Matt also just posted on the JMRI group about the issue of a decoder reset clearing out all sounds as well, due to the person loading the sounds not making the correct selections in the Lokprogrammer software. Sounds like a bulletin has been sent to dealers and distributors so they don;t do that and it will be safe to reset a balky decoder and have it only reset what you expect it to reset, not erase the sounds. Dunno how much faith I'd have in their instructions being followed, but at least they are trying to get dealers who do programming to do it correctly.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Richard.
The shrink wrapped version of the Select has 6 functions, The board replacement also has six functions. The micro version has 4 functions. Each function wire can be programmed to any lighting function you desire. One thing I like about the lighting functions is the dimmed when stopped and is also mapped to F4.
The Loksound version 4 decoder is similar to the Select but is way more customizable. The programmer is needed to change any sounds on it. The Select version is customizable by CVs and no programmer is needed. There are many horns and bells on the diesel sound sets.
http://www.esu.eu/en/products/loksound/loksound-select/
I am not at all affiliated with ESU. I just like the product. I buy mine from Traintek LLC. They will program the sound set you choose and ship it out the same day. I am glad that they are one of my local shops.
http://www.traintekllc.com/LokSound-Decoders/products/220/
The only drawback to the ESU products is the manuals are confusing and written by German engineers and sometimes things get crossed in translation. Thank you to Mathew Herman of ESU for monitoring the Yahoo group and many others on the ESU forum pages.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
You'll have to purchase your Loksound decoders from a vendor who will program them, then. They do not come with anything but a few demo sounds on them (the Select, anyway). There is not, for example, an item number that is a Loksound Select Direct with GEVO sounds. Tony's, Litchfield, and some of the others will preload the decoder with whichever of the sound sets you want. The Select series has many differnet horns and usually multipel prime movers per sound set, which are selectable via CV setting, no programmer needed.
I will let you know how it works for me. I won't be buying a programmer and unfortunately there is not an LHS with a Loksound programmer--I guess they aren't selling well yet.
I run almost all diesels and most of them can run down to about a scale half mile per hour to a mile per hour with Tsunami's so I haven't experienced the problems with slow speed performance. The few steamers I have are fine too.
One thing I have liked about the QSI decoders were the numerous lighting functions. How many does Loksound have? I am not crazy about the few that Tsunami's have.
BTW, I have not heard anyone say anything bad about TCS non sound decoders and that's all I use now. I particularly like their small form factors. Their new sound decoder is on my list to buy.
Richard
Richard,
You'll find the low-speed response of the Loksound decoders much better than the Tsunamis.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I can't imagine being made in Germany makes it cheaper than made in the USA.
As far as reprogramming, it's well worth the cost of the programmer if you plan to do a lot of locos. Reprogrammign the sounds in a Select couldn't be any easier - since you can;t load individual sounds (prime mover, horn, bell,. etc), there isn't a lot to do, just select which complete sound set (Alco, GE, EMD, etc) and load it. It also gets any firmware updates for the decoder operation. Way easier then sending a decoder back to Soundtraxx - and I have a feeling the don;t reprogram them, but swap them for one witht he sounds you want, although it's possible they have a back door to reflash the memory. The nice thing about the ESU way is there is only one SKU per form factor, no worries if you are setting up an ES44 and the only decoder in stock with the right shape for the loco you are doing is an EMD 567 non-turbo. This I think is where Soundtraxx missed the boat. Simple complete sound set replacements - not the tedious task of actually programming all your own sounds - although with the Lokprogrammer and a V4.0 decoder you can do this too - same programmer, same software - should you wish to get into that. But you don;t have to - your choice. Plus if someone else comes out with a better recording of a particular loco - you cna updtae. I did this with my PCM Reading T1's, a modeler made available recordings of the actual whistle, bell, and auxiliaries from the actual 2101 to replace the generics that PCM/Loksound had loaded. And I'm about to do with with my DS4-4-1000. Mine came with the older sound set that ESU had, they've since released an updated recording that is much better, recorded (guessing, from where ESU USA is located) from one of SMS's running Baldwins. It sounds much cleaner than the one in my decoder, but nothing to send back, a couple of minutes on my program track and it will have the new sounds.
I decided a while ago that any sound locos I run will be Loksound. I do not like the Tsunami 567 in the FT I have one bit. I already standardized on TCS for my non-sound decoders - I don;t have any others running on my layout at all. So to me it was worth getting a Loksound Programmer so i could better configure the decoders and not have to get them from those dealers who will load sounds for you, I can pick them up anywhere.
