SRS and Multiplayer

[williehayesjr]

Hi everyone; last week I installed SRS, got it running and everything. My first attempt at multiplayer left me full of fear. I am a retired senior, and I am not sure if I really understand the gibberish I saw when clicking "Multiplayer" inside of DCS World. Is there a site or a few brave souls willing to help a brother out in figuring out the mess I have gotten myself into. When I saw the many different servers, I freaked out and ran, and this was last week. Today I finally gathered up the courage to ask for help. Help help help williehayesjr@gmail.com. Any suggestions, sites, documentations or other types of help is welcomed--I am begging.

[dooom]

Hey Willie! Don't bite too much off in your first go is my advice. SRS requires quite a bit of proficiency in terms of knowing your module radios and how to follow the briefing notes for the MP mission. I'd suggest two things before jumping into MP and SRS all at once.

 

First - give Discord a try. Its a VOIP client thats free where many folks will congregate in MP missions... most of the big servers will have discord information in their server description or briefing.

 

Second - Just try to get into a MP server first without even worrying about comms. Join in.. test out a few spawn ins and get used to how chat, f10 map and briefings look. I'd recommend just trying the Virtual acrobatics server first... theres no combat and they have all the airframes. Join in... read up what you can do in there and then fly around. Use the chat to talk to others. check out whats happening in F10 map etc.

 

Then, check out any server that might have "through the inferno" running... its a good mission to learn how in game maps can be used for coordination and some of the servers are running discord for voice coordination.. some are running SRS..

 

Finally I'd suggest dipping the toe into multiplayer with SRS.. it will make sense at that point.

 

Honestly though... I have been playing since 2007 and I still feel like Discord + a good MP mission is all a guy needs.

 

Good luck and have fun!

[williehayesjr]

SRS

 

Thanks Dooom. One more question, is Discord and SRS the same thing or does one work inside the other or, are they completely different programs? I am just getting myself familiar with some of the many terms used in the genre.

 

Note: is it OK if I, every now and then, ask a question of you, for additional help? By the way, I have been playing DCS way back when it was called Lock-On.

[Raisuli]

My first attempt at multiplayer left me full of fear.

 

 

Everything is hard...until it's easy. As dooom said, take it one step at a time. the communications piece is probably the last one you need to worry about.

 

 

The gibberish in the multiplayer screen is easily tamed by clicking on the number of players column. Then look at the ping times, then look at the server. Don't bother with player vs player; look for training, or the acrobatics server dooom mentioned. Join, read the briefing, and try to find your way around.

 

 

 

Low "ping" is good; that means the server is close to you from a network perspective. A few players are good so you can learn to work with and around other people. Not being afraid to apologize is priceless, because (most) of the people here are pretty gentle with new pilots, and the ones that aren't are either having a bad day or not worth knowing in the first place. This is a game, after all, and everyone started on the ground floor.

 

 

 

Don't expect to be a pro your first time, or your second, or your third. Easy steps, when you get one thing down, tackle the next one.

[Victor3]

Thanks Dooom. One more question, is Discord and SRS the same thing or does one work inside the other or, are they completely different programs? I am just getting myself familiar with some of the many terms used in the genre.

 

Note: is it OK if I, every now and then, ask a question of you, for additional help? By the way, I have been playing DCS way back when it was called Lock-On.

 

 

Willie, Discord and SRS are 2 completely different apps (programs). SRS works within DCS using your aircraft's radios. Discord is a standalone communications app think "Teamspeak" or "Ventrilo" if you are familiar with either of those. Welcome back, I'm an old Lomac reject myself...:megalol:

[Habu_69]

Thanks Dooom. One more question, is Discord and SRS the same thing or does one work inside the other or, are they completely different programs? I am just getting myself familiar with some of the many terms used in the genre.

 

 

SRS is a standalone program that functions to provide person to person communications while in the DCS cockpit. Discord is a different standalone program that has literally hundreds of individual "channels," or sites, each dedicated to a common interest where people can join with others for discussion by text or by voice. SRS has it own Discord channel for support quite separate from its communication program. Many of the MP servers also have discord channels where sim pilots typically discuss and plan missions before switching to SRS for in-game communication. Since Discord has voice capability, some pilots simply stay on Discord for in-game communications, but using SRS is more common.

