V4 - for the person who wants to be able to customize EVERYTHING, or record their own sounds. Completely programmable like the Digitrax decoders but without having to resort to the processor machine code.
Select - for stocking just one decoder SKU for each form factor, complete sound sets are user-loadable, can tweak horn and bell sounds to use one of several options, but no reprogramming the 'script' or using user-created sounds. Selects work like Tsunami with the exception of being able to reprogram which sound sets are loaded.
The loadable sound sets makes it virtually impossible for anything to be out of stock - they can;t be out of, say, a Select Direct EMD 567 because there is no such thing - there is a Select Direct and you can load the EMD 567 sound set in it, or the Alco 244 sound set, Or the GE FDL sound set or...
--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 stand corrected!
Thanks
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Correct, you can only repalce the entire sound sets in Select decoders. The particular horn, bell, and sometimes even prime mover are selectable with a CV, only need to use the Lokprogrammer to change sound sets.
hon30critterJust to clarify, the lower priced Loksound Select decoders are customizable if you have access to the Loksound Programmer.
I don't believe that this is exactly true.
It is true that if you start with an unprogrammed decoder, or even a programmed one, you can use the Lokprogrammer to download a different sound set. For example, if you have an EMD and want to change it to an Alco. The Lokprogrammer helps you do that. Within each sound set there is a selection of, say, horns and if you want to change the horn from one type to another the Lokprogrammer will help with that also.
What you cannot do is change to a horn (for example) that is not included with the horns supplied with the sound set, or import your own sound recording. If you want to do that, then I believe that you need one of the version 4 decoders.
Well if Tsunamis are too ahrd to program, don;t look too depply at Loksound V4. In those you can map any function, any sound slot, and any action to any f key, sound, or function wire. Thousands of combinations. JMRI can;t quite handle it yet, but they are workign on it. Lokprogrammer can do it in a grpahical manner, instead of calculating CVs.
Loksound Select isn;t quite as configurable but plenty settable for all but the most complex configurations.
The nice thing is that at least the motor stuff can be automatically set - Loksound has an automatic BEMF adjustment, but you need to have enough track for the loco to run on. All that complex trial and error work with the BEMF variables is taken care of.
Most of my sound engines are Soundtraxx equipped I'm happy with all of them. I've got an S1 switcher with a Loksound decoder, which is excellent.
I've added low-end Digitrax sound-only decoders to a few engines. Most of them are dummies, or run in consists with better sound engines. I've had to hard-wire all of my decoders. Once manufacturers started producing plug-and-play engines, they were also making factory-sound models. I've found that it's cheaper to buy an engine with sound than to buy a DC engine and add a sound decoder and speaker.
And, speaking of speakers, my experience has been that the big problem with any non-sound engine is fitting in both the decoder and speaker.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Yes I had thought about the Loksound Decoders as well...it was always a comparison between the Soundtraxx and the Loksound. Tsunamis are decent too but sometimes they are difficult for a beginner like me to program. I dont have my own layout anymore so I would program them on the program track at my local MRR club.
Reggie
Add also that standardizing decoders has made my life simple - they all program the same. My non-sound locos all have TCS decoders.
And I have yet to run into any issue where a program track booster is needed for Loksound. They all just program right on the program track - granted I also had no issue with the one Tsunami I had either, using either my Zephyr program track or PR3, with no boosters or extra power supplies. So perhaps the savings on not needing a booster would help pay for the Lokprogrammer. Plus the Lokprogrammer is another way to program the 'regular' CVs on Loksound, in addition to JMRI and whatever interface is needed for your system.
I only have 5 Loksounds so far, but once I get established in my new house and get back to work, I plan to expand my loco fleet with more sound.
NP:
Just to clarify, the lower priced Loksound Select decoders are customizable if you have access to the Loksound Programmer. As Randy mentions, you can change the sounds to suit most situations. Loksound has a pretty extensive library of sounds which you can access for free.
The Programmer is a bit of an investment (reg. $199.00. $163.00 at Tony's Train Exchange). If you are only doing a few decoders it might be more economical to ask somebody like Tony's to change the sounds. In my case I want to do more than sound changes so I just bit the bullet and ordered the Programmer. I have about 10 Loksound decoders so far.
I'm with Dave, I have standardized on Loksound. Makes buying the programmer well worth it. I can just buy the decoder anywhere, and load whichever sounds I need in it, or tweak the provided sound projects to get them just right for my locos - for example, their RS-3 sound project for the V4 has a 5 chime horn in it, I need a 3 chime M3RT1 for my prototype, which is a sound they have in their library of sounds. It was actually quite easy to simply swap the horn in the project for the one from the library and now I have a decoder that sounds correct for my prototype.
