- 681
- Hampshire
SimVibe (SimXperience)
- Thread starter the_greeze
- 934 comments
- 159,628 views
- 1,166
- The Netherlands
- HoiHman
- HoiHman
100% agree with you Steve.
From the first day i started beta testing simvibe i absolutely love it. I think that a lot of simracers out there still do not realise how big the effect is on the immersion factor. Think of it like going from a non FFB to a FFB wheel.
You can achieve a lot with only one BKG2 and simvibe, but it's just a matter of time untill you want more.
From the first day i started beta testing simvibe i absolutely love it. I think that a lot of simracers out there still do not realise how big the effect is on the immersion factor. Think of it like going from a non FFB to a FFB wheel.
You can achieve a lot with only one BKG2 and simvibe, but it's just a matter of time untill you want more.
I'd agree with that. If I had tried SimVibe before adding motion to my rig I dont think I would have bothered with motion at all. SimVibe is awesome
Such a bold and encouraging statement. Hope you can share some more thoughts on this.
- 681
- Hampshire
I've said it since a few days after installing SimVibe. It adds so much immersion that I am more than confident I wouldn't have even looked at motion.
SimVibe tells you just about everything the car is doing and once you find a good mix of effects it's a revelation. I usually always start with gear shift and road/wind noise and then the rest is down to the individual game.
- 1,934
- Nazareth/Israel
- GTClub_Wajdi
Agree! now I can't even race without it!
Sunday we had an endurance race with rf2(4h race) and with the driver swap and sadly SimVibe doesn't work with the driver swap feature! I really missed SimVibe in my race stint and it was like I wasn't even driving at all!
- 1,166
- The Netherlands
- HoiHman
- HoiHman
Totally hooked on simvibe here too. Just had a 1 1/2 hour simvibe session in Assetto Corsa and i'm still shaking 
It does have a disadvantage though: I had too thighten all the bolts of my CSS last weekend, because they came loose and it was getting noisy as hell
Seriously though, from day one when i became a beta simvibe tester i knew that this is something special.
I never race without anymore. I only wish more titles would get support.
My favourite effect is engine RPM, i have a 3 mini LFE's for RPM and Gearshift only.
It does have a disadvantage though: I had too thighten all the bolts of my CSS last weekend, because they came loose and it was getting noisy as hell
Seriously though, from day one when i became a beta simvibe tester i knew that this is something special.
I never race without anymore. I only wish more titles would get support.
My favourite effect is engine RPM, i have a 3 mini LFE's for RPM and Gearshift only.
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- 239
Happy SimVibe user here too. Can any of you SimVibers give me a good setting for the impact effect? The standard setting does not give much 'punch', I can hardly feel it. I'm using Race07 and GSC Extreme.
- 1,166
- The Netherlands
- HoiHman
- HoiHman
In general you can feel the low tones much better than the high ones
I'm using very high tones for the small impacts and very low tones for the large impacts combined with a maximum false clue elimination in my dedicated simvibe impact zone.
This basically means that only the big hits give the maximum kick. Because there are no other effects in this dedicated zone i can really crankup the volume on the amp. When i hit something the Buttkicker Advance throws a real punch and i can really feel it.
Don't know if settings are much use too you because my simvibe setup is a little different:
chassis mode : 4 mini LFE in (road bumps, -texture,suspension, speedbase white noise, small impacts)
Engine RPM / Gearshift (only): 2 mini LFE under the seat
Engine RPM / Gearshift (only): 1 BKG2 at the pedals
Impacts (only) : Buttkicker advance under the seat
The big advantage of spreading effects over multiple zones is that i can adjust the volume of each zone on the fly while racing by turning a knob on one of the amps.
- 239
Thanks, very helpful. I'm using SimVibe in extensions mode (3 independent shakers: one on the seat floor plate, one near the TH8RS and one on the pedal plate). Since I do not have an independent shaker for impacts: is it possible to lower all effects in volume except impacts (keep that one at max) and crank up the amplifier volume so an impact will give a higher punch while the other effects remain the same? My idea is to use lower the sensitivity sliders for this, but I get the impression it's not (just) a volume slider - it seems to dial out the effect too. Any suggestions...?
Second question: what does this "false clue elimination" do?
Second question: what does this "false clue elimination" do?
- 1,166
- The Netherlands
- HoiHman
- HoiHman
Yes, you can turn all the other effects down, crankup the amp and leave the impact volume high.
But there's a limit to what can achieve when the transducers starts to bottom out if the volume on impacts is too high combined with the higher amp volume.
