Help with bass shakers

[Rankorn]

Hi all
To my ignorance I have just now become aware of the idea of bass shakers.
I am playing with VR, and adding immersion by vibration seems really cool.

I am looking around the web, and the Butt Kicker Plus seems like a great product, regarding software I have seen HaptiConnect, SimShaker and SimHaptic (probably there are more products I am not aware of)

What is a good setup for DCS, hardware and software wise?

Would love to get some beginners advice here..

(I have a normal office chair)

Edited July 7, 2024 by Rankorn

[Biggus]

I'm very happy with my DIY setup.  A single BST-2 mounted to my office chair, with a Nobsound 100w mini amp powered by an old laptop PSU and connected to the PC via USB.  I use Simshaker Sound Module with the Simshaker for Aviators addon to run it all.  It was a fraction of the price of a Buttkicker, and I've got a spare channel to add another bass shaker if I were to be so inclined.

Probably the best hardware mod I've done in terms of immersion, better IME than a VR headset.

[Rankorn]

30 minutes ago, Biggus said:

I'm very happy with my DIY setup.  A single BST-2 mounted to my office chair, with a Nobsound 100w mini amp powered by an old laptop PSU and connected to the PC via USB.  I use Simshaker Sound Module with the Simshaker for Aviators addon to run it all.  It was a fraction of the price of a Buttkicker, and I've got a spare channel to add another bass shaker if I were to be so inclined.

Probably the best hardware mod I've done in terms of immersion, better IME than a VR headset.

Can you post a photo on how you have connected the BST-2 to the chair?

[Biggus]

2 hours ago, Rankorn said:

Can you post a photo on how you have connected the BST-2 to the chair?

It's not pretty.  I cut a piece of 12mm MDF and sandwiched it between the chair and the transducer.  I bolted the entire assembly to the chair, which meant making a few holes.

[Rankorn]

Thanks for the photo.
My chair has no flat back so things are more complicated..

[Rankorn]

At the end after a lot of reading and youtubing, I have ordered the Butt Kicker Gamer Plus system.

It has a special mount for office chairs and includes the amp.

Will probably also buy the SimHaptic app to get all the effects.

[Grumpy Moose]

On 7/8/2024 at 1:00 AM, Biggus said:

It's not pretty.  I cut a piece of 12mm MDF and sandwiched it between the chair and the transducer.  I bolted the entire assembly to the chair, which meant making a few holes.

Biggus what did you use as a gasket? I see blue. My setup up is similar except for the chair is a hollow plastic drag racing seat. My BST-2 is just screwed directly into the plastic. Maybe I'd get a better seal and therefore better performance with the gasket.

Yes. I really am that stupid. I see now that you said you used a 12 mm piece of MDF.

Edited July 12, 2024 by Grumpy Moose

[Biggus]

1 hour ago, Grumpy Moose said:

Biggus what did you use as a gasket? I see blue. My setup up is similar except for the chair is a hollow plastic drag racing seat. My BST-2 is just screwed directly into the plastic. Maybe I'd get a better seal and therefore better performance with the gasket.

Yes. I really am that stupid. I see now that you said you used a 12 mm piece of MDF.

 

Not stupid, just human.

Yeah, it's MDF.  Not even really a gasket, just a flat piece of poor quality garbage with holes for the bolts.  When I decide to set up a second transducer, I'll just make it wider and have one against each of my kidneys.

With plastic, I'd say it would certainly be worth the experiment to do something similar to what I've done.  It's pretty low effort and could have a great result.  But the most important thing I've found so far is to have a decent power supply.