Bass Shaker

Overview

The Bass Shaker component configures audio-based tactile transducers (bass shakers / butt kickers) that are physically mounted to your rig. Unlike motion platform components, the Bass Shaker has no motion axes — it generates low-frequency audio signals that drive the transducers to produce vibrations simulating engine rumble, road texture, gear shifts, and other haptic effects.

The Bass Shaker component works together with the Bass Shaker Cue in the Profile Editor. The Sim Config component handles hardware setup (which audio devices and channels to use), while the cue handles effect configuration (which effects are active and their intensities).

Getting Started

1. In the Sim Config tab, click the “+” tab to add a new component.
2. Select Bass Shaker from the dropdown.
3. The Bass Shaker configuration panel will appear where you can add and configure individual transducers.

Configuring Transducers

Each physical bass shaker / transducer on your rig needs to be added as a separate transducer entry. For each transducer, you configure:

• Name — A descriptive label (e.g., “Under Seat”, “Front Left”, “Pedal Deck”).
• Location — The physical position of the transducer on your rig. Choose from predefined positions such as Center, Front, Rear, Left, Right, Front Left, Front Right, Rear Left, Rear Right, Under Seat, Seat Back, or Brake Pedal. The location determines how effects are spatially routed — effects originating near a transducer’s position will be louder on that transducer.
• Audio Device — Select the Windows audio output device connected to this transducer’s amplifier.
• Channel — Select the specific audio channel on the device (e.g., Left, Right for a stereo device).
• Volume — Master volume for this transducer (0–100%).

Audio Device Selection

DRSM uses your Windows audio output devices to send audio signals to your transducers. Common setups include:

• USB sound card — A dedicated USB audio interface with one or more channels, each connected to a separate amplifier and transducer.
• Multi-channel audio interface — A device with 4, 6, or 8 channels, allowing multiple transducers from a single device.
• Onboard sound card — Your motherboard’s built-in audio output can work but is typically shared with other audio (games, music), which may cause interference.

Tip

Use a dedicated audio device for bass shakers rather than sharing your main gaming audio output. This prevents game audio from bleeding into the transducers and vice versa.

Location and Spatial Routing

The location you assign to each transducer determines how effects are distributed across your rig. DRSM uses distance-based spatial routing — effects have a simulated origin point (e.g., engine vibration originates at the front of the vehicle, road texture originates at each tire position), and transducers closer to that origin receive a stronger signal.

For example:

• A transducer set to Front will receive stronger engine and brake vibration effects.
• A transducer set to Rear will receive stronger rear-tire road texture effects.
• A transducer set to Under Seat will receive a balanced mix of all effects.

If you only have a single transducer, set its location to Center for an even distribution of all effects.

Audio Settings

• Sample Rate — The audio output sample rate. Default: 8000 Hz. This is sufficient for the low-frequency content bass shakers produce (typically 20–200 Hz). Higher sample rates offer no benefit for transducer output and increase CPU usage.
• Buffer Size — The audio buffer size in samples. Default: 32 samples (4ms at 8kHz). Smaller buffers reduce latency but may cause audio glitches on slower systems. Increase to 64 or 128 if you hear crackling or dropouts.

How It Works

When the motion system is active (you press Start), DRSM begins streaming audio to all configured transducer devices. Effects are synthesized in real time based on incoming game telemetry — RPM drives engine vibration, tire slip drives road texture, gear changes trigger impact effects, and so on. When the motion system stops, audio streaming stops and transducers go silent.

Tuning Tips

• Start with one transducer — Configure and test a single transducer before adding more. Verify it produces output by using the Test buttons in the Bass Shaker Cue.
• Use dedicated audio devices — Sharing an audio device between bass shakers and game audio causes interference. A cheap USB sound card works well for single-transducer setups.
• Set volume conservatively — Start at 50% and increase gradually. Bass shakers can produce surprisingly strong vibrations at high volumes, and excessive levels can damage transducers or mounting hardware.
• Match location to physical position — Accurate location assignment makes spatial routing feel natural. If your transducer is bolted under the driver’s seat, choose “Under Seat” rather than “Center”.
• Multiple transducers — If you have transducers at different positions on your rig, assign each to the closest matching location. This enables spatial effects — you’ll feel engine vibration more at the front and road bumps more at the side closest to the impacted tire.