I'd like to thank everybody for the help so far! I have attempted to reply to a few posts, but it seems that they have been caught in a moderation que.
I am certainly open to any suggestions you all have. I am not completely new to DCC, I have a few locos already, but they are all preinstalled. I own an Intermountain Tier 4 GEVO and two Scaletrains Tier 4 GEVOs and well as an Atlas GP38-2 and two Scaletrains SD40-3's on the way. I am currently using the NCE PowerCab system. Unfortunately, I am limited to an oval on the floor for the time being due to space constraints but I'm not letting that stop me! I do not really have too many old DC locos that I would want to convert so purchasing a tool to change the sounds probably would not benefit me too much or be worth the cost.
Is there a good was to tell which decoders allow you to change the sound based on CV? I didn't see too much documentation on the ones I looked at. I am probably going to lean towards a decoder that will let me change the sound based on CV or one that is specific to the locomotive I am converting. Although if I can get a decoder that the vendor will preprogram the unit that could work too. How does that work? Will I be asked what sounds I want or do I have to request the sounds prior?
At this point I am looking to start my exploration into DCC migration with the Athern Genesis SD70MAC. The unit is DCC ready, but I want to add sound and probably a keepalive, so a drop-in decoder probably won’t suffice. The process isn’t too difficult though because it already has space for a decoder I just need to find space for the speakers. I can’t say this about majority of my older locos, but we’ll see what happens.
The Atlas GP38-2 I am considering switching out the decoder on. Currently it has a QSI decoder. Don’t get me wrong, the model looks great, just need some MU hoses, and runs and sounds great but the QSI decoder is kind of weird. The unit turns on immediately with track power, the headlight and reverse light are both always on one just gets brighter in the direction of movement, and there are no ditch lights. I would like to get a new decoder for this unit at some point and add in ditch lights and a keepalive and a few other things, but this is a project for another day!
Again, thank you all for your help so far and I am open to any wisdom or advice you can share with me. I will get back to you all as soon a moderation allows me too!
As for reverse dimming, via DeocderPro, doesn't something like this work?
https://www.readingeastpenn.com/images/esudecoderpro.bmp
(screen shot of the function pane for a Loksound Select in Decoderpro)
In the dropdowns I selected Driving, Forward, F0 on, then Reverse light, then Dim for the first row, then Driving, Reverse, F0 on, Forward light, Dim for the second row.
This would have to be located below any existing maps that are in the decoder - I don;t have any of this hooked up so that was picking a new blank loco rather than reading an existing one. If there are existing rules that say to make the headlight on for the same condition (driving, forward, F0 on), it would have to be replaced. If there is one rule saying on bright and another rule saying on dim, it will be bright.
Then of course it relies on the definitions in DecoderPro being 100% accurate.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
He won't until Mondy now. Monday is when we always see new, unread posts appearing below already read ones, as the collection of weekend posts gets released from moderation jail.
The OP messaged me that he hasn't seen any of his subsequent posts come through.
I told him to keep trying.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
wjstixDidn't mean to be involved in hijacking the thread, but...I have a Rapido GMD-1 that's a great engine, but I can't figure out how to do something very simple - program the headlights so instead of reversing (one on - one off), the one in the direction of travel is bright, the other one is dim.
It looks like I forgot the thank Mark R but what he suggested worked
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/p/266056/3007762.aspx#3007762
Didn't mean to be involved in hijacking the thread, but...I have a Rapido GMD-1 that's a great engine, but I can't figure out how to do something very simple - program the headlights so instead of reversing (one on - one off), the one in the direction of travel is bright, the other one is dim. I've "read" all the CVs (all 5 million apparently) into JMRI Decoder Pro, but still can't figure it out.
BTW recently installed a couple of MRC sound decoders, to do the lights the way I wanted involved changing one CV. On most decoders it's anywhere from two to four.
In fairness to the OP, who is still in moderation limbo, he said he wasn't interested in installing sounds himself. Nor did he ask our advice for which DCC control system to use.
Maybe the number of his old DC locos don't justify the expense of a decoder programmer, maybe it sounds more daunting than it really is.
Not criticizing the OP, but in a first post, it's hard to judge what a person knows, or doesn't know he(she) doesn't know. I hope he is not intimidated by the usual mutation of his original question and gets back to us.
brandonbittinger Hello all, I am fairly new to the hobby. I have seceral old DC locomotives from when I was younger and I was looking to convert a few to DCC. In particular I have an old Athern Genesis sd70MAC that I would like to add DCC and sound too. My question is do decoders just come with some generic sounds or do you have some options to choose from? I think I saw a reference that TCS has a tool you can purchse separatly to add custom sounds to a TCS decoder but I'd prefer not to go down that road. The reason I ask is that I have been looking at some SoundTraxx Tsunami decoders and according the decoder selector the same decoder I would use for the Athern sd70MAC is the same decoder I would use for my Atlas GP38-2, obviously these two locomotives have very different sounds. If anybody could provide some cleraity as to the sounds on a decoders I would really apprecaite it.
Hello all,
I am fairly new to the hobby. I have seceral old DC locomotives from when I was younger and I was looking to convert a few to DCC. In particular I have an old Athern Genesis sd70MAC that I would like to add DCC and sound too.
My question is do decoders just come with some generic sounds or do you have some options to choose from? I think I saw a reference that TCS has a tool you can purchse separatly to add custom sounds to a TCS decoder but I'd prefer not to go down that road.
