I am currently working on a modular layout and would love to have sound on it. I've decided against loco sound decoders and speakers because well, lack of space (this is a NN3 layout). Is there either a system on the market or a home build system that uses layout mounted speakers and the sound of the locomotive (or anything else that makes noise i.e.nature) would be projected in relation to the train's location and a certain speaker? (In other words the sound would "follow" the train through the layout.) If not, perhaps we could start a brainstorming session ( a good electronic challange to be solved). Any information would be of great help. Thanks a lot, David
David, Soundtraxx has been working on a system called Soundtraxx Surround; it makes use of the transponding capabilities of Digitrax decoders create the illusion that the sound is coming from the area in which the locomotive is currently operating. I’ve heard that there have been demos of the system at train shows; still, no announcement has been made. As I understand it, Soundtraxx people say that the product is important to them and they are planning to release it – it’s just that nobody seems to know when. In the interim, several of us have installed under-the-layout sound systems using Soundtraxx DSX (sound only) decoders hooked up to 4” speakers. Although the sound isn’t directional, it’s better than nothing. I have seven DSX decoders under my layout and I couldn’t imagine running trains without them! Bryan
Two or three months ago David Popp had an article in MR about 3 or 4 ways you can add sound to your railroad using CD players, continuous loop tape players, sound only decoders etc. to create loco sounds as well as city, nature (birds, crickets and the like). Check it out. It might be just what you are looking for.