False clue elimination : eliminates gamedate that could be preceived by simvibe as impacts like going of track or road bumps.
But there's a limit to what can achieve when the transducers starts to bottom out if the volume on impacts is too high combined with the higher amp volume.
False clue elimination : eliminates gamedate that could be preceived by simvibe as impacts like going of track or road bumps.
- 84
- Melbourne
Thx for the tips HoiHman. I absolutely love my simvibe. I use all six channels and I know now that I am getting way to many signals through a transducer, no wonder they get so hot I cannot touch them.
This is my amp spec and I have two transducer in series per channel. Red to pos on the one transducer and black to the second transducer, with the link pos to neg.
This is my amp spec and I have two transducer in series per channel. Red to pos on the one transducer and black to the second transducer, with the link pos to neg.
- Amplifier section
Continuous average power output of 80 watts* per channel, min., at 8 ohms, from 20 Hz to 20 000 Hz with no more than 0.08 %** total harmonic distortion.
Front(stereo)...........................80W+80W Poweroutput(1kHz,6Ω,1%)..........140Wperchannel Guaranteedspeakerimpedance .............. 6Ωto16Ω
Let me know if my setup is correct please.
- 239
Nipzon, to my knowledge you should connect it like this:
amp out+ <---> +shaker shaker- <---> +shaker shaker- <---> amp out-
I hope it makes sense.
If you connect the second shaker the other way around (swap + and -) they cancel each other out.
I'm using a 80W 8 ohm amp too, but it is connected to SinusLive 8 Ohm shakers (single shaker per channel). They do not get hot, but maybe I'm using them at a lower volume than you do.
Regarding the impact effect we discussed before: my shakers have a peak volume at a frequency of 45 Hz (used an online tone generator to find out). So I set the effect for small and big bumps to 45 Hz. The "false clue elimination" is set to 132 (almost max), Now the impacts can be felt very well and no longer fire at the wrong moment. Thanks HoiHman for the help!
amp out+ <---> +shaker shaker- <---> +shaker shaker- <---> amp out-
I hope it makes sense
.If you connect the second shaker the other way around (swap + and -) they cancel each other out.
I'm using a 80W 8 ohm amp too, but it is connected to SinusLive 8 Ohm shakers (single shaker per channel). They do not get hot, but maybe I'm using them at a lower volume than you do.
Regarding the impact effect we discussed before: my shakers have a peak volume at a frequency of 45 Hz (used an online tone generator to find out). So I set the effect for small and big bumps to 45 Hz. The "false clue elimination" is set to 132 (almost max), Now the impacts can be felt very well and no longer fire at the wrong moment. Thanks HoiHman for the help!
- 239
In my case SimVibe uses the onboard Realtek soundcard. Using the tone generator I found out that below 40 Hz the volume quickly drops. I do not know if is caused by my amp or the shakers (or both ). But to compensate I have enabled the Realtek equalizer: boosted 31 Hz a bit (left all other frequencies to default 0 db). So now the low frequencies are felt better!
). But to compensate I have enabled the Realtek equalizer: boosted 31 Hz a bit (left all other frequencies to default 0 db). So now the low frequencies are felt better!
- 1,019
- Germantown WI
- FuzzyFassbender
- FuzzyFassbender
FYI, I'm using a Dayton Audio APA150 150W 4/8 ohm subwoofer amp with 50-150 Hz low pass crossover. The cutoff is nice to easily eliminate any high frequency noise. This is powering a pair of 4 ohm Aura AST-2B-4 Pro shakers though SimVibe (pedals, seat). Running the amp at approximately 50% stills provide quite a lot feedback. As-is the amp or shakers never get hot, slightly warm.
- 239
I did some measuring today with help from my son. He has an oscilloscope, so we could measure the soundcard's output and the amplifier output. We tried several test tones generated by Audacity: 15, 20, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 100 Hz. The output of the RealTek soundcard looks very well at all frequencies: a perfect sine wave, but the volume is slightly higher at low frequencies (only a bit, but not what I expected). Edit: see my previous post, the equalizer was still on when we did this test, that's why the volume went up a bit at the lower frequencies. No problems here.
My old Pioneer VSX-409RDS 5 channel surround amplifier handles all frequencies also very well (to my surprise): only 15 Hz is a bit lower in volume. The sine wave is perfect at all frequencies. Good old amp!