I traded my only Tsunami for a Loksound, because no matter how much I messed with the equalizers and mixers, the horn was always weak at best. Having a pair of Precision Craft steam locos with Loksound, along with a fellow modeler providing a new sound set for them with actual recordings from the prototype loco, only helped seal the deal. Those two locos always ran incredibly well, among my best, able to move tie to tie reliably and consistently. I also picked up a Loksound equipped sound chassis for my Bowser Baldwin switcher, which already sounds great but Loksound has a brand new updated recording for it taken from a nearby shortline that still uses such Baldwin switchers in active service. Being able to swap sounds liek this is a huge plus - and does not require any skill at recording and editing sounds, unless you really want to do that. That's what makes these so versatile, you can use them out of the package as programmed by the dealer, you can swap the sounds, or you can totally customize them and use your own sounds and 'script'. ANd they have a form factor and size for just about anything - plus the small ones have no heat issues like the TSU-750 - and are even smaller.
As for the new Digitrax 16-bi ones, the biggest problem seems to be that they ship them with an old 8 bit sound set loaded, so they may actually sound WORSE than the older ones out of the package. There are a whole lot of new 16 bit sounds (plus the new ones, at least if you get the X models) can do more simultaneous sounds, but the project has to be updated for that. The new projects fully utilize the new decoders, the old projects are just the same old weak sounds, since they are 8 bit.
I used Soundtraxx and I am happy with them (I have 5) including one self installed. However, I have heard great things about LokSound. I will try this decoder next. Do note that the fully customizable versions of Lok are higher price than Tsunamis, the non-customizable versions are cheaper IIRC.
There is a new Digitrax 16-bit decoder on the market for 1/2 the price of all these. I bought one and would not recommend it. Sounds are just low volume and low base. I do want to optimize that a little with new downloads etc, but I would have rather just spent $100 and got a Tsnuami instead.
NP.
What is your price range? There is a lot of variation. In general, you pay for quality.
Hi Reggie:
I have decided to use Loksound decoders exclusively because of the quality of sound and motor control. Their Select models are less expensive than Soundtraxx, and the Tsunamis are a pain to get proper start up sounds out of.
When TCS comes out with their diesel sound decoders I will certainly give them a try but for now its Loksound Select.
As far as which sounds you need, you will have to determine what engine was used in each locomotive (prototype). Then you can use the manufacturers' application charts. Here is the Loksound Select list of available sounds:
http://www.esu.eu/en/products/loksound/loksound-select/ordering-information/#c2781
Tony's Train Exchange also has lists of which decoders go in which locomotives. Again, I am using the Tsunami as an example for information about decoder selection only:
http://tonystrains.com/products/soundtraxx_tsunami.htm
There are also a fair number of sites that offer step by step instructions on how to install decoders in specific locomotives. Despite the fact that I do not like Soundtraxx Tsunamis their installation manual is quite good. Definately worth a read. Click on Tsunami Installation Guide - Part 2:
http://www.soundtraxx.com/manuals.php
There are other installation sites but I'll be darned if I can't find them. I thought I had them bookmarked. Maybe somebody else can give you some links.
Go to the company sites and look up what they suggest. Know what kind of prime mover they had. Google many times will give you that info.
I do know SoundTraxx has a decoder selector.
Consider TCS also. They are an upcoming decoder company with their WOW sound decoders.
Non DCC ready, you will have to measure the loco current at 12 VDC. Most sound decoders have a 1 amp limit. Motor and light current.
Make sure both motor contacts are isolated, not connected to the frame. Use an ohm meter to make sure as some locos have each side of the motor frame electrically connected to each frame half. Some brands use split frame.
Non DCC ready will usually require a hard wire install.
Quick plug you can use a nine pin to 8 pin adapter to install the shrink wrapped sound decoder. The decoders come with full instructions. I have used SoundTraxx and LokSound decoders.
I know others will have useful info.
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.
I'm sure folks here can give you some suggestions as to what they have and like or dislike. When I wanted a decoder for one of my locos, I contacted Tonys Train Exchange for their recommendations. They had information on the latest decoders, which many of us have not had a chance to hear or run yet. I purchased the decoder and am preparing to install it. You could check with Tonys or a company in your area that deals in decoders and does that type of installations.
Good luck,
Richard
Hi,
Im trying to upgrade several of my engines from Dc to DCC with Sound. Soundtraxx or Loksound are the names I'm familiar with but I don't know what engine needs which decoder. If anyone could give me the part number to order that would be great. I know that Soundtraxx usually starts with 828???
1. Walthers Amtrak 32-8B not DCC ready
2. Likelike/Walthers Proto 1000 FM Erie Built Loco CNW not DCC ready
3. Walthers Amtrak GP9 not DCC ready
4. Athearn DCC quick plug 8 pin Dash 9 cw44
5. Walthers Proto Chessie System SW2 B&O...i don't think DCC ready either
Any help would be greatly appreciated or if i could be pointed in the right direction on brands, quality, etc.