Tactile Immersion - General Discussion - Hardware & Software

Agreed with what has been recently said - I found the 110 (at the time) pages difficult to trawl through and find information (I'm not the most patient of people) and ended asking a question that had been asked multiple times before and didn't get a response. Even worse, I ended up making my first purchase mistake (bought the wrong exciters) as I wasn't patient enough to read all of the thread.

A concise blog / wiki is definitely needed.
 
There's practically nothing on Wikipedia about tactile. Basically this page, linked from Gaming Accessories.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tactile_transducer

Wikipedia is somewhat of a free for all in a situation where there are opposing opinions, but an amazingly powerful place for croudsourcing information. If a few people embrace it as a place to centralize information it becomes the place of truth very quickly. It's an option, and it's free, and everything is in place for collaboration, but honestly we haven't heard from the main man on this yet. He's an important part of this equation, and honestly if he would like to run with this in a way that he can monetize it (like a blog) I support that 100%.. I encourage it. Hell. I'll pay for it.
 
There's practically nothing on Wikipedia about tactile. Basically this page, linked from Gaming Accessories.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tactile_transducer

Wikipedia is somewhat of a free for all in a situation where there are opposing opinions, but an amazingly powerful place for croudsourcing information. If a few people embrace it as a place to centralize information it becomes the place of truth very quickly. It's an option, and it's free, and everything is in place for collaboration, but honestly we haven't heard from the main man on this yet. He's an important part of this equation, and honestly if he would like to run with this in a way that he can monetize it (like a blog) I support that 100%.. I encourage it. Hell. I'll pay for it.

I appreciate your and others' comments, my approach and how I handle some situations is not always ideal. This thread certainly is not organized and it was never expected to go so far in page count as it has.

From The Heart
What is it with forums eh, seems lots of people may view/read, but few will participate and I have seen this in several other tactile threads I have tried to do in the past that are looking for interaction and feedback.

On a personal level with you here guys, it is very discouraging to put effort into such threads and it bottom with few responses or active people. I have no shame in saying I have suffered with depression and mood swings in the past and in recent years. I can then perceive that lack of activity/response as a personal rejection. It puts me down. I also feel uncomfortable being branded some form of guru or even people think that I may perceive myself as one. I'm an average joe from a small town.

Like the rest of you, I also have issues/challenges and things in my personal life to contend with and going on. The "Sim-Tactile" is in ways an escape as hobbies sometimes can be. Yet I can find myself trying to balance those lows with the passion I have for this.

You do highlight something in that "Tactile Immersion" is not something people can find a great deal of info on nor a centralized and simple path to things like, buying guides, installation guides, hardware comparisons or recommendations and other factors that this thread has dabbled with at various times. We cant find a "Sim Channel" that specializes or covers tactile and those that do usually only cover sponsered hardware sent to them like the BK Gamer.

Could something much better be possible, yes indeed certainly, is their much real desire for it, I don't know?

As an individual, I do seem to be more into this than most from a "hobbyist" perspective and have gone to lengths with it that very few have regarding the hardware invested, experimentation and time spent with it.
I do find it fascinating and have quite a bit of passion for taking this as immersion much further.

With advances made in Siimhub and features it offers. The tactile effects I have been working on that use this concept/idea with "Exciters & BK" units. This can transform a sim cockpit and the enjoyment it will bring is a very worthy investment.

Self-learning and experimentation has very much been the only way to progress with this. I cannot go and find other resources or individuals that are seeking to be creative or push to the levels I have been seeking with my own build.

For example, instead of buying a DD wheel (something I would love to own) I put money into hardware/software for monitoring audio for effects being output. As I am intrigued in seeking to create and build tone generated tactile sensations that are much more immersive than most people will be using or settle for. I get enjoyment in learning how to build effects that can operate on the most basic to the most advanced configurations.

So much of what I have to offer, has not been shared and is also based on months of testing and continued progress in effects creation from the personal skills/knowledge acquired over time.

I am open to advice, If anyone here has experience/recommendations with turning a hobby into a more professional blog then, by all means, contact me.
 
After recently completing a build of another sim related project - the sfx-100 project actually.... I think it would be a great idea if there was something put together similar for 'Tactile Feedback'.
I know there are many more options to this than the previous project I have just mentioned... but it would be good project for someone with all the knowledge here to perform a build from scratch showing a complete parts list, exact steps including amp setup, cabling transducer placement etc....
 
