Just getting into sound. All engines have decoders & now ready for the next step. I have one of the newer Mantua Pacifics w/ the 9 pin setup. First, why do some have 8 pins & others9? I can't find any suggestions as to a sound decoder on Tony's site or the Digitrax site.Also emailed Tony w/ no reply.
One site said that you need to purchase something to allow you to program the various sounds. Don't think I would have any problems w/ the installation, I've hard wired many decoders...just need to know what to buy. thanks
DCC decoders are just like cars. Almost everyone sells them and there are allot of brands and types to choose from. Some have 9 pin plugs and some have 8 pin plugs.I too have not been able to figure out why the different plug styles. I guess it depends on the manufacturer. The minimum seems to be the 8 pin plug for a non sound decoder.There are two main types or styles of sound decoders. Some have sound only, and some have sound AND motor control. The brand you choose usually depends on a few things. Their size and current ratting; the type of plug, or no plug; the sounds available from the manufacturer; and what they sound like to you.Because I do all my own decoder installs, I prefer Soundtraxx Tsunami's. LOK Sound, Digitrax Sound Bug, and QSI require manufacture specific programming units to change the sounds. Tsunami's do not. However, LOK Sound, Digitrax Sound Bug, and QSI can be loaded with your own customized sounds or you can change the type of locomotive sound. Tsunami's you can't.To use the programming track with sound decoders almost always require a programming track booster. There are some beginner DCC systems that do not because they put out the required power. The NCE Power Cab is one. There are one or two others, but I don't know which ones they are. However, all sound decoders can be programmed on the main. You just can't read back the decoder setting from the main.Some manufacturers web sites have suggestions as to which type of sound decoders to use with what locomotives, and some don't. Some just specify the locomotive sound to use but not the specific decoder. If a sound decoder manufacturer does not suggest a decoder for a particular type of locomotive, you should ask a direct question here. "I have such and such locomotive. What sound decoders can I use?" That should get you some answers.Since you are just starting out with sound, I suggest that you should pick a brand and stick with it. I also think you should do an Internet search on DCC Sound Decoders and find all of the different manufacturers and read up on their products. That will give you a better sense of what is available and what you may or may not like. However, I would recommend that you stay away from MRC sound decoders as they don't have a good reputation with modelers on this forum, including me.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
jerryl Just getting into sound. All engines have decoders & now ready for the next step. I have one of the newer Mantua Pacifics w/ the 9 pin setup. First, why do some have 8 pins & others9? I can't find any suggestions as to a sound decoder on Tony's site or the Digitrax site
One site said that you need to purchase something to allow you to program the various sounds. Don't think I would have any problems w/ the installation, I've hard wired many decoders...just need to know what to buy.
For the decoders that have pre-programmed but selectable sounds (such as whistles in the Tsunami) these are programmable by manipulating the CVs. It requires nothing more than what is needed for programming the DCC part. The exact CVs will depend on the brand and the only way to figure it out is to read the manual.
If you want to get into custom sounds that is a whole different thing and definitely requires special equipment. I have one friend who changed the whisle to a recording of an old grumpy man saying "Get out of my Way", "Get the &^%#%@# out of my Way". He also added many other inappropriate things such as replacing the hiss with fart sounds, and the water fill sequence with a toilet flushing.
gandydancer19 Great & thorough answer, thanks for your time. jerry DCC decoders are just like cars. Almost everyone sells them and there are allot of brands and types to choose from. Some have 9 pin plugs and some have 8 pin plugs.I too have not been able to figure out why the different plug styles. I guess it depends on the manufacturer. The minimum seems to be the 8 pin plug for a non sound decoder.There are two main types or styles of sound decoders. Some have sound only, and some have sound AND motor control. The brand you choose usually depends on a few things. Their size and current ratting; the type of plug, or no plug; the sounds available from the manufacturer; and what they sound like to you.Because I do all my own decoder installs, I prefer Soundtraxx Tsunami's. LOK Sound, Digitrax Sound Bug, and QSI require manufacture specific programming units to change the sounds. Tsunami's do not. However, LOK Sound, Digitrax Sound Bug, and QSI can be loaded with your own customized sounds or you can change the type of locomotive sound. Tsunami's you can't.To use the programming track with sound decoders almost always require a programming track booster. There are some beginner DCC systems that do not because they put out the required power. The NCE Power Cab is one. There are one or two others, but I don't know which ones they are. However, all sound decoders can be programmed on the main. You just can't read back the decoder setting from the main.Some manufacturers web sites have suggestions as to which type of sound decoders to use with what locomotives, and some don't. Some just specify the locomotive sound to use but not the specific decoder. If a sound decoder manufacturer does not suggest a decoder for a particular type of locomotive, you should ask a direct question here. "I have such and such locomotive. What sound decoders can I use?" That should get you some answers.Since you are just starting out with sound, I suggest that you should pick a brand and stick with it. I also think you should do an Internet search on DCC Sound Decoders and find all of the different manufacturers and read up on their products. That will give you a better sense of what is available and what you may or may not like. However, I would recommend that you stay away from MRC sound decoders as they don't have a good reputation with modelers on this forum, including me.
