Unlike the aircraft and panel cfg files, which I basically know and can manipulate without too much problem, the sound.cfg file is still rather a closed book to me. Could ask I ask one or two questions (which may or may not be sensible!):

 

First, is there a part of the file which governs parameters for sounds in the cockpit and another part for spot view sounds? How are the two differentiated?

 

Second, how would I reduce the volume of the engine sounds (as a one off for one aircraft) in spot view without changing anything as heard in the cockpit? I see that the 'vparam' settings would do this, but I have no idea which I need to change. Clearly those that relate to the sound files that play in spot view, but as I said above, I may be able to locate the likely wav file by listening and comparing FS9 with the same played back in a media player (is there a more precise method?), but how do I determine which ones are playing in spot view and in cockpit view, and so with parameters to alter?

 

Here's part of the sound file I am looking at for example:

[JET_WHINE.2.02]
filename=SAPBR715_INT_1
flags=0
viewpoint=1
panning=0
rparams=0.102000,0.910000,1.000000,1.819000
vparams=0.000000,0.000000,0.029365,11.355932,0.103076,30.084745,0.263000,34.467930,0.435000,31.021379,0.532000,27.574827,0.607000,21.542759,0.861000,0.000000
link=JET_WHINE.2.03

[JET_WHINE.2.03]
filename=SAPBR715_INT_2
flags=0
viewpoint=1
panning=0
rparams=0.102000,0.702000,1.000000,2.043000
vparams=0.311000,0.000000,0.333000,0.000000,0.393000,3.829500,0.459000,6.702300,0.528000,8.653500,0.592000,7.659900,0.653000,5.192100,0.804000,0.000000
link=JET_WHINE.2.04

[JET_WHINE.2.04]
filename=SAPBR715_INT_3
flags=0
viewpoint=1
rparams=0.128000,0.000000,1.000000,1.340425
vparams=0.514000,0.000000,0.562914,5.319149,0.600731,12.371134,0.622517,19.148935,0.666667,26.595745,0.743929,32.978722,0.819740,28.596804,1.000000,4.255000
link=JET_WHINE.2.05

[JET_WHINE.2.05]
filename=SAPBR715_INT_4
flags=0
viewpoint=1
rparams=0.200000,0.310000,1.000000,1.085000
vparams=0.740000,0.000000,0.780000,1.000000,0.800000,5.000000,0.820000,20.000000,0.830000,70.000000,0.850000,88.000000,0.910000,95.000000,1.000000,97.000000
link=JET_WHINE.2.06

[JET_WHINE.2.06]
filename=7171A
flags=0
viewpoint=1
panning=0
rparams=0.001000,0.670000,0.800000,1.383000
vparams=0.006000,0.000000,0.057000,5.721300,0.120000,32.860802,0.390000,32.783398,0.614000,10.845900,0.807000,0.000000,0.927000,0.000000,0.997000,0.000000
link=JET_WHINE.2.07

[JET_WHINE.2.07]
filename=x7171
flags=0
viewpoint=2
rparams=0.000000,0.500000,1.000000,1.551000
vparams=0.005000,0.000000,0.127000,3.200000,0.197000,16.799999,0.238000,76.800003,0.336000,78.400002,0.405000,18.400000,0.590000,0.000000,0.630000,0.000000
link=JET_WHINE.2.09

[JET_WHINE.2.09]
filename=x7172
flags=0
viewpoint=2
rparams=0.014000,0.667000,0.898000,1.260000
vparams=0.000000,0.000000,0.123000,0.000000,0.125000,0.000000,0.301000,14.400000,0.387000,76.800003,0.498000,79.199997,0.602000,18.400000,0.734000,0.000000
link=JET_WHINE.2.10

[JET_WHINE.2.10]
filename=x7173
flags=0
viewpoint=2
rparams=0.000000,1.035000,1.000000,1.721000
vparams=0.000000,0.000000,0.333000,0.000000,0.366000,2.400000,0.505000,16.799999,0.583000,78.400002,0.775000,80.800003,0.833000,22.400000,0.961000,0.000000
link=JET_WHINE.2.11

[JET_WHINE.2.11]
filename=x7174
flags=0
viewpoint=2
rparams=0.012000,0.891000,1.000000,1.533000
vparams=0.613000,0.000000,0.771000,21.600000,0.861000,82.400002,0.998000,90.400002,1.000000,90.400002,1.000000,90.400002,1.000000,90.400002,1.000000,90.400002

Does the 'INT' in the file name probably relate to internal sounds (just a guess)??

 

Needless to say, the sound.cfg file is backed up before any changes!

 

Thanks.

In this case, yes, though file naming is a personal choice and therefore variable.

