SimFx

AUDITORY SIMULATION SOFTWARE

USER MANUAL
PST-100737

For Research Only

SimFx Auditory Simulation Software User Manual
PST-100800
Rev 5
Copyright
Copyright 2014 Psychology Software Tools, Inc. All rights reserved.

The information in this document is subject to change without notice. Except as permitted under
the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, or
distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior
written permission of Psychology Software Tools, Inc.

Psychology Software Tools, Inc.

311 23rd Street Extension, Suite 200
Sharpsburg, PA 15215-2821
Phone: 412-449-0078
Fax: 412-449-0079
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.pstnet.com

For questions or comments regarding this manual or installation assistance:

Please e-mail us at [email protected] or visit us at https://support.pstnet.com.

Trademark
Psychology Software Tools, Inc., the Psychology Software Tools, Inc. logo, SimFx, and the SimFx
image are trademarks or registered trademarks of Psychology Software Tools, Inc. E-Prime®,
is a trademark of Psychology Software Tools, Inc. Windows® is a registered trademark of
Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.

This manual describes the installation procedure for the SimFx software. Please review the
manual completely and thoroughly before beginning the system installation.

The SimFx Auditory Simulation Software (PST-100737) is for research purposes only.
 Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.1 Software Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.2 Software Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Chapter 2: Getting Started Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.1 Opening the Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Chapter 3: User Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.1 Sound Playback. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.1.1 Supported file format. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.1.2 Sound library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.2 Load Sound. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.3 Play Sound File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.4 Volume Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Chapter 4: File Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.1 Basic Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.2 Serial Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
4.3 Open Log File Location. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Appendix A: COM Port Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Appendix B: Contact Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
 SimFx Auditory Simulation Software User Manual - PST-100800 - Rev 5

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 Software Overview

Psychology Software Tools’ SimFx software creates an auditory simulation of an authentic MRI
environment. SimFx not only replicates the active scanner noises and generates ambient sounds,
it also has the ability to play up to four different sound files simultaneously. It also is capable of
accepting serial input to control sound playback from an external client. Coupled with a simulator,
SimFx allows you to recreate an effective, simulated MRI environment.

The following pages guide you through the use and installation of SimFx.

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Chapter 1: Introduction

1.2 Software Installation

Before continuing, be sure that you have administrative rights to install this software on the
computer. If you do not have administrative rights, you will be unable to install SimFx. If you
are unsure of your administrative privileges, contact your System Administrator.

NOTE: The version number on the following screen grabs may not correspond to the version
number on your software.

1) Insert the SimFx installation

CD into your CD-ROM drive.
Click “Next” when you see the
window.

2) Please read the License 2

Agreement and make sure that
you agree completely with the
terms and conditions described
in the agreement before
proceeding. Once you have
read the agreement, click
Next to proceed with the
installation.
2
3) Specify Your Name and
Your Institution or check with
your system administrator for
appropriate information.
3
4) The Serial Number field must
be complete to obtain access 4
to online Product Service and
Support.

5
5) Click Next to begin the
installation.
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Chapter 1: Introduction
6) Click Install to begin the
installation.

6
7) Wait for the installation to
complete.
7

8) If SimFx was installed properly,

you will see the following
window. Click “Finish” to
complete the installation.

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Chapter 1: Introduction

1.2 Software Installation (continued)

Finding the “Documents” Folder
SimFx is compatible with Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. When using
SimFx, you will frequently be working within the “Documents” folder, because you will be able to
save configurations and add new sounds to this folder without Administrative permissions.

The table below shows the default paths to your personal documents folder. Note that the path on
your particular machine may have been modified by your administrator:

Operating
Path to your personal documents folder(“My Documents” or “Documents”)
System
XP <drive>\Documents and Settings\<user name>\My Documents\
Vista <drive>\Users\<user name>\Documents\
Windows 7 or 8 <drive>\Users\<user name>\My Documents

When the SimFx documentation directs you to the “Documents” folder, it does not include the full
path to the folder. Instead, the documentation refers to “…Documents”, where the “…” indicates the
full path up to your personal documents folder. When you see this notation in the documentation,
replace the “…” with the path to your personal documents folder.

