AVCS4 Immersive Voice Control Radios for VoiceAttack
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All of those are correct commands except “visual approach” and “say again”:
(*including “satan” apparently … how very Halloween-y… must be a callsign )
I think this is a matter of Speech Engine Training – please read the post two above your reply, this link jumps directly to the post I am referring to: https://www.benchmarksims.org/forum/showthread.php?37442-AVCS4-Immersive-Voice-Control-Radios-for-VoiceAttack&p=552432#post552432
Once you have trained up your Windows Speech Recognition profile these commands should be easily recognized by the system. It’s just a matter of running through the training at least 3 times, as described in the linked post.
Try it out, any issues, feel free to ask! Happy to help!
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Hi all, need an help here. Installed Voice Attack and loaded AVCS4 profile. Configured Push to Talk UHF/VHF Joystick Buttons, Push To Talk activated. Airbase entities replies to my requests without pressing UHF/ button on my joystick. Any idea on hoow to change that? Also noticed that some words are not recognized (abort for example). Runned twice Speech recognition training.
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Hello,
I runned the Speech Recognition at lease 20 times.
Sometimes with a little cold, or after some beer :drink:
And I did it 2x (a second profile for my flight helmet).
It shouldn’t take that long to train the profile.
:munch:
Greetz,
Tweety -
Configured Push to Talk UHF/VHF Joystick Buttons, Push To Talk activated. Airbase entities replies to my requests without pressing UHF/ button on my joystick. Any idea on hoow to change that?
Are you using the AVCS4 BMS v1.3.91 (beta) and the required AVCS CORE v0.91 (beta) profiles? We’ll need to go back-and-forth just a little bit to help you troubleshoot this issue. I’m also available for live troubleshooting today through my Discord channel “Help & Support” > “voiceattack-avcs4” here: https://discord.gg/BR6NjE3
There is also an important post regarding PTT Mode on page 8 of this forum thread, the post with large images: https://www.benchmarksims.org/forum/showthread.php?37442-AVCS4-Immersive-Voice-Control-Radios-for-VoiceAttack/page8
I’d also like to make sure we are on the same page with regards to the setup of your joystick in VoiceAttack Options and in the individual PTT “Press” and “Release” commands. I realize this system is not ideal in setup and configuration, and has caused confusion and subsequent issues for more folks than just you… don’t feel bad, I need to design better instructional materials soon. There should be zero chance of ANY command for BMS Radios to fire when PTT Mode is enabled unless the button(s) you defined for the PTT commands are depressed. The system functions on a set of boolean (true/false) variables that are not made into ‘true’ unless you have one of the PTT buttons that you assigned pressed. If you have not properly set up both “Press” and “Release” commands, that boolean could potentially become “stuck” in a ‘true’ state where any/all commands are bypassing PTT Mode. When you launch AVCS4 BMS, the VoiceAttack window will show some event log entries such as the current PTT mode state, Audio Feedback Mode state, and the All Humans Mode state.
I don’t want to assume, but does your launch screen show “UHF/VHF Push-To-Talk Mode is OFF” as in this image:
Follow up question: Do you have BOTH the Press AND the Release commands set up to the same joystick button(s) (for each VHF and/or UHF respectively)?
Also noticed that some words are not recognized (abort for example). Runned twice Speech recognition training.
Hello,
I runned the Speech Recognition at lease 20 times.
Sometimes with a little cold, or after some beer :drink:
And I did it 2x (a second profile for my flight helmet).
It shouldn’t take that long to train the profile.
:munch:
Greetz,
TweetyRecognition issues are generally fixed through proper training of the Windows Speech Recognition through the training sessions (3 times completely through, at least) but there can be plenty of tricky issues that may pop up. Fortunately, there is a wealth of knowledge on this subject, as well as live support available through the VoiceAttack Discord ( http://voiceattack.com/discord ). One place to start is the VoiceAttack Manual - with VoiceAttack as the active window, press F1 to open the VoiceAttack Manual. Review the Quick Start Guide near the beginning, and also the Troubleshooting section around page 233 (or thereabouts). It’s a matter of narrowing down where the problem lies, and this can be different for everyone - which is why I’m addressing both of your posts on this subject.
