I am going to buy a DCC system (NCE) in the near future. I would like to get some opinions on Loksound decoders. I was wondering how the sound quality is and if LEDs can easily be used with these decoders. The locos I plan to install one of these into is an Athearn RTR P42.
Thanks.
Will
I have two locos equipped with ESU LS decoders--one a Stewart VO-1000 from Bowser and a Bachman 44 tonner with a LS 3.5 micro I installed myself. I put two LED's in this installation with resistors and it works well. I did purchase a LokProgrammer which is important if you have one of these decoders. You can customize and "tweak" the sound but, given the choice, I'd opt for a QSI or other type. I also have a Broadway Limited SW-7 and a Walthers H-10-44 with QSI and their sound is good, even though I cannot vouch for the sound of the FM since I have never heard one. The EMD sounds are really good. Drop-in or "plug-in" decoders are the way to go! The micro ESU's have odd plugs. I cut the one for the 44 tonner off and hard-wired it instead (not much room!!!).
TRNJ
I have a Genesis SD45-2 equipped with a LokSound system that was installed by our fellow forum member CMarchand. The sound scheme is: EMD 20 Cylinder turbocharged 645 series diesel. The horn is a custom edited Leslie RS5T-RR0. It's an attention getter! The sounds are accurate and excellent with good volume. I hope to eventually film and post it on YouTube.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
I have one LokSound and am very disappointed in it with regard to sound volume, especially the diesel horn (I don't have the progammer so maybe that would make a difference).
I've found the QSI Quantum Revolution-A to be far superior IMO, and the sound volumes are very good. I also found the QSI manuals to be much easier for me to follow than LokSound's, although I must admit I haven't really tried very hard to master the LokSound manual.
But for me I will go with QSI in the future.
Jerry
Rio Grande vs. Santa Fe.....the battle is over but the glory remains!
Standard programmign can adjust the volume levels for Loksound. My PCM 4-8-4 came with the whistle set to 50%. Bell was also at 100% for some silly reason. I lowered the chuffs and bell and raised the whistle, MUCH better that way. There is one more setting, for the 'extra' sounds liek air letoff and coupler clank, plus a master volume.
CV63 is the master volume, 0-64 are the permitted values. CV121 is for the horn/whistle, CV122 is the bell, and CV123 is the 'other'. Balancing out the sounds goes a long way to making it sound better. As does settign the master volume so that you are not 'overdriving' your speaker.
I always kept my volume low. If the loco is supposed to be 10 miles away in the next town, you shouldn't hear it. Worked out well even with my small layout, I could set the T1 running while sitting at the workbench off to one side, and hear it get louder as it approached and then go past and fade away as it went around to the other side of the layout. I guess I just don't 'get' super loud volume requirements. Same as I don't 'get' the silliness that is car audio competition. Great, you have 2 megawatts of amplification, need 2 alternators and 4 batteries to run it all, and it produces sound at a level that causes pain in humans. Yup, I need that to be able to listen to music in my car.
--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 really like the Loksound decoders. I have both the older V2.0 and newer V.3.5 decoders. And I prefer the Loksound chuff sound for the steamers over the QSI chuffs. The Loksound decoders have a wonderful "throatiness" to them. The QSI chuff, although nice, is tinnier sounding.
As Randy pointed out, setting the correct volume levels goes a long way in making your locomotive sound it's best.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
jwils1I have one LokSound and am very disappointed in it with regard to sound volume, especially the diesel horn (I don't have the progammer so maybe that would make a difference).
Jerry,
You don't need the programmer to set volumes. CV 63 handles the master volume and CVs 121-123 adjust the horn, bell, and extraneous steam noises.
tstage jwils1I have one LokSound and am very disappointed in it with regard to sound volume, especially the diesel horn (I don't have the progammer so maybe that would make a difference). Jerry, You don't need the programmer to set volumes. CV 63 handles the master volume and CVs 121-123 adjust the horn, bell, and extraneous steam noises. Tom
Tom,
I guess I got the impression from David that the Programmer offered additional ways to tweak the sound. I use Decoder Pro, and after Randy's comments I went down and played with adjusting several levels and guess what.....I now have a very loud horn....actually much too loud but at least I now see that the sound is much better than I thought.
