate them? I just bought a G27 and I am currently waiting for one of those, and I wouldn't mind to modify the pedals if it is for something more than looks.
 
Samelborp
I have one easy question: it is really worth it inverting the pedals? It is a matter of looks, or it is really easier and more confortable to operate them? I just bought a G27 and I am currently waiting for one of those, and I wouldn't mind to modify the pedals if it is for something more than looks.
Click to expand...

Well, in my case a bit of both :) I like the look of inverted pedals (because they're the same as 90% of real cars) and I have fitted an alternative brake pedal which requires a bit more effort to push down. Having them inverted and mounted to the steel frame gives them much improved resistance over having them in the original plastic casing.

BTW, your link doesn't lead anywhere... :)
 
the_greeze
Well, in my case a bit of both :) I like the look of inverted pedals (because they're the same as 90% of real cars) and I have fitted an alternative brake pedal which requires a bit more effort to push down. Having them inverted and mounted to the steel frame gives them much improved resistance over having them in the original plastic casing.

BTW, your link doesn't lead anywhere... :)
Click to expand...

Thanks... updated the link in my signature...

Coming from a DFP, I find G27 pedals very stiff, no need to add more resistance for me :crazy:
 
Nice start to enjoying "Tactile"

Now your cockpit is ALIVE!

I got my "Aura Pro" models only having briefly tested them and although packing a good punch they have it seems less variation in their control/ability of effect compared to some other units.
PM me as I have something that may be of interest to you.
 
Jav
Those are the stock g25 pedals taken out of their box and inverted...
Click to expand...

You mean you can dismantle them easily from their ''box'' (the black plastic cover) and just bolted them on your frame ?

I'm asking that because I'm ready to modify my own cockpit (I'm fully equipped for welding), AND I was seduced by the cheapest Fanatec Porsche wheel (and his very low price). BUT their pedals dont seem to be separated easily due to the one box design they have...

Look at this picture before answering my last question:
fanatec-standard-racing-pedals.jpg


Is it possible to separate easily the pedals from the box on the Fanatec one ?
 
nurburgring
You mean you can dismantle them easily from their ''box'' (the black plastic cover) and just bolted them on your frame ?

...

Is it possible to separate easily the pedals from the box on the Fanatec one ?
Click to expand...

Yes, removed from the original casing (or 'box') and mounted directly to the frame. As for the Fanatec pedals I'm afraid I can't help as I have no knowledge of Fanatec's products :( Sorry. I'm sure that somebody on GTPlanet can help you though; I'd suggest putting a new thread in the forum 👍

There is a thread on here somewhere for inverting Fanatec's Clubsport pedals (search for 'inverted fanatec') which may help...
 
One other idea I had for you to consider is something a few of the guys here on the forums once were discussing previously.

It involved increasing the feedback from the vibration the "Clubsport Pedals" BRAKE uses. Some including myself considered Tactile to be used and I even previously tested using a microphone to detect the noise of the motor spinning on the CSP as brakes were depressed which then activated a Buttkicker. It was a bit crude although it did work.

It seems in my own thread that idea hasnt had much further things happening from others who also had other ideas. However I didnt give up on the idea and if youd like to bring that kind of feature to the G25 I will tell you how its possible.

All youd need to do is create a switch than enables an input to be on/off when you press your brake pedal. An improved solution would be to utilise a sliding volume control that works in conjunction with the amount of pedal pressed therefore increasing the strength of the tactile effect the more the pedal is depressed.

  • Pressing in brake will allow the audio signal from the game to goto a tactile device vibrating the pedals
  • Releasing the brake disconnects/silences the audio signal to the tactile device stopping the vibration to the pedals.

If you are messing around with different options regards the "Tactile" as we discussed on PM then consider this idea of testing "BRAKE" only tactile as a bonus feature. Youd also be the first I know of to use it and with your cockpit a lot further ahead than mine your welcome to the idea (or are others)

You could also possibly use an EQ or different settings for this "BRAKE" only tactile unit so that it doesnt interfere or is possible to make it feel different as the "always on" tactile unit you currently are using from the games "CENTRE" audio.

