The sound system Kato came up with is simply something they hope will be successful and allow people who run DC systems to fool around with sound. Good luck to them and I hope is successful!
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
R/C is just way too generic - is my R/C car gas, or electric? Is my R/C plane gas, electric, or no engine at all? Does my R/C model train use DCC, something else but powered through the rail, or onboard batteries? Direct Radio has been used to distinguish from a radio DCC system to signify that the control signal goes direct to the loco and not through the rails, but then does my direct radio system use onboard batteries or does it draw power from the rails (or both)? Dead rail is about as exact as you can get - no power to the rails at all. Nothing ambiguous about that. Zee tracks, zhey are dead, kaput.
Plus you get a nifty TLA - DRS.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I use the Kato Soundbox on my DC N-scale railroad. I have been a model railroader since 1968 and have no interest in DCC. I would rather spend my hobby money on trains, track, and scenery than on electronic gadgetry.
What hasn't been mentioned here is the the Kato Soundbox provides not only sound (engine, horn, bell, brakes, air compressor), but also imparts momentum.
This makes a nice upgrade to a non-sound equipped loco. Because the sound is generated at the operating station, the effect is more "in the cab". After 26 years in railroading, and the last 16 as a loco engineer, I know well what these things sound like. The tiny speakers in an N-scale loco cannot begin to sound like a real loco. A layout with several sound-equipped steamers running at once sounds like a room full of sewing machines.
I get better quality sound with the Soundbox, and it works for all my locos. I am looking forward to an ALCO/GE sound card. I see now that Kato has a sound card for heavy steam. My Soundbox came with an EMD non-turbo 567 card, but I'm looking forward to a card for ALCOs.
Les
I think the SoundBox sounds like a good product. I plan to run a small layout with one engine, one operator, and a hand full of cars. I don't need a big DCC system with wireless throttles.
The SBX can also be plugged into headphones for quiet sessions, or plugged into my stereo for those Saturday no-ones-home-lets-get-as-loud-as-you-cab-get sessions. I also don't have to have a DCC sound decoder for ever locomotive model, as along as I have a matching sound card I'm good to go. I also already have a power pack.
I'm sure there is an issue of expandability, but it will be far in the future before I have to worry about a power pack and this box just not cutting it.
One last thing, maybe I read it wrong or it was answered, but I thought I read someone say the SoundBox was like a power pack. The SBX itself can't operate or control. It goes between your power pack and layout track. The box itself has to be powered somehow. Kato included some built in plugs in the side so it can plug directing into a Kato DC power pack, like their turnout control as website states, or to a non Kato brand DC pack with a plug/wire set. I think you can also get a convertor that plugs into the wall.
mlehman I realized another difference between the two products. Surroundtraxx has the capability of running sound in up tgo six locos at once. That could be noisy. The Kato/Soundtraxx Analog Sound Box (ASB) supports just one loco at a time. I presume that you could just keep adding them if you needed more than one at a time in DC with it's one loco/consist per throttle architecture. Interestingly, there is a MIC input on the ASB...? What next, karaoke with your trains?!?
I realized another difference between the two products. Surroundtraxx has the capability of running sound in up tgo six locos at once. That could be noisy.
The Kato/Soundtraxx Analog Sound Box (ASB) supports just one loco at a time. I presume that you could just keep adding them if you needed more than one at a time in DC with it's one loco/consist per throttle architecture.
Interestingly, there is a MIC input on the ASB...? What next, karaoke with your trains?!?
Therein lies the problem and why I would never buy this. DCC sound is better in the locomotive than stationary sound, even if it's not 'hi-fi' sound.
gatrhumpy mlehman I realized another difference between the two products. Surroundtraxx has the capability of running sound in up tgo six locos at once. That could be noisy. The Kato/Soundtraxx Analog Sound Box (ASB) supports just one loco at a time. I presume that you could just keep adding them if you needed more than one at a time in DC with it's one loco/consist per throttle architecture. Interestingly, there is a MIC input on the ASB...? What next, karaoke with your trains?!? Therein lies the problem and why I would never buy this. DCC sound is better in the locomotive than stationary sound, even if it's not 'hi-fi' sound.
And you are entitled to that opinion. Some others obviously feel differently and KATO feels they represent enough of a market to offer this product.
I find most HO onboard sound to be an annoying din, I can't even imagine how bad 20 minutes of onboard N scale sound would be.
And KATO is primarily an N scale company.
Sheldon
And I say to all you guys, to each his own,enjoy your hobby.May God Bless.