So, I apologize for any negative comments about Loksound. I was wrong. It's apparently an excellent decoder and I just don't yet understand it as well as QSI. These products are fascinating and take some time and study to really master them. That's what I love about DCC as there is no end to what one can learn if interested.
It's gettting tough to know which products to go with as they are all so good (just like DCC systems). I would guess that Tsunami is also very good, but without the download capability. Anyway, thanks for waking me up to the quality of Loksound.
I am very happy with the Loksound decoders in my pair of 12 year old P1K GP7's. Great sound comes from using the dual speaker, and the control is great, too! I go to speed step 1 and the engine creeps up to the car with just enough speed to couple. I also use a slow speed setting in reverse to give a little slack, insert pick, hit forward and twist for perfect uncoupling. There is just a little increase in engine sound just as there should be when going into notch one. Other than the fact that I want to try a Diesel Tsunami, I will certainly use more Loksound installs. John
John,
You beat me to something that I forgot to mention in my earlier post. Not only is Loksound a good sound decoder, it's also a terrific motion decoder. My two Trix Mikes and PCM F3 all crawl on speed step 001.
Allow me to add my "two cents." I agree that LokSound decoders are complex and not the easiest to program to your satisfaction, sound-wise but they are indeed excellent regarding speed control, especially for switching. The sounds are there--they simply must be "tweaked" until you get what you are pleased with.
jwils1 tstage jwils1I have one LokSound and am very disappointed in it with regard to sound volume, especially the diesel horn (I don't have the progammer so maybe that would make a difference). Jerry, You don't need the programmer to set volumes. CV 63 handles the master volume and CVs 121-123 adjust the horn, bell, and extraneous steam noises. Tom Tom, I guess I got the impression from David that the Programmer offered additional ways to tweak the sound. I use Decoder Pro, and after Randy's comments I went down and played with adjusting several levels and guess what.....I now have a very loud horn....actually much too loud but at least I now see that the sound is much better than I thought. So, I apologize for any negative comments about Loksound. I was wrong. It's apparently an excellent decoder and I just don't yet understand it as well as QSI. These products are fascinating and take some time and study to really master them. That's what I love about DCC as there is no end to what one can learn if interested. It's gettting tough to know which products to go with as they are all so good (just like DCC systems). I would guess that Tsunami is also very good, but without the download capability. Anyway, thanks for waking me up to the quality of Loksound.
You are correct. Having the programmer allows you to boost the overall amplification of each individual sound sample file and then upload the modified files into the decoder. In Europe, the emphasis is on sound purity; volume levels we're used to are not that important to most of the ESU decoder buyers over there. ESU listened to our volume concerns here in the US and redesigned the programmer software to accomodate our tastes. Some of the updated sound schemes are louder from the manufacturer without tweaking; the aformentioned Baldwin VO sounds, for example, are impressive with a properly baffled speaker in a Stewart locomotive.
Carl in Florida - - - - - - - - - - We need an HO Amtrak SDP40F and GE U36B oh wait- We GOT THEM!
I was so dissapointed with Loksounds decoder in my C&O H-8 I swapped it out for a Tsunami
Thier chuff for this loco is far to hissy and the whistle is so far off from an American steam whistle
it's sickening
I really believe they took the whistle sound from a European steam train
several people have gone the same route as I have
All that said it is a very complex decoder with lots of features that only thier programmer can
access
Some of their diesel sounds are right on the money
Before spending the money I would listen to some sound samples
TerryinTexas
See my Web Site Here
http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/
I will say it again - the ONLY thing you need their programmer for is to change the actual sound files - either replace them with others or alter the existing ones. Everything else is controlled by standard CVs. Unless you have an ancient DCC system that can't program any CV greater than 99, you can adjust everything in a Loksound decoder EXCEPT the actual sound files. And there are a LOT of settings - see the full manual you can download from the ESU site. Although it's not quite as bad as QSI - ESU has not felt the need to go to indexed CVs yet.
