Changing Sound Settings
Adjusting the world you hear
Contents
Adjusting Volume
UI Sounds and Music
Using a Headset
Enable Voice Only
Related Links
Changing General Settings
Optimizing Visuals and Performance
Troubleshooting Basics

Turn down the lights, tune out the real world, and turn on Flight Simulator. Flying high over the Grand Canyon, it's easy to forget that you're sitting at a desk staring into a computer monitor. Sure, Flight Simulator looks real, but it also sounds real. And sound has a subtle yet powerful psychological effect on a simulation's believability.

The aircraft in Flight Simulator sound real because the sounds you hear come from real aircraft. They are meticulously recorded in the field, and then blended together in the studio. The same process is used to create the other sounds you hear in Flight Simulator: the whoosh of wind moving past the cockpit, the rain on the windscreen, the thunder in the distance, the crackle of the radio. In addition to making Flight Simulator seem more realistic, sounds also provide valuable cues as you fly.

To hear it all, make sure you have a good pair of speakers connected to your computer. Better yet, slap on a pair of headphones: You'll block out the distractions, and notice all the subtleties of the world you fly through.

Tip: To turn all Flight Simulator sounds on or off while in the aircraft, press Q.


Adjusting the Volume

You can adjust the volume of different sounds in Flight Simulator. For example, if you're flying a jet, you might want to turn down the sound of the engines, and turn up the sound of the environment. The result will be more realistic for many jet aircraft.

To adjust the volume

  1. On the main screen, click Settings, then click Sound.
    -or-
    On the Options menu, point to Settings and choose Sound.
  2. For each sound category, select or clear the checkbox to enable or disable those sounds.
  3. Move the sliders to the right to increase the volume.
    Note that the volume is also dependent on the volume setting of your computer, as well as the volume knob on your speakers.

Sounds and Music in the UI

You can play background music and hear sounds with actions in the Flight Simulator user-interface. There are a number of default music themes or you can use your own music.

When you select the Play user-inteface sounds check box, you will hear a sound whenever you select a check box or click a button.

To hear sounds when selecting user-interface features

  1. On the main screen, click Settings, and then click Sound.
    -or-
    On the Options menu, point to Settings and choose Sound.
  2. Select the Play user-inteface sounds check box.
  3. Click OK.

There are a number of default music themes or you can use your own music. To use your own music, it must be in uncompressed .wav format.

To hear music while using the user-interface

  1. On the main screen, click Settings, and then click Sound.
    -or-
    On the Options menu, point to Settings and choose Sound.
  2. Select the Play user-inteface music check box.
  3. Choose a music theme from the Music list.
  4. Click OK.

To use your own music in the user-interface

  1. Place your music file in the ...\Flight Simulator X\ sound\UIMusic folder.
  2. In the Sound dialog box, choose your music from the Music list.
  3. Click OK.

Using a Headset

Using a headset for voice communications in Multiplayer air traffic control will add a great deal of realism. Your hands are free to fly the aircraft or to push buttons if you're the air traffic controller.

To use a headset in Multiplayer

  1. Be sure the headset is plugged into the correct port on your computer.
  2. Enable the voice communication host options.
  3. During the session, press and hold CAPS LOCK to talk to other pilots or air traffic control. Release CAPS LOCK to stop transmitting.

IMPORTANT: There are a couple of things to know if you're going to use a headset. For the most realism, you only want voice communication coming through the headset.

  • If your headset is your only audio output, all sounds will come through the headset, including engine noise, wheels on pavement, and even e-mail notifications if you have your e-mail client running.
  • You must have two or more audio devices (sound cards) in your computer to enable voice-only audio through your headset.

To enable voice-only audio on a headset
(Two sound cards required)

  1. On the main menu, click Settings, then click Sound.
  2. Under Windows sound devices, click Configure.
  3. In the Sound playback list, select a sound card to play all sounds other than voice.
  4. Click the Voice tab.
  5. In the Voice playback list, select a sound card to receive voice audio (must be different from the sound card chosen on the Audio tab).
  6. In the Voice recording list, select a sound card to transmit voice audio (must be different from the sound card chosen on the Audio tab).
  7. Click OK to close the Windows dialog box.
  8. Click OK to close the Flight Simulator Sound dialog box.

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