Play a sound to test the installation is working

1) After you have installed the SimFx software, open the application via the start menu or by
searching for SimFx in the Start screen.
2) Once the application opens, click the browse button next to the Ambient Sound.
3) Select a sound from the list to load and click open.
4) Confirm the check box next to Ambient Sound is checked.
5) Click the Play button to play the loaded sound. You will need to plug in speakers or
headphones to hear the sound.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started Guide

2.1 Opening the Application

Once you have successfully installed the SimFx software you can open the application through
either the Windows Start Menu, or typing SimFx in the start screen.

1) Click on the Windows Start 2

menu, select All Programs, and
then select SimFx.
1
2) Click on SimFx to launch the
application.

3) Wait for the application to load.

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Chapter 3: User Interface

3.1 Sound Playback

The SimFx software was designed to be user friendly with an intuitive interface. The sound
library includes pre-recorded ambient noises and anatomical and functional scanner sounds.
You can also add sound files to your sound library.

3.1.1 Supported file format

The only supported file format is .wav.

3.1.2 Sound library

Background Sounds
File Name Scan Type/Description Length Sound Type
AmbientNoise.wav White noise, static 10 seconds monophonic
CryogenicPump.wav Noise from cryogenic pumps in scanner room 7.47 seconds monophonic
AmbientCryogenic.wav Ambient.wav and CryogenicPump.wav in one .wav file 7 Seconds monophonic

Scanner Sounds
File Name Scan Type/Description Length Sound Type
GE_DTI.wav Diffusion Tensor Imaging sequence 14.29 seconds monophonic
GE_SE.wav Spin Echo sequence 9.89 seconds monophonic
GE_EPI.wav Echo Planer Image sequence 4.89 seconds monophonic
Gradient Echo sequence, 2D low resolution structural
GE_GRE.wav 4.77 seconds monophonic
(InPlane)
Incoherent Gradient Echo (RF Spoiled), Spoiled GRASS
GE_SPGR.wav 7 minutes monophonic
sequence, 3-D high resolution structural sequence
Siemens_DTI.wav Diffusion Tensor Imaging sequence 16.80 seconds monophonic
Siemens_Echo.wav Fast Spin Echo sequence 10.35 seconds monophonic
Siemens_EPI.wav Echo Planer Image sequence 59.60 seconds monophonic
Siemens_Localizer.wav Low resolution structural image sequence 14.29 seconds monophonic
6 minutes 53
Siemens_MPRAGE.wav Gradient Echo 3D high resolution structural sequence monophonic
seconds
Proton density T2 weighted Image sequence, low
Siemens_PD-T2.wav 57.35 seconds monophonic
resolution structurals (InPlane)

NOTE: You need Administrative rights to add/change/remove any sound file from the default
sound location.

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Chapter 3: User Interface

3.2 Load Sound

In order to load a sound file, click the browse buttons located on the right side of the application,
navigate to the appropriate folder and select a sound file to play. The browse file window
automatically opens at the designated location of the installed sound files.

1) Click on the Browse button to

select a file.

NOTE: You will be directed
1
to the default Sound Folder
location which is: C:\Program
Files(x86)\PST\SimFx\Sounds.
or C:\Program Files\PST\SimFx\
Sounds.

2) Select a file.

3) Click Open. 2

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Chapter 3: User Interface

3.3 Play Sound File

The play and stop buttons are disabled until a sound file is loaded in one of the text boxes. The
checkbox that corresponds with the loaded sound file must be checked for SimFx to play the file.
The sound file playback is controlled by the play and stop buttons located at the bottom of the
application.

4) Confirm the checkbox is

checked. The name of the
loaded sound file appears 4
in the digital display. 4
5) Click Play to begin playback.

6) Click Stop to terminate

playback.
NOTE: Once playback has
begun, the loaded sound file
cannot be changed before
playback is terminated.

7) Check the equalizer.

NOTE: If the equalizer is
animated, but you cannot hear
the sound, check that the system
volume is not muted or turned 5 6
down and check the speaker
connections.

