CrewChief 4

CrewChief 4 is a free external software for racing simulations. The software links to the selected simulation and continuously reads out real-time data and, like a real spotter, sends voice information on the race, vehicle condition, surroundings etc. directly to you.

The software helps users who are using a single-monitor setup to better assess the environment.

For example, if there is a vehicle to your right, you will hear “Car right”. If it is no longer next to you but still in your blind spot, you will hear “Right is clear”. You can even talk to CrewChief! Integrated speech recognition recognizes various voice commands and responds to them.

The tool is completely in English, but is almost self-explanatory. Nevertheless, we will give you a brief introduction to the installation and basic handling.

The CrewChief development team is constantly working on further development and provides excellent support in their forum. Try it out and if you like it, make a small donation to your colleagues.

A) Installation

1. download the CrewChief installation file

To do this, visit the CrewChief website and click on “Download CrewChief for PC” or click on the“CrewChief installation file” link.

Before the download begins, you must specify a storage location. In my case, the Downloads folder of Windows. You can then confirm this by clicking on “Save”.

2. installation

To start the installation, call up your downloads via the arrow pointing downwards in your browser quick launch bar and double-click on the “CrewChief4.msi” file.

During installation, you must confirm several Windows user requests, accept the terms and conditions and specify the installation folders. We make no changes here and allow the application to be installed. You can see how this works in the following screenshots.

3. first start and update

We have checked the “Launch CrewChiefV4” box during installation. This starts the application when you click on “Finish”.

Bitdefender Secure Files

Bitdefender users please pay attention. Bitdefender prevents CrewChief from accessing files. During installation, the following pop-up appears at the bottom right of the screen.

Click on “Show details”

Now you have to click on the CrewChiefV4 slider so that it turns blue.

Due to the constant updating of CrewChief, it is recommended to update the software at the first start.

Update

When you start the program for the first time, you will now see several green buttons. Click on this so that CrewChief loads and installs the update files.

The update runs automatically. Once the files have been installed, you will be prompted to restart the program. Confirm this by clicking on “OK”

This process can be repeated several times. Continue this game of the top two points until you get the following screen.

B) Basic operation

CrewChief is easy to use. We explain a few basic elements here.

1. volume control

First of all, you should turn down the volume controls for the voice volume (left) and the background noise (right). The Chief is definitely not overheard in the standard setting.

2. game settings

Here you can choose which simulation you want to use with just one click. In our case, this is “rFactor 64-bit”.

It is important that each game is not open when it is started for the first time!

3. name and vote

Now we select our name in the first drop-down menu. The CrewChief has stored some common names and in some situations will address you directly with the name you have chosen here.

In the second drop-down menu, you can select the voice of the “Chief”, i.e. your race instructor.

Currently only “Jim” is integrated here, which simplifies the selection. The third drop-down menu gives you the option of selecting a different “spotter voice”.

I can only recommend playing around and finding the pairing that suits you best.

4. voice input settings

At the bottom right of the CrewChief window you will find the voice input area. First of all, you can decide whether you want to deactivate voice input or how you want to communicate.

We will explain this setting in a later guide. But feel free to try it out for yourself!

5. activate CrewChief

To “arm” the Chief, click on “Start Application” at the top left.

As this is the first activation of the software, you will be asked to store additional files in the simulation. You should confirm this message by clicking on “OK”.

If everything is working correctly, you will hear “Radio Check” over the speakers and rFactor2 will open in the launcher.

It happens that CrewChief requests a restart of the software at this point, have this done and then click on “Start Application” again.

Now have fun using CrewChief and racing.

By the way, should the CrewChief “annoy” you with messages that you don’t need. Under the “Properties” button, you can set all the language settings.