Advice on best product for bass shaker installation

[markturner1960]

Hi, I am thinking of upgrading from or replacing my jet seat with some bass shakers. Been recommended the BST2, but on searching found quite a choice of varying sized, rated shaker pucks. I will be mounting them direct to my sim chair from the selection in the search window here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Dayton+Audio+BST-2+Tactile+Bass+Shaker&i=electronics&crid=JM9IXK08NXJB&sprefix=dayton+audio+bst-2+tactile+bass+shaker%2Celectronics%2C488&ref=nb_sb_noss 

What would people who have gone down this route recommend? How many and of what size / rating? Many thanks! 

[Tiyrant]

Bit late to this topic, but I have 2 50w AuraSound AST-2B-4's screwed directly into the bottom of an IKEA Markus chair.

One 50w shaker is easily enough for most 'direct-to-chair' setups, as long as you're able to mount it near the centre line. This wasn't a possibility for me, so when I had just one wired up, the vibration was biased to one side. I added the second one to balance it out.

I usually run them at 50% volume then dial the simshaker settings in at between 25 - 75 depending on the effect. Any more than that and my neighbours would probably complain. 

[markturner1960]

Excellent, thanks!

[skypickle]

Which amp?

[Canadus]

On 8/19/2023 at 4:52 PM, Tiyrant said:

Bit late to this topic, but I have 2 50w AuraSound AST-2B-4's screwed directly into the bottom of an IKEA Markus chair.

One 50w shaker is easily enough for most 'direct-to-chair' setups, as long as you're able to mount it near the centre line. This wasn't a possibility for me, so when I had just one wired up, the vibration was biased to one side. I added the second one to balance it out.

I usually run them at 50% volume then dial the simshaker settings in at between 25 - 75 depending on the effect. Any more than that and my neighbours would probably complain. 

Would be interested in some pictures of your setup, as I plan to upgrade my jetseat as well & attach some shakers to my swedish office chair 

[Tiyrant]

On 9/23/2023 at 9:40 PM, Canadus said:

Would be interested in some pictures of your setup, as I plan to upgrade my jetseat as well & attach some shakers to my swedish office chair 

Same thing on the other side. The wire is routed around the chair using stick on clips.

I used some fabric cable sleeves to protect the 'umbilical' going to the amp mounted on the underside of my desk. 

Edited September 26, 2023 by Tiyrant
Added additional images

[Ala12Rv-Tundra]

What screws to attach a vibration device for cheap wood or mdf? 

[Canadus]

On 9/26/2023 at 1:53 AM, Tiyrant said:

Same thing on the other side. The wire is routed around the chair using stick on clips.

I used some fabric cable sleeves to protect the 'umbilical' going to the amp mounted on the underside of my desk. 

 

 

 

Wow. Great. It`s exactly what I have in mind for my setup (using the same chair as you...) 
I plan to use 2x Dayton Audio BST-2, which come in at 35W max each. 
Did plan to attach the Amp to the chair, but your solution seems to work better, when planning to deattach everything.

How do you like your 2 shakers? Do you think that`s it too much or do you feel it`s just perfect, mounted on your seat?
I`m asking, as your shakers would correspond to Dayton`s BST-1.

Did you also mount some transducers to your pedals?
I`m keen on trying that as well (most likely by using some small Dayton TT-25), plus maybe mounting a 5th small shaker to my stick.

[Hoirtel]

I have two Dayton audio BST-1s which I love, so much extra immersion. I have a homemade simpit with a sim racing seat mounted on plywood which is attached to the frame via rubber anti vibration mounts. They help reduce any of the noise through the house and ensure that I get the full effect through the seat.

The main challenge I had is choosing the amp. I went for a nobsound mini (hmm) seems quite widely used at the time and does run these well although they are 50w and the amp only does 30 per channel with the current power supply. It can do 50 with more volts. I found it really hard to figure out what amp rating is ok as I know there can be mis matches. On 80% volume it feels fine, I don't use sim shaker, really didn't like it. I use game sound only (EQ'd) and it feels great, sonic booms feel like I have been hit with a bomb though! The game sound option is so much less hassle and to me feels so much more natural with the game, perfect sync and as much variety as the game sounds effects have. One thing I have noticed is that not all modules have the same amount of low frequency sounds. For example the F15 feels quite weak all the time, but the apache is amazing - nice subtle thud when the door closes and the gun rattle it nicely, in the front you feel it even more, like it was actually under my seat. Helis in general are great as the rotor whirl works nicely.

Edited September 28, 2023 by Hoirtel

[Tiyrant]

On 9/28/2023 at 8:29 AM, Canadus said:

Wow. Great. It`s exactly what I have in mind for my setup (using the same chair as you...) 
I plan to use 2x Dayton Audio BST-2, which come in at 35W max each. 
Did plan to attach the Amp to the chair, but your solution seems to work better, when planning to deattach everything.

How do you like your 2 shakers? Do you think that`s it too much or do you feel it`s just perfect, mounted on your seat?
I`m asking, as your shakers would correspond to Dayton`s BST-1.

Did you also mount some transducers to your pedals?
I`m keen on trying that as well (most likely by using some small Dayton TT-25), plus maybe mounting a 5th small shaker to my stick.

They're really cool. One of those things that's really hard to come back from when you get used to it. Its especially useful for Helicopters and Warbirds as you can feel when VRS or a stall is about to kick in. 

Two of them are definitely far too powerful for an office chair, I just needed them for balanced haptics. I usually run the amp at between 20 and 50% volume. Anything past that and I think the neighbours would complain! I also dial the settings down on the shaker software to about 20 - 50% depending on the effect.

I don't have any transducers on the pedals. I would like to, but I think it might end up a bit too much for a desk setup. If I got a permanent rig I'd definitely do it.