Hi everyone, Looks like lots of interest in the Simvibe and many want to get in on it....that's good...as you won't be disappointed.
Since it's introduction I have had a few emails requesting my config regarding my setup so as best as I can i put together some pics and words hoping it will guide you. Please feel welcomed if you require more questions to be answered, but also please note I am not familiar with the Audio world or it's tech talk like ohms v impedence ect...all I did was learn as I went and researched various sites for knowledge.
This link was at the time to learn about Y split cables
http://home.comcast.net/~davemats/bass_shakers.html However with simvibe this is no longer needed but you'll see other useful info..like wiring of bass shakers and amps .
This link was to educate myself on the Ohms v Impedence tech talk..still don't comprehend it much though but it was direction for me at that time
http://www.bcae1.com/spkrmlti.htm
This link was about the tactile transducer (bass shaker) itself..lots of good stuff going on in there worth getting the backround knowledged of your equipment ect
http://www.baudline.com/erik/bass/tactile_faq.html
Ok on to my setup...For the sound as you know I have a Logitech Z5500 sound system, this unit plugs into my PCI-e Sound card (Creative X-fi Titanium soundcard) as you know the cables should all macth up according to colours ect..easy... pic below
Next is the onboard sound card. Note: mine provides, six audio jacks,which support 2/4/5.1 and 7.1
At first I had trouble getting simvibe to work.
For a 7.1 config take NOTE: the SIDE speaker out jack(grey), REAR speaker out jack (black) and CENTRE/SUB speaker out jack (orange) connections are used.
On a 5.1 card follow the simvibe instructions it only uses 2 connections Green and Black ..ethier way these cables head off to your amp...
On the back of the amp (which mine is a 500w) I have an "external in" inputs, meaning..outside source..in this case from the PC onboard sound card to the amp. (Note I have not tried optical or other methods) Because of the distance from the PC to the amp I split/divided the 3.5mm Stereo cable,extended and attached jacks to suit the amp, (I picked up that knowledge from a flight sim operator, did not think you can cut and rewire those cables, turns out for me that you can, same goes for extending USB cables)
Now, if you are using 7.1 you should end up with 6 inputs at the amp..apply these as per your amp...ie: SurrR,SurrL,Centre,Sub,RearR,RearL.
If you have a second sub woofer, Note: the logi Z5500 has it's own as you know, once you get an amp you now have the option for a second sub. I have one in the front of the sim 180w and the other at the rear 100w. The rear sub gives that extra dimension and depth with the shakers...boom..boom..Lol. This sub needs to be an active sub, picked up from Cash Converters $35. and by the way, this now gives you further options, not tried it but there are 2 more connections on the active sub for speakers and shakers, potentially 4 more shakers are possible.Note in the pic the preamp straight to the woofer.
The next pic is the Shaker connections
Now you'll notice the amp states
6ohms front and surround. At this point I can only talk about what I learnt through research and trial and error. The bass shakers I understood them to be at
4 ohms, at first I read that these shakers tend to get a bit warm. As I was playing at my very first configuration with the volume up a bit, my shakers were getting a bit over the "hot to touch" mark. The links above is were I learnt abit about ohms and impedence ect and how to adapt them to my amp with an output of 6ohms. This is where I picked up by placing them in series, hence the 8 shakers. It proved to be worthwhile as I can spread the vibration across many sections of the sim. Once placed in this config the shakers now just reach a natural warm state with the volume up at a desired level. The amp was also getting quite warm hence you can see from my video's a fan was placed to cool this down, I still use it but really not required.
Interestingly, the nineth shaker comes from my centre speaker connection from the amp to the second subwoofer and from there to my gear stick, yet only requires one to be in line as it does not get hot at all...tech boys out there may be able to explain this...through trial and error this provided the best feedback. From the Amp to the stick it was quite mellow in operation..can't explain it.
So I guess if you acquire an amp that states 8ohm speaker output you should be ok attaching only one shaker per connection....another explanation for the tech's out there. But if your shakers are getting way hot after short use, you'll need to place a second one in series...Now I don't know how all this applys to buttkickers..only to these below
I hope I have helped some way in getting your system up and running. It's possible I may have left some detail out that you may be curious about, but as I said before Your enquiry is always welcomed.
Overall, and this is no plug for simvibe, but I truly beleive it's a must have for the slighty serious simracer. It just complements the fun and excitement you expect to recieve from your chosen racing game.
Catcha ya all on track
regards
Vito