Using PMDG 737-800 NGX Sound In The Default 737-800

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I have received a few e-mails from individuals asking how to replace the default sound with the sound from the PMDG 737-800 NGX.  This is a relatively easy task and the improvement in audio quality and experience over the default B737 sound is second to none. 

Before continuing, I should state that PMDG have designed their NGX audio package to only be used with the PMDG flight model.  As such sounds that PMDG have mapped to specific actions within their flight model will not work outside the PMDG flight model.  I'm sure there is a way to strip the actual "specialist" sounds, but the time required outstrips the enjoyment.  This said, the basic engine sounds and environmental sounds are easily separated for use in other flight models, such as the default 737 and ProSim JetStream738 flight model.

In the examples below, my main FSX folder is located in a directory on C:/ drive and is named FS10.  You may have a different directory location and name for FSX.

Let's Begin....

When you install the PMDG 737NGX, the program copies audio to the following folders:

  1. FS10/simobjects/airplanes/PMDG 800 NGX/sound    (main engine sounds & some environmental sounds)

  2. FS10/sound/PMDG 737-800NGX/sound......   (specialist sounds such as gear lever movements, switches, call outs, etc)

The default B737-800 model’s audio is located in the default 737/800 folder (FS10/simobjects/aircraft/737-800/sound)

Make a copy of the sound folder and store to desktop in case of an issue.  Then, delete the sound files in the folder so you can start afresh

Two Methods - Back-up, Copy & Paste or Alias

There are two methods to access or link to the actual PMDG sound files.  You can either copy all the sounds (from the PMDG 737-800NGX/sound folder) and paste them into the default 737-800 sound folder – OR – alias the sounds.  

If you decide to alias the sound, you do NOT need to copy the files.

Either way you MUST have a sound.cfg file in your audio folder.  If you alias the sound.cfg, the content of the sound.cfg file located in the sound folder should look like this:

  • [fltsim]

  • Alias=PMDG737-800NGX/sound

If you have issues opening the sound.cfg file, use notepad as your editor.

If you decide to actually copy the files, then ensure the sound.cfg is also copied to your default sound folder.

I prefer the alias method......

The above process will allow you to play and hear the NGX engine package when flying the default B737 flight model (basic FSX B737-800).  You can also use the same methodology to replace the default sounds with the with the ProSim JetStream 738 fight model and with the FS9 version of the PMDG 737-800.

Following On - Replacing Audio

Following on the theme of the last two journal posts, you may wish to add additional sounds to the NGX audio package, for example, the TSS sounds Gear Up and Gear Down sounds.  This is easy to do.

Copy the TSS sound to the SAME folder as the PMDG sounds (if you did the alias method this will be the PMDG folder).  Now, open the sound.cfg file.  Search until you find the Gear Up and Gear Down entries.    Now, you have to modify the file name in the sound.cfg file so it matches the TSS.wav file you just copied into the audio folder.  In this example, the pertinent lines that need altering are in bold and include the actual name of the action (gear up) and the file name for the action that you wish the program to play (TSS gearup).  

  • [gear up]

  • Filename = TSS-gearup (or whatever the .wav file name is)

Make sure you do NOT have two files that do the same thing, such as gear up TSS and gear up PMDG – your computer will explode!!! (not really, but the sound will not be heard correctly).

Gauge Commands

PMDG, i-Fly and several other sound designers configure their custom sounds to play only when specific actions or commands are triggered - these are called gauge commands.  A sound initiated by a gauge command only works when that gauge is moved by whatever action.  Often it's not possible to use these sounds without some major editing work to the sound.cfg file.  For example, I've been attempting to use the speedbrake sound in ProSim737, but as yet have not been able to do so.  This is because the speedbrake is configured to a specific "in house" command or action - in this case the speedbrake. 

You cannot just grab any sound, copy it to the audio folder, and then expect it to play.  There has to be some logic to when the sound is played.  This can be most challenging and frustrating part of manipulating custom sounds.

I hope this journal post, as an addition to the last two sound related posts, helps more than confuses.  Sound can be a nightmare and can be challenging to explain in a short journal entry.  It is also very much a trail and error activity (the Americans say suck and see) - Good Luck.

737 Fuel Management Program

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fuel planner user interface

Flight planning is a large part of flying the 737, in real life and virtually.

Yes you can fly with the three fuel tanks full, however, bear in mind that you will not be simulating a real flight.  Airlines rarely fly an aircraft between two locations with a full fuel load, unless it’s required for operational use or safety. 

Fuel is heavy, and the additional weight requires more power and fuel to move between locations.  This equates to an increased expense.  Airlines usually only carry enough fuel to reach their destination, taxi, and one or two alternate airports.

You can calculate the appropriate load sheets, distances between airports, winds, altitudes to be flown, and alternate airports. But this can be time consuming, and often you don’t want to simulate the paper trail that goes hand in hand with getting a 737 into the air. For those keen on paperwork and simulating everything, I recommend the program TOPCAT - Take-Off and Landing Performance Calculation Tool.

Ross Carlson has created a very handy and functional fuel management tool to use.  The program is stand-alone and does not need to be installed into the flight simulator directory or to C://drive/Programs; the software can be installed to and run from any folder including your desktop.   Initially designed to work with the Boeing 737NG developed by Precision Manuals Development Group, the utility works well for other 737 aircraft, provided they have the same operating limitations and fuel tank capacities that the software was designed.

The only issue to be wary of is that the aircraft you are flying matches the same weights as those used by PMDG.

  • Supports 737-600, 737-700, 737-800 and 737-900.

  • Values can be entered and displayed in pounds or kilograms.

  • Reads payload (passenger and baggage) weights via FSUIPC.

  • Calculates en route fuel burn based on cruise altitude and trip distance.

  • Calculates fuel burn to reach alternate airport.

  • Calculates increased or reduced fuel consumption due to forecast winds en route.

  • Allowances for taxi-out fuel burn, holding fuel burn, and minimum landing fuel.

  • Indicates if any parameters exceed aircraft operating limitations.

  • Sets actual fuel levels in your aircraft via FSUIPC.

  • One simple .exe file, no external DLL or data files required.

  • Loads first 1,000 pounds of fuel into the center tank to keep pumps submerged.

  • Accredited for use with registered non-registered copies of FSUIPC.

Operation

I've been using this fuel planner or quite sometime and it works quite well.  I open a flight and then run the fuel planner and change the variables as required.  Then, after I've boarded the fuel I exit the fuel planner program.

The only let down with the program, and this probably is an advanced feature not deemed necessary when the program was developed, is that it doesn't provide %CG which is used in a CDU to determine your takeoff trim.

Search google for PMDG fuel planner and you will find several sites that allow you to download the program.  Alternatively, download the software from the file download tab.