When everything is recognized but certain words, you can specifically train your Windows Speech Recognition Profile in your specific pronunciation of that word via the VoiceAttack Options:
Follow prompts to add a new dictionary word, and select the box to “Record a pronunciation upon Finish”, and you can train the engine on how YOU say a particular word:
For troubleshooting more general recognition issues in VoiceAttack, please check out this post on this common topic: https://forum.voiceattack.com/SMF?topic=1635.0
For further support with general VoiceAttack issues (not related specifically to AVCS) such as voice recognition in general, the VoiceAttack discord is available with plenty of helpful volunteers ready to help new users: http://voiceattack.com/discord
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Hello,
I had a similar issue at the beginning (some words were not recognized).
I needed to force the speach engine to English. As by default (in my case German) didn’t work.
So you should train the speach profile in English.
Greetz,
Tweety -
Since the Beta Test for AVCS CORE has progressed, and changed the way it runs, AVCS4 BMS must be updated as well. This will not be the norm, I don’t expect many AVCS CORE updates, it is a fixed set of functions. You can download and import both the new versions of AVCS CORE and AVCS4 Falcon BMS at the same time - just switch to the AVCS CORE 0.92 profile first to trigger the new version setup.
Update notes:
There were many issues with the radio commands beginning with a wildcard, to a degree that I’m not sure why there were not more reports of commands not working. I have fixed all of these, as well as the problem with international decimal separators. Another large focus of the .92 beta updates is initialization optimization, and I am hoping that load time is now on par with v1.2 from before the AVCS CORE integration. Feedback on this is greatly appreciated, my goal is to ensure load time is as fast as possible across a majority of CPU’s and builds.Thanks for your patience during the beta test rounds here, again, the end goal for AVCS CORE is to be a stable un-changing profile that can handle profile management for any new AVCS4 game profile I create in the future without needing updates itself, and I think we’re well on our way to that. Cheers!
Please be sure to download the AVCS CORE v0.92b Profile (required), this updated changed the entire initialization methods in AVCS CORE function commands and AVCS4 BMS, too!
Downloads:
https://veterans-gaming.com/index.php?/files/category/77-voiceattack/BETA Release AVCS4 BMS v1.3.92 Changelog Dec-6-2020 This is a Major Profile Update, and requires downloading and importing the latest AVCS4 BMS Radios (v1.3.92b) and AVCS CORE (v0.92b) profiles: Fixes/Improvements: -Improved AVCS_CORE and AVCS4 BMS profile initialization optimized again for decreased load time - most noticeable on first use -(AVCS4 BMS profile initialization should be even much faster now!) -Fixed infinite loop on Minor Version Rollback toggle and version display errors following toggle -Fixed International Decimals - All Decimal Variables now compatible for international users via cultural invariant token "DECINV" -Fixed All Wildcard Commands fixed to allow both Wildcard and non-Wildcard recognition ("anything that ends with" or "just the raw command") -Fixed Audio Feedback Mode not playing sound when commands recognized -Fixed Audio Feedback Mode on/off text entry in VA Event Log 'not set'
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small snag – if anyone already downloaded the above BMS 92 beta prior to the time/date of this message, please delete it and re-download the latest version again
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I have some questions about using phrases that sound more like what pilots would really say while flying the F-16.
I’m using Voice Attack and AVCS4.
I’ve done some searches here on the BMS forum, apologies if this has been addressed and I haven’t found the relevant threads. (Esp. if it’s this thread and I missed it :oops:)
The starting point:
Although I still have some lingering issues with my voice commands being recognized, that’s a separate issue. Overall, VA and AVCS4 seem to work well. I can say any command from the BMS commands menus, instead of using the keyboard.
For example, I can say “Request landing” or “Report on final”, and the tower will receive those comms and respond accordingly, as though I’d used the keyboard and the Tower menu. All good.
I can also precede the key phrases with “genuine-sounding” verbiage, like this from the Landing training mission: “Kunsan approach, Goblin 2-1, single F-16, inbound for runway Three-Six. Request overhead approach”. Most of the time, VA understands me, and Approach responds accordingly. Again, all’s as it should be.
