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!

Sound decoder volume

6289 views
13 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Texas
  • 2,934 posts
Sound decoder volume
Posted by C&O Fan on Friday, December 28, 2012 10:06 AM
A while back i purchased a sound decoder for my Bachman doodlebug
and i used a
 
because it fit with no major surgery
 
But also used a bigger speaker as can be seen here in this thread
 
 
and it works fine but
 
Problem is this decoder lacks sound volume even set at full volume
and yes the speaker is fully sealed
 
I have a second Doodle bug and would like to also install a sound decoder
but would like more volume
 
Your Thoughts

TerryinTexas

See my Web Site Here

http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Friday, December 28, 2012 11:34 AM

I have no recent experience with Digitrax sound decoders, but they have always had rather weak volume when compared to QSI, Tsunami, or LokSound.

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Friday, December 28, 2012 11:50 AM

LokSound and Tsunami both have the proper sound for this one. I have heard them on You Tube videos.

I use both decoders in other locos. Great sound. Sometimes, you have to turn them down when starting to use them.

About six to eight feet away, you should hardily hear them. Some children like to have the as loud as possible.

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.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Friday, December 28, 2012 12:37 PM

 Depends on the source of the soundproject in the Digitrax decoder. There are Youtube videos from some of the work being done on the Digitrax Sound Yahoo Group, and their sound projects are plenty loud. And do some amazing things like Amtrak HEP and notch transitions on diesels as well as rod clank on steamers.

 Some of these should be showing up on the Sound Depot for download soon. Haven't seen much as far as any alternate doodlebug sounds go though.

   --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
    October 2006
  • From: Texas
  • 2,934 posts
Posted by C&O Fan on Friday, December 28, 2012 12:42 PM

richg1998

LokSound and Tsunami both have the proper sound for this one. I have heard them on You Tube videos.

I use both decoders in other locos. Great sound. Sometimes, you have to turn them down when starting to use them.

About six to eight feet away, you should hardily hear them. Some children like to have the as loud as possible.

Rich

Yep i've used the others and they do have good sound but for this they are too big  if you look at the link in my first post you will see i even opted for an outside mounted speaker

here's a video and this is with the sound at Max You can barely hear the bell and the horn should be a bit louder

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L_Rpqgvs9Q

TerryinTexas

See my Web Site Here

http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Friday, December 28, 2012 1:00 PM

 Sounds like you need to adjust the relative sounds, not the master volume. Turn down the prime mover and turn up the horn.

 A Loksound Micro will easily fit in there if you want to change to something else.

 

              --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
    October 2006
  • From: Texas
  • 2,934 posts
Posted by C&O Fan on Friday, December 28, 2012 1:19 PM

rrinker

 Sounds like you need to adjust the relative sounds, not the master volume. Turn down the prime mover and turn up the horn.

 A Loksound Micro will easily fit in there if you want to change to something else.

 

              --Randy

I've played with all the levels using Decoder pro  and this is as good as it gets

 

the bell and horn are max the prime mover is 90%

 

What is the size of the Locsound Mirco

and can you add a RDC sound file to it

TerryinTexas

See my Web Site Here

http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Friday, December 28, 2012 1:29 PM

 Dime-size: http://www.esu.eu/en/products/loksound/loksound-select-micro/

The Loksound V4 Micro is the same size, and is fully customaizeable, Select series you can load complete sound sets but not modify individual sounds. There are suitable sound files available for a doodlebug for the V4.

               --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 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Friday, December 28, 2012 1:34 PM

Terry, assuming the speaker is cut out for the job/is a good match to the characteristics of the amplifier on the decoder, and assuming the enclosure really is sealed and matched in both volume and shape to the choice of speaker, and assuming the mounting point for the speakers allows one to hear the sounds radiating well from the enclosure...

...I usually fiddle with the Master Volume before anything, even CV2 and its V-Start.  Is it at all possible that your master volume is set so low that maximizing horn and bell has no desired effect?   Could you raise the Master Volume to its max, reduce the motor sounds and air, and then see if tailoring the other important sounds doesn't work out a lot better that way?

I have no experience with Digitrax sound or other decoders, but I can't help but I wonder if all the right conditions are there in your favour.

Crandell

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Texas
  • 2,934 posts
Posted by C&O Fan on Friday, December 28, 2012 1:42 PM

rrinker

 Dime-size: http://www.esu.eu/en/products/loksound/loksound-select-micro/

The Loksound V4 Micro is the same size, and is fully customaizeable, Select series you can load complete sound sets but not modify individual sounds. There are suitable sound files available for a doodlebug for the V4.

               --Randy

 

Size looks good but need a RDC diesel sound file as the C&O was required to convert all thier Doodlebugs from gas to diesel by the US postal service

The RDC file is the closest

 

TerryinTexas

See my Web Site Here

http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Mpls/St.Paul
  • 13,892 posts
Posted by wjstix on Friday, December 28, 2012 1:42 PM

Your original post has two links to the same place, a pic of an N scale Digitrax decoder, so it doesn't show how large the speaker is you're using. In a pinch you can get by with a 1/2" round speaker, but the sound is going to be noticeably less than a larger one. I try to find a way to fit in at least a 1/2" by 1" oval speaker. If you're in N scale, that's probably the biggest you can fit into an engine or car. In HO I have a couple of engines (and an RDC) with the HO version of the sound decoder and a 1" speaker and they're plenty loud.

Stix
  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Texas
  • 2,934 posts
Posted by C&O Fan on Friday, December 28, 2012 2:02 PM

selector

Terry, assuming the speaker is cut out for the job/is a good match to the characteristics of the amplifier on the decoder, and assuming the enclosure really is sealed and matched in both volume and shape to the choice of speaker, and assuming the mounting point for the speakers allows one to hear the sounds radiating well from the enclosure...

...I usually fiddle with the Master Volume before anything, even CV2 and its V-Start.  Is it at all possible that your master volume is set so low that maximizing horn and bell has no desired effect?   Could you raise the Master Volume to its max, reduce the motor sounds and air, and then see if tailoring the other important sounds doesn't work out a lot better that way?

I have no experience with Digitrax sound or other decoders, but I can't help but I wonder if all the right conditions are there in your favour.

Crandell

The speaker i used was an 8 ohm just like the orignal but 3 times the size

I used silicone to seal it under the frame

you can see the install here

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/p/208628/2291572.aspx#2291572

 

TerryinTexas

See my Web Site Here

http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/

 

 

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Texas
  • 2,934 posts
Posted by C&O Fan on Friday, December 28, 2012 2:04 PM

wjstix

Your original post has two links to the same place, a pic of an N scale Digitrax decoder, so it doesn't show how large the speaker is you're using. In a pinch you can get by with a 1/2" round speaker, but the sound is going to be noticeably less than a larger one. I try to find a way to fit in at least a 1/2" by 1" oval speaker. If you're in N scale, that's probably the biggest you can fit into an engine or car. In HO I have a couple of engines (and an RDC) with the HO version of the sound decoder and a 1" speaker and they're plenty loud.

Sorry for the wrong link

Here's the install

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/p/208628/2291572.aspx#2291572

TerryinTexas

See my Web Site Here

http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Friday, December 28, 2012 2:06 PM

 They have a ton of diesel-hydraulic sounds, which is what an RDC is. I suspect they were diesel electric though, since as built the cars were gas electric. A 44-tonner type sound might be right, small Cummins diesel with a generator and electric traction motors. Loksound has all these.

                --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

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

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

There are no community member 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!