First let me just say that I am totally in love with the new DC3! I like it so much that I'm doing an around the world flight in it. I do have one question though. Is the sound of the new one like the one that we had in FS 2002? I don't have 2002 installed any more so I'm really not able to check this out, but it just seems that the 2004 model has a very toned down sound to it. At full throttle it almost sounds like a small twin. Not at all like I remember it in 2002. I have never been in a real DC3 so I really don't have a clue what it should sound like anyway.:-lol I'm not trying to be negetive here because I think this is the best add-on I have bought so far (an I have way to many add-ons for sure) I was just wondering. Thanks in advance,Hawk

I noticed that too! I still have FS2002 installed, and the old RD4 definitely had a more "bone-shaking" sound. The new FS2004 version seems much quieter. Perhaps the new sounds are more accurate?Graeme

Yep I also have to agree with you about the sound. I went so far as to check the sound config file to make sure it wasn't ailised to the 172 it was so tame! I have flown a DC3 (right seat)and believe me it's a LOT louder than what we are hearing... Hey Bill, how about some balls for the R4D again?? Mike B.

I have some recordings that I have taken in a C-46 that I am attempting to put together into a good sound set. BUT (And here's the clincher) I am attempting to make the RPM the variable for the "pitch" of the sound as it is in the real world. Not the Manifold Pressure. I know its been this way for all the flight sim aircraft over the years, and I am almost surprised that the community as a whole hasn't protested most strongly:If the engine doesn't slow down (no change in RPM) why does it sound like it slows down???Its proving to be somewhat difficult. Though I haven't played around with it much.I will keep you posted as to the progress. They will be close to a DC-3 but not exact, simply because of the R-2800 vs R-1830. I am also working on a set with an R-3350 for those who want a very very low rumble in cruise.Thanks,Brendon S.

Always nice to have alternatives, Brendon, look forward to it.Actually, I wonder whether the sound problem is due to EQ cutoff or number of available voices on the soundcard? It seems it starts off right, with the rumble and the roar, then it seems to smooth out and it's then the volume drops. Possibly it's the computer trying to save the speakers from 1830 blowout! Onn my new gaming machine I'm currently only using a 2.0 soundstage, desktop speakers with an old SoundBlaster Live! card, so it's possible the card and the speakers aren't up to the job, but I don't know anyone else locally with the MAAM product to compare it with. Maybe I'll have to plug the Audigy and the 5.1 surround back in sooner rather than later!Allcott

I, too, am disappointed with the R4D sound.It seems pretty wimpish after the magnificent sound set on the B25.Having flown in the right hand seat of a DC-3 on a couple of occasions it doesn't seem particularly realistic and I would be interested to know who recorded it and how it was done. Also, doesn't the DC-3 have somewhat different engines to the R4D so shouldn't there be a separate sound set for it? I hate to say this but I think the sound set on the default DC-3 is better. Apart from this I think MAAM has come up with a marvellous product.

I think all this is a matter of personal preference, is it not?Jan's new sounds are great, but I too love the old throaty sounds of the FS2002 R4D-6 so I have simply set those up as an alternative sound set for my new folders. When I feel like rattling the walls, I simply alias that original set to whichever model I'm shaking apart. I still use the old panel sometimes too, having grown so fond of it, given a gauge tweak or two.Plus, there are a number of other soundset alternatives, of course, available as freeware in the libraries. For the default DC-3, I have always used Trev Morson's excellent set which is available at his www.douglasdc3.com site. Others prefer Des Braban's, and there are more to choose from.Horses for courses, I think. At least FS allows us to have a choice!Mark "Dark Moment" BeaumontP.S. To whoever asked, the R4D-6 has 1830-94 1350HP engines, the typical DC-3 1830-92 1200HP. That is how the MAAM pack is modelled.http://www.swiremariners.com/newlogo.jpg

After having a bit of time to look at this today, I can say it's not the card or the system. The problem seems to be that the prop sounds are being cancelled out once the RPM goes much beyond 2,000, but only on internal, cockpit sounds. The sound drops to muted levels, but it's not peak EQ being exceeded or anything like that. Probably just an error or misconfiguration in the sound .cfgExternally, if you change the spot view distance the noise scales more than adequately! get close to the 1830's and you could do your speakers some damage (I really must plumb the sub-woofer back in!)Allcott

