DCC and sound

[tomwatkins]

I'm a very satisfied user of onboard sound. I have several BLI heavy mikes and like them very much. The rest of my locos have soundtraxx decoders installed. One thing that makes a difference, at least to my ears, is speaker size. In my steamers I use Loy's Toys large oval speaker. It's1.57" by 1.1". With an enclosure made of .040 thick sheet lead it's a tight fit in a USRA tender but I think it's worth the effort. Most of my diesels use Loy's small oval speaker, which is 1.57" by 0.79" due to space limitations, also with sheet lead enclosures.

Have Fun,
Tom Watkins

[robengland]

Sound gets expensive and fitting speakers is a pain. The results are terrific, but I am holding off adding any more to wait for Surroundtrax (search Google for info), which will address Don's comment: it will follow the train and it will provide under-the-table boom-box for some real low-freq sound. And the only bit needed in the loco is a transponder to identify it. And block detection on the tracks to find it (which you need anyway for signalling). Can't wait!!

[AntonioFP45]

Hello UP4018,

Was this a Broadway Limited locomotive that you're referring to? My LHS shop owner demonstrated a BLI NYC Hudson. Very impressive, though a tad loud. It Didn't sound toy-like to me. One thing though, keep the volume low and the sound complements the locomotive. [;)]

Onboard sound adds a whole new dimension, depth and "flavor" to train operations that can give a lot of satisfaction to model railroaders.[C=:-)][dinner]

You might like this:
From what I've read, the Soundtraxx Tsunami decoder will supposedly surpass anything on the current market as far as dynamic sound quality for model steamers and diesels in several scales. I'm excited about the new "Reverb" feature as this will add even more depth and distance to the sound. In the prototype world when we hear trains coming through town, the whistles sounds literally "bounce off" of buildings, streets and anything with relatively flat surfaces. Modelers will now be able to simulate this on their layouts. [swg][tup]

Back in 1981 I tape recorded the Chessie #614 when she cruised into Tampa. I remember playing back the tape and being pleasantly surprised at all of the whistle "echoes" it picked up. [:D][8D]

Peace and High Greens on your tracks!

[Don Gibson]

Sound in HO locomotives is severely restricted to the upper frequencies due to the size of the speaker(1" or less) and enclosure.

Your speakers "under the layout" have no such limitations -except your ears and pocketbook.

The speaker in the engine MOVES with the engine. A 'boom Box' underneath does not.

[rexhea]

I am a very happy user of installed sound in Locomotives. It adds so much life to a layout. Yes, several can give you a headache, but thats why they have a volume control and a mute button. As far as quality goes, there is no way it will sound as good as stereo speakers or computer speakers when you listen to sound samples. However, it is a high enough quality (depending on type) that it sounds real and will give you a lot of enjoyment. My BLI Class "A" will get complaints from the neighbors with all it's huffing and puffing, hissing and clanking [(-D].

REX

[Anonymous]

looking for the pros and cons on sound in locos
I am HO Scale and modeling steam
I have seen the ATSF engine in the LHS with its sound on but it seemed so silly almost toy like.
Right now I have lots of videos of the bigboys, challengers and other UP steam that I have recorded the sound on and I just pop in the burned cd and let it play in the speakers under my layout.
any opinions