I was thinking of getting the new V4, and happened to check out the demo video on their site. I'm a bit disappointed to be honest. The voice seems more robotic than the standard FS. OK you're getting a much better ATC environment, but I don't think I could listen to those voices all the time. Also the speach seems to be emtremely quick, and hard to understand - OR is that me? For those that have V3 and those that already have V4, is this video accurate to the finished product?Cheers

I wrote this on the Radar Contact forum:"I just crossed RC 4 of my list of addons I was looking forward to. The voices even in the downloadable versions sound horribly robotic. Much, much worse than the default FS9 ones.I do not doubt the immense added functionality that RC4 is going to offer, but I'm getting headaches just listening to the robots.Didn't anyone check the quality of these recordings? They all sounded like they were pieced together on some ancient 1971 mix board.I had high hopes for this."ricardo

I agree the voices are less immersive than the default FS9 voices.But what's the alternative ? With MS ATC e.g on a short flight in Europe, I get stupid frequency changes and zig-zag headings and incorrect phrases and unusual procedures. It is not ATC, it's a parody on ATC.Only alternative to RC4 is not using ATC at all. Mike

yea i totally agreealthough never going to buy it as i play online vatsim all the time, the voices are quite bad considering the default ATC voices are so much more 'human'.rgds

Hi Alaister,As one of the v4 testers I've probably listened to the voices more than most (one of them is even mine!) and, yes, the video gives a reasonable representation of how we sound.To give a fuller idea 3 demos are downloadable at http://www.mmmprod.com/radarcontact4.html The voices in v4 are very similar to those in v3 which folks have been using successfully for a couple of years (a considerable amount of time was spent recording and editing them - we're sorry if they still don't come up to expectations)Speaking from my own experience I've not had a problem with the voices (and have listened to them a lot during testing!). I find the content of the atc provided to be the really immersive element - even if I do end up telling myself off once in a while All the best,John aka Robot 15. 'If only you were that intelligent' my wife comments ;-)

Alaister,I agree with you about the voices.But have you ever heard real ATC ?It is instructive to go to http://www.liveatc.net/ and listen to real ATC !!!! It is almost incomprehensible.Roger

>Alaister,>>I agree with you about the voices.>But have you ever heard real ATC ?>It is instructive to go to http://www.liveatc.net/ > >and listen to real ATC !!!! It is almost incomprehensible.>Yes I find it very difficult to hear what they say. I wouldn't be able to complete a flight like this.BTW just ordered RC4

I purchased RC3 over a year ago and I hated it and uninstalled it from my system. The voices drove me crazy, it was like listening to a robot in a bad 50's science fiction movie.I fly on Vatsim now and more than a few controllers are really good and sound like a slightly slower version of real ATC. It is just so much nicer when you are dealing with a real controller and he or she is telling you the winds when you are on short final, telling you about upcoming weather and traffic and you can respond by simplly hitting your push to talk key on your yoke. As far as real ATC being difficult to understand, it is just a matter of getting used to the phraseology. If a Student pilot can learm enough ATC communication in around 9-14 hours to be able to solo, along with everything else he or she has to learn to fly the plane , I don't think it is that difficult a task to communicate with either real ATC or Vatsim Controllers. Like anything worthwhile in life, it just requires a bit of effort to learn it.

I, too, have been waiting eagerly for RC 4 for over a year. I just looked at the demo videos a day ago and was immediately put off by the voices. There is no doubt at all that it detracts from the overall experience. However, after watching all three videos I soon found myself comparing how well RC handles all the ATC aspects, especially compared to the absolutely awful default FS. I'm going to order RC today. I would suggest to the makers of RC that for v4.1 they find some of those talented people out there who can truly edit sound files. I can understand that the developer's first priority is to deliver a viable ATC environment. Next, they can clean up the wav file meshing. Mike

All I can say is that I received the program yesterday having pre ordered it at the first opportunity. The voices sound fine to my ears.Personally have always felt that Radar Contact was far superior to the built-in ATC in FS9 that it was well worth the investment.I think that it is an excellent, must have, add-on and would highly recommend it.And, no, am not involved with RC in any way, just a pleased user.Ed GreenKCLThttp://www.panelshop.com/DEV.jpg

Hi,I have to agree with Ed. I have both RCv3 and VoxATC (with the add on voices). The default ATC is certainly better than nothing. But, I like having more intelligent and realistic controllers. Personally I listen to radios all day. I use radios for my day job as well as for flying (I am just a lowly student pilot). I live in the midwest USA. Most of us in this area do not have accents. Therefore I think we all sound kind of robotic. On the radio most voices are flat and monotone (unless something bad is happening...then they sound human again ;) ). So I guess for me the voices in these programs are not really an issue. The above is just my opinion. I am not saying that those who do not like the voices are wrong or right. I just thought I would share my view on the issue and the product.Nick

I just watched all three of the demo videos. While impressed with the level of complexity as well as the accurate phraseology, I did find it a bit "strange" to hear a lady with a distinctly "Southern US accent" in the UK tower, and her "twin" in the French Control Center... ;)

Bill, well of course! The whole world speaks "Southern US", don't they? Here in Virginia, that's all we hear! So, that makes imminent sense to me. :)

I'm thinking about buying it besides the robotic voice issue. But let me ask this....if I am flying a F1 ATR 72 into a busy airport and heavy traffic, is my system going to grind to a halt? I have a 2.2 gig processor and 500 mb RAM.

Hi there,I would guess you are already getting fairly low framerates due to the aircraft, scenery and ai. RC shouldn't make any significant difference.All the best,John