BLI/Atlas Sound Equipped Loco Question

[Anonymous]

Hi, I've been looking into getting either a BLI C30-7 or an Atlas Sound B40-8, before I spend $200 I have one question, are the horns on the locos generic or specific for each roadname? Thanks again for the answers!

[AntonioFP45]

Dougal,

I could tell you with certainty that what BLI has been using "Authentic" locomotive horn sounds, however, as I stated on another post they apprently use one and only one for a particular model, and apply it to the same locomotive in all of the various road names.
Apparently it's what the QSI chip is loaded with on the electronics "assembly line" .

I've e-mailed BLI in the past about this regarding the E7 and other units. No responses. I'm only guessing that because of "increased costs" they're not producing locos with horns specific to railroads.

For now, seems like Soundtraxx is our only "decent" option. Hopefully, as sound becomes more popular BLI and other manufacturers will offer more horn options.

[Anonymous]

I won't be getting a BLI engien any time soon, I'm stuck because no one makes Conrail S3L sound decoders for ANYTHING.

[AntonioFP45]

Dougal,

Send an e-mail to BLI and Soundtraxx. If these companies don't read or "hear" the demand, they won't have much incentive to expand their product lines. Wish more modelers would get on this bandwagon, but so far from what I've read in the past 6 months on this forum, you and I seem to be the only ones "really interested" in more diesel loco horns variety along with prototypical matching. I hope that I'm mistaken!

I think that part of the problem here too is that since quality sound systems for N and HO scales are still so relatively new, that most of the customers are thrilled just to have sound, so currently BLI(QSI) and Soundtraxx don't have a real big incentive to expand their current product lines. Hopefully in the next few years as modelers become more knowledgeable about "locomotive music", this will change!

I don't know how old you are, but I have to admit that as picky as I can be at times I sometimes remind myself that as a teen during the 19 70s, sound in HO units was just an unbelievable fantasy.

So, for now we have to work with what we can get, which isn't bad at all, but still continue to give "feedback" to the manufacturers (and get other modelers to do the same)

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Dougal,

I could tell you with certainty that what BLI has been using "Authentic" locomotive horn sounds, however, as I stated on another post they apprently use one and only one for a particular model, and apply it to the same locomotive in all of the various road names.
Apparently it's what the QSI chip is loaded with on the electronics "assembly line" .....

That´s right.

[:)]QSI (not BLI or Atlas or Lionel) build no specific decoders. And I don´t think that QSI will now made such options - of corse, It´s only a software problem.

They built decoders for a "locomotive group".
The decoder is for "a modern 16 cylinder GE engine" or for a "16 cylinder turbo 645 type EMD" (My words). They don´t offer specific decoders with a typical CSX or UP of AMTRAK horn or bell.

So such a "GE Decoder " can be used in a C30-7 - C36-7 - C40-8 - C41-8 and I think that there is not much sound difference between a C30-7 and a Dash9-44CW. And I think the AC4400 and the AC6044 Convertibles will sound also in this style.

I´m not sure about U30 - U 33 - U 36 because they dont have the exhaust silencer of the newer ones, being louder!
I´m waiting for the AC6000 because the sound of the 16 cylinder HDL is different to the FDL.

Only some steamer decoders were road specific - but this engines are built by the road!

At the QSI homepage (At the moment not available) you could see this versions.
New: QSI doesn´t sell this decoders for longer as an aftermarket product!

[AntonioFP45]

Very well stated, BigBoy4015.

I really do hope that competition is introduced in the near future.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Dougal,

Send an e-mail to BLI and Soundtraxx. If these companies don't read or "hear" the demand, they won't have much incentive to expand their product lines.

I'm going to email Soundtraxx right now, I'll wait until I'm 100% sure the Atlas units won't have the horn I want, BLI will come last.

QUOTE: Wish more modelers would get on this bandwagon, but so far from what I've read in the past 6 months on this forum, you and I seem to be the only ones "really interested" in more diesel loco horns variety along with prototypical matching. I hope that I'm mistaken!

The #1 reason I'm thinking about having sound equipped engines is the horn, I also don't like when Soundtraxx says "EMD 2nd Generation" for instance, I wi***hey would be more specific about what Prime Mover the engine sound is from, these manufacters expect you to pay $100 for a decoder and $200-1000 for a sound equipped engine that isn't realistic! I don't care if I'm paying less than $100 but not when I'm paying $230 for an Atlas B40-8 (for example).

[Anonymous]

By the way, did anyone else notice the BLI SD40-2 has a horn used on F/E units (can't tell what it is exactly)?

[Anonymous]

I just emailed Soundtraxx, I'll post here when I get a reply.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dougal

By the way, did anyone else notice the BLI SD40-2 has a horn used on F/E units (can't tell what it is exactly)?

I noticed that too, dougal. Seems a bit strange, because we all know that F/E unit horns were VERY different from SD40-2 horns. F/E unit horns were very low, SD40-2 horns were a bit higher. Even though I know this is true, all diesel engine horns sound the same to me. One time a GP38 and an ACC4400 went past me over a span to 10 minutes and I heard no difference in the horn sound.

[Anonymous]

QSI is indeed the programming group for the BLI / Atlas engines, but BLI and Atlas are the buyers and they are ones we must email and lobby to get what we want.
Recently, I called BLI about the problem with the BLI Santa Fe and the PRR J1. Both engine had a problem with the puffing sound and needed a modification.
BLI responded quickly by requesting the fix from QSI and the technical person informed me that QSI had received one each of the production model and were working on the fix. They probably knew they had a problem, but I doubt they would have fixed the problem if nobody called and complained about it.

