SimShaker - Wings support thread for IL-2 users

[Andre]

1 hour ago, TWHYata_PL said:

19:51:56.421 NaudioPlaybackEngine 6 ch: could not initialize playback device. Audio subsystem is temporarily disabled. ASIO Driver open Failure!

I see thank you. Maybe some other software like (Asus Sonic Studio, Banana VoiceMeeter, etc) keeps the sound card constantly busy?

[TWHYata_PL]

2 hours ago, Andre said:

I see thank you. Maybe some other software like (Asus Sonic Studio, Banana VoiceMeeter, etc) keeps the sound card constantly busy?

 

No, don't have this aps in my system . I had jplay software configured for my Young DAC but uninstalled it during tests. (http://jplay.eu/manual/)

I have 3 audio cards in my system - 2x 7.1 ch cards are free from task when shakers and gametrix is not running, and one external stereo DAC for music, gaming, movie etc)

Edited December 30, 2020 by TWHYata_PL

[SvAF/F16_Goblin]

I installed TrackIR again the other day and that broke SimShaker Wings and Aviator together with JetSeat drivers completely.
No matter what I did I couldn't get it to work again and this has resulted in a complete reinstall of my PC.
Anyone has this experience besides me? Won't install TrackIR again (the only reason for trying was to use it in ARMA3 again ? )

//

Regards

[Andre]

On 12/30/2020 at 5:32 PM, JG51-Hetzer said:

Currently I'm flying the 109 F4 but I think it happens in any plane. It did seem to behave better when I was able to run in Mono mode but still wasn't perfect. I'm wondering if maybe it's something to do with the game and SSW sharing one core of the CPU (if such be the case) and game activity takes priority.

 I made some test flights with the 109 F4 using my BK Gamer-2 and found Engine Shake effect working stably and convincing. I'm sorry that it doesn't work well at your end, but it seems that I can't reproduce the issue to fix.

 

All CPU cores at my PC have some headroom space while the game and SimShaker Wings are running.

 

 

I also made the special set of samples for 1 bass-shaker when 2 channels (stereo) pattern is selected in SimShaker Wings audio output settings.

I put it (along with the description how to use it) into Troubleshooting section of SimShaker Wings User Guide https://simshaker.com/guides/

On 10/13/2020 at 10:23 PM, SCG_Wulfe said:

Very much enjoying using this software with my new bass-shaker. 

 

The one suggestion I have, if it's possible, is to add a shake effect in relation to critical speed. I think the game already includes a bit of an increasing shake effect near the critical airspeeds achieved in a dive and linking to this would be very cool. 

 

On 11/23/2020 at 10:07 PM, kestrel79 said:

 

Yes this would be a great addition! I was actually diving from altitude to test out if this was already in the game. What about wind and turbulence is there any shaking from that? I always fly in good weather in quick missions so haven't tested yet.

 

I finally downloaded the Simshaker Wings demo and love it. When it turns off after 20 minutes flying feels so sterile without it.

Guys, I made some high speed diving testing with different planes. Every time speed indicator digits became red (sometimes a bit earlier) I could feel the Aerodynamic Shake effect clearly. I attached some screenshots about my tests. There is no shake from wind and turbulence though.

 

Edited December 31, 2020 by Andre

[Panzerlang]

Thanks Andre, successfully installed, I'll try them out on our next co-op later tonight.

[kestrel79]

I'll test it out thanks!

[Panzerlang]

No more fading away!  It does completely cut out momentarily but I believe that's caused during combinations of banking and pulling (I guess the different UDP packets get crowded and trip over each other or something, lol). Other than that it now seems to purr like a cat, even at very low volume setting (my neighbour asked me yesterday morning if I'd had my motorbike in the front room).

[Andre]

7 hours ago, JG51-Hetzer said:

No more fading away!  It does completely cut out momentarily but I believe that's caused during combinations of banking and pulling (I guess the different UDP packets get crowded and trip over each other or something, lol). Other than that it now seems to purr like a cat, even at very low volume setting (my neighbour asked me yesterday morning if I'd had my motorbike in the front room).

not a motorbike, but an entire plane!

 

Thank you for the update.

Well, I've just tested the effect again during combinations of banking and pulling. I haven't found any variation in the effect strength or anything else.

UDP packets should not depend on that.

If you would like to try to reduce UDP packets traffic you can remove the whole [KEY = motiondevice] section from the IL-2 startup.cfg file and keep only the [telemetrydevice] section. The latter is the main one for SimShaker Wings.

Edited January 1, 2021 by Andre

[IRRE_Axurit]

Hello André
Happy New Year to you !!
I have a little problem. Simshaker asks me to update, but I can't find the link.
Thank you.

[Andre]

32 minutes ago, IRRE_Axurit said:

Hello André
Happy New Year to you !!
I have a little problem. Simshaker asks me to update, but I can't find the link.
Thank you.
 

