I'm my second layout and I want to have sound. However, I'll only run one loco, so it seems rediculous to have dcc. I know very little about dcc. Do I have to have dcc to have sound? I don't want to pay the high price of dcc, but I'm willing to to get sound. Help! thanx
No, you don´t need DCC to have sound, but you need a special power pack like the MRC Tech 6 sound controller if you want to adjust the sound to your needs.
A lot of sound equipped locos do not perform well on DC, check the product review pages here for reference.
When you go sound, you have covered more than half of the way down the route to DCC. There are good DCC starter packs which don´t cost an arm and a leg. Improved performance and controllable sound features are well worth the price, IMHO. And maybe you will get a second engine you´d like to run as well...
Bachmann has a new Sound Value line, a 2-6-0 steamer and a S-4 diesel, that go for about $120.00 at two or three on line sites that run on DC. The sounds are automatic. I just looked at one of the sites.
If you ever buy from a private source, a loco with sound that is dual mode, DC and DCC, it might have had the DC option disabled. That has happened to a few people.
Ric
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
You don;t NEED DCC to have sound, dual mode decoders will work either way and make sounds. There are a coupel of caveats, a sound loco on DC won;t move untilt ht ehtrottle is past half way, because it needs pwoer to stat the sounds up before the loco moves (otherwise it wouldn;t make any sounds until it wa slaready runnign at half speed or better). So you cna;t run a soudn and non-sound loco together on DC.
Sounds works on DC, but tot get ALL the features for ANY sound loco, you need DCC. There are controlelrs available for different brands of sound decoders that allow you to operate the bella dn whistles, but they are brand-specific. ANd those "in between' systems liek the Tech 6 from MRC - that's just a limited DCC system with a DC controller, you run one or the other and it switches between them. If you're goign to spend the money for somethign liek that you might as well get a basic starter DCC system and not have some oddball mix of systems.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Both of these work awesome
wilson44512 Both of these work awesome
That is the S-4. The 2-6-0 is very nice, also.
http://www.micromark.com/bachmann-ho-standard-line-alco-2-6-0-steam-locomotive-with-sound-atsf-no-944,10096.html
You want one loco, that should work just fine. But, this can get addictive.
Rich
Well thanks to all of you. It sounds like a DCC system on the way. Do all DCC systems have sound capabilities? I understand that sound is operated as a accessorry, right? Maybe DCC is too complex for me...
azlogger Well thanks to all of you. It sounds like a DCC system on the way. Do all DCC systems have sound capabilities? I understand that sound is operated as a accessorry, right? Maybe DCC is too complex for me...
The sound is in the decoder, not the DCC controller.
You need a lot of DCC knowledge. Look at and store the below links in Favorites. Don't make assumptions or jump into this too fast.
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/nswmn2/DCC.htm
Pay attention to the Curriculum link. Both links barely scratch the surface for DCC.
http://www.mrdccu.com/
Yes, all DCC systems have sound capability. That is to say that any DCC system has the capability to initiate sound which is built into a decoder located inside the locomotive shell.
You can buy a simple and inexpensive DCC system. The only real requirement is that it be wired to your track. No big deal. Then, you purchase a locomotive with a sound decoder, no need to have to install the decoder or speakers on your own.
It is far less complicated than you are thinking it to be. Dive in and ask for help on this forum.
Alton Junction
I would stay away from the Bachmann EZ Command controller . It is very basic and is quite limited when controlling sound and modifying decoder CV's.
I use the NCE Power Cab entry level system which is plenty for me. Digitrax and MRC have entry level also.
I would stay away from the EZ command anyways. My cousin has one and it barely has enough juice to run trains. Does any decoder decode the signal from any controller? Thanks.
azlogger I would stay away from the EZ command anyways. My cousin has one and it barely has enough juice to run trains. Does any decoder decode the signal from any controller? Thanks.
Yes, All the currently available DCC systems are NMRA compliant and are compatible with all of the current DCC decoders. Note that DCS is a different animal.
Joe
DCC topics can be confusing at first but can be simple if you start at the beginning. Some weeks ago I was confused but with the help of this Forum I learned what I needed to know to convert my layout from DC to DCC.
Here is some helpful reading to begin with:
http://www.tonystrains.com/download/DCC-for-Beginners-tte8x11.pdf
http://www.tonystrains.com/tonystips/dccprimer/index.htm
http://www.wiringfordcc.com/intro2dcc.htm
Guy
Modeling CNR in the 50's
Guy Papillon DCC topics can be confusing at first but can be simple if you start at the beginning. Some weeks ago I was confused but with the help of this Forum I learned what I needed to know to convert my layout from DC to DCC. Here is some helpful reading to begin with: http://www.tonystrains.com/download/DCC-for-Beginners-tte8x11.pdf http://www.tonystrains.com/tonystips/dccprimer/index.htm http://www.wiringfordcc.com/intro2dcc.htm Guy
Now the links are clickable.
The Bachmann EZ Command is a basic starter system and it is very good for a beginner to lean DCC. It can be bought for less than $75 on EBay. Do a little internet serching on the Bachmann EZ Commander. You will find out that this is a well used starter system that is very easy to learn. I would recommend starting with the Bachmann and if you like DCC you can move up to more feature rich systems. You can sell your used Bachmann on EBay and recoup most of your investment. Don't listen to one biased opinion before you make up your mind.
Thre's a very good reason the Bachmann isn;t really suited for getting started with sound decoders - you can't so much as adjust the volume, because you cannot program ANYTHING with the EZ Command. No offense to those who started with it, but how many of you still have it? You've all moved up to an actual DCC system. I say 'actual' because the EZ is really a minor step up from sectionign your layout and using Atlas electrical componts. Instead of installing Atlas switches to shut off the power on a siding so you cna run a different train, now you cna just stop one and select another to run, no switch flipping needed. Definitely an improvement. But the only thing you can 'program' is an address - and even then, you aren;t really programing an address, you are assinging a loco to a button. If you only have a couple of locos, this might work out. Less than 10, you're still OK, you cna just label each button. More then 10 though, well, you have to double up, and limit whih locos are run together or are even on the layout, because two assigned to the same button will both run if that button is selected. Unless you go back to the insualted joiners and toggles to isolate sidings... And a significant loco collection? FOrget it. Hmm, SP 472, I THINK that's on button 4.... vs every other DCC system that is a slight step above the EZ< where you just use the cab number for an address. Oh, loco says 472 on the side, I just punch in 472. DOne. I submit that this is actually EASIER.
I agree. Another reason i don't think the EZ command is the way to go is because had one of those little bachmann controllers that are the DC version of the EZ command. when i stepped up to a mrc 200, well, there was just no going back! the mrc has soooo much more power.