Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

MRC 1025 Synchro Sound Box Steam & Diesel Sounds

18133 views
16 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    February 2009
  • From: Oreland PA
  • 986 posts
MRC 1025 Synchro Sound Box Steam & Diesel Sounds
Posted by UncBob on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 8:48 PM

Anybody have any experience with this unit 

 

Description  says it has Diesel and Steam sounds  but doesn't list the Chuff or Hum

 

It says SYNCHRO  so I assumed you could adjust engine sounds to your speed BUT Chuff or the Diesel counterpart is not listed

51% share holder in the ME&O ( Wife owns the other 49% )

ME&O

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Thursday, April 2, 2009 8:48 AM

 I think this is the box that someone brought to our club to test a couple or so years ago.  IIRC, it was permanently set on DCC address 3 and could not be changed, and the sounds were not really synchronized very well with the locomotive's movement.  The locomotive's address had to be changed back to the default address of 3 or it didn't work at all.

Keep in mind, however, that this was an earlier version of what MRC is advertising today.  Their web site says that the address can be changed, and it looks much different than the one we experimented with.

Still, you must stop and reprogram the address every time you want to use it with a different locomotive, and every locomotive is going to sound exactly the same regardless of its type.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Thursday, April 2, 2009 10:13 PM

 WHy would you have to program the loco to address 3? Just consist the loco using whatever address it already has with address 3 and they'll both operate. No need to program the loco to 3 to get it to work with the sound box. Make 3 the lead loco int he consist if the synchro sound has a whistle and bell that are triggered by function keys, then you can control the speed and direction of the loco while sending funtion commands to trigger the sounds on the synchro sound.

                                 --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    February 2009
  • From: Oreland PA
  • 986 posts
Posted by UncBob on Friday, April 3, 2009 7:11 AM

 I think you guys are talking about the BLACKBOX not the SYNCHRO BOX

51% share holder in the ME&O ( Wife owns the other 49% )

ME&O

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Friday, April 3, 2009 8:40 AM

 I don't know about the black box but the syncro sound box can be programmed to whatever address you want.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    February 2007
  • From: Christiana, TN
  • 2,134 posts
Posted by CSX Robert on Friday, April 3, 2009 9:02 AM
UncBob

 I think you guys are talking about the BLACKBOX not the SYNCHRO BOX

No, they are talking about the Synchro Box(MRC Item #1025). The Black Box(MRC Item #1050) is for controlling a sound equipped DCC engine and does not produce any sounds itself. The Synchro Box produces sound and is for adding sound(though stationary) to a DCC engine that does not already have sound.
  • Member since
    February 2009
  • From: Oreland PA
  • 986 posts
Posted by UncBob on Friday, April 3, 2009 11:29 AM

CSX Robert
UncBob

 I think you guys are talking about the BLACKBOX not the SYNCHRO BOX

No, they are talking about the Synchro Box(MRC Item #1025). The Black Box(MRC Item #1050) is for controlling a sound equipped DCC engine and does not produce any sounds itself. The Synchro Box produces sound and is for adding sound(though stationary) to a DCC engine that does not already have sound.

 

 

I wish they would state that in their description 

 

All this confusion with DCC/Sound and programming  --has convinced me to stay with my 2 engine DC 2 cab set up--With 2 7000 sound and power boxes I will have sound-chuff/whistle  for both when running

 

To get bells and idling sound etc I will go to Strasberg and record the live steamers and play them back on my set up 

51% share holder in the ME&O ( Wife owns the other 49% )

ME&O

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Mpls/St.Paul
  • 13,892 posts
Posted by wjstix on Friday, April 3, 2009 5:00 PM

UncBob

All this confusion with DCC/Sound and programming  --has convinced me to stay with my 2 engine DC 2 cab set up--With 2 7000 sound and power boxes I will have sound-chuff/whistle  for both when running

To get bells and idling sound etc I will go to Strasberg and record the live steamers and play them back on my set up 

What confusion are you talking about?? This discussion relates to someone talking about a stationary sound system, but it wasn't clearly identified which one he was talking about. It really has nothing to do with DCC sound decoders etc. which are quite easy to install (unless you choose to buy one of the numerous engines that come with the sound decoder factory installed). Plus the wiring in DCC is 1000 times easier than two-cab DC.

