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Push to Talk and vJoy Setup

Overview

When iReporter speaks a message aloud, you typically want your microphone muted so race control doesn't hear the synthetic voice. iReporter's Push to Talk feature solves this by automatically pressing and releasing a PTT key or button around each spoken message.

You can trigger PTT via a keyboard key or a vJoy virtual joystick button — not both simultaneously.

Why vJoy?

Most racing sim setups use a physical button on a steering wheel or button box as the in-sim PTT. The problem is that iRacing (and most sims) only allow one device to be bound to a function at a time. If your wheel button is bound as PTT in iRacing, Windows cannot also press it programmatically.

vJoy solves this by creating a virtual joystick device in Windows. You bind iRacing's PTT to a vJoy virtual button instead of your physical button. Your physical button then triggers both the iRacing action and the vJoy button — while iReporter can also press the same vJoy button to activate PTT around voice output.

This gives you:

  • Your physical button still works as PTT in iRacing
  • iReporter can also activate PTT programmatically when speaking

Installing vJoy

  1. Download vJoy for Windows 10/11 from https://github.com/BrunnerInnovation/vJoy/releases/tag/v2.2.2.0 (free).
  2. Run the installer and follow the prompts. A reboot may be required.
  3. Open vJoy Configure from the Start menu. Ensure Device 1 is enabled and has at least 1 button configured. Click Apply.

Configuring iRacing to Use vJoy for PTT

  1. Open iRacing and go to Options > Controls.
  2. Find the Push to Talk binding.
  3. Click Bind and press button 1 on vJoy Device 1 (you can use the vJoy Feeder test app to press it, or configure your physical button to also output a vJoy press).
  4. Save and close Options.

Configuring iReporter PTT

In the iReporter settings panel, with Enable Voice ticked, the Push to Talk box appears below Voice Options.

Set either a Keyboard Key or a vJoy Button:

Keyboard Key

Enter the key name (e.g. F13, CapsLock, T). iReporter will hold this key down for the full duration of the spoken text, then release it. Use a key that is mapped as PTT in your sim.

vJoy Button

Enter the vJoy Device number (usually 1) and Button number (usually 1). When vJoy is installed and detected, iReporter shows vJoy detected in green. If vJoy is not installed, it shows vJoy not installed in grey and the fields are disabled.

FieldDescription
DevicevJoy device number (1–16). Matches the device number configured in vJoy Configure.
ButtonButton number on that device to press (1–128). Must match the button bound in iRacing.

Testing PTT

Configure a button with a short Speak Text (e.g. Test) and click ▶ TEST FIRE. You should hear the voice and see the PTT key/button activate during playback. Check your sim or use a joystick tester to confirm the vJoy button fires.

Troubleshooting

IssueFix
PTT not activating in iRacingMake sure the vJoy button number matches what is bound in iRacing Controls. Re-bind if needed.
vJoy not detected in iReporterEnsure vJoy is installed and Device 1 is enabled in vJoy Configure. Restart SimHub after installing.
Mic heard during voice outputPTT may be releasing too early. Ensure your Speak Text is populated and voice is completing before PTT releases.
Physical button no longer works for PTTYour physical button must be configured to output a vJoy button press (using software like JoyToKey or via button box firmware).
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