It sounds like Gnoshme, may have some experience, hopefully he contacts you and you guys set up something. If you are going to go that route, then that's cool. I won't try to compile information if that is the plan. I would suggest if you go that route, you do similar to Ray suggested and parts list some basic components; moreover, a "build to it" guide would be super handy. That's kind of what I was trying to outline earlier. A simple list with where to begin. Explaining "what" it does so if someone knows they wont afford BK-LFE they can follow the concept with lesser gear (obviously with lesser results).

A guide like that can help people get started, and know basically what they can expect and what's next and why. I think most of the conversations here have both been extremely in depth, and redundant. That's not an insult to you Mr Latte, btw, rather showcasing how easy it is to get lost in 100+ pages. A blog can give EVERYONE a place to reference for info. This thread is perfect for discussion, a blog would be perfect for reference. Could just be a webpage instead of a blog, to be honest. Lot's of options.

On a side note - The NX3000D came in...unfortunately, it beat the Neutrik speakON connectors. So now I have my BK's, and the amp, but cannot even hook em up. Sad days, lol.
 
On monetization.. Hum. I'm torn now after doing some research. There is not currently a place to go better than this thread which is wild.. great opportunity, but I don't think there is enough interest in the topic overall that something like google adwords could make more than pennies. There are just over 1000 on the simhub discord channel which shows that there are potentially thousands of people in the space, but that's not enough for the kind of revenue you can generate just be generating eyeballs / views. The monetization opportunity is there for someone who fills the information void, then leverages the eyeballs by selling / reselling / stuff. Maybe Amazon referral codes could generate a trickle. I think it would be a small bonus for someone who wanted to put in a lot of work, but not justification in itself to build a blog.

That's just my 2c. though. I haven't done a deep dive. So bottom line, I think there's an opportunity to create the world hub for tactile. That would create massive value to people who need the info, but for the author(s) the value is in giving to the community.

I'm inclined to suggest Wikipedia. The simplest solution is often the best. For example, I just added the "In Gaming" section to this page.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tactile_transducer

Wikipedia is kinda awesome in how you can just create a network / graph of pages around a subject that interconnects. I think at the very least we as a group should add pages for:

- Best transducers and exciters for gaming
- Simhub
- Best Amps for gaming transducers
- The Latte Method (or whatever the name should be)

It only takes a few people passionate about something and a little time here and there to create a meaningful wikpedia presence. I'm definitely willing to be a part of that.
 
In creating a comprehensive guide to tactile, might I suggest a tiered, incremental system build list from entry level to top drawer, Phase 1 through Phase 5, perhaps? Within the phases it might even be necessary or desireable to subdivide the equipment and/or equipment combos into "optimal," "good" and "subpar" based upon Mr. Latte's and others' contributions? Somehow align budget / desired effects with the basic mild to wild builds.

Within each list or as a corollary, I would love to see cable and connector options and off the shelf mounting / isolator suggestions.

I wish my Corbeau seat was not steel frame construction as I would be enthusiastically adopting an affordable Nobsound type amp and 4 exciters as my first foray into tactile with an eye towards adding a Behringer amp and 2 additional exciters and 1-2 large bass units in the future.
 
In creating a comprehensive guide to tactile, might I suggest a tiered, incremental system build list from entry level to top drawer, Phase 1 through Phase 5, perhaps? Within the phases it might even be necessary or desireable to subdivide the equipment and/or equipment combos into "optimal," "good" and "subpar" based upon Mr. Latte's and others' contributions? Somehow align budget / desired effects with the basic mild to wild builds.

Within each list or as a corollary, I would love to see cable and connector options and off the shelf mounting / isolator suggestions.

I wish my Corbeau seat was not steel frame construction as I would be enthusiastically adopting an affordable Nobsound type amp and 4 exciters as my first foray into tactile with an eye towards adding a Behringer amp and 2 additional exciters and 1-2 large bass units in the future.

I'm maybe going to do a blog post later today on my seat as I think a lot of people have already committed to a more traditional car like seat before getting into tactile. You can do quite a lot. I have 4 distinct tactile zones on mine and it's quite easy. 4 if you have a headrest. 3 if you don't.
 