We could only do audible (or 'feelable'
) tests on my Sinus Live Bass Pump III bass shakers of course. The shaker handles frequencies as low as 45 Hz without problems, but you can hear a volume drop at 40 Hz, with 35 Hz at about half volume. It is almost silent at 30 Hz and nothing left at 25 Hz. The shakers are rated 20 - 80 Hz, so Sinus Live is very optimistic about their product 
. It's not the amp, that's for sure.
Using the RealTek equalizer I have set the 31 Hz boost to 12 db (max), now 30 Hz can still be felt at about half volume. At 25 Hz nothing is felt anymore. FYI: the 31 Hz boost does not boost 45 Hz, so that's good.
My amp can handle the 12 db boost: no distortion seen on the scope, a perfect sine wave.
Even though the frequency response of my Sinus Live shakers is a bit disappointing I must say I'm a happy SimVibe user. The Sinus Live shakers are suitable for SimVibe. It's such a great addition for sim racing!
Is anybody willing to test their <insert brand and model here> shakers? A subjective audible test using Audacity is enough (not everybody has a scope...). I'm curious what the real (felt) frequency response is of your shakers.
My old Pioneer VSX-409RDS 5 channel surround amplifier handles all frequencies also very well (to my surprise): only 15 Hz is a bit lower in volume. The sine wave is perfect at all frequencies. Good old amp!
We could only do audible (or 'feelable'
) tests on my Sinus Live Bass Pump III bass shakers of course. The shaker handles frequencies as low as 45 Hz without problems, but you can hear a volume drop at 40 Hz, with 35 Hz at about half volume. It is almost silent at 30 Hz and nothing left at 25 Hz. The shakers are rated 20 - 80 Hz, so Sinus Live is very optimistic about their product . It's not the amp, that's for sure.Using the RealTek equalizer I have set the 31 Hz boost to 12 db (max), now 30 Hz can still be felt at about half volume. At 25 Hz nothing is felt anymore. FYI: the 31 Hz boost does not boost 45 Hz, so that's good.
My amp can handle the 12 db boost: no distortion seen on the scope, a perfect sine wave.
Even though the frequency response of my Sinus Live shakers is a bit disappointing I must say I'm a happy SimVibe user. The Sinus Live shakers are suitable for SimVibe. It's such a great addition for sim racing!
Is anybody willing to test their <insert brand and model here> shakers? A subjective audible test using Audacity is enough (not everybody has a scope...). I'm curious what the real (felt) frequency response is of your shakers.
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Hi Guys,
I'm new to SimVibe and Buttkicker and trying to get this setup properly and hoping someone can help me.
I have 2 x Buttkicker Gamer 2 that Im trying to install. For the buttkicker i'm using the on-board audio which is Realtek HD audio 7 channels.
Is it possible to setup each buttkicker simulate the left and right tires?
For example - Buttkicker 1 - front right & rear right Buttkicker 2 - front left & rear left.
I have tried this and I just cant get it to work.
Is there a better option if this cannot be done?
Thanks in advance,
Hondo
I'm new to SimVibe and Buttkicker and trying to get this setup properly and hoping someone can help me.
I have 2 x Buttkicker Gamer 2 that Im trying to install. For the buttkicker i'm using the on-board audio which is Realtek HD audio 7 channels.
Is it possible to setup each buttkicker simulate the left and right tires?
For example - Buttkicker 1 - front right & rear right Buttkicker 2 - front left & rear left.
I have tried this and I just cant get it to work.
Is there a better option if this cannot be done?
Thanks in advance,
Hondo
- 239
Hondo: you will have to run SimVibe in chassis mode. Your soundcard should be set to 4 channels.
If you only connect the front or real wheel outputs to your shakers it should work. SimXperience does not recommend setting the soundcard to only 2 channels: it may slow down your CPU. But it might work - you then have front and rear suspension on one shaker channel.
Press the test buttons in SimVibe to test each shaker.
Not all games output telemetry for left and right suspension though (Race07 does not as far as I know).
If you only connect the front or real wheel outputs to your shakers it should work. SimXperience does not recommend setting the soundcard to only 2 channels: it may slow down your CPU. But it might work - you then have front and rear suspension on one shaker channel.
Press the test buttons in SimVibe to test each shaker.
Not all games output telemetry for left and right suspension though (Race07 does not as far as I know).
- 1,238
- Humboldt / CA
- GT-R_HumboldtEF
I just got Simvibe today, I'm exited to get it working but I've run into a few problems.
Most of my games aren't installed in the default locations so the sim commander cant find the games to start them or load an IADF file.