Like other brands that allow user programmign of the sounds, i wish they had more options available. But it's not easy for an average person to get on board a runnign locomotive to record the sounds - and then to have a quality recorder...and then to properly edit the sounds so they work within the decoder's limits... The decoder literature tends to make it sound super easy to get sounds in - and it is - you can go stand by a grade crossing and record the train goign by and uplaod it to the decoder, adn it will play. Really easy. But it certainly will not sound like an operating locomotive - THAT'S the hard part, isolating and cutting the sounds
Then there's the whole issue of where do we get sounds from locomotives where the last one was cut up for scrap 50 years ago?
rrinker Snip Then there's the whole issue of where do we get sounds from locomotives where the last one was cut up for scrap 50 years ago? --Randy
Snip
Here would be a start for a whistle
If Loksound wanted sounds for a C&O H-8
they should have talked to these guys
Instead of coping out and substituting a Eurpoean
steam loco sound
http://www.steam-whistles.com/archive/hawksnest2006.html
I am another fan of Loksound decoders, but I had two that I found I didn't like due to their loaded sound files. Motion control...I don't know that it can be surpassed. Equalled, surely, but not surpassed yet. But like Terry, above, I didn't want to purchase a programmer, so I had the decoder removed in both the Trix Mike and the Rivarossi Allegheny. I regretted having to do it because of all the other excellent qualities...but the Tsunami came much closer for my tastes. I can now actually enjoy the Allegheny.
And yet, still in my PCM Y6b is that venerable Loksound 3.5, and it would take a big stick of dynamite to get me to part with it. I agree that the chuffs are deeper and throatier. Very nice.
-Crandell
Crandell,
I'm really enjoying the newer V3.5 decoder in my 2nd Trix Mike - particularly the playable whistle, Doppler-effect, and the ability to quickly increase/decrease the master volume by double-pressing F8.
The chuff on the new decoder "seems" more realistic than the V.2.0 decoder at speed steps 010 or less. And, although a bit quieter, it's still nice and throaty. And the superb motor control on either version of the Loksound decoders has not changed.
Little up date on Terry's old decoder. I am sure I am going to love it in my PCM Big Boy. My Big Boy came with out sound, but the board as the 21 pin connector so it is a snap in. I bought two speakers for my Big Boy with speaker plugs installed and priority shipping for $25.00 from Ulrich Models.
I all so sent Steve, Terry's old decoder, he is changing the sound files so they are for a Big Boy. I do not know what Ulrich Models charges to do this, but Steve knows me from my E-Bay madness days.
Here is a link. http://www.ulrichmodels.biz/servlet/StoreFront
Steve stated the 2 speakers that my Big Boy uses would sound better than the high bass 100 ohm speaker he sales.
I really believe the poor sound quality Terry had was do to the speaker. My Y6-b uses 2 speakers and has a Loksound decoder. It sounds great. Video is poor but sound is accurate.
http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j284/cudaken/?action=view¤t=IM000057-2.flv
To me it does not sound thin. Bass sounds pretty good.
Happy Ken, posting again.
I hate Rust
Speakers, or the sound set that was loaded.
I just bought a Soundbug and a bunch of TCS decoders from Ulrich. Fast service.
TerryinTexas:
The sound recording is nice, but with the echos, it is usable only in a canyon/mountainous area.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
Randy, the Y6-b is all stock. Ulrich Models are loading sound files for my Big Boy into C&O old decoder for me. Steve (Ulrich Models) is sending pre-wired speakers for the Big Boy. I hope to have them and the decoder Saturday. He sent me a sound file of the Big Boy and it sounds great, I have no way to share at this point. I don't think I can post a sound file on Photo Bucket.
I all so think the motor control is great, my Y6-b pulls like a bear and it can creep around the bench pulling 70 coal cars. Adjusting the sound volume on the fly is a big plus as well. One of the things I wished my QSI decoders could do. One of the reason I do not run the BLI steam fleet much any more.
Speaker Terry sent with the Loksound does look a little cheese. Using the weight as the sound enclose is what I think the main problem is, very thin. For good base you need more air chamber for longer sound waves.
I sure hope Terry is wrong when he told me I will be disappointed with his old Loksound decoder.
Cuda Ken