Tactile transducers

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0405 Andrew
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Tactile transducers

Post by 0405 Andrew »

Tactile transducers. Why have them?
Without them DCS is 2 dimensional whether in VR or not. You can see and hear but you cannot feel.

Tactile transducers (Bass shakers) provide another link to the aircraft you fly.
Just starting up an A10 without them, is an empty experience. In the A10, one of the first things to run is the APU, this will give a higher frequency vibration through the seat, I feel that, I know the APU is on. Close the canopy and a judder and whir will be felt until the canopy is locked. Start an engine and a lower beat will come through. Turn off the APU the Higher Freq buzz stops. I know the APU is off. I don't even need to look at the dial. Taxi out and feel the concrete expansion joints of the runway. Lift the flaps, feel the whine as they come up. Clunk, there's the gear up. Quick turn out, high AOA you can even feel that. As you know the A10 has a large gun, it's just under your seat, that feels really good to fire.

Huey flights are transformed. From a low RPM to Effective Translational Lift it's all modelled. But leaving ETL is superb, feel the feedback coming in as a real pilot would, Cyclic vibrating- pull in more collective, it's natural. Gunners firing, feel those guns.

You will need:

Transducers (Bass shakers). I have two of these:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bodyshaker-in- ... T9J0KKTQAD

USB sound card. On ebay there are hundreds, about £5

An amplifier. I have this one. Car stereo. Bought off ebay second hand.
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/sanyo_bpa_8430.html

Power supply if needed. Please make sure you protect the terminals as these are intended for mounting inside a housing.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-12 ... 4b847bb496.
amp.jpg
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Cable and connectors. Highly recommend WAGO connectors, simple to use and secure, get the lever ones. https://www.wago.com/gb/electrical-inte ... connectors

Software. https://simshaker.com/software/general/

Simshaker Aviators. This is the free software that connects a Jetseat to PC. But this is also the base software that the bass shaker add on module needs to work with.

Sim Shaker for aviators sound module This is the add on. You can run this and check it works OK, but to get the full effect you need to purchase the licence.
Screenshot 2020-11-22 061028.jpg
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Build

Fix the transducers to your seat. Mine are just screwed in. Connect transducers. Follow the amp instructions to make sure you don't damage overload the amp.
transducers.jpg
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Run the software. Make sure that the correct soundcard is selected and that the volume is turned up to the max!
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Sim shaker windows.png
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If you are able to attach your stick to the chair you will also get feed back from your stick. Personally I think this is quite important.

I would add, if you can, get the Jet seat also. it adds a more local dimension.
Last edited by 0405 Andrew on 22 Nov 2020, 08:16, edited 1 time in total.
0405 ANDREW

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Flyco: 28 Jul 2021, 12:50
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filthymanc
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Re: Tactile transducers

Post by filthymanc »

This is excellent. Thanks for putting it together. I'm definitely doing this.
Pilot Officer Chris "Filthymanc" 0513 - RAF Air UK
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0405 Andrew
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Re: Tactile transducers

Post by 0405 Andrew »

No problem, I'm glad I could help. If you need anymore info don't hesitate to contact me.

My other favourite thing is point ctrl. I know you're an A10c man in vr, I find it essential.
0405 ANDREW

Tuesday Mission group lead
"Andrew, you are right"
Flyco: 28 Jul 2021, 12:50
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filthymanc
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Re: Tactile transducers

Post by filthymanc »

So I have an old Kef Cube 2 subwoofer, which I intend on dismantling. It is probably OTT, but I've been hoping to use it for something for quite some time. I'm going to do the mod suggested last night, by cutting out the foam and epoxying a bolt and fixing with a strut.
Apparently, according to the specs, it's a 200W 6ohm sub. If I was to go with an amp like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00WS5FOAQ/ ... UTF8&psc=1 which comes with a psu, should that do the trick? Or is it more complicated than that?
Pilot Officer Chris "Filthymanc" 0513 - RAF Air UK
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0405 Andrew
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Re: Tactile transducers

Post by 0405 Andrew »

I reckon that should be perfect.
It's basically a speaker and an amp. No more complicated than that.
Think about how it will attach to the chair. I used 2 so I could get an even spread. I started down the speaker / epoxy route but gave up. Loads of videos on it so it looks pretty easy.
0405 ANDREW

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"Andrew, you are right"
Flyco: 28 Jul 2021, 12:50
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Shaggy
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Re: Tactile transducers

Post by Shaggy »

awsome post, great breakdown Andrew, i think you need to repost your guide and it should becomne a sticky on the forum.
Captain Simon "SHAGGY" Jones
RAF AIR UK - 664 Sqn 2ND IC and Instructor
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0405 Andrew
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Re: Tactile transducers

Post by 0405 Andrew »

Cheers Centurion, I hope it helps people get this up and running.
0405 ANDREW

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"Andrew, you are right"
Flyco: 28 Jul 2021, 12:50
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john (scooby)
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Re: Tactile transducers

Post by john (scooby) »

i bought the sound module (already have the other 1) i got an email (in russian) with a qr code. when i scan the code its just gibberish. do i need to wait for him to manually send an activation code?
Sqn Ldr (Scooby) Burton RAF Air UK
XI(F) Sqn 2ic
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0405 Andrew
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Re: Tactile transducers

Post by 0405 Andrew »

It should work without any key, but in a limited way.
Then you follow these instructions.
registration.jpg
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John, I'll get you sorted, message me when you're on TS or Discord.
You did get Aviators and not Wings?
0405 ANDREW

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"Andrew, you are right"
Flyco: 28 Jul 2021, 12:50
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