I finally got around to mixing game audio back in and remembering back to when I ONLY used game audio how much I love it through the pedal board.

As game audio is stereo, and most of our setups include stereo, and there seems to be an extreme lack of stereo frequency filter / subbass preamps I built this from 2 x

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CQ9YPYS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

it's stereo IN but mono OUT which is why two are required to take normal game audio, cut out the mids and highs, and pass it on to shaker amps in stereo.

IG-2020-03-22 08.32.20.jpg


The IN to this comes from a small mixing desk that I have mixing game audio and a double din Android Car Stereo to headphones. It goes OUT goes to the MAIN input on the Berringer Headphone mixer, that gives it a master volume, and the ability to mix it into any of the channels that drive the shakers. A setting of 3 on these preamps is about right to add in up to about what feels like 150hz but just pulling that number out of my ass at this point.

Worth the effort I think but needs experimenting still to work out where to use it best without diluting the impact of shakers doing specific things well. Somewhat hobbled in terms of testing because when turned up I shake the house, and with current self imposed lock down there would be a mutiny from my wife and kid.
 
Guys thanks for comments some things are being considered and points shared taken onboard.
We also have to take into account how life at the moment for many of us is affecting people and will be for some time with the current virus situation. If I may share, GOD Bless those of you that may find this difficult in the coming weeks and months.

Maybe this is opening a new door, I don't know but like many of you based in the UK /Europe and other global regions, many of us could be forced to sit at home for the next few months. I now cant moan or make excuses about not having time to proceed more with my own build.

I have considered some options and have been approached with some members willing to give help in various areas or ways. So thanks for that.

I have mixed emotions at the moment. I would like to be able to go beyond what has been done here and bring something on a more organised and committed level with it done to a good or high standard. I just don't know if some things are a good way to proceed with it and I don't want to invest personally into something to take it to a higher level without some means of revenue coming back in to help cover costs and additional time doing such would require.

If only RD forums had some form of a platform that connected chosen people to be trialed for hardware-based content like reviews/comparisons/user guides in various fields. I feel the forums here are potentially missing this connection with the forums achieving additional advertising revenue and sales directly linked to the benefit of the forums with some incentive for the people involved.

Would I buy from links on RD forums if it had the hardware I wanted and at competitive prices, yes certainly and look in this thread over the period it has ran. I have personally probably helped to make hundreds of sales for specific hardware that has been recommended multiple times and with linked vendors. Yet I never make a penny/cent from it nor received anything for free but I hope the forums at least benefited and I helped others get what they decided to buy and found it at a good price.

For now, one day at a time and we see what happens.
 
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SimRacingCoach has some free pdf guide (Spanish), videos, and pay to access articles on simshakers.

Just some idea on content organization if you find desire and time to trim and dumb this science project down for average simracing audience.
Surprisingly that neither SimVibe nor SimHub have proper guide on transducers placements, tuning, etc.
 
SimRacingCoach has some free pdf guide (Spanish), videos, and pay to access articles on simshakers.

Just some idea on content organization if you find desire and time to trim and dumb this science project down for average simracing audience.
Surprisingly that neither SimVibe nor SimHub have proper guide on transducers placements, tuning, etc.

Andrew, I assume you mean this in particular.
Did download that once to see what it offered and kinda found it rather amusing regards the image he uses on his website.

1qNy2eql.jpg

That's my own previous Cobra Sebring Pro seat @ 2011/12 with GamePod seat attachment bolted to Cobra seat mounts.
This was originally featured on GT Planet. I was even trialing multichannel and body zones back then with up to 7.1 Game Audio tactile.
Notice how I used to also refer to and spell Clark(e) transducers incorrectly! :)


Leading sim channels in no particular order:
  • SimPit
  • Sim Racing Garage
  • Sim Racing Paddock
  • Boosted Media
  • Gamer Muscle
  • Sim Racing Girl
  • Chris Haye

It's fair to say these are all lacking when it comes to content regards tactile immersion.
This is likely because tactile is quite a deep topic, complexed and few have really delved into experimenting so much with it.

We all have different expectations but I see so many rigs with installations that are not ideal and even people that have invested in some higher-end hardware like the large Buttkickers. That they do not have them installed nor are using them in the most optimal ways.