Happy New Year!

Have you trid to press the Download New Version button?

Either way, you can get actual version at simshaker.com website.

[IRRE_Axurit]

It's good I found, I had not researched enough ...
 

[Talisman]

Happy New Year Andre.

 

JetPad and SimShaker-Wings are brilliant!  So much immersion  I would not want to fly any flight simulation without it.

 

Always good after care service from you too.

 

Many thanks.

 

Happy landings,

 

Talisman

 

 

Edited January 9, 2021 by Talisman

[SCG_Wulfe]

On 12/31/2020 at 9:53 AM, Andre said:

 

 

 

Guys, I made some high speed diving testing with different planes. Every time speed indicator digits became red (sometimes a bit earlier) I could feel the Aerodynamic Shake effect clearly. I attached some screenshots about my tests. There is no shake from wind and turbulence though.

 

 

Thanks for looking into this Andre. I will do a bit more testing on my end. As it stands, if possible, having the shake come on a bit earlier... maybe more subtly would add a lot I think, and would give you some indication of high airspeed before you reach the critical red zone. But I will report back once I try again. 

[GOA_Karaya_VR]

Hi @Andre , this program is amazing, i run the trial period and few mins ago i purchase the licence, unfortunately for me, i dont recive yet the code of activation, how much time i have to wait for the email?..

 

Thanks.

Edited January 16, 2021 by GOA_GrafKaraya*VR*

[Andre]

3 hours ago, GOA_GrafKaraya*VR* said:

Hi @Andre , this program is amazing, i run the trial period and few mins ago i purchase the licence, unfortunately for me, i dont recive yet the code of activation, how much time i have to wait for the email?..

 

Thanks.

That usually takes a while. I've issued the key. If you can’t see it in your email box, please find it in your order details in my e-shop. 

Thank you.

Edited January 16, 2021 by Andre

[THERION]

8 hours ago, GOA_GrafKaraya*VR* said:

Hi @Andre , this program is amazing, i run the trial period and few mins ago i purchase the licence, unfortunately for me, i dont recive yet the code of activation, how much time i have to wait for the email?..

 

Thanks.

 

5 hours ago, Andre said:

That usually takes a while. I've issued the key. If you can’t see it in your email box, please find it in your order details in my e-shop. 

Thank you.

 

And check your junk email folder - for some reason the key may land in there. That was the case with my activation key. Just saying...

[GOA_Karaya_VR]

Thanks, i already receive from Andre's the activation code.

 

S-

[frosen]

On 12/27/2020 at 2:47 PM, JG51-Hetzer said:

Then we still have the issue of vibrations fading in and out for no apparent reason, even when the setup appears to be functioning perfectly.

 

Suddenly I have started to have exactly these problems with SimShaker Wings after I have been running it without any problems in IL-2 since I bought it last summer (haven't changed any hardware or software recently either). I can increase the volume to mitigate it a bit but then when it fades back to normal strength again, the result is that the vibrations are way too strong. In short, the strength of the vibrations are very irregular. I have tried to update the software (I had 2.3 before and now running 2.4) but no change.

 

Any ideas?

[Charlo-VRde]

+1 on the vibrations intermittently stopping, usually after a couple of flights, so after I’ve been flying for more than 45 minutes. I know it isn’t an activation issue

[frosen]

Update! I got it working again. Read Andre's posts a little better and followed the advice here (although Mono has been working perfectly up until now so don't understand why):

[Panzerlang]

10 hours ago, frosen said:

Update! I got it working again. Read Andre's posts a little better and followed the advice here (although Mono has been working perfectly up until now so don't understand why):

I have that setup but still randomly get fading. Sometimes the whole thing works 100% perfectly, not a missed beat from anything; other times the engine vibes stop, rolling the plane produces a major kick in the ass and engine vibes come back in, stay or fade, it's a crap-shoot.

I also get the occasional SteamVR crash, so I suspect it's just the usual combination of running apps vs multi-core CPU and any number of other random factors (both hardware and software).

[Andre]

Guys, thank you for the feedback.

Do I take it right that you've got "the vibrations stopping/getting unstable" issue when you operate the bass-shakers but not the JetPad/JetSeat?

[Varibraun]

36 minutes ago, Andre said:

Do I take it right that you've got "the vibrations stopping/getting unstable" issue when you operate the bass-shakers but not the JetPad/JetSeat?

 

Hi Andre - That's correct for me...JetSeat keeps working fine when the 2 BKs cut out.

 

I don't know if mine is the same issue as what others are describing and I have no technical knowledge to help, but here is what I can report if it helps:

 

-It is a relatively recent issue for me (still running 2.3)

-I recently added VRNeckSafer mod

-I recently added Reverb G2

-It "seems" to be related to moving my head (checking 6 or leaning forward), but it is very inconsistent and can be overcome by restarting SimShaker a couple of times

-I am just now trying "Run As Admin" on Simshaker, and it may work - but I haven't done it enough to know for sure since the cutout is infrequent.

