I down load complete sound files for every decoder I install.
I do DCC & Sound installs almost every day. 20 to 30 a month.
wehave gotten away from the OP post.
I don’t Think the Tsunami’s are dead by a long shot.
I use them all the time unless the owner request otherwise.
No idea - it does say "may take up to 30 minutes" so maybe that's as fast as it goes. But how often do you load new sound projects? Since I was updating V4 decoders, it didn't upload the entire sound set, just the new horn sound bites.
Firmware updates were much faster - ie to get Full Throttle on older decoders.
No idea on why it might modify a lot of things when changing just the accel or decel momentum. Those are simply individual CVs and it shoudl change them quickly - unless you have the box checked to write those as the default, which would take a slight extra time to update the non-volatile memory, and means that if you do a decoder reset, the values you had will be what comes back, not 0. When changing the funcion mapping stuff you woudl ypically want to set those as the defaults so an reset won't undo your work, but ordinary CV settings like momentum and address, probably not, unless you are goign to apply the same sound project to multiple locos and have them all run pretty close to the same without additional tweaking.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Randy, When I get an Select decoder (73800) I download the sound file to match my locomotive. I have yet to see a down load take less than 20 to 30 min.
I would like to know how to improve that-I am using a ESU PROGRAMMER WITH Windows 10.
any ideas?
Not to rain on Ed's parade, but I make my cell phone speaker enclosures out of .040" styrene. It's easy and you can make them in any size and shape you want. I use flat styrene for the back and .040" square stock to build up the sides. Just make sure that the assembly is airtight.
I will admit that the Loksound system is quick and easy.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Paul3I have started using iPhone4 speakers on all my sound installations. They cost me $2 ea. and I highly recommend them.
I recently finished installing a Loksound select into an old Life-Like E8. I usually use a single 28mm round speaker in these. This time I tried the ESU 50321 "sugar-cube" and was quite impressed. I managed to fit a pair in the nice, roomy E8 carbody. One where the steam generator would go and another right behind the cab wall, wired in series.
These are $8. each at MB Klein. I find the enclosures to be versatile. I used all of the adapters which gave an excellent sound, I'll be using these quite a bit in the future.
https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/esu-50321-loksound-speaker-11mm-x-15mm-square-8-ohms-0-5w-with-sound-chamber-set/
Good Luck, Ed
Regards, Ed
I have started using iPhone4 speakers on all my sound installations. They cost me $2 ea. and I highly recommend them. The only time I heard a better speaker was with a superbass type that must have been about a 1" cube. It barely fit in the tender of the brass steamer I put it in, but it was just a teeny bit better than the iPhone4 speaker. But then it was also a lot more than $2.
BTW, the iPhone4 speaker is the same one Rapido is using in their FL9's and RDC's.
As for why LokSound is taking over the hobby in OEM installations, they are very easy to work with. They will add custom sounds at the drop of a hat. Heck, just listed to F15-F16 on most Rapido decoders; you might get a warp core explosion or the theme to Mighty Mouse.
Something doesn;t sound right. (pun not intended). It definitely does noot take me a half hour to download a project into a Select. Changing CV3 or 4 shouldn't do all that, either - perhaps you are adjusting something other than the basic acceleration, like the actual notch to throttle mapping? That would require a bit of additioonal adjustment.
I rarely change basic motion or volume CVs outside of Ops Mode on my system, that way the effect is instantly noticeable, so maybe I'd see the same thing with Lokprogrammer. But basic CV changes in Ops Mode work like any other decoder I have.
Not sure we are talking about the same thing? I have not worked with too many 4.0 decoders, I use the Select. When down loading a sound file it can take up to 1/2 hour maybe longer. I find that if I change the acceration time it will write a bunch of code and wil take 30 seconds and most time more time than that. If I find that the change was too low and I want to adjust up, I get to wait again for that one change.
The programmer reads and writes the entire decoder in seconds - no DCC system, could EVER be as fast, because it uses the same proprietary communication used to load the sound files - if loading sound files worked like standard DCC programming protocols, it would take hours and there would be missing data.
