Installing a bass shaker: hardware, settings and impressions

After trying a friend's Buttkicker, I wanted to add vibration to my own cockpit. For this November 2023 installation, I use a Nobsound NS-01G Pro amplifier and Dayton Audio BST-1 transducers with 3D-printed mounts. The aim is to feel a few carefully chosen effects, particularly gear changes, without drowning out information from the steering wheel and pedals I already use.

Two transducers and one amplifier

My installation uses the Nobsound's two channels, with one transducer at the front beneath the pedals and another at the rear. I connect each BST-1 to the amplifier with speaker cable, observing polarity.

I chose printed brackets rather than enlarging the original mounting holes. After trying several options, I settled on a vertical three-point rear mount attached to the profile slots. The files accompanying the video provide those brackets.

The amplifier receives power before connecting to the PC over USB. My powered hub caused an unwanted voice announcement; connecting directly to the PC avoided that behaviour on my installation.

Select effects in SimHub

I rename the Windows audio output to make it easy to identify, then select it in SimHub. I assign the channels to the front and rear and disable those I do not use.

I start with the gear-change jolt, the effect that made the biggest impression during my first experience. I add few others: too much vibration can hide information already coming through the wheel and pedals.

Settings can be saved in a game-specific profile. My WRC example makes it possible to restore the appropriate effects when switching simulations.

iRacing's separate approach

For iRacing, I leave my SimHub profile empty and use the game's LFE function in its options. I select the same audio output and adjust the available effects. This avoids running two configurations at once.

During this test, I noticed a delay through SimHub that I did not experience with the integrated solution. That is my observation at the time, rather than a latency measurement applicable to every installation.

What I take from the installation

Gear changes provide the jolt I wanted and make the cockpit feel more alive. However, I do not consider these transducers a replacement for localised pedal vibration or a motion system. I have not tested a four-transducer configuration. With my two units, a small number of carefully adjusted effects suits me better than continuous vibration.