 

Thank you for looking into this for us!

[frosen]

3 hours ago, Andre said:

Guys, thank you for the feedback.

Do I take it right that you've got "the vibrations stopping/getting unstable" issue when you operate the bass-shakers but not the JetPad/JetSeat?

Yes, only have one BK2. The strange thing is that is started out of the blue after half a year of successful operation before. Hadn't changed anything when the problem appeared either (maybe some Windows update, can't recall).

 

Edit: I said the stereo mode solved it. Maybe I shouldn't jump to conclusion too fast as I've only been flying an hour after I changed to stereo but so far no problems. Hopefully it stays that way.

Edited January 24, 2021 by frosen

[Charlo-VRde]

6 hours ago, Andre said:

Guys, thank you for the feedback.

Do I take it right that you've got "the vibrations stopping/getting unstable" issue when you operate the bass-shakers but not the JetPad/JetSeat?

Yes, I only have a single Buttkicker, and no JetPad/JetSeat. I run in mono mode and the vibration cutouts are unfortunately quite random. I flew a few hours yesterday without any problems, and the vibration cutouts only happen a couple times a week

[Varibraun]

I can now eliminate VRNecksafer, since I had a cutoff occur when I forgot to turn that mod on.  Also, was running as Admin, so that didn't seem to make a difference.

Edited January 24, 2021 by Varibraun

[Charlo-VRde]

I had vibrations briefly cut out this evening on the Finnish Virtual Pilots MP server after flying my second plane I took up and about 45 minutes into my evening flying.
 

@Andre, it’s not an awful issue, though it always causes me to briefly wonder if I damaged my engine or ran out of fuel - but is there a log file we can send you the next time this happens to help you troubleshoot?

Edited January 25, 2021 by Charlo-VR
Correction on time

[Varibraun]

@Andre one more thought on this.  The BK has a thermal shut-off that will trigger after some time if the volume is set too high.  This one is easy to diagnose because the BK will be hot to the touch.  I had this issue early on and called BK support, they explained that longer a/c engine simulation could cause this and the solution was to turn down the volume a bit, which worked fine (I was appreciated by my wife too). 

 

So, it could be possible overheating is the issue for some reporting a cut-off.  I know that is not my current issue (and likely not for the experienced SimShaker users above).  But I did want to document it in this thread for anyone trying to diagnose a problem.  As @Charlo-VR states above, I am happy to send you any logs that may help (someone will just have to tell me how to do it).  

[Andre]

6 hours ago, Charlo-VR said:

I had vibrations briefly cut out this evening on the Finnish Virtual Pilots MP server after flying my second plane I took up and about 45 minutes into my evening flying.
 

@Andre, it’s not an awful issue, though it always causes me to briefly wonder if I damaged my engine or ran out of fuel - but is there a log file we can send you the next time this happens to help you troubleshoot?

 

31 minutes ago, Varibraun said:

@Andre one more thought on this.  The BK has a thermal shut-off that will trigger after some time if the volume is set too high.  This one is easy to diagnose because the BK will be hot to the touch.  I had this issue early on and called BK support, they explained that longer a/c engine simulation could cause this and the solution was to turn down the volume a bit, which worked fine (I was appreciated by my wife too). 

 

So, it could be possible overheating is the issue for some reporting a cut-off.  I know that is not my current issue (and likely not for the experienced SimShaker users above).  But I did want to document it in this thread for anyone trying to diagnose a problem.  As @Charlo-VR states above, I am happy to send you any logs that may help (someone will just have to tell me how to do it).  

Thank you guys for your suggestions.

I don't think of such a log in the current SimShaker Wings version, but maybe I will find or add something for that purpose. I will let you know then.

Talking about the logs. Please check to be sure that you DO NOT have "Verbose Log level" enabled in SimShaker Wings settings. That may really affect the application performance.

 

Talking about the Buttkicker specific. I think I should mention that I had to eliminate an electric relay which made my BKA-130-C amplifier to sleep (amber LED) after a certain period of inactivity time.

That was really a problem.

[Panzerlang]

I've stopped using my BK, having to keep fiddling with the volume in-flight was becoming too much of a chore. When SSW works it's awesome but it's too flakey to keep on with.
I do at least get a bit of stick-vibration from my sub-woofer; it'll have to do.

[Varibraun]

1 hour ago, JG51-Hetzer said:

When SSW works it's awesome but it's too flakey to keep on with.

 

Fortunately for me, my recent issues haven't been that bad (probably only 1 or 2 cutouts at most in a several hour session).  I would be a very sad puppy without SSW as part of my VR experience (currently using JetSeat plus 1 BK on chair and another BK on controls).