Some other things to consider when selecting the sound decoder of choice for a particular locomotive.
Some locomotives have very little space for a decoder, let alone a speaker. This can require some special planning including the milling of weights/frame. Not only do you have to find a good location for the speaker, but you also have to be sure that it is appropriately baffled and that the sound has a place to come out. It is not unusual to see installers drilling holes in coal loads in tenders, or through the floor of a tender to provide sound egress.
It is also worth pointing out that some of the lower end sound decoders have very generic sound. This may not matter to you for a steam engine, but could well be an issue for more modern motive power.
Anyway, the point being that there are many more considerations when installing sound.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
Really looking for a sound decoder with the 9 pin setup. One shop recommended a soundtrax but it doesn't come with a plug & the wires in the tender are all black. Do I have to buy a plug & try to trace all of the wires to solder them to the proper plug? Why do some have 8 & some 9 plugs??? jerry
If you are planning on buy new loco's and want sound, buying them equipped is the way to go instead of adding after the fact. The little extra is worth the time and hassle of adding sound. I have a sound equipped Dash-7 and I love it but IMHO that will be the last sound loco I buy. Often time I run it without the sounds unless I am showing my layout to someone, as the sound of the diesel does get on ones nerves after awhile. But with a steam that might be different.
So the tender has a 9 pin socket wired to some wires. All black wires?
Who made the loco? Bachmann?
Some units have a 8 pin socket and others with the 9 pins , some units have both.
Here is a link that might help you a bit; http://www.litchfieldstation.com/DCC-University/SelectHarness.htm
I understand that it would be better to buy an already sound equipped loco, but the one 'Im using for this project doesn't come with sound, plus I already have numerous locos that don't have sound.
The question was about putting sound in a loco with a 9 pin set up using a decoder without a plug & making sure all the wires go to the right places......Or are there sound decoders with 9 pin plugs?
I really don't want to short out a $100 decoder. Thanks
Yes, they are all black & it is the Model Power Mantua Classic Pacific. It has the can motor & flywheel & runs great on DC. My layout is DCC & this will be ( I hope) my first sound equipped engine.
The SoundTraxx standard decoders come with a 9 pin JST connector. Go to the below link.
Click on DCC University.
Click on Curriculum and then SoundTraxx.
The answer is there. You can also insert a 8 pin to 9 pin adapter for any locos that have the 8 pin such as Bachmann. I see this issue a lot in different forums.
http://www.litchfieldstation.com/DCC-University/University.htm
Anyone reading this message, store the link in Favorites for giving to others and future reference.
Rich
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.
jerryl The question was about putting sound in a loco with a 9 pin set up using a decoder without a plug & making sure all the wires go to the right places......Or are there sound decoders with 9 pin plugs?
http://www.nmra.org/standards/DCC/standards_rps/RP-9.1.1%20200801.pdf
The speaker wires on the other hand are usually the same color because it doesn't matter. The old Soundtraxx used two purple wires for the speaker. They require a capacitor to be added. I do not know without looking at the installation manuals what the Tsunami uses and requires.
The Digitrax Sound Bug uses an NMRA 8 pin plug. There is a write up of someone who installed one here - http://www.zealot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=151138 I have a couple sound bugs in my inventory and on the to-do list but haven't gotten them to-done yet, so I have no first hand experience.
Not exactly - the 8 pin plug on the SoundBug does NOT supply power to it - the power comes from the two round terminals flanking it, even when used with the compatible DH165 decoders. The 8 pin plugs in to the DH165, and there are two screwes that secure the two together and carry the track power. To use a Soundbug standalone as a ound-only decoder, track power connects to those two holes, do NOT plug it in to an NMRA 8 pin socket on a DCC Ready loco.
--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 think I'm more confused than ever.
jerryl,
Some 9 Pin JST decoders (NCE) also come wth an adaptor plug for 8 pin. The new Athearn RTR loco have the 9 Pin harness but hae seen some with both. 9 pin JST makes a cleaner install. However many 8 pin decoders have AUX wires (usually 3) for ditch lights, stobes, becons, etc not connected to the plug.
ESU LokSound and QSI offer the capability of programming or downloading sounds specific to the loco you are modeling however there is a cost involved for the initial setup. I believe LokSound is around $100 and QSI may be the same. The advantage is being able to upgrade the sounds of motive, horn, etc. As mentioned in another post I would simply buy a good decoder which represents the model you are using ie: GP40 SD70, etc. Tsunami has some wonderful sounding decoders which you can hear by going to their website soundtraxx.
cadman