We buy the products and if we keep on buying them regardless of what quality or what options they offer, guess what, they will keep building them as they please. I am sure that QSI could record the various horns and program specific chips for each road name, but BLI or Atlas will have to demand that.

If we request the correct horns and sounds for specific models, the quality of the products will get better. This problem is not important to everyone, but most of the importers will respond to requests if we can email and call them multiple times to make it known we want the real sound.
I certainly am willing to call them for what I want as a phone call or email is an easy thing to do. Remember their advertisement, Authentic sounds!!!! We should hold them to it.

If someone will make a list of the roads and horn sounds needed, we should all send them in and keep this item on their minds.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 4884bigboy
One time a GP38 and an ACC4400 went past me over a span to 10 minutes and I heard no difference in the horn sound.

Usually each railroad specifies a certain horn for all diesels, for instnce Conrail used S3L's all engines built new, something else I've noticed, for instance UP, CR, and ATSF used S3L's on some or all of their diesels but horns from the three don't sound the same.

[Anonymous]

The reason it's not done by specific prime mover rather than by general model, cylinder count and turbo/non-turbo is that any 16 cylinder 645 with a turbo sounds pretty much the same.

Soundtraxx does specific horns. Not all may be available though.

[Anonymous]

Just got a reply:

QUOTE:
Mark,

Our engineering calendar is full for the rest of the year, so if you see any new modules, it will be sometime next year. I will take your feedback though and pass it along to our staff.

Thanks!

Alan Lloyd,
Soundtraxx Customer Service
http://www.soundtraxx.com
210 Rock Point Drive
Durango, CO 81301
970-259-0690 (Ext. 14)
970-259-0691 (fax)



Hi,

I'm looking into getting a sound decoder from you, but unfortunately, you don't make the horns I'm looking for (Conrail S3L and Southern/Norfolk Southern P5, Norfolk Southern K5LA). You do have an S3 decoder but that horn is an S3K (used by BN). You do have a K5 but it sounds more like an Amtrak K5LA than an NS K5LA and the engine sound itself is more like an early GE than a modern GE (I'd be using these on C40-9W's). Are you planning to make CR S3L's, and NS P5's and NS K5LA's in the future?

Your decoders sound great and I've only heard the clips on your site!

Thanks,
Mark MacDougall


SoundTraxx
210 Rock Point Drive
Durango, CO 81301
[phone]
Fax [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

[Don Gibson]

SINCE diffferent RR's used different horns on different engines in different era's,
to hold out for a Specific horn sounds on mass produced models is not very realistic.

First off: Most won't know the difference.
Two: If you wanted one custom made to order - you couldn't afford it .

Soundtraxx - on their Diesel infrared ($350) throttle had multiple tones to 'build' and customize your horn - from one tone up to 4 - and store it. Perhaps that would be for you?. ...

TODAY: it isn't what you wish for as much as how much you are willing to pay for.

[AntonioFP45]

Hello Don,

Dougal, good job in e-mailing Soundtraxx!

My suggestion simply is for these companies to consider producing a larger variety of horns as there are many.

The best we would do in the future then would be to find the horn that most closely resembles what we want and go for it!

Like Dougal, I'm in a similar situation but I'm willing to compromise.

For example: I've pointed out that most E6 & E7s came factory equipped with the Leslie series honkers. The WABCO E2 Honker that Soundtraxx offers is actually deeper than the Leslie, but for me it would be close enough.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Don Gibson

SINCE diffferent RR's used different horns on different engines in different era's,
to hold out for a Specific horn sounds on mass produced models is not very realistic.

First off: Most won't know the difference.
Two: If you wanted one custom made to order - you couldn't afford it .

Soundtraxx - on their Diesel infrared ($350) throttle had multiple tones to 'build' and customize your horn - from one tone up to 4 - and store it. Perhaps that would be for you?. ...

TODAY: it isn't what you wish for as much as how much you are willing to pay for.

THAT´S IT !!

We must accept this "COMPROMISE" (at the moment)!

How many models will BLI produce of each version? 1.000? 2.000?
I think the real number will be in the range of about 1.000.
In this industry 1.000 IC´s are a very expensive singleorder !!!!

An 10 different decoders, 1.000 pieces each series will cost much more than 10.000 decoders of one style - And 10.000 is also no real big deal !

When I think about this: I don´t think that BLI produces 10.000 models in one order - It sounds extreme to much!

[:D][:D]
And I know what will happen when QSI made such individual decoders: We see a new topic here!
Because: locomotive #123 of RR XY was, as the only one of this order equipped with an K3L instead of a K3LA.
BLI (or Atlas or ????) use this model as a prototype and had not realized this when they order the decoder !! What a shame!
The next says that locomotive #456 had a defect exhaust silencer when it was painted in the prototype scheme, so the diesel sound was wrong!
[:D][8D][8D][:D][;)]

[AntonioFP45]

You guys have given some really good input. As suggested before though, it would still be beneficial if we continue to contact Soundtraxx, QSI, MRC and let them know that we would like to "at least" see a greater variety of diesel horns produced in the future. And of course, these would be horns that are, or were common to either various railroads or groups of locomotives. These companies still want a return on their investment!

The P5 and the K5H are two good examples as many units, even today are equipped with these. The Canadian K5H is tuned "slightly" different from the American version, but a manufacturer could choose the more popular of the two.

Unless they see a sizeable market for it, it's unlikely that they would produce horns that were not wide spread.

Hopefully the day will come where we will be able to "download" sounds into a decoder that already has the basic functions.