[IV/JG51JG51_Animal]

I haven't gotten through all 14 pages of information, so I apologize if this has already been answered.  I'm trying to use 6 - 50W Dayton transducers in my rig with SimShaker Wings, without success.  I'm finding it very difficult to configure the system for 6 bass shakers without becoming a pro at Audacity.

Per Andre's user manual, here's what I've done so far:

• Purchased Andre's software with the Bass-Shaker option.  
• Edited the "data/startup.cfg" as described
• I've installed 6 transducers with amplifiers, and they test with the Realtek software
• RCA jacks to motherboard 3.5mm jacks
  • Line out - Channel 1,2
  • Rear Channel - Channel 5,6
  • Center/SUB - Channel 3,4
• Loaded ASIO driver

When I "Test" in SimShaker app, only channels 1,2-5,6 test.  As stated, the software is default to 4 channels.  So, I started learning Audacity.  You have a Base file and a Custom file.  As you load modified sound samples into the Custom file, those will take priority over the Base files.  When looking at the Base files for a 6 channel system, there are NO samples that use channels 3 and 4, including the "Test."   So, in order to get channels 3 and 4 to work, I have to edit ALL of the sound samples in the Base files.  

 

As an example, "belly landing" sample.  I can copy the sound wave from any of the channels, and paste it into channel 3 and 4.  But, when it is exported the sample becomes a single channel square wave?

 

So, if you have a 6 channel custom folder, can you share it?  Or, can someone give me some insight for adding a sound wave to channels 3 and 4, then exporting it to the custom file?

 

[Andre]

52 minutes ago, IV/JG51JG51_Animal said:

 I'm finding it very difficult to configure the system for 6 bass shakers without becoming a pro at Audacity.

I think that when you get somewhat comfortable with it, you will agree that it is a simple and convenient tool. 

 

 

Quote

As an example, "belly landing" sample.  I can copy the sound wave from any of the channels, and paste it into channel 3 and 4.  But, when it is exported the sample becomes a single channel square wave?

Sounds strange. May I see your resulting file waveform screenshot in Audacity?

 

Quote

So, if you have a 6 channel custom folder, can you share it?  Or, can someone give me some insight for adding a sound wave to channels 3 and 4, then exporting it to the custom file?

I don't have such a folder. I'm not sure that making all the files having filled all the 6 channels makes any sense. But please find attached as an example, "belly landing" sample.

If you want some more files, I could do that for you. That's not hard.

belly_landing.zip

[IV/JG51JG51_Animal]

I was able to figure out what I was doing wrong in Audacity.  Here is what works, please correct me if I am wrong:

1. Copy all of the samples you want to modify into the Custom folder, based on the channels you are using.  In my case, the 6-Custom folder.
2. Open Audacity, and IMPORT the sample you want to modify.
3. Edit the sample.  In my case I wanted to move the sounds from on channel to another.  Select the channel you want to copy/cut.  Select the channel where you want to paste the sound, then select paste.
4. EXPORT the sample as a WAV file to the Custom folder.  It will ask you if you want to replace, and say yes.

$$

Edited January 29, 2021 by IV/JG51JG51_Animal

[Andre]

Yes, that's correct.

But I never IMPORT the samples myself. I just open the sample with Audacity via Windows context menu and get it as new Audacity project ready to be edited.

When you close the Audacity it may ask if you want to save the file. Usually I do not save the Audacity project files.

[Capt_Hook]

Is there an overall limit to the effects that can be layered?  The software generally works really well for me (two Aura shakers driven by stereo amp on secondary sound card), but I can't use engine vibration as that seems to quickly lag all the other effects - gunfire, for example, occurs after the weapon was fired.  Without the constant engine vibration effect everything works fine, though occasionally when I do multiple missions with a return to the main menu between I'll also get a very lagged experience on the subsequent flights.  

[Andre]

I get lagging only if the Verbose Logging is enabled.

[Ala13_UnopaUno_VR]

@AndreHello Andre, a few days ago I formatted the PC, I installed the simhsaker WINGS, and the Simshaker aviator, I activated the product, but the seat does not give me an answer, it does not let me actually select the gametrix jetseat to do the test, it restarts me But it doesn't vibrate like before, what can I be failing in? a greeting

[NiiranenVR]

3 minutes ago, Ala13_UnopaUno_VR said:

formatted the PC

You remember the txt in data for making the connection ?? 

[Andre]

24 minutes ago, Ala13_UnopaUno_VR said:

@AndreHello Andre, a few days ago I formatted the PC, I installed the simhsaker WINGS, and the Simshaker aviator, I activated the product, but the seat does not give me an answer, it does not let me actually select the gametrix jetseat to do the test, it restarts me But it doesn't vibrate like before, what can I be failing in? a greeting

Please check that you installed Gametrix Control Panel software.