A very interesting article can be found at the link shown below. If you're a fan of QSI decoders this should interest you.
http://qsisolutions.com/index.html
I'm not a big fan of QSI but it seems that Soundtraxx has been cutting into QSI's customer base. Do any of the current OEM's feature QSI any more.P2K has started to move to Tsunami. BLI used to use QSI but they've gone their own way. MTH, well, MTH does what MTH does.
Stereo sound in a decoder? Would you even be able to tell that is has stereo sound as a locomotive passes by?
I think that's more for the effect of dual prime movers like in an E unit.
Kind of neat it supports connecting the Lenz USP module for keep alive power.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Fascinating idea. I might even nudge me closer to DCC. I have three questions:
1) How does a "mega-step" compare with a quantum leap?
2) Does stereo really work on something so small when you're three feet or more away? Maybe wireless ear buds tied into the decoder? LOL
3) Why did it take so long? (I think I know the answer to this one.)
The mind is like a parachute. It works better when it's open. www.stremy.net
It should be an interesting competition between QSI and LokSound with their new products.
The press release described a "price increase" for the new line, and a discontinuing of the old line. That would explain why Walthers is no longer use QSI.
I have no clue how Stereo is going to help a steam loco. Seems mostly like a gimmick.
All steam engine speakers are stuck in lengthwise series in the tender. So seperate chuffs out of a left cylinder/right cylinder would be worthless. A-Frame mounting is a no go as there are no side ports in a tender for the sound to escape. The would have to "vent" out the bottom which would be worthless far as stereo seperation. What are you going to do? Add Sound Port tubes to the front cylinders? lol.
A diesel has their speaker pair mounted sideways on an "A" frame. For engines with two prime movers, this would also be worthless as the engines would be mounted front and rear, not side by side. If you have a long tank, I guess you could mount them front back. Or maybe put small speaker in for a vent fan for vent fan/dyanamic brake sounds only.
It is very possible though to generate an easy "specialization" effect by feeding a small negative version of Channel A into Channel B and vice versa.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
Maybe you can run low frequency, prime mover type sounds, thru one channel using hi bass speaker, while other high frequency sounds, like bells, horn, spitter valves, thru the other channel to their own speaker.
that would allow you to tune each speaker for best sound.
I've been posting about this for a while in some of the responses, ever since I got one on order. Hope to get it soon. I've been told that the sound is significatly better. I'm not into programming them however.
Richard