SimVibe (SimXperience)

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There are a few beta testers on the iRacing forums, updates come every now and then. :)
 
Since there were some discussions on my rig topic, here's some general info on the simvibe project.

There two different modes in simvibe


Simvibe chassis mode
is based on having a tactile transducer on all 4 corners of your rig (where the wheels are) I do not have any experience with this mode

simchassis.jpg



Simvibe extensions mode
is based a maximum of three zones :
-Pedals
-Seat
-Shifter

extensionsc.jpg


Since i have no experience with the chassis mode, here is some info on the extensions mode:

Simevibe gets its info from the telemetry from the game.

Some of the effects are: Engine vibrations, bumps, texture, Impacts, gear change, vertical surge

You have almost full controle of how and where you want the effects. You can adjust tone, volume, and even apply various filters to all effects separately. (think like making effects speed sensitive)

img0099f.png


You can easily enable and disable effects and you can assign multiple effects to one zone.

The great thing is that you can even do this on the fly (if you have an extra monitor) and feel the changes you make instantly

Simvibe uses a 2nd soundcard to output the signals to your amp and from there on to your transducers.

You can combine (if desired) simvibe with audio tactile, if you have extra transduces that are not connected to the simvibe soundcard and connected them as usual.

I'm testing the beta without an equalizer/cross over and it looks like you do not need one.

On the Iracing forum a user wrote that he uses both the chassis and extensions mode at the same time, so that would be tactile heaven :)http://members.iracing.com/jforum/posts/list/350/1981710.page#4679590

Combining the two modes give you : the 4 corners effect (simvibe chassis) plus the 3 zones effect (simvibe extensions). You will need a 3rd soundcard if you want to use both modes

If you have any quesions feel free to ask :)
 
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You have different tactile speakers setup right?

Maybe you can inform us about the feel differences of each speaker model compared to audio tactile?
Also could you also go into if the differences per speaker model have changed? What I want to get at with this question is for instance if the vibrations feel much different or is there compensation embedded into- (auto compensation by preset) or possible with Simvibe to lift any differences if there are any?
 
You have different tactile speakers setup right?

Maybe you can inform us about the feel differences of each speaker model compared to audio tactile?
Also could you also go into if the differences per speaker model have changed? What I want to get at with this question is for instance if the vibrations feel much different or is there compensation embedded into- (auto compensation by preset) or possible with Simvibe to lift any differences if there are any?

The difference with audio tactile is not really speaker dependent.I have a BKG2, 2 mini LFE's and a BK advance. The main difference is the amount of control you have over the effect.There is no auto compesation by preset, but you CAN controle the volume of each effect seperately.

Take for example F1 2011:

With audio tactile from the sub out, you have almost no engine RPM tactile because of the high tone engine sounds.

With simvibe, you can adjust :
-The tone range ( highest & lowest tone)
-The volume
-The RPM range
-you can also apply a speed dependent volume filter

Basically you can fine tune the engine RPM effect just the way YOU like. :)

If you want to ad gear change effect to that, it's possible.
If you want to feel the gear change a bit better than the Engine RPM, you make that adjustment. You can also apply the same effect to multiple zones.
 
Thats what I was getting at.

It would be nice to add presets though. Presets on a per speaker brand/model base with the option to over ride it with a "Custom..." preset. Presets would have speaker data inside them which automatically limit your dynamic range to what the speaker operates in. Say a speaker that works in the 18-16000hz range for example.

Example:
- Buttkicker Gamer 2
- Aura Pro
- Clark TST209
- Custom... (full range of options)

Dunno if it adds anything, but it might add a bit of user friendlyness to the program.
 
Thanks for the update....

This has such great potential because it offers so much more control not only of various effects but also altering them to suit your personal taste and tactile used. If hardware EQ etc are not really needed this makes it less hassle and while "game audio tactile" can make good usage of them I have a 21" touchscreen similar to the ones used with SimXperience cockpit already sitting waiting for those nice clean stylish "Simvibe" menus/controls. I love that element of this software too.