I was able to change the location from Steam exe. to assetto corsa.exe, that allowed Assetto Corsa to run but I get no response from the transducer. It responds in the speaker tests for sim commander and all of the settings look okay to me but I very new to this.
I read a comment somewhere else:
" you need to point SimVibe to your steam.exe (or steamgame - cant remember) and then in parameters you use the steam ID for the game. If you look in SimVibe settings and check any other game that says Steam you'll see how it works."
I assume this means that the game location has to be steam.exe for Simvibe to function? Could this be my problem or should I look elsewhere?
I looked around but cant seem to find where I would input the steam ID. Can someone point me in the right direction?
I tried to setup R3E but it wouldn't load the IADF file because it couldn't find the game. I guess I'll need to start from scratch because I'm not sure how exactly I would alter the settings to allow it to see the game if it wont load them, because it wont see the game. Seems like there should be a work around for this.
Does anyone know what if anything can be done to avoid this issue?
I know I can easily make a IADF from scratch, but I'd like the option to load their defaults.
Most of my games aren't installed in the default locations so the sim commander cant find the games to start them or load an IADF file.
I was able to change the location from Steam exe. to assetto corsa.exe, that allowed Assetto Corsa to run but I get no response from the transducer. It responds in the speaker tests for sim commander and all of the settings look okay to me but I very new to this.
I read a comment somewhere else:
" you need to point SimVibe to your steam.exe (or steamgame - cant remember) and then in parameters you use the steam ID for the game. If you look in SimVibe settings and check any other game that says Steam you'll see how it works."
I assume this means that the game location has to be steam.exe for Simvibe to function? Could this be my problem or should I look elsewhere?
I looked around but cant seem to find where I would input the steam ID. Can someone point me in the right direction?
I tried to setup R3E but it wouldn't load the IADF file because it couldn't find the game. I guess I'll need to start from scratch because I'm not sure how exactly I would alter the settings to allow it to see the game if it wont load them, because it wont see the game. Seems like there should be a work around for this.
Does anyone know what if anything can be done to avoid this issue?
I know I can easily make a IADF from scratch, but I'd like the option to load their defaults.
- 1,166
- The Netherlands
- HoiHman
- HoiHman
Go to
-control panel
-settings
-games
-create a new or modificy a existing game
Plugin : select the right plugin in the dropdown list
-Game exe : locate steam.exe
Like this (i have steam located in F:\Steam )
Do not change anything else.
Go to "manage sim setup buttons" , "basic settings" and select the game you just modified.
Now it should work.
The steam.exe is always on the same location for every steam game
-control panel
-settings
-games
-create a new or modificy a existing game
Plugin : select the right plugin in the dropdown list
-Game exe : locate steam.exe
Like this (i have steam located in F:\Steam )
Do not change anything else.
Go to "manage sim setup buttons" , "basic settings" and select the game you just modified.
Now it should work.
The steam.exe is always on the same location for every steam game
- 1,238
- Humboldt / CA
- GT-R_HumboldtEF
Well I tested it out again and still no luck, I'm setup exactly like you but I get a message saying "the game requested is not installed".
EDIT: Ok I got it working with RaceRoom Racing Experience, I was able to set the location myself (not the Steam location).
So it seems like what ever the problem is it lies within my Assetto Corsa setup or the game maybe.
Is Assetto Corsa working for simvibe right now?
EDIT: Ok I got it working with RaceRoom Racing Experience, I was able to set the location myself (not the Steam location).
So it seems like what ever the problem is it lies within my Assetto Corsa setup or the game maybe.
Is Assetto Corsa working for simvibe right now?
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- 1,238
- Humboldt / CA
- GT-R_HumboldtEF
Hi all, just have some questions regarding simvibe obviously
I have a rSeat Formula and looking to set it up with simvibe.
After getting a price quote for a 2000euro chassis to put it on, i decided to make my own platform/chassis.
It will be made out of 20/22mm of multiplex hard wood. Covered with a black matte foil.
Now my question is what would be the best solution/experience to have it set up in chassis mode?
2x 2 buttkicker gamer 2 or 4 tranducers placed like 2 in front and 2 in the rear. Same goes for the buttkickers.
Can these transducers be fixed on the the wooden chassis?
All wiring would go under the chassis.
As an alternative but more expensive of course an iron chassis can made also.
Have read i think, that it is not possible/loss of experience if mounted to iron chassis?
Kind regards
I have a rSeat Formula and looking to set it up with simvibe.
