Hello!I was wondering if many people use voice recognition to interact with ATC instead of using the keyboard and what the best program for it is?I'm also curious about what kind of tolerance these programs have? For example, if you say something wrong or forget what you're supposed to say or maybe if you have a cold and your voice is a bit different?Thanks,Mark

I use Multi Crew Experience since it hit the market. Once You complete the voice training, it is very rarely, You have to repeat the commands. Go try the demo, it is free.You have the checklists, so the flow is correct if You have well prepared txt for particular A/C. I cannot fly without it.

There are a few options for Voice Activated ATC stuff in FS as you probably know, the most well-known ones are probably Vox ATC and Mutli Crew Experience, but there are others too, and there is also the standalone air traffic controller simulation program ATC Simulator 2, as well of course, but that's if you want to simulate being a Tracon Controller rather than a pilot.Broadly speaking (if you'll pardon the pun), all of them are pretty good at voice recognition these days, but to some extent it depends on your hardware. Oddly enough, traditional twin-plug headphones with a boom mike tend to work better with them as opposed to ones that plug in via USB, which may be some sort of latency issue, but anyway, it seems to be the case.Most of them have a 'voice training' sub application, which 'learns' how your voice sounds when you spend a few minutes reading phrases to them, and if you do that properly, they'll learn your voice well and respond correctly pretty much all of the time. By way of example, here is a video of me telling the co-pilot in MCE to operate a 737 in order to get it to land:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA1MdedTk0IThat video was done for the review of Multi Crew Experience which I wrote for Avsim, and was demonstrating how you can talk to your co-pilot and get him to do stuff, but it works in just the same fashion, and just as well, when talking to ATC. You can read the review of MCE here if you like, which explains how it works and all the stuff it does:http://www.avsim.com/pages/0409/MultiCrewExp/MCExp.htmYou will note that I was impressed enough with MCE's capabilities to recommend it for a Gold Star Award, which it thoroughly deserves, but keep in mind that there are alternatives, and it is not the only option for voice control in FS, although certainly one worth checking out, especially since it has a free demo available. Vox ATC is good fun too, so make sure you have a look at that one too. Al

I endorse everything said above, particularly with reference to Multi Crew Experience, which I THINK is the only product that lets you talk directly to the native FSX ATC controllers. I looked at Vox ATC, but it seemed to me to be too rigid and complex for my purposes (I mainly fly VFR, and don't bother with flight plans, which VoxATC seems to require). May be better for airline pilots. Other plusses for MCE were the options to talk to virtual crew and ground staff - and the price ! Also I cannot speak too highly of their support (via email).More discussion/comments on the unofficial MCE website:http://rainbird.heavenforum.com/forum.htm

Agree about MCE. I have just bought it and I'm having a blast. Voice training is critical along with a good microphone. MCE supports both the FSX ATC and Radar Contact and can read whats on the menus (unlike some of the other programs) and so some intelligence is applied to what you have requested instead of just sending keystrokes in the hope that it was correct.It also supports the Go Flight radios so that the FSX ATC menu options will automatcially be selected for the correct airport when you tune the radio, which is really neat.It doesn't fake or require its own AI aircraft either which I think VOX ATC requires, but that may have changed so double check that potential concern.Along with voice activated checklists, random failures, crew interaction, voice activated FSX menu/sim commands and first class support you won't be disappointed. Download the fully functional demo and give it a go.

Hmmm...thanks guys...sounds good! I'll have a look at those and see how I get on.Do you have any problems with background noise feeding commands in error? I was trying out FSFlyingSchool's voice command program before (it's not ATC I know...)and it seemed to take the engine sounds as commands and left my instructor constantly telling me my ILS settings! Course...that could well be the hardware I was using! Just a regular USB desktop mic....probably not suitable enough.

Do you have any problems with background noise feeding commands in error?

None at all. I have roaring engines on GigaWorks speakers (pretty loud) and voice through separate sound card. Microsoft's SAPI5 when trained with Your voice plus good microphone gives no issues.

The range of commands which MCE will recognise depends on which features you have enabled/disabled. If you have the ATC feature enabled, to talk to ATC you press a Press To Talk key (keyboard or joystick button - your choice). When you do that it only recognises the 'ATC subset' of commands and phrases. I've never had any problem with noise when using PTT. And you do need a good mike/headset. The new USB headsets seem to be best, but be aware you can only plug in one headset at a time and they don't work with the Buttkicker gamer device or anything else which uses your sound card. I use an analogue headset and it is fine.

I use PF2000/PFE along with GameCommander 2 for the voice recognition. I would not be without it.Happy flying:RTH

I'm trying out the MCE and it's going pretty well so far! I like it! I've switched over to a proper headset, but I'm only using the mic part of it because I like the sound to come from the speakers and the noise doesn't seem to be affecting the program, which is really good!One thing that's really bugging me though.....how can I stop it from saying "new atc options!"....it's so annoying!Also, I'm having trouble getting ATC to understand my commands. If I tell the co-pilot to use "atc item 1" or 2 etc, it's fine, but if I press delete or press the key I've mapped on my controller and then say what I need to say...there's no response at all! I think I'm saying it right...for example...."ground, beech november 1 8 7 3 kilo requesting taxi ifr" and I've tried saying it slow and quicker and really clearly, but it just doesn't register.One more thing....what atc says to me doesn't appear in the atc window anymore and sometimes it's really long and hard to remember!...how can I get that back so I can see the text or am I supposed to keep asking them to repeat it until I remember?Thanks for any help and I hope I can get these things sorted out because I really like it and want to buy it!Mark

What you say in MCE ATC will not appear in the ATC window. Instead, the command that has been invoked will appear briefly in the FSX Text (Shift/Z) area at top left of the screen.Email the FS++ support folks at <<[email protected]>> with your other questions. You will get a reply by return. Really !

Support email for MCE can be found here: [email protected] for MCE can be found here: http://rainbird.heavenforum.com/There is also one of the Devs for FS++ (the company that makes MCE) who posts of Avsim occasionally, with the user name: speedbird105, you could PM him with questions concerning MCE. It's my experience that the MCE devs are really helpful by the way, which was another one of the many reasons why I recommended MCE for an award from Avsim when I reviewed it.Al

Thanks guys...I'll send them an email. When I get a reply I'll post back here with the answers.Mark

Make sure you have configured your microphone and run the atc speech training. Keep it simple at first, this will help, since the voice recognition is learning all the time. E.g. ground, air link 4887, request taxi". Also turn down the volume on your speakers, this may be affecting things.

One thing that's really bugging me though.....how can I stop it from saying "new atc options!"....it's so annoying!how can I get that back so I can see the text or am I supposed to keep asking them to repeat it until I remember?

You can read about it in documentation, or change the settings in \AppData\Roaming\Multi Crew Experience .ini file.You should always have pen and paper, it helps with ATIS, clearance and other stuff.