Installation and Usage of SRS for IL-2 (Voice Comms App)

[Jason_Williams]

Attention Pilots! 

 

We have partnered with our friend Ciribob who is the creator of the SimpleRadio Standalone (SRS) app to give IL-2 native SRS support. Ciribob has made a special version of SRS for IL-2 that fits the needs of our simulation and community without making it overly complicated. 

 

This small, but powerful app gives Sturmovik pilots and tank crews a way to have VOIP communications more integrated and easier to manage. We have built special support for SRS that allows users to automatically connect voice comms to hosted "SRS enabled" IL-2 servers and start communicating instantly with your fellow pilots upon joining. You can also select one of 5 channels to talk to your squad-mates or use an intercom to talk to your aircraft or tank crew. There is also an overlay that works in certain screen modes, but the point is to allow you to navigate and use SRS easily with your HOTAS or keyboard without the need to look at a menu. You can assign push-to-talk buttons for the radio channels and your intercom . You can also assign buttons to change channels. SRS is easy to use and setup. 

 

Special thanks for Ciaran Fisher aka Ciribob for his amazingly fast work in helping us bring SRS support to IL-2 and to the Sturmovik Team for also doing a great job building the support. And special thanks to @71st_AH_Hooves for suggesting SRS and putting us in touch with Ciribob. 

NOTE: This is not the same SRS app used in other flight-sims. SRS for IL-2 is similar, but has been tailor made for our product. 

 

IMPORTANT: The final release build of SRS for IL-2 is not quite ready yet, but will be released soon. 

 

Jason

 

Quick-Start Guide for IL-2: SRS

 

DOWNLOAD SRS for IL-2   (this link will always point to the latest build)

 

NOTE: SRS for IL-2 only works with Win8 and newer.

Installation for Clients and Servers

 

1. Unzip contents of the SRS archive to any folder you wish.

 

Setup for Clients

 

1. Edit data/startup.cfg  in the game directory - add the lines below at the bottom (without the game running):

 

[KEY = telemetrydevice]

      addr = "127.0.0.1"

      decimation = 2

      enable = true

      port = 4322

[END]

 

If you use a Jet Seat / SimShaker and have an entry already as below:

 

[KEY = telemetrydevice]

    addr = "127.0.0.1"

    decimation = 2

    enable = true

    port = 29373

[END]

 

Edit the entry to match below - adding the second   addr1 = "127.0.0.1:4322"

 

[KEY = telemetrydevice]

    addr = "127.0.0.1"

    addr1 = "127.0.0.1:4322"

    decimation = 2

    enable = true

    port = 29373

[END]

 

2. Run the IL2-SRS-Client.exe and keep it running in the background any time you launch IL-2. You can of course minimize the app.

 

3. You can then configure speakers, microphones etc. The Optional Mic Output setting will send all Microphone output to your selected output device for recording etc.

 

Use Preview Audio to check everything is working correctly.

 

Increase the Speaker Boost if you’re too quiet.

 

 

4. Make sure to bind in controls such as Push-to-Talk, Radio Select, Intercom Select and Toggle Overlay. At a minimum. you should bind hotkeys for channels or use the SRS overlay to change things. Note that SRS also detects joystick button presses to ease set up. 

 

5. On the SRS overlay which you can toggle On and Off - you can select the current channel, set the volume for the Radio and intercom and control its opacity. Other information will be displayed on the small info screen when you connect to a server. The red lights will turn green depending on whether you are speaking on the Radio or the Intercom.

 

The window can also be resized as desired.

 

 

NOTE: The overlay does not appear in Full-Screen mode or in VR. To use the overlay buttons, you will also need to Alt-Tab to access it while in game. We strongly suggest you configure your Hotkeys for SRS to greatly simplify its usage.  

 

6. You can connect to a server by either auto-connecting when you join a game server or by manually entering the SRS server address for that game server. The Server Host will need to turn on the auto-connect feature for auto-connect to work. 

 

If you choose to manually enter the SRS server in advance of joining a game server, you'll need to enter the public IP for that server. By default, the port is assumed to be 6002.

 

Enter the IP and port like so 192.168.2.23:6002

 

 

Once your SRS is set up, joining an IL-2 server that has SRS running with auto-connect will allow you to almost instantly begin communicating with your fellow pilots. All Clients will be initially dropped into Channel 1 by default. You can then change the channel. 