I noticed the difference in the sound as well but have no problem with it. Sounds good to me. I have been flying in a DC-3 as a passenger once and it was incredibly noisy. But being the pilot in the MAAM R4D I want to have the feeling under headset-circumstances - a little bit dampened. Another problem is, that I take really serious rides in the MAAM R4D up to 5 hours wearing a headset (otherwise my family would go mad) and of course I do not want to damage my ears ;-))But one thing, that sounded very new and extremely exciting to me in the new MAAM R4D is the rattling noise during take-off and landing and in strong gust situations - a metallic rattling noise from loose parts that I did not at all recognize in the old version!!Combined with the headbumb of ActiveCamera, the feeling of accellerating down the runway is simply unbelievable, breathtaking, wonderful!Just the fps are in the basement now - and you all know what that means: my wife will get a new faster computer for her architectural work :-)Zarzura

Bingo Brendon. You hit the nail on the head. The MAP control will affect the "growl" of the engine but not the pitch unless you pull it WAY back. The original R4D (freeware version 4.X I think) had it nailed but with each "upgrade" the sound degraded to the point where it is today. I have a six lever throttle (PFC Jetliner console) and it sure is disapointing to pull back the prop control and the only thing that changes is the RPM, no sound changes. I went so far as to BUY FsSound Studio so I could "fix" this myself BUT I found that using the test mode in sound studio the prop controls affect the sound as they should ! I'm stumped now as I don't have a clue how the config files work with the flight model so I don't know what to tweak. I have asked several times about this but have never gotten a response. If someone has Mike Hambly's E-mail address I'll start some dialouge with him on how all this works. Speaking of this problem in general terms (not just MAAM's) I can only conclude that the folks that create these sounds (how they interact, not the quality) are either 1. Not real world pilots or 2. are real pilots but don't have any complex aircraft experience. (Complex A/C being one with constant speed props and/or retractable gear) To be fair to the developers, it may not be possible to control the pitch of the engine sounds with the RPM controls?? I dunno. Inspite of the engine/prop sounds I still love the B25 and R4D/DC3.. No sour grapes here Bill... Mike B.

I have to correct my previous posting. The much appreciated ruttling noise during taxiing, take-off and landing is produced by ActiveCamera, not the R4D soundset...Zarzura

Ok,guys, MAAM-SIM R4D/DC-3 package soundsuite shifter here. I'll try to answer a few 'faq's'. Wish me luck! :(I'll try and shave the R/W 'rightseaters' first :>>I have flown a DC3 (right seat)and believe me it's a LOT louder than what we are hearing... <>Having flown in the right hand seat of a DC-3 on a couple of occasions it doesn't seem particularly realistic and I would be interested to know who recorded it and how it was done. <>I hate to say this but I think the sound set on the default DC-3 is better. <>I noticed that too! I still have FS2002 installed, and the old RD4 definitely had a more "bone-shaking" sound. The new FS2004 version seems much quieter. Perhaps the new sounds are more accurate? <>Actually, I wonder whether the sound problem is due to EQ cutoff or number of available voices on the soundcard? It seems it starts off right, with the rumble and the roar, then it seems to smooth out and it's then the volume drops <> I have to correct my previous posting. The much appreciated ruttling noise during taxiing, take-off and landing is produced by ActiveCamera, not the R4D soundset... <

Hi all, I agree the sounds of the FS2002 MAAM DC3 were better. However, I can live with the sounds that came with the FS9 version...with the exception of the boost pump noises. I don't know about the rest of you, but at least on my system, they have a very noticeable looping effect..not a continuous noise, and since they are relatively loud, they tend to drive me to distraction ;-)That being said, I love everything else about the product. I've been flying it for a couple of hours almost every night for the past 6 weeks or so now. I'm addicted to it and I want to compliment and thank the design team for the effort they put into this.Well, off to British Columbia in the DC3 :-)Regards,ScottKJMS