The reason I ask is that I have been looking at some SoundTraxx Tsunami decoders and according the decoder selector the same decoder I would use for the Athern sd70MAC is the same decoder I would use for my Atlas GP38-2, obviously these two locomotives have very different sounds.
If anybody could provide some cleraity as to the sounds on a decoders I would really apprecaite it.
Welcome.
I have used mostly SoundTraxx and a few LokSound. I am not a rivet counter so I am happy with the sounds.
There is an excellant article in the MRH forums labeled, "Adjusting your DCC decoder's personnality". The writer use to own an online DCC company. Go look for it. The decoders I bought from him at the time were what he suggested.
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.
However many things are possible with ESU decoders that aren't on others. They actually aren't that complex to program - the way JMRI implemented the function mapping makes it look WAY more complex than it is. That there are all sorts of conditionals (like "if moving" or "if slowing down" "if switching from forward to reverse" etc are in there and accessible JUST with CVs (a million times easier with the Lokprogrammer though) is incredible.
Also - new MR has a Tsunami ad, new version 1.2 of GE sounds. Awesome. How do I get them in my loco? Oh, remove decoder, buy new one. This is what I don't understand why they didn't allow reloading firmware on the Tsunami2. Like Loksound Select - just the whole system gets loaded, there's no fiddling with individual sounds. Seems silly in this day and age when "flashing" firmware is something a large majority of people are familiar with - anyone with a smart phone has done it.
wjstixESU decoders are very complicated and difficult to program - great sound, but some things are nearly impossible that with other decoders are very simple.
Hiijacking the OP's thread, like what functions? We have had discussions of factory installed loksound decoders, whose proprietary functions are not well described in either the factory or the ESU manual. Is that what you mean?
Digitrax and ESU-Loksound each have decoders that you can load sounds onto - but each requires hardware and software from that company.
Many decoders come with multiple options for say 4 or even 8 different kinds of engines, as noted you use a CV to pick the sound you want. Others are just one type of locomotive...or more specifically one type of maker/engine, since for example a "1st generation EMD" decoder could be used for a GP-7 or GP-9 or an F-unit or an end-cab switcher, since they all used the same type of EMD engine in the locomotive.
Just my experience, but TCS decoders are about the easiest to program (MRC are the easiest, but have fewer options). Tsunamis aren't too bad, but a bit more work. ESU decoders are very complicated and difficult to program - great sound, but some things are nearly impossible that with other decoders are very simple.
Just for the record, the Tsunami 2and the Econami by Soundtraxx both come loaded with many prime mover options on the decoder, the Econami for Diesel has five options, the Tsunami 2 Alco has 9, all Alcos , they also have a EMD and maybe more options, so yes you can get a decoder with options all ready for your selection TCS WOW also come loaded with options for Prime Mover, .... Jim
Correction: the PR3 can only load SOUNDS into Digitrax decoders. It can PROGRAM any brand of decoder.
Another example: I use a Digitrax DCC system but I don't have a single Digitrax decoder (I might have one in a drawer somewhere, but none of my locos have them).
mbinsewiI know all about that all DCC is suppose to "play well together", but, I still think you need to pick a system, Digitrax, NCE, and whatever else is out there, and then move on.
No, that's not really true. Any DCC decoder, sound or not, will work with any DCC system. Throttles are not interchangeable, and computer interfaces aren't either, generally, but decoders are. DCS from MTH, though, is not DCC.
The programmers that allow you to change sound files are specifically made for that manufacturer's decoders. I have a Digitrax PR-3, the older one before the PR-4 came out. It only lets me program Digitrax decoders. But, it can be used completely separately from my layout, and is driven by my computer, so I can still program decoders even though I have Lenz for running my trains.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
As a "still learning" DCC user, I have to go along with Henry. Pick what DCC system your going to use, and then you can move on to the LokSound, and see what they have to offer.
I know all about that all DCC is suppose to "play well together", but, I still think you need to pick a system, Digitrax, NCE, and whatever else is out there, and then move on.
BUT, this is opinion of an old guy, still learning.
Mike.
My You Tube
There are always multiple options. Some decoders are engine-specific. You should buy the decoder model that matches your engine. Some decoders have multiple sound packages loaded in, and you specify which to use with a "Configuration Variable," or CV. Some decoders have programming units available which let you download the package you want. Unfortunately, each manufacturer that allows this has a proprietary programmer unit, and they are only good for that manufacturer's decoders.
In addition, many decoders have CVs that let you choose which horns, bells, etc. will play.
So how do I specify the sounds that I want? Do I have to contact the retailer before purchase? Will they ask me?
Cam I specify eveyrthing such as th eprime mover and what horn I want?
I appreciate the feedback so far!
I believe some of the original Tsunami 1's got real hot. They solved that problem with the Tsunami 2's. Someone will correct me if I am wrong.
Your life will be easier if you standardize on one brand of decoders rather than trying one of these and one of those.
My choice was Loksound. There you have to order the prime mover you want (and that is not always obvious with the Internet dealers) or buy a programmer (more expense but very versatile)
Welcome to the forum.
So I can choose the prime mover, horn and everyhting to be loaded?
How do I go about specifying what I want? Do I have to order it a special way or can I load them myself somehow?
It's the same model of decoder, but you specify which sound you want loaded into it. Look at the list of available sounds on this page:http://www.soundtraxx.com/dsd/tsunami/tsunamisound.php
Disclaimer: This post may contain humor, sarcasm, and/or flatulence.
Michael Mornard
Bringing the North Woods to South Dakota!