And like Pete said - the Programmer is actually relatively cheap. No program track boosters needed to program Loksound decoders, either.
Train Modeler I still don't like paying for and dealing with the time for a Loksound programmer. I can just send my Tsunami's back to CO and it's easy for reprogramming sound.
Many LHS will have the programer too. I am sure someone local would have one. I picked up one off E-Bay for $50. Works great and free software on the ESU site.
Since I am mostly steam the motor sounds are secondary compared to running characteristics of the decoder. The Loksound motor control is way above the Tsunami. The automatic tuning feature of the ESU decoder gets the settings really close and a couple of tweaks after you have a super running locomotive.
Intermountain is switching their ES44ACs to Loksound. I spoke to the guy from Loksound at the National Train Show and told him I hadn't used them due to their very bad support here. He said that's why he was hired. I will give them a chance. Their sound to me is on par with Tsunami for the modern GE prime mover. The difference will be in speaker install as far as sound. I still don't like paying for and dealing with the time for a Loksound programmer. I can just send my Tsunami's back to CO and it's easy for reprogramming sound.
I suspect it is cheaper than the Tsuanmi on OEM basis since the Tsunami's are made in the USA. I try to support our people doing work especially since the quality is similar.
I was just in my local hobby shop today and he had a number of the new Bowser DS 4-4-1000 switchers with sound. What caught me off guard was the Tsunami sticker on the box. Upon opening the box, it contains instructions for the Loksound decoder, and the engine does in fact have a Loksound decoder in it.
Looks like somebody make an error in packaging. (?)
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
Same in the tender of my PCM Reading T1. Loksound 3.5 plugged in to a 21 pin connector on the circuit board. Only place I had ever seen connectors like that before was inside small devices like the old Pocket Computers from Sharp and Casio that Radio Shack sold. Plenty of pins for all pickups and outputs, plus functions, speakers, and capacitors, and it's smaller than the 8 pin to boot.
And that note by the OP that the new versions will have a 21-pin socket confirms what I was told by ESU-USA. The 21-pin socket was developed in Germany and is becoming a standard in Europe to replace the 9-pin JST or 8-pin NMRA sockets.
ESU believes the 21-pin socket will eventually become standard in the U.S. as factories in China begin equipping DCC-ready and DCC-equipped models with it in lieu of the JST or NMRA sockets.
The LokSound Direct decoder already uses the 21-pin socket to attach the actual LokSound decoder to the Atlas-format circuit board.
The first time I encountered the 21-pin socket was in a Precision Craft F3 A-B-A set sold by Broadway Limited Imports that came with LokSound decoders. At that time no other brand was using LokSound, and no one in the U.S. sold LokSound decoders.
And they sound better.
Some of the new updated sounds are now posted on ESU's web site. Looks like it's time to pull out my Loksound Programmer and update my Baldwin, the new version is simply amazing. And maybe swap out the Tsunami in the FT I have, the new 567 sounds for Loksound sound a lot more like the loco I rode behind a few weeks ago than the Tsunami, plus the horn works. The new Alco 244 is pretty darn sweet too.
Notice also Atlas is using Loksound in the new S-2. Possibly because QSI doesn;t have a small decoder, and the Loksound Micro has far less trouble than a micro Tsunami.
Mark R. {snip} Bowser switched back to Loksound for a couple reasons - first, they really liked the new updated sounds, and second - China is highly recommended them due to their universal design and installation.
{snip}
Bowser switched back to Loksound for a couple reasons - first, they really liked the new updated sounds, and second - China is highly recommended them due to their universal design and installation.
...and third, ESU got serious about aggressively supporting the US market a couple of years ago. They hired someone in the US to specifically focus on marketing LokSound decoders here and developing good sound packages for North American prototypes (which ties back into Mark's first point).
It has worked out well for them, I'd say.
-Fritz Milhaupt, Publications Editor, Pere Marquette Historical Society, Inc.http://www.pmhistsoc.org
The Bowser DS 4-4-1000 that's already on the shelves has Loksound in it.
And if you check their site, the sound versions of the upcoming C-636, U25B, C-430, C-628, S-12 and even their street car will have Loksound in them.
Interesting. Bowser switched from ESU a few years ago and went over to the Tsunami. I remember an email from someone with the last name of English. Last I knew, Bowser was using the shrink wrapped Tsunami but that was a few years ago I believe.
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.
FYI - Just got an e-mail from Bowser stating that they will be using ESU Loksound decoders in future production. Also, DC locomotives will be equipped with a 21 pin plug to allow drop in conversion to DCC and sound.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!