I am considering installing a Digitrax sound decoder in a Kato engine. Have you used one? Positive/negative comments?
Digitrax sound decoders use 8-bit encoding for their sound files. Higher-end sound decoders use 16-bit sound encoding. The difference is pretty obvious when you listen to engines side-by-side.
But, you get what you pay for. The Digitrax units are economical, and if you're trying to equip a fleet with sound decoders, they will save you a lot of money.
Be careful which decoder you get. Some, like the original Sound Bug, have good output levels, while their SFX0416 has such low maximum volume that it's almost inaudible over normal track sounds.
Bottom line? For one engine, get a LokSound or a Tsunami. I put SoundBugs in dummy engines.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Digitrax sound decoders seem to the the in thing for modelers of British prototypes - based ont he activity in the Digitraxsound Yahoo groups. Several people workign ona nd uploading very specialized sound projects for specific BR loco classes. So if you model British prototype - you have lots of nice choices. The US prototype sound projects are somewhat limited.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thanks so much for the insight. Looks like I will avoid them and look elsewhere..
As am just returning to to railroading, I need lots of help getting back to speed...
Jim
Welcome back!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!