Device & Routing Setup Guide

Track Impulse reads live telemetry from your sim and generates haptic effects (road vibration, kerbs, ABS, engine rumble, etc.). These effects need to reach the right physical shakers or pedals on your rig. The setup flow has three layers:

You will set these up in order: first select your audio device in the Device Setup Wizard, then map zones to channels in Zone Setup, then fine-tune which effects go where in Channel Routing.

Open the Device Setup wizard from the main menu. Track Impulse scans for all available audio interfaces and shows them here.

Device Setup — Step 1

All detected audio interfaces are listed with their driver type (ASIO or WDM-KS) and channel count shown on the right. Select your primary output device — this is the interface physically wired to your bass shakers.

1. Choose your ASIO device if available. ASIO drivers bypass the Windows audio mixer and deliver the lowest latency. If your device shows an ASIO badge, select it.
2. Check the channel count shown to the right (e.g. "4ch"). This tells you how many independent outputs are available. A 4-channel device supports the standard 4-corner shaker layout (LF, RF, LR, RR).
3. Multi-device users: click "+ Add a second audio interface" at the bottom to add a second device. This is useful if you run shakers on one interface and pedal haptics or extra zones on another. See the Multi-Device section below.
4. Click Next to proceed.

Configure the channel count and buffer size for your selected device.

Device Setup — Step 2

The channel count is auto-detected from your device. Choose a buffer size — lower values mean lower latency, but too low can cause audio glitches. The estimated latency at 48kHz is shown below the options.

1. Channels are auto-detected from the device. You don't need to change this unless the detection is incorrect (rare).
2. Pick a buffer size. Start with 64 (1.3ms at 48kHz). If you hear crackling or glitches during use, step up to 128 (2.7ms). Most modern USB interfaces handle 64 without issue.
3. Click Next to proceed to testing.

Verify your shakers are wired correctly by sending test signals to each channel.

Device Setup — Step 3

Hold the "HOLD TO TEST ALL CHANNELS" button to send a signal through every channel simultaneously. Then test individual channels one at a time using the numbered buttons below.

1. Hold "TEST ALL CHANNELS" to confirm that all your shakers respond. You should feel vibration from every connected transducer.
2. Test individual channels using buttons 1, 2, 3, 4 (etc.). Note which physical shaker vibrates for each channel number. Write this down — you'll need it for Zone Setup.
3. If a channel doesn't produce output, check your wiring and amplifier. You can also click "Try a different channel count" if the auto-detection was wrong.
4. Once all channels are confirmed working, click Apply to save and close the wizard.

Now map each logical zone (LF, RF, LR, RR, Seat, Custom) to the correct physical channel on your audio device.

Zone Setup Dialog

Enable zones with the checkboxes on the left, assign each zone to a channel using the < Ch N > selector, and verify with the "HOLD TEST" button. Volume knobs per zone let you balance output levels.

1. Enable your zones. For a standard 4-corner setup, enable LF, RF, LR, RR (they're on by default). Only enable Seat, Custom 1/2/3 if you have additional shakers wired up.
2. Assign channels. Use the < Ch N > selector to assign each zone to the physical channel you identified during testing. For example, if Channel 1 buzzes your front-left shaker, set LF → Ch 1.
3. Hold Test for each zone to confirm the right shaker vibrates. If the wrong one moves, swap the channel assignments.
4. Adjust zone volumes using the knobs at the bottom. Start at 100% and lower zones that feel too strong.
5. Pedal Haptic Devices: if you have SImagic HPR pedals connected via USB, they appear at the bottom. Enable the pedals you want to receive haptics (Brake, Throttle, Clutch). These use a direct USB HID connection, not audio channels.
6. Click Apply to save.

Fine-tune which haptic effects go to which zones, and at what volume. This is where you tailor the feel to your rig and preferences.

Channel Routing Matrix

Each row is a haptic effect (Road Vib, Suspension Impact, Kerb, Engine, ABS, Gear, Wheel Slip). Each column is a zone. The sliders control how much of each effect reaches each zone.

1. Understand the matrix. Rows = effects, columns = zones. Each slider controls volume of that effect in that zone. Per-zone master volume knobs are at the top.
2. Play buttons (▶) on each row and zone header let you preview that effect or zone in isolation.
3. Drag sliders to set volume. Right-click a slider to toggle it on/off. Scroll for +/- 1% fine adjustment. Double-click to reset to default.
4. Start with defaults and adjust after a few laps. Common tweaks: reduce engine rumble if it overpowers kerbs, boost ABS on front zones where your brake pedal's shaker is, or lower rear zones for road vibration if the rear feels too busy.
5. Save As to save your routing profile. Load to switch between profiles. Routing profiles are saved per-sim, so you can tune differently for iRacing vs ACC vs LMU.
6. Click Close when done.

Track Impulse supports output across multiple audio devices simultaneously. This is useful if you have shakers on one interface and extra zones or a different amp on another.

1. In Device Setup → Step 1, click "+ Add a second audio interface" to add your second device.
2. Complete the wizard as normal — both devices will be configured with their own buffer settings and tested independently.
3. In Zone Setup, each zone's channel selector will show which device it belongs to (e.g. "Dev 1 Ch 1" vs "Dev 2 Ch 1"). Assign zones across devices as needed.
4. In Channel Routing, the zone columns will display the device label under each zone name (e.g. "Dev 1" / "Dev 2") so you always know where the signal is going.