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Chapter 3: User Interface

3.4 Volume Control

The volume control for each sound file is located beneath the digital display. The slider is used to
control the volume of the associated sound file. To decrease the volume, drag the slider to the left;
to increase the volume, drag the slider to the right.

1) Click and drag the slider left

and right to increase or
decrease the volume.

2) The text below the slider 1

indicates the volume level (%).
NOTE: The volume control for 2
each sound file is located
beneath the digital display.

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Chapter 4: File Menu

4.1 Basic Features

The menu bar consists of two menus, File and Help. The File menu contains general application
functionality such as the save, open, exit operations. The Help menu contains a link to the
documentation and information about the SimFx program.

1) New: This menu option clears

all user defined configurations,
and returns the application state 1
to the default.
2

2) Open: Allows a previously saved

3
configuration to be loaded. 4

3) Save: Saves current user

configuration into a .ses file.
If the configuration does not
initially have a name, you will be
prompted to name the file.
The default save location is the
...Document folder.

4) Save As: Saves current user

configuration into a file.
The name of the .ses file and
save location can be specified
by the user.

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Chapter 4: File Menu

4.1 Basic Features (continued)

SimFx installs several sample sound files in a default location on the installation system. The
location is C:\Program Files(x86)\PST\SimFx\Sounds, or C:\Program Files\PST\SimFx\Sounds.
This location can be accessed via the File Menu for convenience. The default sound folder can
also be changed to any folder located on the system, e.g., “...Documents” is a good place if you
have limited permissions. Please note, you must have administrative privileges to write to the
default sound folder location.
1) Go to File Menu, Select Sound
Folders.

2) Click User Defined Folder.

1
3) Browse to desired location you
wish to save your sound files. 2

4) Confirm the Default Folder

is set to the location of the sound
3
files to be played.

5) Confirm the Default Folder.

NOTE: The location of the sound
files can be reset at anytime by
selecting the Default Folder
option via the File Menu.

6) Click OK.

3
4

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Chapter 4: File Menu

4.2 Serial Configuration

SimFx is able to communicate with other entities via serial connection. You need to determine
which COM port is assigned to your serial port and assign that COM port number in the Serial
Communications dialog. To open the Serial Communications options, simply check the check box
in the upper right of the application labeled, “Serial Communications.” Basic information regarding
serial ports settings can be found in Appendix A: COM Port Settings, (Page 23). If you have
questions about your serial port configurations, please contact your network administrator or other
computer support personnel.
1) Check the checkbox next to Serial 1
Communications to open the
Serial Communications option
dialog.

2) Click the COM port dropdown

menu to set the appropriate
COM port. 2
NOTE: If you have not
determined what COM Port
number is assigned to your
serial port please contact your
network administrator or other
computer support personnel.
See Appendix A, (Page 23).

3) Click OK to close the Serial

Communications dialog.

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Chapter 4: File Menu

4.2 Serial Configuration (continued)

Once you have defined a COM port, SimFx will listen for commands via the serial port. The
commands are single-line XML elements that use standard opening/closing tags. These tags
instruct the SimFx application to perform an operation. The commands need to be called
from within E-Prime 2.0 Professional via a task event or by calling an .xml file that has the
corresponding commands saved in it. When using the XML commands in E-Prime, an additional
End tag, <E>, is necessary. For more information, see our Knowledge Base article: KB 5614: INFO:
SimFx Serial Communication Setup Details.