But I think some of the command phrases from the comms menu aren’t what a pilot would really say. For example, I don’t think any pilot uses the exact words “Report on final”. That’s a menu item from the sim, not something a pilot would really say. I think a real-world Viper driver would say something more like “Tower, Goblin 2-1 on final”. Or maybe say “Short final” or something like that.
Questions:
If I want to talk to ATC and the AI aircraft using phrases that are like the ones real pilots would use, how do I do that? It seems to me there are two things I need to figure out:
- What are the “real phrases” used by real pilots? I’m sure there is variation from pilot to pilot, base to base, and squadron to squadron, but I’d love to have a list of the commands from BMS’s comms menu, with the corresponding “real phrases”.
In many cases, of course, there won’t be any difference between what’s on the BMS comms menu, and what a real pilot would say. I’ll bet you’d say “Two, fence in” in real life, for example. But in some cases, there will be a difference, like with “Report on final”.
Does anyone know if such a list exists, and if so how to find it?
One idea is to look at a list of the “Player Voice” phrases that the sim plays, if you have the “Player Voice” option checked. I haven’t found a file listing these phrases, though.
- If I could figure out what the “real phrases” are, how could I add them to AVCS4? I assume I’d type them or copy-paste them into a file, or maybe in some window in VA. I’d be curious to know how this would be done.
This seems like something a lot of other BMS users have figured out, so I assume I just haven’t found the right resource.
One thing I’ve found:
In the BMS 4.34 Docs folder, there’s a document called the “BMS VAC Installation Guide”. It seems to be for an alternative voice-command program called VAC. It has a list of alternate phrases to go with most of the items from the BMS command list. For example, “Report on final” has these alternatives:
Tower on final
Tower short final
On final
Short finalI tried those in VA with AVCS4 Falcon BMS Radios (v.1.3.92b), and all of those alternate phrases were classified by VA as “unrecognized catch-all” phrases.
Maybe there’s a way to add those alternates to AVCS4? Just curious.
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Hello,
I created my own Shoot file (I know I’m still on shoot voice recognition ;)) with some kind of “real” phrases (some from the player voice and some from different phrases I heard from squadrons SOPs, Manuals, Books, etc.)
Including phrases for checking in with AWACS or departing airspaces (and related to the according TWR name, Callsign, Tanker, etc.). As I’m still not with a squadron :idea: I used the available answers BMS offers.
Anyway, I assume there is a chance to get something similar for VA
Greetz,
Tweety -
…
One thing I’ve found:In the BMS 4.34 Docs folder, there’s a document called the “BMS VAC Installation Guide”. It seems to be for an alternative voice-command program called VAC. It has a list of alternate phrases to go with most of the items from the BMS command list. For example, “Report on final” has these alternatives:
Tower on final
Tower short final
On final
Short finalI tried those in VA with AVCS4 Falcon BMS Radios (v.1.3.92b), and all of those alternate phrases were classified by VA as “unrecognized catch-all” phrases.
Maybe there’s a way to add those alternates to AVCS4? Just curious.
Yes, there is! And it’s extremely easy, too! I was also lacking in any information as to what a real pilot would say, and had to go by the in-game menu for many items. That VAC file relates to a different program along the same idea, and it’s called “Voice Activated Commands” - but it has nothing to do with my AVCS profile(s) for VoiceAttack, and I have never used VAC or looked at any BMS VAC files. There are a number of phrases that I have worked into those “WILDCARD” commands with alternative syntax variations for commands already covered, but I couldn’t do it all. So, I build a system called “QCC” or Quick Command Creator, which is part of the AVCS4 / AVCS CORE v92 beta tests:
This works in conjunction with the Save File System, so even if you import a newer version of my AVCS profiles, you will be able to import previous save file content, and continue using commands you’ve added to your AVCS4 Falcon BMS profile via the QCC system. Obviously, you could simply do this by manually creating a new voice command, with the new phrases variant you desire, and have the only action inside that command to ‘Execute another command (by name)’ where you type the exact already recognizable phrase.