 

Client Settings

 

- Auto Connect Prompt - If disabled you will be connected to the correct IL2-SRS server without a blocking prompt
- Auto Connect Mismatch prompt - if enabled - you will be warned when you are auto-connecting to a different IL2-SRS server than you are currently
- Reset Radio Overlay - Brings the radio overlay back to focus if it falls off the screen due to monitor changes
- Hide Overlay Taskbar item - Removes IL2-SRS from the taskbar - just leaving the Tray Icon
- Auto Refocus IL2 - Attempts to give focus back to IL-2 after interacting with the overlay to avoid alt-tab
- Allow More Input Devices - Increases the number of recognized input devices but can cause issues. Only enable if absolutely necessary
- Microphone Auto Gain - attempts to normalize microphone volume. 
- Microphone Noise Suppression - attempts to minimize background noise
- Minimize to Tray - If enabled SRS will hide the main window and minimize to the tray icon
- Check for Beta Updates - Alerts when beta updates are available
- Play Connection sounds - enables an audio effect on connect and disconnect
- Require Admin - Runs SRS in administrator mode. This is needed if keyboard hotkeys are used. If no keyboard hotkeys are required, this setting can be safely turned off
- Show Transmitter Name - When receiving a radio transmission you’ll see the name of the transmitter. Requires the server to have enabled this setting too
- Profiles - SRS can be setup to have different profiles, allowing you to switch all control settings and all profile settings quickly
- Radio Rx Effects - Enables and disables the Radio Receive sound
- Radio Tx Effects - Enables and disables the Radio Transmit sound
- Radio Switch works as Push To Talk - If enabled, instead of pressing the PTT button to talk, you can press and hold either Radio or Intercom switch to switch and speak in one press
- Enable Radio Voice Effect - enables a realistic radio effect to all incoming radio transmissions
- Enable Clipping Effect - enables a further realistic radio effect. If enabled you will need to increase the Speaker Boost as the volume will be reduced
- Radio Audio Channel - sets the balance for the radio transmission. Fully Left or Right will put the transmission in one ear
- Intercom Radio Channel - sets the balance for the intercom transmission. Fully Left or Right will put the transmission in one ear

Setup for Servers

 

1. Install .Net http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=2085155 (usually installed already with Win10, but worth double checking)

 

2. Download and extract the SRS archive to any folder you wish.

 

3. Run the sr-server.exe and open ports 6002 TCP and UDP on your router or any firewalls by Port-Forwarding. Leave the app running in the background while your server is up and operating.

 

 

4. Add the public IP and port to DServer or the in-game server setup screen. Adding the public IP will automatically enable the auto-connect feature for clients. 

 

 

5. In the server settings - if you enable Coalition Security - only allies can hear each other. i.e Red to Red, Blue to Blue, Spectator to Spectator.

 

 

Client Admin - Allows you to see a list of clients currently connected, mute them temporarily, disconnect or ban them

Auto Export List - will save a file called client-list.json to the same directory as your SRS server - allowing for integration into other tools

Realistic TX Behavior - If ON makes the radio half duplex. You will not be able to hear incoming transmissions when you transmit

Check for beta updates - Enables SRS to look for updates flagged as Beta

Show Tuned Client count -  if ON will show the number of people currently tuned to a radio channel or intercom on the Client Radio overlay

Global Lobby Freq - Don't modify - ignore for now

Show Transmitter Name - If enabled, and enabled client side - shows the name of the pilot currently transmitting

 

We hope you enjoy using SRS for IL-2.

 

Jason

    

[[CPT]HarryM]

Cool! The version for the "other sim" works great.

[-=No.66=-Griff1999]

Can't wait for this honestly

[E69_Qpassa_VR]

 I wonder what radio effects will have.

[NHK295M]

How to use this feature?

[Jason_Williams]

The app will be officially release soon. Just need to tidy up some details. But the support is in the sim now. It's a little different from the other SRS, but accomplishes the same thing.

 

Jason

[NHK295M]

7 minutes ago, Jason_Williams said:

different from the other SRS, but accomplishes the same thing.

Some slowpokes like me - not use that thing before, not other not different

I hope some guide will be with release?

[SCG_OpticFlow]

Would the signal strength be distance-dependent like in the "other sim"?

[2/SG2_GIR]

Is this a better program than TC3?

Edited July 8, 2020 by 2/SG2_GIR

[GOA_FirebirdCRI_VR]

Wow, that will be amazing, i can wait for having it!.. Thank you Jason!