XML Tags
Open Tag Close Tag Description Values
Loads sound file from current the Sounds folder to the Ambient Sound
<LdAmbient> </LdAmbient> slot. If you wish to load a file from another location you must change the String
default Sounds folder to that location.
A Boolean value that turns the Ambient Sound on and off.
<SetAmbient> </SetAmbient> True/False
(on = True, off = False).
A number that specifies the volume of the Ambient Sound in decibels (dB). -10000 dB
<VolAmbient> </VolAmbient>
100% is equal to 0 dB. to 0 dB
Loads sound file from the current Sounds folder to a Scanner Sound slot.
You must specify which Scanner Sound slot using the <Count> tag. If
<LdScanner> </LdScanner> String
you wish to load a file from another location you must change the default
Sounds folder to that location.
A Boolean value that turns the Scanner Sound on and off
<SetScanner> </SetScanner> True/False
(on = True, off = False).
A number that specifies the volume of the Scanner Sound in decibels (dB). -10000 dB
<VolScanner>* </VolScanner>
100% is equal to 0 dB. to 0 dB
<Count>** </Count> A numeric value that determines which Scanner Sound is set. 1, 2, 3
-- <Play/> Plays whichever sounds are loaded in the application. N/A
-- <Pause/> Pauses whichever sounds are loaded in the application. N/A
-- <Stop/> Stops sound playback. N/A
-- <Exit/> A numeric value that determines which Scanner Sound is set. N/A
*All Load and Volume commands need to follow their respective Set commands.
**The count command must follow SetScanner.

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Chapter 4: File Menu

4.2 Serial Configuration (continued)

Steps for controlling SimFx with E-Prime Professional

1) Go to the Task Events tab on the Object you want to have trigger the scanner sound. For this
example, we use the offset time of the directions because that is when the scanner would
start in an actual experiment. You may choose to already have the ambient and cryogenic
sound running when you bring the participant into the room to train them.

2) First, in the Experiment Object Properties Duration/Input Tab, you must change the direction
object’s Duration to (infinite), and set the PreRelease to 0. Then go to the Task Event Tab and
click Add, and double click `Directions’.OffsetTime.

3) Choose Serial for the Task Device Name.

4) Select WriteString for the Action.

5) Set Source to (custom)

6) In Custom type:<SetScanner>True</SetScanner><LdScanner>GE_EPI.wav</
LdScanner><Count>1</Count><VolScanner>0</VolScanner><E>

7) Set Data Type to String.

8) Then click OK.

9) Use the OnsetTime task event and the <Stop/> <E> tags to stop the scanner sounds on the
“GoodBye” Object in the experiment.

For more information, see KB 5614: INFO: SimFx Serial Communication Setup Details.

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Chapter 4: File Menu

4.3 Open Log File Location

SimFx produces a log file that can be used to verify the application is functioning appropriately. The
log file is opened via the File Menu. This file contains information and operations performed by the
SimFx application.

1) Open the File Menu, Select

Open Log File Location.

2) The SimFxLogFiles dialog

lists the location and file
names of the available SimFx
Log Files.

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Chapter 4: File Menu

4.3 Open Log File Location (continued)

This is an example of the SimFx log file. It is a tab-delimited file and can be opened in standard
text editors, such as notepad. The log reports the current Serial Communications settings, current
sound folder location and a list of the operations performed by the SimFx application.

1
2

1) Current Sound Folder Location (sound file)

2) Serial communication settings (Initializing Serial Port ComPort = COM1)

3) List of Actions performed by application

4) What sound file is played (Audio File Location = EPISound4.wav)

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Appendix A: COM Port Settings

COM Port: This option designates which port you want the program to use to communicate.
Predefined values: COM1, COM2 (available COM port will populate list)
Default value: COM1 usually (you must determine which COM you need to use
via device manager)

Baud Rate: This option controls the number of data bits per second that are transferred via the
selected port.
Predefined values: 9600,14400,19200,28800,38400,56000,128000,256000
Default value: 9600

Data Bit: This option changes the number of data bits you want to use for each character
that is transmitted and received.
Predefined values: 5,6,7,8
Default value: 8

Parity: This controls the type of error checking the device performs. Please be advised that
the computer or device you are communicating with must have the same setting as
what you chose here.
Predefined values: None, Odd, Even, Mark, Space
Default value: None

Stop Bit: Changes the time between each character being transmitted.
Predefined values: 1, 1.5, 2
Default value: 1

NOTE: For more information about configuration settings consult the help provided by your
OS, or contact your computer support personnel.

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Appendix B: Contact Information

For additional information or support

Contact us at
Psychology Software Tools, Inc
311 23rd Street Extension, Suite 200
Sharpsburg, PA 15215-2821
Phone: 412-449-0078
Fax: 412-449-0079
www.pstnet.com

For Product Service and Support:

Please visit us at https://support.pstnet.com

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