I am thinking about getting a pc interface unit to be able to program sound decoders with other sound files. I use the Zephyr system and was looking at the PR3. I can't find out if it works with Windows 7. Is there another unit that anyone would recommend and also is Decoder Pro and JMRI the best software to use? I just installed a Digitrax sound decoder in my Rivarossi 4-6-6-4 and want to change the sounds that came with it and I understand this is what I will need to do it. Any suggestions on any of these items would be a great help.
Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
You need a PR3 to change sounds in a Digitrax sound decoder. It won't change sounds in any other brand of decoder with user programmable sounds - each brand has its own device for that. The PR3 will act as a standalone programmer, not connected to your Zephyr, and it will also act as a Loconet interface to control trains, turnouts, and do programmign via the Zephyr.
As a programmer, the PR3 can program any brand of decoder, sound or non-sound. Only the sound downloading ability is limited to Digitrax brand decoders.
It works fine with Windows 7, that's all I have on any of my computers. It works with the Digitrax Soundloader software as well as JMRI and RR&Co. And probably other stuff I haven't tried.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
This is the only Digitrax sound decoder I have and would hate to spend $70+ on the PR3 if it won't do other sound decoders. I am not that happy with the sound from it and don't know if it will improve that much with a new sound file. Maybe a better speaker would help. I did build a mounting surface for the speaker in the tender and it was much better. Digitrax has the sound file for the 4-6-6-4 but I don't know how good it is. I can't afford to buy all Tsunami or QSI decoders for my fleet of engines. Any experience with the new Digitrax All in one decoders? I guess for $40 I shouldn't complain too much!
- Bob
You can use the PR3 to program ANY sound decoder for speed, individual sound adjustments etc. You just cant upload new sounds into it. Most simply just buy the correct decoder for the loco with the correct sounds to start with. That way you should never have the need to upload the sound files.
Springfield PA
Once you get a PR3 and JMRI Decoder Pro you will ask yourself why you waited so long. The PR3 is not just for sound, and not just for Digitrax decoders. You can also use a PR3 and Decoder Pro to program decoders without a DCC system.
I also use my PR3 with Decoder Pro as a virtual Digitrax throttle from my PC. In fact you open and run multiple throttles from a PC. The PR3 has multiple uses for less than the cost of a Digitrax throttle. It is a great investment.
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
Thanks for the info on the PR3 and Decoder Pro. I will go ahead and order it. I bought the Digitrax sound decoder because it was 1)Digitrax, 2)Cheap at $40 3) It has generic steam/diesel sounds that you select for your application and 4)It can be upgraded to whatever you want by uploading any sound file using the PR3. Since I got the BLI Hudson I have been hooked on sound locos, but can't afford to put $100 Tsunami decoders in them. I was hoping the Digitrax ones would give a reasonable sound for my other 15-20 engines (over a period of time of course!).
I have only been into DCC for about 4-5 months now and wish I had done it a couple of years ago.
-Bob
It all depends on which sound sets you cna get your hands on. SOme people making them are a lot better than others. The guy who seems to have figured out the most about the programming - and make no mistake, it is some serious programming, not simply substituting sound clips, is unfortunately for those of use not 'blessed' witht eh traction bug primarily a trolley modeler. He did make a program available to all that helps a bit witht he complexities of setting up the events and sequences needed to make more realistic sounds, but then there's the issue of getting the needed recordings. Not too many of us can just walk over to the local rail yard and have them run a loco through its paces while we record it. And getting quality recordings is one skill, editing it down to clips suitable for sound decoders is another, and then combinign it all together in a complete program is yet another, none of which have any direct bearing on skills at model railroading. So the options are limited. A few of the available sound projects are clearly superior to the basic sounds that come stock in the decoder, others are not much different other than the sounds are recognizably different. The whole idea of user-supplied sounds has just not worked out like Digitrax thought it would.
It's been a half year since I got my PR3. I don't remember if it comes with the power supply but if it doesn't you'll need the PS14 power supply or equivelant
Actually, in the MS100 mode it is powered by the USB port, no power supply is required. It does, however, require a PS-14 to be full function.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
I just ordered it (PR3) with the PS14 power supply and hope to load the sound files from Digitrax for the 3985 Challenger on to my engine decoder. I will have to experiment with the software to see what I can get. I know there are some guys that have posted their sound files on the internet but don't really expect to use any of them. Digitrax has a few on their website that may be useful other than the Challenger, maybe just getting some different whistles or bells that I would prefer over what came with the default files.