It would be good to have a testing buddy and Id like to see how you get on with it.
 
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Mr Latte
One other idea I had for you to consider is something a few of the guys here on the forums once were discussing previously.

It involved increasing the feedback from the vibration the "Clubsport Pedals" BRAKE uses. Some including myself considered Tactile to be used and I even previously tested using a microphone to detect the noise of the motor spinning on the CSP as brakes were depressed which then activated a Buttkicker. It was a bit crude although it did work.

It seems in my own thread that idea hasnt had much further things happening from others who also had other ideas. However I didnt give up on the idea and if youd like to bring that kind of feature to the G25 I will tell you how its possible.

All youd need to do is create a switch than enables an input to be on/off when you press your brake pedal. An improved solution would be to utilise a sliding volume control that works in conjunction with the amount of pedal pressed therefore increasing the strength of the tactile effect the more the pedal is depressed.

  • Pressing in brake will allow the audio signal from the game to goto a tactile device vibrating the pedals
  • Releasing the brake disconnects/silences the audio signal to the tactile device stopping the vibration to the pedals.

If you are messing around with different options regards the "Tactile" as we discussed on PM then consider this idea of testing "BRAKE" only tactile as a bonus feature. Youd also be the first I know of to use it and with your cockpit a lot further ahead than mine your welcome to the idea (or are others)

You could also possibly use an EQ or different settings for this "BRAKE" only tactile unit so that it doesnt interfere or is possible to make it feel different as the "always on" tactile unit you currently are using from the games "CENTRE" audio.

It would be good to have a testing buddy and Id like to see how you get on with it.
Click to expand...

I haven't looked into it, but I'm guessing that a voltage is presented at the motor when the abs kicks in.. might be a range of voltages given that the speed of the motor might be variable.. needs checking.. I guess.

either way if a voltage is present(must be to make the motor go round!!), then you could use this voltage to act as a trigger to a synthesized sound module which would feed a buttkicker or other tactile unit.. this way you control the amplitude and profile from the sound module to the buttkicker.. shouldn't be too complicated from an electronic point of view..

Some good ideas around I like it..
 
Some interesting ideas about the tactile audio, nice one 👍

I haven't managed to get around to testing the current setup fully but rest-assured that once I'm happy with it, I'll move on to some of the ideas suggested here and in Mr. Lattes's thread.

Watch this space... :)
 
Mr Latte
One other idea I had for you to consider is something a few of the guys here on the forums once were discussing previously.

It involved increasing the feedback from the vibration the "Clubsport Pedals" BRAKE uses. Some including myself considered Tactile to be used and I even previously tested using a microphone to detect the noise of the motor spinning on the CSP as brakes were depressed which then activated a Buttkicker. It was a bit crude although it did work.

It seems in my own thread that idea hasnt had much further things happening from others who also had other ideas. However I didnt give up on the idea and if youd like to bring that kind of feature to the G25 I will tell you how its possible.

All youd need to do is create a switch than enables an input to be on/off when you press your brake pedal. An improved solution would be to utilise a sliding volume control that works in conjunction with the amount of pedal pressed therefore increasing the strength of the tactile effect the more the pedal is depressed.

  • Pressing in brake will allow the audio signal from the game to goto a tactile device vibrating the pedals
  • Releasing the brake disconnects/silences the audio signal to the tactile device stopping the vibration to the pedals.

If you are messing around with different options regards the "Tactile" as we discussed on PM then consider this idea of testing "BRAKE" only tactile as a bonus feature. Youd also be the first I know of to use it and with your cockpit a lot further ahead than mine your welcome to the idea (or are others)

You could also possibly use an EQ or different settings for this "BRAKE" only tactile unit so that it doesnt interfere or is possible to make it feel different as the "always on" tactile unit you currently are using from the games "CENTRE" audio.

It would be good to have a testing buddy and Id like to see how you get on with it.
Click to expand...

Very interesting (and bright) idea...
I'm curious to see how it will end.
 
Thanks guys...

Incorporating a tactile solution means no messing around with voltages/larger motor possibly harming a Fanatec warrenty. Also if the person is a CSP owner their is nothing stopping them adding this to work in conjunction with the standard motor.

