Firstly I would say I dont like giving a perception what I say trumps over what others say or the opinions they offer are any less appreciated or important. That I come barging in or take over. It's actually great to see people offer their opinions and seek to help others based on their own experiences. By my own passion on the topic its easy to be seen to be overbearing even when the intentions are good or to help.
I think you certainly need to consider and look at the frame/seat combo you have and ask is it the best platform for a longterm solution or a high level of tactile as proposed? Even if you added a proper race seat and done some modifications, would it be worth considering going with an 80/20 based route? The reason I say this is the opportunities by the nature of 80/20 to adapt it and position or install tactile are much better and it likely feel better on such a build. It allows creativity and do things not possible or easy with pre-built designs never intended for the role of having multi-tactile installations.
What I offer is my own past experience, I moved from the Evo to a more substantial Gamepod cockpit, with proper race seat to then messing with my own d.i.y builds with steel/chrome tubing/clamps I had access too.
It's something to consider but yes you could keep what you have and modify it to still work well. The question for you, is it worth spending the money on the Evo to modify/adapt and perhaps get a better/proper seat?
Arrrrrrrhhhhhh
See how I complicate things and add confusion in options, in search of aiming for better. Why when lesser may be fine for most people and often is!!! My own advice is not always the best or simplest. You could easily enjoy tactile with some ADX units and spend a few bucks attaching them to your Evo. Lots of people enjoying such and are evident, in that you don't necessarily have to go so far to enjoy tactile immersion.
One is a simple path, the other not so .........
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Which First?
If you opt for trying SSW before Simvibe then it will operate up to 6 units from 1 soundcard.
This configuration in Simvibe would indeed require two soundcards as it is using CM & EM "Output Mixer" channels, so yes with Simvibe it not only costs more as your paying for all that Sim Commander 4 offers but this also needs an additional soundcard.
Tores Of Duty
It then in the way it operates requires you to manually input, all the effects you want individually, into both the EM and CM channels. That means to input all the tones, the slider or advanced settings. This can be frustrating and time-consuming. Especially when balancing or fine-tuning, as then again you have to adapt each so it adds a lot of back n forth between CM & EM within its limited user-interface.
Different Approach
We avoid all this in SSW as how it works is totally different. The user can adapt/save any effects .wav (audio waveform) in less than a minute. Have this configured to best suit the unit on any particular channel or purpose required? Also determine what channels you want it on. Very simple, precise and quick.
Example of creating effects for SSW via "Audacity" audio tool.
In reference to SSW I would expect if we had good effects completed and a profile created to suit your/potential configuration then you may not even feel the need to spend even more on Simvibe and the bigger learning curve or time spent within it, to get the most out of it. The choice is yours friend.
The Audio Tactile Factor
It's not hard or expensive to implement/combine the output of SSW with "Audio Tactile" if you wanted the felt immersion of both. You could even decide to just mix the "Audio Tactile" outputting with any single unit or all units if you wanted.
Take note some games the "Audio Tactile" can provide excellent results and bring an addition to the immersion you cant get with these telemetry based options.
Even without telemetry based tactile, its still possible to have an enjoyable tactile experience. One recent example is Forza 7 as it has some superb tactile response that can be very satisfying when playing the game. The game feels rather bare/naked without the tactile, yeah even here tactile can make a title more enjoyable. With such you get "real engine recordings" more of the atmosphere/personality of the car driven. Also some additional detailing from "curbs" that "brrrrrrrrrrr" sound with some road surfaces producing a sensation that may do nothing in Simvibe or SSW.
With "audio tactile" the main drawback is lack of control. It depends on the title and the options in the sound controls of how you can alter the audio output as to perhaps what you can do within it to suit your own pref.
D-Box + Audio
What I would say, is companies like Versaro that offer high-end D-Box motion with its own built-in tactile. They still ALSO use a BK Advance for the very reason they mix both "Audio" & "Telemetry" based tactile together for added immersion.
Some people say you don't need audio when using "Simvibe" and they are right in that Simvibe or SSW for that matter do MANY things "audio cant or doesn't". However, this can be said of both types of tactile sources. Its what can be achieved with both or for the user to have the choice to use one or the other individually.
Your Goals?
So even here I still complicate things but it's for the user to determine how deep they want to go with it all. It's better sometimes to have something simple and enjoy it for what it is than complicate it in the pursuit of something greater.
Only you can answer what is the best way forward for you to go.