Stix
  • Member since
    February 2007
  • From: Christiana, TN
  • 2,134 posts
Posted by CSX Robert on Friday, April 3, 2009 5:39 PM
UncBob
I wish they would state that in their description 
It was stated clearly in the title of the thread: "MRC 1025 Synchro Sound Box Steam & Diesel Sounds"
  • Member since
    February 2009
  • From: Oreland PA
  • 986 posts
Posted by UncBob on Friday, April 3, 2009 5:43 PM

 I am the originator of the thread and nowhere in the title does it state DCC

 

I thought it was a SYNCHRO box for DC non sound trains  --That is why I started the thread to find out if it was

51% share holder in the ME&O ( Wife owns the other 49% )

ME&O

  • Member since
    February 2009
  • From: Oreland PA
  • 986 posts
Posted by UncBob on Friday, April 3, 2009 5:48 PM

wjstix

UncBob

All this confusion with DCC/Sound and programming  --has convinced me to stay with my 2 engine DC 2 cab set up--With 2 7000 sound and power boxes I will have sound-chuff/whistle  for both when running

To get bells and idling sound etc I will go to Strasberg and record the live steamers and play them back on my set up 

What confusion are you talking about?? This discussion relates to someone talking about a stationary sound system, but it wasn't clearly identified which one he was talking about. It really has nothing to do with DCC sound decoders etc. which are quite easy to install (unless you choose to buy one of the numerous engines that come with the sound decoder factory installed). Plus the wiring in DCC is 1000 times easier than two-cab DC.

I started the thread so I know what is is about


51% share holder in the ME&O ( Wife owns the other 49% )

ME&O

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: NB, Canada
  • 127 posts
Posted by babefluff on Friday, April 3, 2009 6:28 PM

I have an older version, the # 1023 Synchro Sound Box for Diesel Locomotives.  The manual says it can be used for DC or DCC.  I downloaded the manual from the MRC site as not much came with the unit.  I could not find a link to the 1025 but here is a link to the 1023.  Some of it may help. 

Scott

http://www.modelrectifier.com/resources/trainSound/0001022_0001023.pdf

 

  

  • Member since
    February 2007
  • From: Christiana, TN
  • 2,134 posts
Posted by CSX Robert on Friday, April 3, 2009 6:49 PM
UncBob

 I am the originator of the thread and nowhere in the title does it state DCC

 

I thought it was a SYNCHRO box for DC non sound trains  --That is why I started the thread to find out if it was

Sorry, UncBob, I got a little confused on who posted what. I agree that MRC's descriptions are a little vague. My understanding is that the 1050 Synchro Sound Box can be used for DCC or DC. When used with DCC, it responds to commands sent to the DCC address it is assigned. When used with DC, you press the buttons on the unit to activate the sounds. Unfortunately, MRC does not have the manual online to confirm that this is how it works, but they do have the manual for the separate steam and diesel boxes (item#'s 1022 and 1023)http://www.modelrectifier.com/resources/trainSound/0001022_0001023.pdf that the 1025 is suppose to replace, and that is how they work.
  • Member since
    August 2007
  • 2,123 posts
Posted by CNCharlie on Friday, April 3, 2009 11:57 PM

UncBob,

I have a Synchro Sound Box for Steam that I used when I ran DC on my HO layout.  It does have a chuff sound that does increase with increased throttle. It is very hard to get sychronized with the loco but you can come close.

The other sounds are much like you have with DCC sound and are activated by the controller.

It is fine for a small layout and indeed I plan on using it for a little N scale layout that I plan on building.

CN Charlie

  • Member since
    February 2009
  • From: Oreland PA
  • 986 posts
Posted by UncBob on Saturday, April 4, 2009 7:09 AM

CNCharlie

UncBob,

I have a Synchro Sound Box for Steam that I used when I ran DC on my HO layout.  It does have a chuff sound that does increase with increased throttle. It is very hard to get sychronized with the loco but you can come close.

The other sounds are much like you have with DCC sound and are activated by the controller.

It is fine for a small layout and indeed I plan on using it for a little N scale layout that I plan on building.

CN Charlie

Thanks

That was the info I was looking for 

51% share holder in the ME&O ( Wife owns the other 49% )

ME&O

  • Member since
    February 2009
  • From: Oreland PA
  • 986 posts
Posted by UncBob on Saturday, April 4, 2009 7:13 AM

CSX Robert
UncBob

 I am the originator of the thread and nowhere in the title does it state DCC

 

I thought it was a SYNCHRO box for DC non sound trains  --That is why I started the thread to find out if it was

Sorry, UncBob, I got a little confused on who posted what. I agree that MRC's descriptions are a little vague. My understanding is that the 1050 Synchro Sound Box can be used for DCC or DC. When used with DCC, it responds to commands sent to the DCC address it is assigned. When used with DC, you press the buttons on the unit to activate the sounds. Unfortunately, MRC does not have the manual online to confirm that this is how it works, but they do have the manual for the separate steam and diesel boxes (item#'s 1022 and 1023)http://www.modelrectifier.com/resources/trainSound/0001022_0001023.pdf that the 1025 is suppose to replace, and that is how they work.

 

Thanks that manual tells me what I want to know about DC mode  --it will let you regulate chuff rate and does let you have a bell whistle and air pump

51% share holder in the ME&O ( Wife owns the other 49% )

ME&O

  • Member since
    October 2011
  • 1 posts
Posted by grocer on Saturday, October 22, 2011 11:27 AM

I am having a problem changing the mode, it ia running in steam and cannot change to diesel!

 

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!