I got my Quantum Programmer for QSI decoders and was finally able to do a side by side sound test of a Quantum Revoloution and a LokSound V3.5 mini.
I already had sound for an F3 installed on my LokSound so I also downloaded the F3 sound set on a Quantum Revolution in another loco. Well, there is no comparison. The Revolution sound is so much better than LokSound. The LokSound makes a rather unpleasent noise compared to the realistic sounding Revoluton. IMO my Digitrax Soundbug sounds almost as good as LokSound, at least for the F3 sound.
The horn on the Revolution is far, far superior to the LokSound. Motor control is probably equal although because of the nightmarish programming of a LokSound I haven't yet got it running as well as the Revolution.
I now have two Revolutions, three QSI Version 7's, one LokSound, several Digitrax sound units and two MRC's. I'm trying to determine which way to go on future sound locos and upgrades. I'm totally convinced I'll go with Revolutions in the future. They have nice, easily understood manuals (best to download the latest version as the ones coming with the product have most likely been updated) and their progammer works very, very well.
I would guess that Tsunami's are very good as well but the programmability of QSI is a great selling point for me. With the Version 7's you can download complete new sound sets, but with the Revolution you can mix an match, cut and past any of the individual sounds of a loco. This is really fun and allows tailoring sounds to exactly what you like. If you want to pull a decoder from a diesel and put in in a steamer you can then download steam sounds to that same decoder.
I'm talking strictly diesel sounds here as that's all I run. Steam sound comparisions may be a different story.
If buying a new factory equipped loco I wouldn't even consider anything that didn't come with a Revolution, and that will probably limit one to an Atlas loco as I believe they are going to go with Revolutions, if they haven't already started. Walthers only uses Version 7 QSI, which are good, but just don't compare to the wonderful features of Revolutions. So for me, I would buy a non-sound equipped loco and install a Revolution.
Another neat feature of the progammer is that with one click of your mouse you can toggle back and forth between progamming track and OPS mode. You not only can test and adjust sounds but can also adjust motor control and lighting and then test it in OPS mode. And, you can program in either Service Mode or OPS mode.
For me, QSI Solutions are just a very nice and fun way to go, and with the best sounds I've heard in HO. I know, I haven't heard them all, but I think it would be hard to beat the Revolution in diesel.
Jerry
Rio Grande vs. Santa Fe.....the battle is over but the glory remains!
I purchased two token modern diesels...just 'cuz...and 'cuz I like the War Bonnet motif. They are Genesis SD-75M's. In one I have the appropriate Revolution and in the other the Tsunami. I like them both. Both are equally programmable IMO, and both sound great. The R could not be programmed with the correct horn, but it has the correct engine. I don't know if the Tsunami has the correct engine running to the speaker at the moment, but the horn is defintely a Nathan K3LA, as it should be. The R's horn for the "package" programmed into it is the K5.
Both decoders move their hosts well under momentum and BEMF. Both prime movers sound great and full for tiny (okay, okay,..tinny..) HO systems.
Not sure what else there is to say.
-Crandell
selectorI purchased two token modern diesels...just 'cuz...and 'cuz I like the War Bonnet motif. They are Genesis SD-75M's. In one I have the appropriate Revolution and in the other the Tsunami. I like them both. Both are equally programmable IMO, and both sound great. The R could not be programmed with the correct horn, but it has the correct engine. I don't know if the Tsunami has the correct engine running to the speaker at the moment, but the horn is defintely a Nathan K3LA, as it should be. The R's horn for the "package" programmed into it is the K5. Both decoders move their hosts well under momentum and BEMF. Both prime movers sound great and full for tiny (okay, okay,..tinny..) HO systems. Not sure what else there is to say. -Crandell
I have two loksound decoders in PCM's and 5 QSI, 4 in BLI steam engines and 1 in a E-7. Now, none of the QSI's are the revolutions decoders, but my Loksound steamers make the QSI's sound like cheap (which there not) toy engines. Speaker enclosure's may be a big part of it, the PCM enclosure's are big and deep. BLI on the other hand have no enclosure's other than the tender it self.
On the E-7, I cannot say if it is the decoder or if a E-7 really sounds this way but it is like dragging finger nails across a black board. I have 3 Blue Lines, 2 GE AC 6000's and 1 RSD -15 and they sound much better that the E-7.
I just found the manual for the E-7 that had been MIA for 2 years and must say I am starting to enjoy the advances features of the QSI. Far as reading the QSI manual, far easier than the Loksound Big Book of Gibberish!
I have been told the Revolutions decoder would not make the BLI's steamers sound better, what do you think?
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
Ken, I haven't seen an announcement telling us that the Universal Revolution is now available. I may not have been keeping up, or I missed something, but last I recall only the diesel version was out. I can't vouch for their steam sounds.
I now only have the one Loksound, and that is in my PCM Y6b, which you and I positively rave about. Generally, I find them to be favourable, but I really wish they would make the whistles more playable on the few LokSounds I have known. Remember that I had to finally yank the LokSound in my Rivarossi Allegheny because whomever chose the sound files didn't know what they were doing. As far as motive control, I don't know that there is a better decoder, and Tom Stage will back me up.
Can't help on steam questions but just a word of caution.......when comparing QSI to anything else be sure that you are comparing the Revolution and not earlier QSI versions. There coud be a big difference. FWIW here is an announcement from the QSI Solutions website:
Posted on 17. June 2009
The newest steam files are available for download on QSIS!
In order to use these files you MUST use the newest version of the Q2 Upgrade software (1.10.0.0). This is the only version of the software that can manipulate the new chuff records. This version also adds in a Naturally Aspirated EMD 645 motor listed as GP38 LW and a new EMD 567 listed as EMD 1st Gen (Mtr2) #1. This version of the 567 does not have the "rod knock" that the previous EMD 567 sound had.
By the way, the Revolution "U" is now available.