I've found it exceedingly simply to modify sound projects - much MUCH easier than trying to edit ones for Digitrax, for sure. Neither the Select Alco 244 project nor the v4.0 244 project have the horn I need for my RS3s. But the Loksound sound library has the horn included. I couldn;t believe how easy it was to take the standard v4.0 project and change the horn for the one in the sound library.
Even the older ones were easy enough to change function/sound mapping - the PCM Reading T-1s came with a multi-chime whistle as the default on F2, but they also had a secondary single note freight whistle on a different function. My models are in service units, not excusrion units that got fitted with former passenger multi-chime whistles, so one of the first things I did was swap the function mapping around.
One thing is I've never had a programming issue, never needed a program track booster. But I didn't with an original Tsunami either.
Something else I was going to mention but forgot. LOL Probably nothing I haven't said before.
I am talking about the ESU programmer. I don’t use JMRI until I have the decoder installed into the locomotive and do test runs.
Blame that on JMRI, not the decoder. But you can write just one changed CV, there is no need to EVER write all sheets in JMRI when you change just one thing. The programming model of JMRI is just not suited to a large table-format group of CVs, plus I think they re-write the index CVs before EVERY write. The concept of being able to just write the changes on a single page is great - when that page consists of maybe a dozen CVs tops, or about 30 in the case of the speed table page. But over 200? DCC protocol in general is just too slow for that. Have to be very careful to only write the changes and not the whole darn thing, unless you have a few hours.
riogrande5761 Stix, What you spoke of wouldn't have worked because Soundtraxx would only take WORKING sound decoders of certain types. if ST was taking bad decoders, there would have been a stampede breaking their door down.
Stix, What you spoke of wouldn't have worked because Soundtraxx would only take WORKING sound decoders of certain types. if ST was taking bad decoders, there would have been a stampede breaking their door down.
No matter how much I messed with the equalizer in my one and only Tsunami, it couldn't fix the horns. With modern types of speakers it's just a lot of extrs CVs for no real benefit. Every cell phone and tablet comes with miniature speakers that are amazingly full ranged, and this has trickled down into model railroad use.
Randy
Don't know if you were talking about the decoder or the speaker.
I use the sugar cube speakers all the time and also use the equializer. That is the one of the things I wish ESU would use. Every ear is differant, so I guess it is just a matter of taste
The Lok Sound is a great decoder but one of the things the drive me nuts is the way you have to wait for the programmer to write a bunch of code when you tweek just one CV.
Same story Ford, Chevyor Dodge
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
The Genesis should be a direct board swap. Only issue would be the silly 1.5v light bulbs, unless the OEM format TSU2 has low voltage function outputs to use, in which case it should be a relatively easy swap.
Haven't seen the inside of a Walthers with QSI, no idea there.
riogrande5761 wjstix riogrande5761 Anyway I bought two Soundtraxx TSu2s to take advantage of the June upgrade promotion but after investigating have found the physical remove/replace for the engines with qualifying decoders was more complex than I anticipated so I've already cancelled one TSU2 order and been refunded and may do the same for the other. "June upgrade promotion"? I have the feeling I'm missing something. Soundtraxx had a "trade-up" promotion during the month of June where if you bought a TSU2 decoder, or two, you could send them qualifying old decoders and for a $5 shipping fee they would send a new TSU2 as a replacement. Essentially you could get 4 TSU2 decoders for the price of 2 after you sent back two older sound decoders that were on the eligible list.
wjstix riogrande5761 Anyway I bought two Soundtraxx TSu2s to take advantage of the June upgrade promotion but after investigating have found the physical remove/replace for the engines with qualifying decoders was more complex than I anticipated so I've already cancelled one TSU2 order and been refunded and may do the same for the other. "June upgrade promotion"? I have the feeling I'm missing something.
riogrande5761 Anyway I bought two Soundtraxx TSu2s to take advantage of the June upgrade promotion but after investigating have found the physical remove/replace for the engines with qualifying decoders was more complex than I anticipated so I've already cancelled one TSU2 order and been refunded and may do the same for the other.