Got so many plans in mind to test with this software for a damn right outrageous yet creative installation.

Hope you check out "Chassis Mode" too mate...
 
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Guys not sure if this is the best place to post this but I thought you'll find this interesting, it's the 7/19/12 Radio Le Mans podcast on Cranefield University Part 2 and they're talking about the different ways they use to achieve the best results regarding motion and tactile feedback:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/radio-le-mans/id83115817

It's a pretty good listen, but if you just wanna skip to the part I'm talking about just skip ahead to the 5 minute mark.
 
The main issue with building these presets is that it's not just the transducers response and range that needs to be accounted for, but also the amplifier. It would be an extremely large and costly database to create. Ultimately, you would have to specify your amplifier and transducers for a preset to be effective.

SimVibe specifies presets presently that land somewhere in the middle of the 8 transducers and 5 amps that we have on hand. From there, it will require tuning to your specific equipment to achieve what is most optimal. Even then, immersion is personal and one person will surely want tsomething entirely different from another even with the same equipment.

That said, it is possible to export what we call an "Install-N-Drive" file and share it with others.
 
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bvillersjr
The main issue with building these presets is that it's not just the transducers response and range that needs to be accounted for, but also the amplifier. It would be an extremely large and costly database to create. Ultimately, you would have to specify your amplifier and transducers for a preset to be effective.

SimVibe specifies presets presently that land somewhere in the middle of the 8 transducers and 5 amps that we have on hand. From there, it will require tuning to your specific equipment to achieve what is most optimal. Even then, immersion is personal and one person will surely want tsomething entirely different from another even with the same equipment.

That said, it is possible to export what we call an "Install-N-Drive" file and share it with others.

Thank you for the clarification. It would be indeed costly to do so yourself. However assuming that SimXperience will update their software regularly. Maybe it would be an option to make a standard web-form on the website where the users who have tactile send the info to you on their own accord and then implement new presets with every build. After all, you said so yourself that you already have a way to import and export settings. I am sure that making presets can be automated as well so they are easy to either implement via build or distribute by file form on your site.
This way you have the community work for you and the programming of the site and software working with you.

I would be curious to know what kinds of hardware you have tested with as I am about to venture into tactile myself. I hope you wouldn't mind naming them? And if it is not too much to ask a short explanation of how well they worked for what position and/or type of effect?
 
Sorry, I don't want to endorse one brand over another or incorrectly influence someones buying decision.

The fact is, any brand of transducer and amplifier can be made to work well and it will all depend on the owners purpose, simulator design and how vibrations transfer through it, mounting mechanisms, etc..

For example, those wishing to blend tactile into audio will want something entirely different from those wanting silent vibration, etc..Those with a motion simulator will want something different out of tactile feedback than those without...and so on.

It would be arrogant of me to make any suggestions at this point having only tested with my simulator (heavy steel) and mounting mechanisms.

In these early days of physics based tactile feedback I would encourage people to experiment.
 
Thanks for the honest answer.

I guess I'll just start out small with a Buttkicker Gamer 2 on my rSeat Evo 3 and then slowly build up my tactile experience from there. Then later give that (if not needed anymore) to my dad who's also a sim racer to let him experience some tactile.
I had wild plans over at "Simology.co" already, but the expenses would be a bit steep to get it all in one go. So I might just build things up slow.

The BKG2 (for short) should arrive somewhere this month I hope. Hopefully I will be able to try out Simvibe at some point in the near future then, it will be interesting.

Thanks again for answering so quickly.
If I think of more ideas or question, I will be sure to fire them at you right here. ;)
 
It does make sense some of the issues with presets because of the limitless combinations and configurations people will have. So now we understand a little more why your software has a good range of adapting settings and the feedback of the effects.

I guess it's like one guy posting tv/video or amplifer/speaker settings and saying "hey these settings are great, try them". Of course other people's hardware/configuration and personal preference will differ.