The effects generated, in how good they are or how they combine with other channels are also a large part of the quality of immersion the user will achieve. I feel this is a talent I have been growing with continued trial and error and past experience. Yet I continue to try and be creative with effects and pushing new ways to bring not just more but better immersion.

I do like what Chris Haye has done with his blog via WordPress and using Elegant Themes, thats rather swish. Noticed that Barry Rowland offers a consultation service. I had researched and seen that services like "Udemy" is a way to create and offer people a course on learning something.

This is the only forum I spend much time posting on so I would want RD forums to benefit. I wonder if it would be a possible option to offer something here on the forums as a supplier/service?

Potentially offering written or audio/video material, covering different aspects and topics. As well as guidelines for settings to use in software for differnt levels of hardware. Even providing a break down on individual effects, and these suited to budget-pro levels of hardware that different users may own. The alternative is a personal consultation service to directly seek what each person wants at the budget they want to spend.

Would something like these ideas be of interest to people or be worth a small fee that would then help me advance with my own personal build and put towards testing other hardware and related materials or accessories? Hardware reviews, comparisons etc?
 
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In creating a comprehensive guide to tactile, might I suggest a tiered, incremental system build list from entry level to top drawer, Phase 1 through Phase 5, perhaps? Within the phases it might even be necessary or desireable to subdivide the equipment and/or equipment combos into "optimal," "good" and "subpar" based upon Mr. Latte's and others' contributions? Somehow align budget / desired effects with the basic mild to wild builds.

Within each list or as a corollary, I would love to see cable and connector options and off the shelf mounting / isolator suggestions.

I wish my Corbeau seat was not steel frame construction as I would be enthusiastically adopting an affordable Nobsound type amp and 4 exciters as my first foray into tactile with an eye towards adding a Behringer amp and 2 additional exciters and 1-2 large bass units in the future.

That is pretty much exactly what I was thinking, if I read you right. Steps from the ground up, in the best order - and showing the best options for each portion from the cheap to the best of the best. The "build list" should be simple and concise, the explanations for what and why could be as detailed as normal, but separated so one could simply look at the list then expand into learning about it if they choose.

Monetization - I thought about this a little over the weekend. Pay to learn doesn't seem like it's likely a valid revenue source. I think this is too niche of a niche group and most of the info is already out in the wild, it's just who is willing to do the digging. On that same token, I don't think there will be enough traffic for passive ads to generate more than a few dollars over a year, at best. The only decent option for income would be amazon affiliate links, but even that would offer at best muted earnings. I'm with Gnoshme, probably not worth the effort in the end.

Ultimately, I asked myself, "Would I have paid to go to some site to learn what I've learned here?" I don't think I would have. It's not that I don't appreciate the information, but it is a side hobby (that I've spent way too much on already). I have other hobbies that I don't spend money on for information, woodworking, fishing, photography, etc. I cannot imagine I would pay to learn for one that falls lower on the list. I suspect I am not the only one. So that takes a niche of a niche group to an even smaller one. I personally do not see any significant income potential. I could be wrong, but that's my take after thinking about it a bit.

I thought about the wiki-page, and while it is a valid option - what is the benefit? It IS absolutely well known as a useful source - so there is a bit there on that end. Racedepartment is also known in the community as a useful resource so maybe its a wash or a bit to the wiki side.

All things considered, I think that the best idea is to forgo the idea of actually making money off of it and work with admins here and get a sticky post - or at least a highly moderated thread dedicated to the details of tactile builds. I think there are people here who are willing to help with the documentation and organization as well. Once there is a good basic setup sequence maybe dump that on a wiki as a reference and reference the sticky as the source for more information just to give it more options to be seen.

That all said -- I think we have all agreed that this is Latte's bike to ride. If you want to try to make some coin, then go for it! I don't think any of us would fault you for it. I would even wish you the best of luck! I guess the ball is in your court. I will confirm I would not have bought a Behringer NX3000D without seeing your push for why to use one. The rest was pretty much my plan from the beginning, although perhaps a bit accelerated by finding some deals. To be fair, though, I had not even considered your multi-exciter idea - and if my seat lent well to it - I would have gone that route.

