I think that the Kato P42 with Tsunami sound (most recent incarnation of said loco) could be improved upon. Specifically the sound of the horn is a bit tinny and that detracts from the K5LA sound. The speakers are from Soundtraxx and when I investigated the matter, they turned out to be 20 ? mm so they will fit the narrow car body. Any suggestions on good ways to improve the sound of this otherwise phenomenal loco?
Unfortunately, you may not be able to do anything about this problem. Tsunami has always been known to have weak horn sounds.
If you didn't receive detailed Tsunami instructions with the locomotive, go to their web site and download the Diesel Technical Reference Manual. There, you will find detailed instructions on adjusting the equalizer to match the size of speaker, and other things that can be tried.
http://www.soundtraxx.com/manuals/tsunami_diesel_technical_reference_0213.pdf
The best way to improve it ? .... take it back and get the Loksound version !
Had to say it ....
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
Mark R. The best way to improve it ? .... take it back and get the Loksound version ! Mark.
That was my first thought when I saw the topic title. LOL. Didn;t want to sound too snarky. But it's true, the horns on Tsunami are generally weak. Even fiddling around with the equalizer and reverb, made only modest improvements.
I've wondered why that is. I can't believe it's the recording quality of the source - if there's anything you can get a clear recording of, it's a horn - the horn can be sounded with the prime mover shut off, or you can visit a horn collector. There should be no background noise to edit out of a horn sample and risk muddying it up.
I think ESU was very shrewd in locating their North American office where it is - they are right near numerous regional snd shortline railroads that run a variety of older equipment, like SMS and their Baldwins and Delaware Lackawanna with their Alcos.
--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 noticed that when these engines were selling at MB Klein that the Tsunamis sold out early and the Loksound versions stuck around for a while. I can't figure why so many buyers are hooked on the Tsunami? As time and money permit I am ripping out the dozen or so Tsunamis I have (mostly in Genesis GP-7 & 9s) and installing Loksound decoders. I had a bicycle horn on my old Huffy that sounded better than the Tsunami's!
I am ANXIOUSLY awaiting a Diesel version of the TCS WOWsound decoder hoping it will be as good as the steam versions that I recently installed!
Ed
gmpullman I noticed that when these engines were selling at MB Klein that the Tsunamis sold out early and the Loksound versions stuck around for a while. ....
I noticed that when these engines were selling at MB Klein that the Tsunamis sold out early and the Loksound versions stuck around for a while. ....
If you dig deeper into that query, you'll find that MB Klein ordered considerably more with Loksound than they did with Soundtraxx ....
rrinker I think ESU was very shrewd in locating their North American office where it is - they are right near numerous regional snd shortline railroads that run a variety of older equipment, like SMS and their Baldwins and Delaware Lackawanna with their Alcos.
That wasn't so much planned rather than it just happened to be where Matt lived ! Regardless, Matt has covered the country from coast to coast and Canada recording those wonderful sounds we are enjoying. He deserves a huge pat on the back for all the things he's done with that company over the last few years.
Thanks for the responses. Sounds like I should put a Glock 9 round thru the center of the car body. Since I don't have a Glock (I spent it all on the P42), I'll have to resort to other lines of reasoning. I have a Tsunami Dual 567 dsd in a Proto 2000 E7 chassis and the sound is great. All of the horns come across well. Twenty eight mm QSI speaker in enclosure is probably the reason. I've got the Tsunami reference guides. The equalizer adjustments can be tricky because there are so many of them. A good ear probably helps.
How much of Kato's installation work has to be undone to replace the decoder? That may be a solution.
southeastroads I think that the Kato P42 with Tsunami sound (most recent incarnation of said loco) could be improved upon. Specifically the sound of the horn is a bit tinny and that detracts from the K5LA sound. The speakers are from Soundtraxx and when I investigated the matter, they turned out to be 20 ? mm so they will fit the narrow car body. Any suggestions on good ways to improve the sound of this otherwise phenomenal loco?
A couple of things on this locomotive. Check the speakers to make sure the cones are not bottoming out on the truck support brackets. I worked on a fellow RR club members unit, and I turned the speakers over, so the speaker cones are facing up. This along with setting the equalizer (reducing the frequencies below 1KHz improves output and reduces distortion while boosting 2Khz 3db and 4 Khz 6db improves horn frequency response) much improved the output. I also reduced the bell and the engine volume after the EQ boost and set the horn for maximum volume.
For you advanced folks, you could use a larger speaker with a custom made baffle OR seal the air leaks and mount the speakers a la QSI equipped E unit to "fatten the sound".
FWIW, the Loksound sounds are far better IHMO.
The folks at Soundtraxx must reference their horn outputs to listening through larger full range speakers. That might work for O gauge and larger, but not for HO and N scale.
Carl in Florida - - - - - - - - - - We need an HO Amtrak SDP40F and GE U36B oh wait- We GOT THEM!
Carl from Florida - thanks for the thoughtful advice. I got a little improvement by sealing up the speaker enclosures with a putty-like low tac adhesive. I put very thin Scotch tape over the interior of the car body where there were openings. That helped a little. I tinkered with some of the equalizer settings and reverb settings, which added another small increment of improvement. Turning over the speakers will be my next step now thanks to your suggestion. Again, I appreciate the response.
Ray