I read at another Sim site that to have separate comm and aircraft sounds (comm through headphones and aircraft through speakers) would require two sound cards. Not understanding why. This info was, I believe, provided by an FSX team member.FSX sound will be in 5.1 correct? Why wouldn't the comm be on one channel, say the center, and aircraft sound on the other four surround channels? The .1 sub frequency is not a concern since its non-directional.Another concern should be the availability of a free PCI slot and resources for the second sound card. SD

Almost everyone already has a 2nd sound card. Use the built in motherboard sound card for the ATC and your PCI audio card for the 5.1 sound.Carmine :-wave

<>That's correct.

You could use a USB headset, my Logitech one is a separate audio device (and I'm guessing all are), and I usually use my speakers for the sound in games and such, and the headset for VOIP-programs. I'm glad that FSX will let me use it that way.Klas

>Almost everyone already has a 2nd sound card. Use the built>in motherboard sound card for the ATC and your PCI audio card>for the 5.1 sound.>>Carmine :-waveSo how does one go about doing this?

Hello, First step would probably be to enable the sound card in the BIOS if it isn't already. Then make sure that you have the drivers installed from your Motherboard CD or update from their website. Then it's a matter of configuring the sound card that you want to use for AUDIO & VOICE in the Sound Options in FSX. I don't have it open in front of my but there is a selection in the Sound Options Menu to configure audio which will open a System Audio Control Panel. Then you just select the card under the Audio & Voice tabs that you want to use for each.I would use my Motherboard sound card for voice and my X-Fi card for sound. Then plug headphones into the motherboard audio output jack and my regular 5.1 speakers stay connected to my X-Fi card.Now you can hear the ambient noise from your surroundings and ATC through the headphones! It will make my AI voice command that much nicer too! Thanks ACES!

USB headset is totally the way to go for doing this. The driver essentially creates a virtual 2nd sound card for you to select. You just tell SB3 or whatever to use that as its primary sound device and you leave FS's sound running through your speakers on the other sound card...

As mentioned, USB headsets are basically USB sound cards with built in speakers and maybe a microphone. I've got a PS2 headset (actually made by Logitech) and it works fine with my computer. (I've used the headset for TeamSpeak.)"Let me help you out. You're cleared to taxi any way you can to any runway you see."

Works perfectly, thanks guys. USB headset is definitely the way to go.

You guys must be politicians! You missed my point and question.I was wondering why MS elected not to use the center channel for comm. That is how surround sound is configured. Center channel is for voices, surrounds are for effects and off-center voices, and the sub for non-directional low frequency effects.With all the comments about frame rates and cpu load, I would think having to devote resources to another card would be of concern.Yes I know. If the second card has an effect on my system, don't separate the audio.SD

>You guys must be politicians! You missed my point and>question.>>I was wondering why MS elected not to use the center channel>for comm. That is how surround sound is configured. Center>channel is for voices, surrounds are for effects and>off-center voices, and the sub for non-directional low>frequency effects.>>With all the comments about frame rates and cpu load, I would>think having to devote resources to another card would be of>concern.>>Yes I know. If the second card has an effect on my system,>don't separate the audio.>>SD >How exactly are you supposed to plug headphones into just the center channel?

Good point- Those with 5.1 cards/speakers will see that you have 3 cables. Each cable carries 2 channels. I think one cable carries Front Left and Front Right; while another carries Rear Left and Rear Right. The last cable must carry center channel and sub woofer. You can't really choose to only use the center channel without bringing the sub woofer down with it.

Good point about where to plug the headphones. From what I can see, 5.1 sound cards do not have separate output jacks for the each channel. Looks like the speaker system will do the decoding. If that is the case, a second sound card may have to be the answer. You do not want to plug headphones into a powered speaker output. Or as mentioned, USB headphones.Thanks for the help guys,SD

>Good point about where to plug the headphones. From what I>can see, 5.1 sound cards do not have separate output jacks for>the each channel. Looks like the speaker system will do the>decoding. >>If that is the case, a second sound card may have to be the>answer. You do not want to plug headphones into a powered>speaker output. Or as mentioned, USB headphones.>>Thanks for the help guys,>>SDThere are always ways around things like that, but it's a question of if it's worth the extra work in my case. I do some audio work and already have a second sound card installed, but I do understand that's not the case for everyone.What I'm also wondering, I haven't found any info on this, is how comms will work with shared skies, specifically when you have a person in the plane with you.I think it's easiest to explain my question through an example.You are in a multiplayer session at a controlled airport. Someone is in the tower, other planes are flying around, and you are flying a flight with a co-pilot in your plane. You want to be able to communicate with the co-pilot, so you are using the VOIP feature. Does everything you say go over the general comms as well? If I'm running through landing procedures or checklists with my co-pilot, that doesn't need to be broadcast over the general multiplayer comms. I guess what I'm wondering is if there is a push to talk feature that switches you from comms in just your plane to comms over the radio.Does that make any sense?

I remember when I did the VoxATC demo you could have a hot mike and stll use a push-to-talk button on a yoke or joystick.Its been awhile since I checked that, but it might be worth a re-look. I believe WinXP had an option in the Sound setup for the hot mike. I turned it off since the Darth Vader breathing in the headphones was getting irritating.Now the question is still, will the hot mike work as an intercom between pilot and co-pilot and still have a PTT for the radios?Any FSX team member care to solve this mystery?SD