General diesel sound question

[jmbjmb]

I just watched the video on the new MTH diesel (no this isn't a post about that engine specifically) and once again noticed something I can't put my finger on.  I don't have any sound equipped engines yet (still in the DC ages), so I have no comparision.  Anyway, whenever I see one of the videos on the MR site, the diesel sound doesn't seem right.  Sounds to me more like a turbine reving up than a diesel.  Now I know many diesels have turbo chargers on them but I mean I don't hear the diesel at all, just the turbine as if it were a jet.  Down by the tracks there's always a heavier undercurrent to the sound.

So the question is, is this just a by product of the small speaker, the video, or is this how the sound equipped engines really sound?  That will help me decide if spending the small fortune to change to DCC is worth it for the sound effects (my railroad is a branch line needing only one train at a time so I don't need DCC's ability for multiple engines).

[Texas Zepher]

jmbjmb

So the question is, is this just a by product of the small speaker, the video, or is this how the sound equipped engines really sound?

Or both the small speaker and the video recording, and then probably also the digital computer play back are all contributing.   But only you know what your ears hear.   I would highly recommend going to a hobby store and listen, in person, to the EXACT locomotive model you are considering purchasing.   Make your decision on that, not some recording off the internet, or what we with our ears hear.

I can tell you that it is impossible for a small model to reproduce the deep, throaty, bridge vibrating, sound of a real locomotive. But when you listen to a particular model it might be "good enough" for your ears.

[mobilman44]

Hi!

I am not an expert on model loco sound, but I have heard many, many real locos over the years.  I migrated to DCC last January, and currently have 6 BLI sound locos, with 4 different "types of sound" - 4-8-4, 2-10-2/4, SW7, & RSD15. 

Hearing the steam locos just makes me smile, for they bring me back to my childhood in the '50s.  The RSD15 sound is also pretty realistic, and the SW7 is less so - but consistent with the fact that the prototype was significantly less "noisy" than the larger diesels.

I went to DCC primarily for the flexibility of loco control.  The on demand access to sound proved to be a very sweet "by-product", and while expensive, it sure is nice.

Just one ol guys opinion.......

Mobilman44

[CSX Robert]

I have to agree 100% with Texas Zepher here. Of course there is no way that the small speaker in our locomotives will produce the same sounds you hear track side, but only YOU can determine if it is close enough to satisfy you. The same engine may sound great to one person, but awful to someone else. If you don't have a hobby shop close by to listen to one, you could go ahead and purchase one and run it on DC(virtually all of the current sound locomotives will run on DC and produce at least the basic sounds). Then you could decide if you want to get a DCC system to be able to access all of the sounds. If you decided you did not care for the sound, you could try to sell the sound equipped engine, or just keep it and only be out the price difference between the sound equipped and non-sound equipped engine. Also, if you only run one train at a time, it should not cost a small fortune to convert to DCC. You could get a Zephyr or Power Cab, or one of the MRC systems, but keep the ability to switch your layout to DC so that you would not have to convert all of your engines.

[mobilman44]

I agree with David, and have to add that in some instances, even the layout room may affect what you hear as well.  Those that are open with solid surfaces (i.e. concrete floors, walls, etc.) or carpet & curtains and sound absorbing tiles will affect what you hear.

Also, as a devout audiophile of the 60s/70s, I built several speaker cabinets & wired up numerous systems.  The size and quality of the speakers matter, as does their "range".  Bigger is not always better, by the way.  Also, having the back side of the speakers sealed - or vented - can make a major difference in what is heard.  In short, there are a lot of variables.

I would like to trust that the manufacturers of sound equipped locos are putting together "the best they can", and those few I've heard have proven to be at least acceptable.  But somehow I suspect there are those produced that are not, and agree that hearing a sample up close and personal is the best way to go.  Or if not that, taking the word of someone whose opinion you value (and holding him/her to it)!

ENJOY,

Mobilman44

[jmbjmb]

Thanks guys.  Living in a rural area, I don't have a LHS nearby, but next time I'm in a big city, I'll try to drop in on one.  Seems like I'm always a day late and a dollar short whenever they have one of these on sale.

[WSOR 3801]

 The sound decoder makers usually have samples on their website.  Soundtraxx  Loksound   QSI

If the sound is good enough for you from the computer, then making the engine sound decent in regard to speaker selection and placement is your next step.