Anyway I bought two Soundtraxx TSu2s to take advantage of the June upgrade promotion but after investigating have found the physical remove/replace for the engines with qualifying decoders was more complex than I anticipated so I've already cancelled one TSU2 order and been refunded and may do the same for the other.
Soundtraxx had a "trade-up" promotion during the month of June where if you bought a TSU2 decoder, or two, you could send them qualifying old decoders and for a $5 shipping fee they would send a new TSU2 as a replacement. Essentially you could get 4 TSU2 decoders for the price of 2 after you sent back two older sound decoders that were on the eligible list.
woodone do any of these have the 9 pin plug ? I am guessing that the GP40-2 Tsunami might have the 9 pin socket. If so, the Tsunami 2 will plug right in the socket- painless, right ? you will have to solder the speaker wires though.
do any of these have the 9 pin plug ? I am guessing that the GP40-2 Tsunami might have the 9 pin socket.
If so, the Tsunami 2 will plug right in the socket- painless, right ?
you will have to solder the speaker wires though.
The recommended TSU 2 labeled as PNP is not as socket plug type, but a light board type.
woodone Too bad you find the replacements were looking difficult to do. You would be impressed with the new sounds- And the chance to use the equalizer on the Tsunami 2's. What keeps you from trying this change? Should be just cut and match the wires and your done.
Too bad you find the replacements were looking difficult to do.
You would be impressed with the new sounds- And the chance to use the equalizer on the Tsunami 2's.
What keeps you from trying this change? Should be just cut and match the wires and your done.
While I canceled the 2nd order, I still have one TSU2 and can do a single trade-up.
I can choose from the following for the trade-up: Atlas GP40-2 QSI, Walthers Proto F7 QSI or Genesis GP40-2 Tsunami. What would you suggest?
I have "servicable" soldering skills.
rrinker Every cell phone and tablet comes with miniature speakers that are amazingly full ranged, and this has trickled down into model railroad use. --Randy
Every cell phone and tablet comes with miniature speakers that are amazingly full ranged, and this has trickled down into model railroad use.
I've heard that some are using iPhone speakers now.
Yep. Yep. It just goes to show you it's not so clear cut with foreign cars assembled in the states. But my first wife insisted on buying US brand cars and at the time they had a poor repair history.
Ive read Soundtraxx version 2 tsu are much improved, mainly motor control and horns. I've done some listening to the newer Lok sound and I was really Impressed.
You do know that Toyota has a factory in the USA.
ALSO not too many pieces for Ford come from THE US.
SoundTraxx is made right here in the USA!
A very nice production factory— then There is the sound equalizer!
woodone Got two things to say about the Tsunami’s— equilizer- and MADE IN THE USA!
Got two things to say about the Tsunami’s— equilizer- and MADE IN THE USA!
Thats wha my ex said and we bought a Ford Taurus new. The head gasket went at 60k miles. After that I did lots of research on car repair history and sadly, US made cars had poor repair history while Toyota, Nissan etc. were much better.
Randy,
QSI came out before Tsunami with a great decoder that rivaled the TSUs about a year before TSUs arrived - these appeared in early BLI offerings. In addition ST did come out with the econami during the "gap" between TSU and TSU2.
The new TSU2 is quite good ...I have installed several. ST does have a very loyal group that dates back to the LC/DSD days....
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
Not only did Soundtraxx coasr by on the Tsunami for a reltively long time, the introduction of it was ALSO very much delayed. When they announces the original Tsunami, it was by far the best sounding (spec-wise) sound decoder out there. Way beyond anything currently ont he market. Except they had some design and delivery issues and by the time Tsunami first appeared, the other manufacturers hadn't just been sitting still.
As for Loksound being complicated, they really aren't. Some look at the functioon mapping and go "OMG, 256 CVs" but it's all just a table with 32 rows. All rows identical. They are the ONLY decoder ont he market that allows ANY function, ANY function wire, ANY sound, to be mapped to anything, with a variety of conditionals like direction of mootion, transistion of motion, status of another function, or what have you. No one else allows that - most limit a certain set of output wires to a few functions, then the next set of output wires to the next group of functions.