Hi Crew,
First off---Please don't take this thread as an attempt to put down QSI.
Following the directions of a friend, I downloaded the Q1a program to my computer, proceeded to download the diesel sound schemes, and "listened to the music". . QSI's M5 horn is one of the sweetest versions I've ever heard. Talk about melodic!
My disappointment was with one of the EMD 2nd generation lines. I heard what sounded like a 645E (non-turbo, roots blown) diesel, which would be appropriate for the GP and SD 38 series, as in this clip:
EMD 645 non-turbo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CpuRmD02yQ
However, there's no sound scheme for the turbocharged 645 E3 (12, 16, or 20 cylinder) which would cover a wide range of 40 and 45 series units, including Dash 2s.
This is what the turbo 16-645 sounds like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqzSJOnW9-c
There's just no mistaking that unique whine. Soundtraxx got the turbo 645 "slam on" in the Diesel Tsunami with that unmistakable turbo whine. LokSound also has excellent turbo 645 recordings as does Digitrax on their F40 sound scheme. LokSound took the extra step of including 12, 16, and 20 cylinder 645s.
Just wondering if anyone here noticed this as well, or perhaps I didn't download the correct sound scheme. I was impressed with some of QSI's schemes and am planning to get at least one QSI unit with the EMD 567 sound scheme combined with that beautiful Nathan M5 horn for one of my E7s.
Since QSI encourages input, I'm going to send them a message asking about the turbo 645 E3 sound scheme. BTW: Some of you may remember that this same issue came up when BLI introduced their SD40-2. I didn't notice at first, but then agreed that it sounded more like a roots blown GP38.
I hope this doesn't start a ruckus. Just a personal unscientific opinion.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
AntonioFP45 Just wondering if anyone here noticed this as well, or perhaps I didn't download the correct sound scheme. I was impressed with some of QSI's schemes and am planning to get at least one QSI unit with the EMD 567 sound scheme combined with that beautiful Nathan M5 horn for one of my E7s.
Are you planning on getting a loco with sound installed or buying a Revolution board and installing it? The Revolution boards use the Q2 sounds, which can be modified to suit more. The Q1a files are strictly for factory installed boards and really don't give you options. Whatever is in the scheme is there, you can't change.
If you're going with the Revolution, I'd download the Q2 software and some sounds and play with those.
For the Q1a, look for one for a MP15, I think that has turbo.
Steve, thanks for the tip.
I downloaded the Q2 programmer and spent time listening to many of the sound schemes and discovered something. The sounds were crisp and clean but, IMHO, it looks like QSI may have made an unintentional "boo-boo" .
In the EMD prime mover offerings they have listed the 645E, which is the non-turbo they list as appropriate for the GP39, SD39, GP40, F40, F40PH-2. That's incorrect! The prototype 12 cylinder and 16 cylinder 645E is a "non-turbo" unit (only the 8 cylinder 645E was turboed). The EMD 39 class locomotives had 12 cylinder turbocharged 645E3s, the 40/40-2 class had 16 cylinder turbo prime movers, and the 45/45-2-class" (SD45, SD45-2, SD45T-2, F45, FP45) had the 20-cylinder version of the 645E3.
Again, this harkens back to a few years ago when BLI introduced the SD40-2 and a number of posters on this forum pointed out that there was no turbo whine. It seems that QSI installed a 645E sound scheme into the SD40-2.
In looking at the Q2 downloads page, I don't see any EMD 645E3 sound schemes at all.
I'm not trying to shout that "the sky is falling" but felt that for those of us that spent time around the prototypes (as I did) and want to capture those memories again, this may be of significance.
Overarll I was very impressed with some of the horns. Very crisp. The K3 (sounds more like an S3K), M3, M5, and WABCO E2 were music to my ears.
I don't know if it will help, but I'll pass this on to QSI and I'll make a post on the Yahoo Boards.
If you play with the "Cut and Paste Sounds" a little, it looks like what they've done is use a Gen 1, Gen 2, Gen 3 sound and then try to get SPECIFIC model sounds by varying the motor and turbo volumes. In reality, they do not have different cylinder configurations. The XB designator you see after some of the sounds is for the eXtra Bass, which I have on the MP15 setup I have. It does not make the speaker rattle or overload it.
I like QSI and find their support is good. Hopefully, they will continue to listen to what the customer has to say. I don't mind waiting a bit, if they listen.
To a degree, I have to agree with David B. I listened to the Tsunami EMD Gen 1 and the prime mover sounds EXACTLY like I remember hearing it back in the mid 1950s. QSI Gen 1 is close, but on that version I really like the Tsunami. Haven't bought one yet, but maybe soon. Right now, I have five QSI sound equipped locos. Two Revolution and 3 factory install. IMHO, for tweaking and playing, the Revolution is better. I bought the Programmer and it works very well. I use the QSI software and it also works with Decoder Pro.