Commonly on forums though and I think this will happen to an extent is that people will likely purchase recommended tactile/amplifers others showcase and are happy with. This still of course doesn't guarantee the same experience on each users installation but would help some forum members to go some way to narrowing down the differences or buying selected products with a certain degree of confidence.
 
The margin between great tactile and anoying vibrations with unwanted noises is pretty small.
Knowing that, i agree with berney that it's almost impossible to create unified presets

Besides the different amps, transducers, there is also the different cockpits with different materials.
Things like the use of isolaters and the placement of the transducers also make a huge difference.

If you turn on all effects in every zone in simvibe and than start up your sim, you will not get the desired effect.
You will need to tweak every setting to YOUR liking, but you will rewarded by the results :)

The best way for doing this is using an extra monitor, on which you can run the simvibe controle panel. You can enable/disable and adjust every effect while you are running the sim and you can feel the changes instantly.

I'm not saying you can't create a good tactile mix without a extra monitor, but for the true tactile purist it will be a nust.

While it's not officially supported, i got the simvibe controle panel running on my ipad using the air display app.

image00002d.jpg


With just a touch, i adjust what i want.
Because i'm only 3 feet away from my (pretty fast) router, i have zero to no lag .

I spend about an hour tonight tweaking Dirt 2. :ill:

Feeling the different surfaces, curbs, gearshifts, engine RPM, impacts, makes it all worth the effort 👍
 
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Can someone please assist on this..

I am transitioning over to PC. My on board Optical out is going to my Receiver for 5.1ch speakers. I purchase a PCI sound card (5.1). How do you get 5.1ch out of the PC sound card with a 3.5mm jack to my amps running the transducers?

UPDATE: I've done some reading on the tuning and set up and starting to make sense....
 
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Have they said what the price will be for the software? It looks to be a pretty nice setup.


Great news it's coming so soon.
I'm sure the price will be reasonable to appeal to the masses and just as their cockpits offer great value too I don't see the software being overpriced.
 
Sweet, I didn't expect it so quickly :)
I have a question though...how do you use a dedicated monitor for it :s
I currently use 3 screens with eyefinity and I'm not sure I understand how you can use it on the fly when the game is running :s
It would be great if it could be used over a network like Sim2 Force Profiler for motion.

and it says requires Windows 7 or Windows 8..
 
Looking rather lovely jovley. I've been debating to myself weather to build a cockpit myself as a DIY job, or to buy something. I'm needing something that can fold away and be kept out of the way, and then pulled out every now and then for GT4/5 and iRacing sessions (gonna use a custom G27).

One thing, if I might mention though... the name of this product is a little... wrong... no?
 
Sweet, I didn't expect it so quickly :)
I have a question though...how do you use a dedicated monitor for it :s
I currently use 3 screens with eyefinity and I'm not sure I understand how you can use it on the fly when the game is running :s
It would be great if it could be used over a network like Sim2 Force Profiler for motion.

and it says requires Windows 7 or Windows 8..

You can use a USB monitor mate, I use one for iSpeed when triple-screen racing. Google Lilliput USB Monitors and you'll see what I mean :)
 
You can use a USB monitor mate, I use one for iSpeed when triple-screen racing. Google Lilliput USB Monitors and you'll see what I mean :)

I use an 8" Lilliput USB touch monitor which i use for force profiler so I can change profiles etc for motion on the fly. I use it from a seperate PC with X-sim2 over a network.
I better do some reading :D Do you mean you can assign a specific program to the Lilliput?
 
Ignore that mate...just seen it. Just drag the specific program to the Lilliput and assumedly it will always do that when you start the main PC.
 
My buttkicker has been send today. So when can we play with Simvibe again? :)

Any news on Simvibe? New added features or some news on it?
 
Welcome to the 'tactile' club :)

No new features, but there should be a new (beta) build somewhere this week.

Estimated release date is still september.
 
HoiHman...

Anything new to report on testing/quality of this and benefits/differences in the configuration modes. What games so far does it work best with?
 
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