Beginner has simple questions about sound

[Anonymous]

(I realize that I could dig and find answers from posts, and I promise to get a manual on this topic, but I just some yes/no answers to go on today before I go online shopping.  Thanks to anyone with patience to respond.) 

1. Can sound be added to an engine that does not say DCC ready?  If so, is it expensive?

2. If sound is added to an engine that is DCC ready, can the sound be controlled by an MRC Tech4 controller or are other add ons required?

3. What is DC?  Is that the normal operating mode?  (only simple answer needed here)

Thnaks

[DigitalGriffin]

1. Can sound be added to an engine that does not say DCC ready?  If so, is it expensive?

Yes.  But installing sound in a modern engine is a lot easier because (most) contain can motors that are isolated from the frame.  This is a necessity unless you like smoking decoders.  Sound decoders can go from $50 to $150.

 2. If sound is added to an engine that is DCC ready, can the sound be controlled by an MRC Tech4 controller or are other add ons required?

Yes.  HOWEVER you'll need a programming track booster if you go with Tsunami or QSI decoders.  (I may be wrong about this.  Please check with others with a Tech4)  I'm more of a Lenz man myself.

3. What is DC?  Is that the normal operating mode?  (only simple answer needed here)

DC = Direct Current.  This is your standard run of the mill train that has been around since the early part of the century.  (Although AC came first)  It was the standard for HO since it's inception.

I've done a couple conversions already.  It's a fairly painless process. 

Have Fun,

Don

[AntonioFP45]

Check this out:

http://www.tonystrains.com/tonystips/dccprimer/index.htm 

Explains it pretty well. 

Yes, you can add sound to locomotives that are not dcc ready.  For each locomotive you can install a motor control decoder plus a separate "sound only" decoder.  Or all-in-one motor control, plus sound decoder.    

I'm just a newbie at dcc but am very excited about it. 

 

[Texas Zepher]

Just confirming what the others have said.

1. Can sound be added to an engine that does not say DCC ready?  If so, is it expensive?

 What scale are we talking about here.  The smaller the scale the harder it is to add sound.  Short answer is yes.  It is much less expensive if one is performing the work themselves. but expect to pay between $50 and $295 just for the sound unit.  Speakers are additional, and the most difficult part of the installation.

2. If sound is added to an engine that is DCC ready, can the sound be controlled by an MRC Tech4 controller or are other add ons required?

Depends on the sound unit, but most of the new ones can be controlled by a DC controller (which is what the Tech4 is).  The sound functions are much more easily controlled with a DCC controller.

3. What is DC?  Is that the normal operating mode?  (only simple answer needed here)

DC is straight electrical power, that the higher the voltage the faster the train goes.  DC iss the standard operating mode for HO trains, but DCC is coming on fast.

[Anonymous]

I have ben doing a lot of reseach on DCC especially for the N scale.

You might want to take a look at the new LokSound decoders which can operate both on DC and DCC with auto-sensing circuitry.  Those seems to be the latest gen of DCC decoders and all you need is a little controller to activate sound on DC layouts.

I am use those decoder as my standards now because nothing else ccomes close and the functions these hae is just amazing if you have a DCC system because it can even have special headlight effect built in and the new 'cmicro' line will fit into a N scale loco!  With speaker!  Well, I can confirm that towards the end of the week anyway.