I have a PR2, the predecessor to the PR3. As has been stated, it can be used as a general-purpose programmer for any decoder, and it can program the sound files in Digitrax SFX decoders, like the Soundbug, SFX0416, or the newer all-in-one sound decoders. It can't program the sound in any other brand of decoders, though.
Be careful of which of these Digitrax sound decoders you buy. For some reason, some of them have very low volume, even when all the CVs are maxed out. The Soundbug is fine, but the SFX0416 sounds are very low, and can hardly be heard if other trains, even non-sound ones, are running on your layout.
From what I've heard, the all-in-one decoders suffer from this same SFX-schizophrenia. Some are loud enough, and some are not.
My LHS has several different programmers connected up to the shop computer. A few months back, he was able to restore functionality to an engine of mine with a QSI decoder that had done the Sleeping Beauty thing and wouldn't come back to life. There was nothing I could do for it with my Lenz system or my PR2, but, once again, the value of a good LHS got me through. You may find that your own LHS can offer similar service.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Well, I got the PR3 with power suuply and software CD. I loaded it and the Digitrax software won't work because it says there aren't any drivers found. The JMRI and Decoder Pro won't work because it says it can't find any program interface? I went to the Digitrax website and downloaded the driver files but they don't want to load and the files don't look like driver (.drv) files. I checked the CD and it has the same files on it. I am running Windows 7 on my laptop and wonder if that could be the problem since Digitrax doesn't list that version. Any suggestions. I have tried all I can think of and nothing works.
I was all set to remind you that the drivers have to be installed before the PR3 is connected to the computer and that you must manually choose the USB port, but then I got to the part about Windows 7.
I never upgrade operating systems because it sends you to driver hell if you have peripherals that are not common. The same probably applies to a new computer with a "new and improved" operating system. I suggest that you contact Digitrax and find out if they have a Windows 7 driver.
Bob,
You have to install the drivers for the PR3 before you can use it. The Vista drivers will work just fine for Win7. You may want to download the latest drivers, help files, and Soundloader software in a zipped file available here.
It's very important to follow the driver installation exactly as it is outlined in the PR3's instructions. There may be a few differences between the Vista example and your actual Win7 install (it's been a long time for me since Vista, so I don't recall what those differences are), but the main flow of the process is the same.
The important thing is that during the install process, you point Win7 to the Digitrax-supplied drivers and do not let Win7 install it's own drivers. Win7 may complain, but ignore that complaining and click on the necessary options to navigate to and install the Digitrax drivers. If you download the zipped file, you will need to unzip it first. Instructions to do that are located here.
It does work; My PR3 functions just fine with my layout computer (Win7 32-bit), my laptop (also Win7 32-bit), and my office computer (Win7 64-bit). In all cases I installed the Vista drivers with no issues.
thanks for the encouraging words and the fact that you can use it on a Windows 7 platform. I will retry this tomorrow and hopefully be up and running. I have been a little discouraged about the whole thing for the past couple of days and just walked away from it. I will post my results/success? as soon as I have some.
I finally got the drivers loaded as suggested and everything works great now! I even programed a couple of engines already on the layout, just added a couple of features I didn't even know I had. Decoder Pro and Soundloader are both great additions to my model railroad experience. Thanks again to all.
I'm glad to hear you got it working and are enjoying your good results!
Stevert
farrellaa thanks for the encouraging words and the fact that you can use it on a Windows 7 platform. I will retry this tomorrow and hopefully be up and running. I have been a little discouraged about the whole thing for the past couple of days and just walked away from it. I will post my results/success? as soon as I have some. - Bob
Hang in there. A bunch of us have the PR3 running with Windows 7. I actually have a Windows 7 machine with a PR3, a QSI Sound adapter and a Loco Buffer II (to run my mayout) all running off the same computer at the same time (and it is actually a VMware Windwos 7 instance running under Windows 2008 R2 server). I use the PR3 as my preferred workbench programmer. I only bought the QSI programmer to upload sound files to my QSI decoders and I owned the Loco BUffer II before the PR3 was available. Once you get it working with Decoder Pro, you'll be evry happy.
Engineer Jeff NS Nut Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/
I'm running windows 7 64 bit with no problems. If you ever have a problem try running software in compatibility mode.
I really like Windows 7 and now that I have the PR3, Soundloader and Decoder Pro all working together, 'Life is Good' as they say. Thanks again for all the help. I am sure (110%) that I will be needing help again soon.