However the benefit of a tactile solution allows the idea to be used with any pedals/wheel. It doesnt even have to use the games audio as a source to trigger the tactile. It could be a seperate input device playing a specifically created recorded sound. Possibly something created that works well with the tactile unit. Getting the tactile working is the easy part.

The sound used could be played constantly from even a portable/mobile mp3 device while not audible to the player it is repeatedly playing the sound. The issue is designing a switch to enable the input for the sound on/off going to the tactile transducer as the brake pedal is depressed. So to make this happen isnt that technical nor would it be massively expensive to incorporate into a cockpit.
 
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Okay, it's been a while so it's time for a bit of an update! :)

First up, transducers. I finally got around to fitting the remaining transducers to the cockpit. There are now two on the centre channel (one on the plate behind the pedals and one directly under the steering wheel), two for front left/right audio (under the floorboard) and two for rear left/right audio (under the seat). That brings the tactile audio total to six Aura transducers and two Buttkicker Gamer 2's!



All that tactile gear may seem like overkill (and I did have my doubts while incorporating it all) but they all work very well together. I was afraid that they may sort of 'cancel each other out' but in fact it's more the opposite. If I turn off a channel you really do miss it. There was a lot of messing around with audio settings but I got there in the end! 👍


Next up is the ambient backlighting. I choose 12v blue LED's initially but then had the brain-wave of switching them to red when the brake pedal is pressed! This would require a relay and some sort of switching solution so the control box (pictured) was built.



The relay is controlled by a switch mounted on the brake pedal. When the switch is open the relay turns on the blue LED's and when the switch is closed (brake pedal pressed) the relay turns off the blue LED's and turns on the red ones. Take your foot of the brake and the lighting reverts to blue! It's a nice effect (I don't find it overpowering or distracting) and it really adds to the 'immersion factor'.



Here's a little video of the lighting working with the brake. :)



That's pretty much it for now. Next up will be my custom-built sequential shifter and e-brake unit! As usual, (constructive) comments welcome. :)
 
Nice to see you moving forward and someone else get into surround tactile.
Told ya it would be good eh.

What way are you running them with EQs?
BTW check out Killzone 3 on tactile, you'll love it.

I think you would get better tactile immersion with the following though:

Tactile:
Stereo on the seat using sides or underneath
Stereo on the wheel support
Mono for surround on back of seat
Mono on pedal section

This way you will get dual stereo effects and feel them both in your body and arms extended on the wheel. That should help and by increasing the number of contact points enrichens the immersion. I found that surround tactile on the rear surround channels wasn't as important but running dual stereo was

Well done so far...

Now what about a sub or two and a tactile throttle or brake pedal?
 
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I got this for using as an analogue volume control to use with the ButtKicker idea for the pedals. It cuts off all audio at zero volume for no pedal depression but increases the "source" volume as the pedal is depressed further of course then increasing the tactile effect.

Still waiting on my T500 to then begin work on a mounting solution.
Keep you posted as could easily be implemented on your cool setup too.

HZR 62
256yebl.jpg
 
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Thanks for the comments Mr. L! :)

The EQ's are fed directly from the speaker outputs on the main Yamaha amp (no pre-out on my model unfortunately) then from the EQ to an individual 2-channel amp. I have three EQ's and three 2-channel amps; all 12v gear, originally intended for in-car use but it works great and is small enough to fit in my AV cabinet.

I use an amp and EQ combo to drive a pair of Auras on the Rear, Centre and Front channels. The buttkickers obviously have their own, dedicated amp. There is a sub; I've just never mentioned or pictured it! :)

I like your idea of stereo on the wheel section; I may look into that! I'm very happy with how it performs at the moment but there's always room for improvement! As for tactile on the throttle and/or brake; I've got some ideas in mind. I'm just going to take a break from the modifications for a while as I've just completed my custom sequential shifter and handbrake unit (pictures will be up soon) and I want to actually sit in the rig and enjoy using it for a change! :lol:

I think I enjoy modding it as much as I do using it!

:cheers:
 

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