I have not gotten into deep tuning yet, but I know there is benefit to your information there as well. I think at the very least, a discussion thread dedicated to effect tuning is well worth it. It will turn into another version of this one - but I think it would be useful. Further, I obviously think it should be a portion of whatever the final form takes.

Anywho - just my thoughts. Not trying to discourage, but did want to share some honest opinions on it. I know you have dumped a lot of time to the thread and discord - I would hate to see you double that time and get no gain.
 
I have to agree with you @bassun . Just one voice relatively new around this club, but I think I've learned enough to know what Ive got, it's strengths and weaknesses, and what I might suggest to another person if they ever asked my opinion. I started to write some comments and a lot of the things I was thinking, you said the same.

There's also the 'freeware' idea. Make something organized and thorough. Leave it to the user to decide if to contribute or not. At least for me, the 'buy me a coffee/beer' links are quite effective when you find something relevant, and you can tell the person has put some time into it. (Yes, I donated a good amount for SimHub)
 
Much could be done and some excellent suggestions, its maybe time for someone else to take things forward and with new threads. The suggested approach I put to people over the past year and repeated and repeated in this thread while scattered in various posts offered the following:

1. Cheap entry into tactile via exciters & affordable amps
2. Direct & simple installation to a suitable seat
3. Expansion into something new that other solutions have not offered = Multichannel & Bodyzones
4. Additional expansion by seeking to obtain the best low bass via large as possible Buttkicker models
5. Creativity in building more advanced effects to utilise specific layers for both the affordable Exciters and Buttkickers
6. Apply, the underestimated benefits that both multi-channels and achieving 1-200Hz frequency range delivers
7. Incorporating additional large BK for specific effect roles like rpm/speed/g-forces/bumps
8. Potential from further testing/experimentation with pedals/wheeldeck areas

One day some of you may well discover how well this works, I have spent over 12 months working on effects for this combination. Some amazing discoveries in sensations for different effects with awesome energy and detail, well beyond what is possible with conventional installations.

I feel I am at a junction, uncertain what to do but my gut feeling is that really its best to do what I want to do for my own build and let others do what they want to and usually go with for theirs. I think my main interest is now with this concept as my own build is built around it. I need to achieve my own goals with my own rig as well and perhaps keep that as my primary focus going forward. It gets exhausting and frustrating at times trying to continue helping others here and in PMs or elsewhere. Yes something more organised and broke down would be good, kept simple and to the point.

For other guides and things to make things simpler, these could be time-consuming and I'm not even sure I want to really be the person to spend that time on or go into a dedicated blog or channel. Somone else should have a go, they do not need any permission from me.
 
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Ok, are you willing to look over the compiled information people put forth to see if it fits with what you have tested to be the best practice? I don't think most of us are looking to reinvent the wheel, just organize it so that other people can quickly get an idea instead of being overwhelmed by hundreds of posts.

edit*

There may be some disconnect on what I think most of us are talking about. 90% of the idea is to just compile what you have outlined along with a step by step build flow from Exciter to ... whatever. For example your list above could be an index, with a post (or copied post or whatever) with the relative information. Not the ensuing discussion, etc. I personally think the build flow is key, and a short explanation of why it's done the way it is and what options are from best to "ok". That gives anyone something to build towards on any budget with the understanding that they simply cannot get the same results from say 2 stereo Aura's on the seat as they would with 2 BK-LFE's. Not as good, but still a better solution than dumping 4 pucks in the corners. That kind of thing.
 
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Ok, are you willing to look over the compiled information people put forth to see if it fits with what you have tested to be the best practice? I don't think most of us are looking to reinvent the wheel, just organize it so that other people can quickly get an idea instead of being overwhelmed by hundreds of posts.

The installation is not that hard, 6 exciters on a back of a seat, a central large BK or two units in stereo with good separation. Those factors have been covered in conversations with others. Having that will also benefit from isolation being used which also has been talked about. How much they use or how it depends on the user's situation. Some are on a concrete basement or tiled floor with no problems with vibration noise in other rooms. Others may need to ensure vibration noise to other areas of a house/apartment does not cause problems to others.

I had suggested on more than one occasion, that someone seeking to buy into the hardware and install it all.
They create a new thread and we go over it step by step with options or queries being discussed before implementing things.

With how things are happening in the world at the moment, tactile is not so much a priority.
 

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