Filter Crossover
The Crossover feature can be very handy to help reduce the operational strain on a tactile unit. It also can be very good for testing of different frequency bands. So a user can determine what any individual or indeed all their effects are outputting for any given frequency range. Why have your tactile operating at 120Hz if it does very little worthwhile with effects you use on that unit/channel beyond 90Hz. Additionally, why have your tactile unit output low frequencies like under 20Hz if it struggles to bring much from them.
Depending on the configuration applied. A user may want a channel/unit that could have specific purpose for engine effects and this channel have a wider frequency range or different EQ applied. This would help boost RPM sensations but again we should test and take into account what the performance output for the used unit is, rather than just operate with no crossover control.
Sometimes, tactile can feel stronger on one unit than another, even with the same models and settings applied. You can use the gain here in Crossover to help balance the output level for a unit to match that of others.
Its always good to keep an eye on the INPUT & OUTPUT meters when making changes and to determine if your soundcard or indeed feedback felt from your units has an inbalance.
Keep in mind you have settings for channel "A" and channel "B"
RED
X-Over Link
This can show "Crossover Settings" overlaid in the grided frequency chart
We can determine from this "A" & "B" channels that can potentially be set with different settings.
Only Bi-Amp mode offers this.
The Grid in the chart helps to relate to the "Bass Energy" different frequencies have.
GREEN
High Pass
This determines the frequency value you want to start from.
Note, when set to "OFF" it will operate from below 20Hz. If set to 20Hz it will start from 20Hz
BLUE
Low Pass
This determines the frequency Hz value you want to use upto.
Keep in mind this does not mean frequencies over this are not felt at all.
Take note of what "Slope" is also used factors as to how the frequencies range falls off.
Type
Select the type of filter you may want to apply. You can have none if you want.
Pay attention to how the visual representation changes for the frequency chart
Slope
This determines how gradual or instant the slope falls off.
Pay attention to how the visual representation changes for the frequency chart
ORANGE
Gain
Alters how strong all the Hz within the set "Crossover" are output.
You can adust this in combination with your soundcard and software output gain settings.
Take care with adding too much gain adjustment. Different soundcards can output stronger signals than others. You may also discover some sims or variation between different tactile software and settings used.
Parametric EQ (PEQ)
Unlike traditional EQ with sliders at pre-defined frequencies.
A PEQ allows us to select individual frequencies and then adjust these how we please.
Do keep in mind that increased dB can add possible distortion. Some tactile units will not vary much the additional energy/detail they output with increased dB applied. Yet we can use EQ to trim over-excitable tactile units with select frequencies.
What we can term as "Peaks" as the peak characteristics of a unit will maybe determine what gain you use with it. Yet if we can reduce/trim the "Peak" we alter the characteristic of the output of the unit and then can find a more personal preference in their possible operation. Consider how different headphones can sound very different, some with booming or muddy bass or overbearing mid-range to being overbright with higher frequencies. Not all tactile are going to output frequencies the same, how the frequencies feel may vary with the users own installation placement, method and materials.
Good "EQ" when applied and combined with clever usage of the "Crossover" a user can restrict frequencies that go to their units to have them operate more efficiently. Basically no point frequencies going to a unit if the unit does not produce them well. This then frees up the unit to only operate with the Hz we determine to work well with it.
Benefits this may bring will vary but we can help a unit to run cooler, more efficiently, bring improved refinement and detail. Yet importantly be more personalised to the users own preferences with the materials/installation for the cockpit they have being used.
Users that have basic/budget tactile wont gain as much with this as with improved or higher end tactile may achieve. Although really users with basic/budget tactile and normal amps with no such controls we highlight here. What tactile immersion they possibly achieve is certainly not to the upper levels or an immersive experience to the true potential possible. The difference in performance can be quite large but notably, so can the investment needed be much greater too.
CYAN
Frequency Chart
Notice the chart shows the typical audio hearing range of 20-20KHz
The common discussed tactile used frequency range is usually from 20Hz - 100Hz+
Different models of transducers have varied specifications or usable frequency ranges.
(This is covered better below)
RED
X-Over Link
This can show "Crossover Settings" overlaid in the grided frequency chart along with the settings being applied via EQ. Only Bi-Amp mode offers this.
GREEN
Bypass
This disables "ALL EQ Filters" for quick comparisons to what your "EQ" settings are achieving with the audio. This can be useful when doing tone tests, to determine if you want to trim some midrange bass but perhaps boost below 30Hz and to also try to gain a bit more detail with higher frequencies.
Reset
Clears filters to default settings
Filters 1-8 (Channel A & B)
If in Stereo mode keep in mind you need to apply settings in both channel A/B. When the amp is in Dual Mono then the EQ is applied to both channels the same. Some users may have an amp powering different tactile. So in that case, "Stereo" operation would be best to enable individual EQ settings for the different tactile used on channel "A" and "B"
You can click the 1-8 Filters to disable/enable them individually.
This can be good to feel what individual filter settings are bringing when on/off
Gain
Setting the dB for the selected frequency "Center Value" being used.
Frequency
Determine the Hz "Center Value" that you want to alter.
YELLOW
Quality
Often referred to as the "Q"
This determines what "Surrounding Frequencies" are also being included for the selected "Center Value Frequency". Pay attention to the visual representation as it narrows/widens the "Q Factor".
This can be useful to cover a range of Hz for the desired slope without having to have multiple filters used. However, sometimes we can have more specific control by using additional filters, each with their own Hz values selected. Practice with these settings and it will become apparent easily what they do with feeling and seeing the visual representation graphics applied.
Type
Select the filter type to be used.
For tactile operation and the limited frequencies, we use with these, compared to full audio and speakers. We perhaps do not need so many options but included are Low Shelf (LS) / High Shelf (HS) & PEQ based filters.
Dynamic EQ (DEQ)
For tactile usage, tweakers may prefer to use the PEQ than this DEQ. Although we can see potential advantages for each but user preference from testing may determine if, what or indeed if both are used.
One main difference is that we have a threshold control with the DEQ
Like the PEQ we can have different settings for channels A/B if the user has the amp set to Stereo operation mode.
It is good to use the visual representation to see how/what settings are doing to the output.
Notice that with the DEQ the dB varies from 0 to -50dB. This gives us the ability to determine how the drop off operates within the dB range. Testing can be done by the user to help determine if they find this useful for their own tuning methods or indeed how deep they want to get into this.
GREEN
Gain
Setting the dB for the selected frequency "Center Value" being used.
Frequency
Determine the Hz "Center Value" that you want to alter.
Quality
This affects what surrounding frequencies are also altered with the frequency given as the center value and based on the controls being set.
Type
This offers Bandpass (BP) Low Pass (LP) and High Pass (HP) filters.
The user can look at the visual representation as to what each is applying and in accordance with the other settings.
RED
DEQ (Dynamic EQ)
Turn the EQ on/off for the channel
BLUE
Threshold
Alter how the gain is reduced over the dB range. This can be a wider/larger drop at the start to reduce the energy for this frequency to a dB level below 0dB. It can allow the user to help shape/target how a specific group of frequencies may be output/controlled on a tactile unit.
Attack & Release
I keep these at 50ms and 100ms
This feature may be more useful with subwoofers than tactile.
Ratio
I keep this at 1:5:0
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