But we can also use QCC to very quickly run through this in a step-by-step process where my AVCS profile walks you through creation of a command like this, with the added benefit of being part of the Save File System (so these commands will always follow you no matter what version of AVCS profile you have imported) as well as presenting options to attach any of my other systems to that command (like audio feedback, PTT mode requirement, VAS confirmation requirement, etc.)
Step 1:
Say, “Create a new Voice Command”
(it will ask if you are sure, say, “Yes”)The first pop-up will ask which type of command you want to create, select “Advanced Voice Command(s)”
Step 2:
Enter your new “When I say” phrase for this command, for this example we should use a Wildcard (*) before the phrases, so that we could say anything before these words to trigger this commandType out: *on final ```![](https://i.imgur.com/Zx5uc7N.png) **Step 3:** Next, we choose the option for step 1 of this advanced command. From the drop-down list in the pop-up, select "Execute another voice command (by name)" ![](https://i.imgur.com/abJ5Z8b.png) **Step 4:** Since we just want to call an existing command, we only have to enter that command exactly as it is recognized already - in this example, "Report on final"
Type out:
Report on final**Step 5:** Execute existing command action has options, in this example we do not need to wait for this command to complete, it can just fire off as soon as it's ready. Choose "Do not wait for command to complete" ![](https://i.imgur.com/Klza0yl.png) **Step 6:** Next, the QCC asks if we want to add a Step 2 to this command, this is useful for creating macro commands, but since we are done here, 1 step will be all we do. Choose "(done - save and continue)" or just click OK ![](https://i.imgur.com/Ws3dJy3.png) **Step 7:** At the end of any new QCC command created, you can choose to go back and edit, or add options that will be part of this command - toggle these options here if you desire. *Note that we are calling a command that already has these options as part of their makeup, if PTT mode is on, you'll need to have pushed this button to fire this QCC command since it fires yet another command that may use PTT or AFM (if those modes are on) ![](https://i.imgur.com/QYlAAM9.png) **Step 8:** Finally, the QCC system will save the command, and ask if you want to add another command, or exit. Choose "(NO - save changes and exit)" ![](https://i.imgur.com/YZURDoI.png) AVCS will reinitialize the profile to load any new/changed voice commands, and your new alternate phrasing will now be live. **NOTES:** You can of course add multiple phrasings to any QCC command - it allows wildcards and dynamic command syntax.
Wildcards:
my command <(anything that ENDS WITH the phrase “my command”
my command <(anything that BEGINS WITH the phrase “my command”
my command <(anything that CONTAINS the phrase “my command”Dynamics (where the “;” should be read as “or”):
my command 1;my command 2
my command [1;2]
[my;his] command [1;2]
[my;his] command [1;2];that command 1;that command 2;this command [3;4]For example: ![](https://i.imgur.com/3Q74AUN.png) **-or-** ![](https://i.imgur.com/odjOKiQ.png)
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Bee-you-tee-ful! Thanks heaps, SemlerPDX! I really appreciate the thorough and well-illustrated walkthrough. Writing an explanation like that is far from trivial, and I’m grateful that you took the time to write it.
This will allow me to gradually “collect” alternative phrases and add them. I can start with, say, the Landing training mission, and add phrases from Player Voice, from the BMS VAC Installation Guide file, etc…
When I have some more free time, probably in the summer, I hope to do more MP flights with Stalker’s group, and I can try to remember the phrases they use. I recall that Stalker talked to Kunsan ATC in a very real and detailed-sounding way, the one time I flew with him. (If a person were trying to make a true AI, and they wanted it to pass the Turing test, they should hire Stalker to be the person to talk to it. He made the AI ATC controllers at Kunsan sound like they could be real people, the way he finessed the system with his voice commands. He should make extra money on the side by approaching AI researchers and telling them he can help their computers beat the Turing test )
Actually, now that I think about it, videos like Lorik’s and Code’s could also be good sources of “real phraseology” too. I’ll bet a person could take notes from videos like those and get a lot of good phrases.
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I tested this by creating some new phrases for the ATC commands menus. I used them in the Landing training mission, and almost everything worked great Very cool!
I was able to say things like:
“Goblin Two-One Requesting the Overhead”
“Goblin Two-One in the break”
“Goblin Two-One on final”
and the appropriate commands fired just like they were supposed to.