After getting a price quote for a 2000euro chassis to put it on, i decided to make my own platform/chassis.
It will be made out of 20/22mm of multiplex hard wood. Covered with a black matte foil.
Now my question is what would be the best solution/experience to have it set up in chassis mode?
2x 2 buttkicker gamer 2 or 4 tranducers placed like 2 in front and 2 in the rear. Same goes for the buttkickers.
Can these transducers be fixed on the the wooden chassis?
All wiring would go under the chassis.
As an alternative but more expensive of course an iron chassis can made also.
Have read i think, that it is not possible/loss of experience if mounted to iron chassis?
Kind regards
- 1,238
- Humboldt / CA
- GT-R_HumboldtEF
@THE_Shev
In terms of mouting, the gamer 2 needs something to clamp onto like this. It looks like the tubing on your rig might be a usable mounting point for them. Actually heres a picture of them mounted to the back of your rig (I cant see whether it works for the front or not).
I also found this thread which mentions the Rseat formula, I've never heard of this version though.
What is the reason for the platform? Is it only for the transducers or is is for other reasons? If you dont need the platform you should be able to come up with a mount for the transducers with some custom brackets or by clamping the gamer 2 on the rigs tubing.
If you build the platform I think something like the buttkicker LFE would work good for the multipex you have in mind because it can simply be bolted to the rig/chassis with 3 bolts.
Chassis mode is sending signals to four corners so you'd likely want 4 transducers, which kind is your choice. The LFE seems to be prefered but if the gamer 2 mounts up without any mods I'd definitley consider it instead.
Just so its not a surprise the buttkicker seems to be all out of stock right now, they might be in the middle of a product line change. I sent in a message asking to be informed when they are back in stock but haven't heard anything yet.
In terms of mouting, the gamer 2 needs something to clamp onto like this. It looks like the tubing on your rig might be a usable mounting point for them. Actually heres a picture of them mounted to the back of your rig (I cant see whether it works for the front or not).
I also found this thread which mentions the Rseat formula, I've never heard of this version though.
What is the reason for the platform? Is it only for the transducers or is is for other reasons? If you dont need the platform you should be able to come up with a mount for the transducers with some custom brackets or by clamping the gamer 2 on the rigs tubing.
If you build the platform I think something like the buttkicker LFE would work good for the multipex you have in mind because it can simply be bolted to the rig/chassis with 3 bolts.
Chassis mode is sending signals to four corners so you'd likely want 4 transducers, which kind is your choice. The LFE seems to be prefered but if the gamer 2 mounts up without any mods I'd definitley consider it instead.
Just so its not a surprise the buttkicker seems to be all out of stock right now, they might be in the middle of a product line change. I sent in a message asking to be informed when they are back in stock but haven't heard anything yet.
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Thanks for the reply @grog. The reason for a platform to mount it on, is because i want to move it around.
Missus wants to clean and then she can clean how much she wants
.
For the mounting of the kickers @the back of the seat no problem, can order an extra tube to mount it on.
Just a problem would be to fix the 2 in front. There is not really a position to mount these so therefore i would go for 4 transducers.
My BK gamer 2 i have, i could mount it on the steering wheel or on the arm of the keyboard holder.
So just need to know if buttkickers gives better or worse experience than a setup with 4 transducers?
Missus wants to clean
and then she can clean how much she wants.For the mounting of the kickers @the back of the seat no problem, can order an extra tube to mount it on.
Just a problem would be to fix the 2 in front. There is not really a position to mount these so therefore i would go for 4 transducers.
My BK gamer 2 i have, i could mount it on the steering wheel or on the arm of the keyboard holder.
So just need to know if buttkickers gives better or worse experience than a setup with 4 transducers?
- 1,166
- The Netherlands
- HoiHman
- HoiHman
Buttkickers are transducers LOL
In my experience it's best to mount the transducers as close as possible to where you want to feel them.
You might loose vibrations into the plaform if it's is too big or too solid.
If the plaform is not good isolated, you will loose a lot of vibration in to the floor.
Another solution might be making a plaform and the mount your rig on it with isolators. This way you can still easy move it around.
Check my topic in the signature for more details how i did it.
LOLIn my experience it's best to mount the transducers as close as possible to where you want to feel them.
You might loose vibrations into the plaform if it's is too big or too solid.
If the plaform is not good isolated, you will loose a lot of vibration in to the floor.
Another solution might be making a plaform and the mount your rig on it with isolators. This way you can still easy move it around.
Check my topic in the signature for more details how i did it.
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