 

-S-

[RavN_Gora]

Nice to see SRS in Ił2 - very good choice!

Does it take into account waves propagation and will be implemented worst radio conditions (for example when the distance will be too big)?

One more question - 5 channels will not be historical correct for every plane (any plans to make it correct for every plane in the sim?)- but it is better to use it in this shape than everyone uses their own communicator.   

Edited July 8, 2020 by RavN_Gora

[GOA_FirebirdCRI_VR]

20 minutes ago, 2/SG2_GIR said:

Is this a better program than TC3?

( This info is from DCS but i beleave that will be the similar for Il2)

SRS aims to provide easy to use and realistic communication .

Servers can configure SRS to be more or less realistic – enforcing realistic line of sight and distance limitations or allowing aircraft to always hear each other.

 

-S-

Edited July 8, 2020 by GOA_Karaya_VR

[SCG_Meka]

 

1 hour ago, 2/SG2_GIR said:

Is this a better program than TC3?

 

Much better! Because you no longer need to join different TeamSpeaks.... Everyone on the server can talk on a few different channels but is connected together. So you'll now be able to talk over the radio to that random plane that is flying next to you. Yayy!!

[Jason_Williams]

Our SRS is not exactly like DCS version so please do not use that version to describe our version. Please just wait for release. Unfortunately I was forced to announce the SRS support before the final build was ready so this is a little confusing. My apologies.

 

Jason

 

1 hour ago, RavN_Gora said:

Nice to see SRS in Ił2 - very good choice!

Does it take into account waves propagation and will be implemented worst radio conditions (for example when the distance will be too big)?

One more question - 5 channels will not be historical correct for every plane (any plans to make it correct for every plane in the sim?)- but it is better to use it in this shape than everyone uses their own communicator.   

 

We are not aiming for extreme realism here with our SRS. We are aiming for ease of use.

 

If our SRS for IL-2 proves popular and useful we will look at maybe adding additional features, some of that work would have to come from us and some of that would have to come from Ciribob who is the creator. 

 

Jason

[E69_Qpassa_VR]

We no longer have to write 666666666 in the chat?

[IRRE_Axurit]

Bravo and thank you for this function.

It is now up to us players to make the best of it, to convince you to go deeper down this path.

 

👍

[Mm1ut1]

I’m hoping it’s old man compatible 😁

[Stoopy]

49 minutes ago, Mm1ut1 said:

I’m hoping it’s old man compatible 😁

 

Being integrated into the sim hopefully means it will be much simpler than running a separate comm program and jumping back and forth to switch channels etc., so..... yeah it outta be, as much as possible. 

 

I wanted to ask my own trifling question about implementation minutiae but the signal strength and wave propagation guys beat me to it, so... hhmmmmmm... what to ask...  ok yeah - hey, will it start sounding like cr@p every once in a while and require us to replace the vacuum tubes to restore sound quality?  Will the Refuel/Repair/ReArm option settings in the mission editor be modified to enable or disable a "vacuum tube check" ?  How about replacing leaky filter capacitors every ten years, will that be modeled?  😀

 

Edited July 8, 2020 by Stoopy

[Jason_Williams]

OP updated with Quick-Start Guide. Link to release version of SRS not available yet, but soon.

 

Jason

[FlyingNutcase]

This could be very cool. Thanks Team.

[J5_Spyboy]

Does this simulate radio static etc I seem to remember a TS overlay that did and it sounded like proper radio coms rather than Discord where your fellow pilot sounds like he is in the same room! Thanks Jason, I think this is a good addition which should be popular.

 

[Stoopy]

33 minutes ago, Jason_Williams said:

OP updated with Quick-Start Guide. Link to release version of SRS not available yet, but soon.

 

Jason

 

 

👍   Awesome!  🤙   Thank you!  🤘

 

Hmmm.  OK so the controls for channels etc are not basically integrated into IL2 per se.   Would be great if that could be looked at down the road to eliminate switching back and forth between tasks, particularly for VR users etc.  Like you say if this become popular, which I expect it will be.

Edited July 8, 2020 by Stoopy

[scotsmanFlyingscotsman]

OK I'll ask the stupid question, because I'll soon be old.....64 Saturday.....Can this eventually give us single player in game communication, like Voice attack, that I 'can't work yet. Or is this just for on line players.

