By request I am posting ongoing details of a project here. There is another thread entitled "NFC / RFID Block Detection" where I am discussing the details of that part of the project. This thread covers design and build discussion for creating in free software and budget hardware a surround-sound based loco and environmental sound system for model layouts in any scale. It is intended to be compatible with DCC, but not require it (or any other system). The project is inspired by the SurroundTraxx system which does the same thing as I intend, but requires a Digitrax DCC setup, and at least $700 to implement. This system will also use block detection, which I am detailing in the thread mentioned above. This thread is for the surround sound system and software. Here are the parts considered: Raspberry Pi model 3 Startech USB 7.1 sound adapter. Powered speakers (7) Software: Raspbian OS. Mustajuuri DSP package. Work by Eric woo woo woo, Greg S. Schmidt, Erik B. Tomlin and Dennis G. Brown from the Linux Journal article Dirt-Cheap 3-D Spatial Audio. Work by Olli Parviainen on Time and pitch scaling in audio processing, for speed matching of audio sample files for our locos. Other work: Sound samples for locos, and environmental noises. Next steps. Create moving motive power sounds, including modifying the sounds to match the speed of the loco.
This is the strangest thing. In my previous post, Eric K.l.e.i.n. got changed to Eric woo woo woo. Most odd. There is a software trap for the name "_Klein_"?
It's probably because there is a retailer with that last name . Policy here won't let you post the names of retailers unless they are sponsors on Trainboard .
Good grief, that's a very heavy handed approach, which is also very easy to work around. So not only would it be ineffective for its stated purpose, it will irritate anyone who runs into it by accident like I just did. It sounds like a typical "technical solution to a social problem" that does not work as intended, but causes other unanticipated problems instead. Also - I need to read the rules. I might quote some software or hardware that is verboten.
I have ordered the NFC controller and some tags (two types). It should be delivered early next week, and I can start testing.
Your project is of great interest to me. Have you seen Steve (Twin Dad) work in JMRI, Virtual Sound Decoder? I believe the sound stage aspect handled by openal. I'd be very interested to work on this with you. I have no coding ability however.. I'm also looking at realistic controls, especially a steam based hand held hardware throttle.
Thank you Simon! I accept any and all help from all sources. Regrettably, I have been swamped by a lot of real life projects and have not advanced my testing of the RFID components. But - with your prodding, I think I will find some time around the holiday season to move the ball down the field.
Sound files appear to be a hard to find, unless you can do your own recording. An apparent source could be the MSTS/Train Sim community, some of which seems to be open source.
