Sometimes you come across an incredible value for the dollar.

I have had this program for a long while, but I finally have a computer that will actually "do it justice".  And it is a total WOW! 

If you fly an aircraft that typically has a copilot, and particularly if you fly the "aluminum cigars", do yourself a serious favor and download the fully functional demo version of this software.  Invest a little while in voice training and learning the software.  You will be amazed.

I'd advise that you likely need a machine that has at least dual cores.  And the faster the better.  (I'm running quad core i7-960 now at 3.2GHz.)

I'd also say here don't too quickly "write off" the sound of the computerized default voice completely.  It is not too bad in actual practice.  However, with an additional small investment, a payware SAPI 5 voice will make an amazing difference in the speech quality.  I am using Cepstral's David as my copilot.  I'll add another Cepstral voice soon as one of the flight crew.

The complexity of the program is totally astounding. 

You can simply tell your copliot what you want him/her to do... and they do it.  With vocal responses.  Say, "Tune the comm one to 121.75"... and it happens.  With a confirmation of what was done. 

Want to know the frequency of the ILS you are approaching?  Just ask, he/she will look it up and tell you.  Or ask how much fuel is remaining.  Or get the latest weather report.

Ask him/her to handle all ATC activities in flight... and he/she does.  Ask him/her to obtain taxi clearance... and he/she does. 

Want to handle all ATC activities yourself?  Then just talk to the default (or Radar Contact!) ATC folks as you would in real life (using more or less approved phraseology).  It will work like live people are involved.

Ready to sart up from cold and dark?  Ask for the Before Start Checklist... and you two go thru it together, step by step.  If he/she says "Flaps" and you say, "Retracted" and they are NOT........ he/she will question you about that.  If you want to skip an item... just tell him/her.  And if you want to make up your own custom checklists... you can do that.

If you are ignoring something like flaps retraction and your speed goes too high.... he/she will let you know that.  Do that crap too often and he/she gets pretty "snippy" about it.

And you are not tied to a small set of phrases you have to tightly memorize.  It has a wide latitude of interpretation of "real talking".  And it comes with an editor that lets you add custom instructions, responses, and key send commands!

And their customer service is totally outstanding!

I can go on and on about all the stuff that this program will do for you.  The included docs alone will fill a book.  Suddenly it is more like working in a multi crew cockpit environment.  Which it what it is all about in reality.  The program is aptly named.

Try it...... you'll like it.

http://www.multicrewxp.com/

best,

....................john

FridayChild wrote on May 12^th, 2010 at 2:44am:


TRY it.  It is a free fully functional download.  It runs fully for a certain number of starts and then disables.

best,

.................john

If you are using Cepstral SAPI 5 payware voices.... see here:

http://205.252.250.26/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1274190593

best,

.................john

Yup....easy install link via the Control Panel.

best,

.............john

Fridaychild,

Likely it is the slower CPU causing that when the sim is also running.  Do you have "optimizations" checked off in the setup screens?  That will use other cores automatically instead of core 1... which the sim uses exclusively.  That might help if it is not activated.  Also there is s slider that sets the amount of CPU you want to dedicate to MCE.  Play with that.  As well as the "speed" setting near the cpu setting... which is how fast YOU tend to talk.... not the copilot.

There is a place to shut that dialog voice voice off.... but I can't remember where though.  Look around on the setup screens and also read the 6 million pages of documentation  .

As for the voices that the copilot, ground mechanic, and purser use... those are selectable in a setup dialog.  You can also tune pitch and speed of their voices.

Best to start with only a few functions active until it is better trained (it learns as you use it) and until you understand the whole program better.  Turn off "monitoring"..... whcih is where the copilot watches your every move and "gets on your back" if you stray from correct procedures and such.  Just uncheck the checkbox.

There is a little undocumented function for you to activate.  On the main MCE menu screen RIGHT click.  That will bring up a little menu that allows you to add red lettering that is showing onscreen what it thinks you are saying.  This can be turned on and off whwenever you want.  Helps to debug.

Hopefully this will get you moving again.

best,

...................john

Ahhhhh.. single core CPU.  My guess is that is going to be the deciding issue for you.  You might have to wait until you have at least a fast dual core.

Worth trying though.

best,

................john

I've found a freeware software which obviously is nothing like MCE, but can add voice recognition to any computer program, FS included, at no performance cost. It's called "shoot" and it comes with a profile editor to create profiles for any software.
Shoot works in synergy with the MS speech recognition engine (like MCE) and can map voice commands to keys, buttons or sequences.
So far I've created a minimal profile which just toggles the ATC window and chooses between the ATC options, it works like a charm, super fast and accurate.
A good choice for who, like me, cannot fully take advantage of more sophisticated solutions.

KrazyJ,

I am not sure what your problem with it is.  I understand that 90% of issues come from not training the voice recognition engine well and calibrating the mike.  I also have been told that you can OVERTRAIN the recognition...and that also causes issues.

Did you download and install the correct version for your OS?

The MCE folks are VERY fast and thorough on the support stuff...... so maybe contact them directly and see if they can troubleshoot your issues for you.

Of course.... read the FAQ on the website and also the manual first  .

Remember ... for the copilot you do not have to key a mike,...... you just talk to him.  Try a simple "Are you listening?"  He should respond with something like "Of course, John".  For ATC comms you DO have to set up and key a mike button.  And for ATC the language has to conform pretty colsely to real standard communications.  And for ATC you HAVE to use a clear version of your appropriate aircraft ID (United 6565..... NH345JB... and so on) or they will ignore you.

Check which functions you have active on the setup screen also.  Maybe you have a function diabled that you are trying to use?  And keep it set to the most forgiving level until you are REALLY good with it.

best,

................john