Thanks in advance

Love the update 

Edited July 8, 2020 by scotsmanFlyingscotsman

[Goosevich]

VoIP = Voice over IP so online only Sorry.

[Jason_Williams]

Link is live now.

 

Jason

[2/SG2_GIR]

 

I understand ... That is .. I can communicate with friends through this program. And the signal attenuation will also be realized .. This is cool. Then, it didn’t interfere with the damage to the radio. More truly one of two. On the old planes put on two radio stations. One to receive another to transfer. In Russian, it’s generally only for an appointment up to 43 years. Transmitter on the commander.

[J5_Spyboy]

@scotsmanFlyingscotsman

Voice attack is to use your voice commands to work plane features/controls, eg, 'Set Mixture 80%'

SRS is a way for multiplayers to communicate in game, similar to Teamspeak and Discord, I suspect it will have more immersion though.

[Jason_Williams]

Guys,

 

I would just leave SRS on and minimized, set up your button/key binds and go fly in MP. If the server has SRS, which I think most will adopt, it's automatic and there is really no need to check the overlay a whole lot. But if you fly in windowed mode, but set to your screens native res, you can see the Overlay and whos talking and what channel etc.

 

I will ask Ciribob to make actual assignable button for each channel, they the Overlay is really not all that necessary.

 

Jason

[DD_Llama_Thumper]

very cool! I unashamedly confess this is asking for the hand when getting a finger, but, any chance the nick of the person speaking will or can be displayed? ie similar to player chat or technochat messages? reason for asking is that AFAIK there is no overlay style solution for VR (eg TS3 works in pancake mode with such an overlay but not VR). 

 

[352ndOscar]

1 hour ago, Jason_Williams said:

Guys,

 

I would just leave SRS on and minimized, set up your button/key binds and go fly in MP. If the server has SRS, which I think most will adopt, it's automatic and there is really no need to check the overlay a whole lot. But if you fly in windowed mode, but set to your screens native res, you can see the Overlay and whos talking and what channel etc.

 

I will ask Ciribob to make actual assignable button for each channel, they the Overlay is really not all that necessary.

 

Jason

Please consider addIng key binding option to “Plane Controls” settings for radio channels in future.

Please consider adding multi-SRS-server preprogramming (ie Squad SRS, CombatBox SRS, etc) in future. <<DONE Called “Favorites”

Edited July 8, 2020 by 352ndOscar

[ciribob]

42 minutes ago, DD_Llama_Thumper said:

very cool! I unashamedly confess this is asking for the hand when getting a finger, but, any chance the nick of the person speaking will or can be displayed? ie similar to player chat or technochat messages? reason for asking is that AFAIK there is no overlay style solution for VR (eg TS3 works in pancake mode with such an overlay but not VR). 

 

 

For the radio, the name of the transmitter will be displayed if it's enabled on the client and server (it is by default) 👍

 

For the intercom it won't but generally it'll just be people you know in the aircraft or people on spectator

Edited July 8, 2020 by ciribob

[AceVenturi]

Woohoo😀 we've been talking about this for so long. This is what will help grow our multiplayer base. Can't wait to try it. Not having to mess about with discord or teamspeak.

[1stCL/rudidlo]

Client app must be executed with administrative privileges if you copied files into the program files or other folder with specific permissions.

[71st_AH_Hooves]

I wonder who's server will be the first to use it?

 

Edited July 8, 2020 by 71st_AH_Hooves

[DD_FT-]

36 minutes ago, 71st_AH_Hooves said:

I wonder who's server will be the first to use it?

 

I claim the DangerDogz one ...

Hm, every one connected shows up as 'IL2-SRS-Player' ... how can we name our pIL2ots?

[DD_FT-]

No worries, got it: Once in game, and connected to the server, in cockpit ... it does show who we are:

 

Yeah, talking to myself again, oh well...

 

Cool stuff this! Thanks!

[DeadMeat0383]

The Unprofessionals is up and running, would have been earlier but I was asleep

[=SqSq=Civilprotection]

So I'm trying to set this up on my test server. I can connect to it, but no one else can. I think I have set up the port forwarding and the firewall stuff up correctly. Has anyone else successfully set it up?

[DD_FT-]

31 minutes ago, =SqSq=Civilprotection said:

So I'm trying to set this up on my test server. I can connect to it, but no one else can. I think I have set up the port forwarding and the firewall stuff up correctly. Has anyone else successfully set it up?

Yes.

[Boomerang]

Cool, thanks Jason.  🙂