I also created “request taxi back” and “requesting taxi back”, for Request Taxi Back to Ramp. This was the only one that didn’t work. Here’s what the VA window shows:
(yellow square) UNABLE TO EXECUTE COMMAND,‘Request Taxi Back to Ramp’ (by name). COMMAND NOT AVAILABLE.
(green square) Recognized : `Request taxi back’I was on the Ground frequency (preset 2) when I was trying to issue this command.
I wonder if I accidentally deleted the `Request taxi back to ramp’ command from the menu somehow? I’m not sure how, but I think I must have messed something up.
Is there any way to find the place where my new phrases are stored, and see if I messed up ‘Request taxi back to ramp’ somehow?
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I also created “request taxi back” and “requesting taxi back”, for Request Taxi Back to Ramp. This was the only one that didn’t work. Here’s what the VA window shows:
(yellow square) UNABLE TO EXECUTE COMMAND,‘Request Taxi Back to Ramp’ (by name). COMMAND NOT AVAILABLE.
(green square) Recognized : `Request taxi back’I was on the Ground frequency (preset 2) when I was trying to issue this command.
No problem, mistakes happen, but there is no “back” in the actual command phrases - it’s just “Request taxi to ramp”:
AVCS_BMS_COMMANDS_AI COMMS 3 - ATC - Ground Page=[Install EPU Ground Safety Pin;Remove EPU Ground Safety Pin;Install Chocks;Remove Chocks;Request Taxi For Departure;Request Taxi To Ramp;Request Hotpit Refuel;Ground Say Again;Recharge JFS];[Install EPU Ground Safety Pin;Remove EPU Ground Safety Pin;Install Chocks;Remove Chocks;Request Taxi For Departure;Request Taxi To Ramp;Request Hotpit Refuel;Ground Say Again;Recharge JFS]
Just remove the word “back” and it will work just fine.
Is there any way to find the place where my new phrases are stored, and see if I messed up ‘Request taxi back to ramp’ somehow?
YES! If it is something you made with the QCC system, you can review these through the QCC pop-up windows by saying, “Edit a Voice Command” – choose any of your user created QCC commands to view it’s actions, or edit as needed.
You can also view the actual save file containing any of your QCC commands by saying, “Open the Save File”. If you change something like the text value of a phrase in this file after AVCS opens it for you, AVCS will detect the change after you save and then close the save file, and it will then reload the AVCS Profile to make any changes active.
I wonder if I accidentally deleted the `Request taxi back to ramp’ command from the menu somehow? I’m not sure how, but I think I must have messed something up.
*Don’t worry - There is no native way for you to accidentally delete any voice commands unless you edit the actual profile and physically delete any of the commands there. Any command beginning with a token “{TXT:” has it’s actual phrases in the config files for easy patch updates without needing to download and import a new version of a VoiceAttack profile.
That being said, you can edit, delete, or restore any of the default configuration files (containing almost every command phrase) by saying, “Open Advanced Core Options”
A menu will present a drop-down box with options for each of these actions. The systems should walk you through any of the actions, opening each of the configuration files in order as they are loaded, and if you save the text file before closing it, any changes will be applied. Of course these are advanced options, but I wanted to provide easy to use control over deeper configuration of AVCS for the end user.
All of these features and commands are included in AVCS4 Falcon BMS Radios (v1.3.92b) by way of the included AVCS CORE profile:
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(Mr. Burns voice): Excellent!
Worked great!
I edited the command like you showed in the previous post, and took the “Back” out of the way I typed the real BMS command, i.e. the command to which my phrases refer.
Works great now, I got a clearance to taxi back to the ramp just like I wanted, while still sounding all cool and abbreviated like I was a been-there, done-that Viper driver
I realize I’m splitting hairs here, but I wonder which version of the “official BMS command” is correct:
“Request Taxi to Ramp”
or
“Request Taxi Back to Ramp” ?