Don't even think about playing with sounds in the sound.cfg file without the use of FSSound Studio. That will allow you to create the envelopes needed for volume, pitch etc. You can have exterior and interior engine sounds plus the sounds for the HP and LP compressors. Also wind noise and ancilliary equipment. In your example you only have LP compressor sounds both internal and external.

I have four RR Conway engines with seven sound files for each one. To get the sounds right will take a lot of time and patience.

Viewpoint=1 or 2 determines whether the sound is internal or external.

the file name filename=SAPBR715_INT_1 for example has been labelled INT for convenience.

Yes, I think a 3rd. party tool like that is a very good idea! As I say, I am basically OK tinkering with aircraft & panel cfg files, but sound and effect files are quite a mystery to me, so it'd be trial and error...

 

I assume (I'll check) that FSSound Studio is payware though - not sure it'd be worth the outlay given the limited use I would doubtless make of it. I bought FS Panel Studio years ago and have rarely used it.

 

Thanks..

 

Edit: Yes, $19.99. Not outrageous but I don't really have any spare 'FS' cash right now, especially for something I know I'd hardly ever use

Forgive me for asking, but speaking of interior sounds... and Conways as it happens..

 

Why would I get a roar inside the cockpit even when I've unticked all the sound boxes in FSX:SE?  I know this is the FS9 forum, but you guys may have the answers. I'm using Alphasim's Handley Page Victor (hence the loose affiliation with Conways) and I believe the model was around prior to FSX. If I shut the engines down then there's only a faint noise from the rear of the Victor in spot view, but the loud roar is there at the front of the plane, and still in cockpit view.

 

Can a sound be associated with the aircraft model or perhaps a gauge or gauges, totally independent of the main sound "channels"? The noise only goes away when pressing Q...and it comes right back when pressing Q too!

 

Apologies for the hijack, or if this is almost like a double post from the FSX forum.

 

Thanks anyway.

 

Forgive me for asking, but speaking of interior sounds... and Conways as it happens..

 

As far as the VC10 goes the internal engine sounds are different to the external by reason of the cockpit being so far ahead. Especially in the Super.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD8AOw9uyUs

In this video you can see and hear the startup procedure and how distant the engine sounds are.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBpUNx8CqiM

And in this video you can hear the famous VC10 howl as the engines are throttled up. Just two btw. Under normal operations the a/c would be on the rwy when the engines are throttled up so they would only be this loud in calm conditions.

 

The background noise in both videos are the gyro motors for the INS. The PCUs can be heard when all engines are running. All the sounds except the PCUs are good candidates for the sound.cfg. The PCUs being intermittent can be setup in a gauge.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crpKtgPIptQ

This is how it sounds in the sim. The recorded volume turned out to be lower than the playback so you might need to increase your master volume a little.

The actual take-off is a good 20mins+ into the video. If you have the patience, watch it from the beginning then you get to hear all the other ambient sounds.

 

 

 

Edit: Yes, $19.99. Not outrageous but I don't really have any spare 'FS' cash right now, especially for something I know I'd hardly ever use

 

You'll find it money well spent as it is difficult to create the sound envelopes manually. Be aware though that the original recorded sound doesn't always sound the same when played through the sim. You will have to adjust the bass probably etc. The sound.cfg only plays 3 second loops so a beautifully recorded sound will rarely sound the same in the sim. You will have to doctor it considerably! Make sure that you eliminate any hint of looping in the sound and any cracks. For all of that Audacity is a good programme which is free.  There are some expensive a/c out there (one recently released for xplane) that have atrocious sounds. If I had spent $60 on that I would be most unhappy!

I found FSSound Studio to be very good for sound files. I would recommend it.

On the topic sound config files can anyone help with the following problem I've noticed in fs2004? I've had no luck so far.

 

I am using FS2004 and have a problem with the wind sound. In the sound.cfg file under the wind sound section I have specified the minimum speed as 300 and the maximum speed as 400 (I assume the mentioned speed is in KTAS). However when running FS the wind sound actually starts at around 225KTAS, I thought the wind sound shouldn't be heard until the aircraft reaches 300KTAS or above as specified in the sound.cfg file. 

Also as the aircraft climbs the wind sound seems to drop off (gets quieter and slower playback rate) this usually occurs ar around 37,000ft and above. Is the wind sound supossed to effected by altitude as well? 

Am I doing something wrong or is the min/max speed setting for wind sound in the sound.cfg folder measured in something other than KTAS? If it is KIAS then the sound still isn't played as per my configuration settings. 

Any help or suggestions would be great! 

Cheers 
Joe

...s the wind sound supossed to effected by altitude as well? 

 

Well, the air gets thinner, the higher you go, so I'd say yes. Taken to extreme - sound waves cannot travel without a medium (solid, liquid or gas), that's why in space, no one can hear you scream

 

Can't answer your other queries sorry.