 

 

I am also in the retired senior category and a recent multi-player participant. I found a good place to start is one of the Hoggit servers. Hoggit web site for more info: https://www.reddit.com/r/hoggit/ It is pretty stable, has less rigid protocols than some others and has interesting missions. You can fly solo or join others for a sortie. Be aware that since publication of DCS 2.5.6 MP stability has noticeably degraded but ED is apparently working to restore play-ability. I fly in VR which seems to be most affected by the current issues.

 

 

As mentioned above the only way to gain an MP comfort level is to dive in and do it. Expect to have a few disappointing experiences before getting the hang of it.

[umkhunto]

Hey Willie! Don't bite too much off in your first go is my advice. SRS requires quite a bit of proficiency in terms of knowing your module radios and how to follow the briefing notes for the MP mission. I'd suggest two things before jumping into MP and SRS all at once.

 

First - give Discord a try. Its a VOIP client thats free where many folks will congregate in MP missions... most of the big servers will have discord information in their server description or briefing.

 

Second - Just try to get into a MP server first without even worrying about comms. Join in.. test out a few spawn ins and get used to how chat, f10 map and briefings look. I'd recommend just trying the Virtual acrobatics server first... theres no combat and they have all the airframes. Join in... read up what you can do in there and then fly around. Use the chat to talk to others. check out whats happening in F10 map etc.

 

Then, check out any server that might have "through the inferno" running... its a good mission to learn how in game maps can be used for coordination and some of the servers are running discord for voice coordination.. some are running SRS..

 

Finally I'd suggest dipping the toe into multiplayer with SRS.. it will make sense at that point.

 

Honestly though... I have been playing since 2007 and I still feel like Discord + a good MP mission is all a guy needs.

 

Good luck and have fun!

Do not discourage people from using SRS! That's just poor form.

 

It's not that difficult nor complex. Rather discouraging people, you could have used the time you spent with your post productively, and helped him get settle with SRS.

Edited April 8, 2020 by umkhunto

[umkhunto]

Hi everyone; last week I installed SRS, got it running and everything. My first attempt at multiplayer left me full of fear. I am a retired senior, and I am not sure if I really understand the gibberish I saw when clicking "Multiplayer" inside of DCS World. Is there a site or a few brave souls willing to help a brother out in figuring out the mess I have gotten myself into. When I saw the many different servers, I freaked out and ran, and this was last week. Today I finally gathered up the courage to ask for help. Help help help williehayesjr@gmail.com. Any suggestions, sites, documentations or other types of help is welcomed--I am begging.

 

 

Here's an excellent guide on using SRS. Please do not feel intimidated, we all started at the same place.

 

 

 

You can also join Tactical Pascal's Discord, or Hoggit's Discord groups and people will be more than eager to assist with any questions you may have.

[Stubbies2003]

SRS is pretty straight forward to use on the 18 and since people tend to stick to 305.000 which is what the radios dial to automatically it makes using SRS in the 18 very easy. Only problem I had at all with SRS was the default output volume was REALLY low. Once I cranked up the boost I haven't had any issues with SRS at all. As NVidia would say "it just works".

[VpR81]

Hmmm.... Since you've been overwhelmed by the amount of different servers, i assume it would be helpful to explain a few basics about server types in general. This might help you choosing one that suits best for you. Basically there are two types of servers ingame (DCS and other games). PvE (Players vs. Envroinment) and PvP (Players vs. Players). These can vary in submodes like Dogfight, Aerobatics, Base capture etc. Sadly, DCS does not provide a user friendly server browser, having a very basic (and mostly useless) server filter. So you'll propably need to scroll a bit down the list to find one that you might like. For someone beeing new to MP, i'd suggest starting with a PvE server, as there are no enemy players looking for "easy to kill" newbies online and you can get into MP pretty relaxed without getting killed all the time. I'm in MP from day one i installed DCS and still like PvE servers the most. Not only in DCS, in general i like cooperative servers/missions much more than Team Deathmatch or similar team based PvP modes. I'm playing both, but prefer scripted PvE...