The only reason I mention it is because on this page (which shows the lists of commands), the “Back” is present:
… and please don’t think this is me trying to say “ha, I found an error”. Two reasons why that’s not my intent: 1) I don’t know that it is an error, and 2) I would take no pleasure at all in pointing out a typo in a complex system. I started teaching my first online class in Fall 2018, and now of course, all my classes are online for the time being. The amount of content I had to enter into the “learning management system” was insane. I feel lucky that I didn’t make more errors, but when a student asks me a question, and I realize I entered something wrong, or set something up wrong, I get that “uuuuurrrrgghhhh” feeling. Having mistakes pointed out to me - which are essentially impossible for a `lone creator’ to catch, lacking a QA/QC department - is a pain I feel with considerable regularity. :doh: So if this is a tiny typo, please know that I feel your pain and appreciate the mountain of work you’ve put into AVCS!
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Hot damn, you are very correct, sir! I had merely checked the config file for that command, and posted up with what it was expecting - had not realized that this did not match the actual in-game menu item… Now I wonder, do I change it back, or do I add a second redundant and equal command just to handle it? Probably the second one… Also, happy to provide step-by-step instructions, they are helping me to assemble a proper PDF guide, and help menu items that can link directly to that post (for example) through the Help Menu on voice command.
I’ll release a patch for it, once done it will take effect next time anyone loads their AVCS4 BMS profile. Cheers!
I always welcome constructive criticism and feedback!! Yea, on a team of one, the typos come with the territory - had one that nagged me so bad just recently, a “>=” instead of “<=”, was staring me in the face and laughing for a month before I noticed it, like, AHA! FOUND YOU!! It’s a percentages game… after half a million lines of code comprise something, a few errant characters is nothing to sweat over. Pobody’s nerfect. So, I never mind the surprises or challenges, after the initial shock wears off, that is
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Small patch update regarding the report above – ATC Command not matching the in-game menu item or command reference.
No need to download new profile version, just apply the patch next time you start up VoiceAttack and the AVCS4 BMS Radios profile:
BETA Release AVCS4 BMS v1.3.92.2 Changelog Dec-12-2020 This is a simple Live Update patch fix, no new profile download is required - the following fix applies to this update: Fixes/Improvements: -Fixed ATC Command for "Request Taxi Back to Ramp" -- was missing "Back"; did not remove "Request Taxi to Ramp" so both variants will work (thank you to Mylonite470 for finding this typo - and thanks to everyone for your patience and support through these betas!)
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Hi Semler! Please, I need your help sir.
I am unable to set a correct keypress timing.
The default of 0.05 sec will not be accepted.
And every time I restart voiceattack, the default value jumps to 5 sec instead.That means: every time I ask my wingman for status, it takes about 50 seconds until my message is sent.
Whenever I open the keypress timing menu and try to pick an optional number, voiceattack reads error codes like:
Decimal token could not be converted : {DECINV:AVCS_{TXT:AVCS_ACTIVE_PROFILE:CORE}_TimeBetweenKeys}
Error converting, [~avcs_choice_hold] to [AVCS_BMS_TimeKeyIsHeldDown] : Text parse error.
My local language is “German for Austria”, keyboard layout is successfully set to QWERTZ.
Using latest version of VA, and latest AVCS4 version 1.3.92b plus Core 0.92b.(Google tells me there exist some troubles when using a plugin called “EDDI”, but I don’t use any plugins for VA.)
Thanks for advice or a workaround!
I have been enjoying and loving your profile since 1.3… although I don’t have the slightest clue how its complexity works under the hood.EDIT - I just found out (on veterans-gaming.com) that this issue is already known.
However (and sorry to say so), it still persists with 1.3.92b. -
Thanks for the info! Sorry for the continued issues here, I thought it was resolved, but I had no way to test myself. I will likely be able to find the source of the issue using those two errors you posted, thank you for that!
For now, you might just continue to use the 1.3 version - I’ll get an update for this beta 1.3.92 released before too long.
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Hi,
I’m trying to add a new voice command, I say the phrase and I’m asked for confirmation, I respond Yes, but nothing pops up and after a short time I’m informed the command was cancelled. And the VA stop taking voice inputs.
This happens if I try to “open core options” too.
I have to “Reset Active Profile” to force the profile to start “listening”.
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Any video of this being used in pit please?
I am using the janjan plugin which i find very good, so it would be interesting to see a comparison.
keep up the good work
John.