Yeah, FatMat is not cheap and I understand your need to keep costs down. For your rig, it would be best used inside the enclosure(which you already have done) and the surrounding areas where vibration and rattling could be an issue. Other than that, I wouldn't drop too much coin on it.
I am curious about what types of issues you are running into with the subs and transducers in the floor. How are you transferring the surround signals into low frequencies that can be played through such devices? With surround coding used in movies, games, etc. the low frequency is either a mono signal within the codec or simulated and crossed over from the stereo track. Are you taking the full range signal from the surround codec and filtering out the upper frequencies? If so, do you have a way to determine the low frequency cutoff to determine how much useful signal you have to work with? I have seen stereo low frequency channeling in home theater applications before but not surround, other than repeating the same signal to multiple drivers of course.
Well that's the thing, the cables are ready to go in and the first tests done. The issues I've discussed may not be as bad as expected. So far it's theoretical without proper sound insulation that it wont give the best performance or resistance of booming and sustaining vibrations.
At present the centre section with the 3x Subs is the only part completely done with "FatMat". So I could try it with just that however if the expected issues of no sound control materials in the top/bottom sections do arise then it means having to turn it all upside down again, remove the feet and bottom wood panels. That's not an easy thing now with the weight and care if the subs are installed.
Unfortunately I cant just remove the top wooden sheeting the subs are set into. The base has to be upside down and work done via the bottom.
More Info/Understanding Of My tactile Intentions
Tactile will function with any audible channel or surround DSP/Method that use full bandwidth audio. Older Pro-logic I think was restricted to about 7KHz on the surround channels but in all honesty that still would give decent tactile response because higher frequencies produce much less feeling in actual feedback. Really I'm sending full bandwidth audio to the tactile units but it can be controlled via EQ.
In using "Surround Decoding" yes different results will happen with their response depending on the "Surround Mode" used just like a user may prefer the "Audible Differences" between different surround modes in how they utilise alter the sound from the speakers. I have found that a "Multichannel Stereo" type "DSP Mode" that is combined with "Dolby Digital/DTS" has given my tactile the best response over say just using standard "Dolby/DTS" decoding. So "DSP" is also a factor to how/what way the tactile will respond.
Im not saying that surround tactile will feel comfortable for all sources, for examples TV/Movies but in particular racing games very much benefit from directional tactile on multiple channels placing the user bang in the middle of all the audio and feeling it. What you get also varies in how that game utilises its audio so with GT5/Dirt3/FM3/NFSS 2 it is a different and unique experience in tactile. Each games audio design from the studio has been implemented differently and of course sound different so the experience differs.
My idea is to use 7 channel surround with the small multi driver speakers for a nice wide spread of audio from each channel within the restricted space of a cockpit. They were less bulky than a big single driver speaker. These will of course have very little bass response and rely on a sub-woofer for their mid and low end frequencies. Just like an all in one home cinema kit. The downside of this is one sub for both mid and low end frequencies.
During testing a long time ago I discovered that sub-woofers and tactile both benefit from each other. Tactile gives audio/music depth and presence. Bass feels and sounds much tighter when combined with tactile I found. In my case the subs have their own duties. Two will strengthen the Left/Right audio mid range frequencies for the stereo audio (subs either side of the seat). The low frequencies of LFE (subs in centre & behind) will help give a surround bass envelope around the seating position. Combined with the stereo subs it should further immerse the player yet work in tandem with the tactile built into the actual seat, pedals and wheel sections.
The tactile on the various channels are really just like speakers therefore giving surround tactile sensation of movement and effects on individual channels. With each speaker/tactile/subwoofer having individual control via their respective amplifers and EQ being implemented I then should be able to set a matching balance in volume and bass/treble to achieve good results from the speakers, the subs and the tactile for a combined high level of immersion. Having the EQ in particular will allow me to raise/lower individual frequency ranges and optimise to a degree certain sounds within actual games being played. As an example: If a game for instance has an annoying effect (horse clapping sound of rubber in NFSS2) then that can be tailored and reduced to sound different, perhaps not as prominent and also reduce the tactile strength that effect creates if desired. That effect happens on the surround channels so I go to the EQ that is connected to the surround channels. Then alter the sliders on the EQ that control the frequencies that sound makes. This way only the surround channels have been altered and it wont compensate or ruin the audio on other channels.
Having all this blast the ears off me and using really high volumes is not what its about. However having all that work together in a controlled way and volume should give a very rich gaming experience. I have experienced/tested the tactile on the seat with 7 channel surround at home for almost a year now on a temp setup. It is great but I wanted even better and the experimentation is whole part of this project. The full cockpit will use the better amplification, the EQ and the inclusion of these sub-woofers so I cant wait to experience all that and tweak around with it.
A LOT OF WAFFLE, yes I know and its way OTT. Some wont grasp it all but if people reading don't understand but want to would like it explained better then say guys or PM. The final thread for showing the project will make it more simple to understand with illustrations and simple explanations.
Greeze is the only other guy here I know of that is going to similar levels in his setup...
Edits done/