 

It might also be worth to mention, that your Ping should be below 100 for a good connection. With a Ping above 200, you'll suffer from desync issues. Most servers will kick you having a ping above 300 i think, as you would slow down the server and disturb game experience for other users connected. Just in case you didn't know.

 

A very good, on western high-fi airframes focused PvE server i regulary join is:

 

"[iTA] Banshee PersianConquest PvE"

 

Most of the ppl there are regulars, playing every weekend or even every day on this server. The regular users are friendly and the admins (as well as the visitors) are always helpful to new ppl. No children (at least very few, but they are realy rare) freaking out bc of accidential team kills or other stuff that can happen in the heat of the battle. So there is a chance to meet ppl you can play regulary with. SRS or Discord is not realy necessary to have fun there. There are always ppl on SRS online, but everyone who wants is welcome to join spontaneous strike formations, no matter if using SRS or text chat. The server also contains various A-G, A-A and anti ship missions with some suit for lone wolfs and others demand teamwork. The missions are lovely scripted, range from easy (i.e. cargo ships) to hard skill (i.e. carrier battle group) and can be spawned by players via the F10 radio submenu. Besides these, there are random spawned defense missions as well and also some type of base capturing is included, where you have to clear any base from enemy ground units and then escort a friendly C-130 to that base. Once it has landed and unloaded friendly troops, you can refuel and rearm at the specific base preparing to take on the next one of your choice. Beeing located in central europe, the ping is way below 100 (30-60 for me, depending on number of players) and the server is not too crowded. I think 25 players at once was the highest number i ever saw on it, wich i think is great for ppl not too familiar with MP.

 

This is just an example, but there are a lot of servers providing interesting and challenging content, without demanding ppl to be experienced online pilots. Don't give up, there are definately servers out there you will highly enjoy and SRS is easy to use once you got behind it! Good luck and hf

[williehayesjr]

Thanks to all of you. Today, I begin my journey to multiplayer heaven. One last thing, can anyone recommend a site which specifically pair advance players with newbies?

[Captain Orso]

Thanks to all of you. Today, I begin my journey to multiplayer heaven. One last thing, can anyone recommend a site which specifically pair advance players with newbies?

 

Hi Willie, I can't say I've heard of a site, which specifically pairs experts with tranies, but I hardly know everything, and I'm not sure of what you mean by "site".

 

The DCS Forum is well known for uncounted helpful souls, willing to pitch in and help a mate along. On reddit (a kind of forum site) the hoggit (hoggit is a club of flight-sim enthusiasts) sub-reddit (sub-forum) has a new thread started each week specifically for people to ask questions, which are then answered by knowledgeable members, and some of hoggit's members are the most knowledgeable in the community.

 

If you mean a server where you can fly with someone, hoggit also has a training server, and once a week if I recall correctly, within a certain timeframe they have some experts online who are willing to teach people specific things.

 

I'm not sure how far the information you've gotten already has helped you. I know the people here are trying to be helpful, but after reading through everything, my first thought is, I have no idea what you know to begin with, but I kind of have the feeling that about 90% went over your head, because you don't know some of what the basics are of what the good helpers here are talking about.

 

So I'll start out with some very basic questions to try to find out what information level you have. Don't worry if you don't know many thing or even anything of what I'm asking. In bite sized pieces, all you need to know is pretty easy to learn.

 

Do you own a headset with a microphone?

Do you know what VOIP (Voice Over IP) is?

Do you know Teamspeak?

Do you know Ventrillo?

Have you ever used Discord (not just the voice-chat function)?

Have you ever used any in-game voice-chat function to speak with other players, including the one in DCS?

What DCS module(s) are you flying?

 

You can PM me if you'd like to rather than drop your pants here, I mean it can be kind of daunting, all this in front of everyone.

 

Best regards

Thom aka Captain Orso