Anyone into background sounds for their railroads? My layout is getting close to being functional and I envision a lot of atmosphere. Maybe a cd of cricket songs just above earshot at dusk or a blues sound coming from the black man sitting out back by the river playing the dobro. I know there are soundboxes available for whistles,horns and cows but what about ambient sounds - the ones you can't distinctively hear but all mesh to make a mood. Is anyone currently doing this with their model railroad? Would love to hear about how yours is setup or any ideas or feedback about the direction I'm trying to take mine. Thanks, Craig
The M.A.T. has a collection of audio tapes including steam and diesel sounds that are commercially produced. Other tapes have sounds from a large passenger terminal. Some nature tapes I have collected have sounds of creeks and rivers, rain and thunder storms. I plan to have a number of auto-reverse tape players and have the speakers in appropriate positions. The tape player I have tested these tapes with gives a nice background effect to the layout. Another way to help create the realisim we all strive for. Thanks for starting this topic. ------------------ Robin Maberly and Tayside [This message has been edited by Robin Matthysen (edited 19 August 2000).]
No, you're not dreaming, but..... I think sound in N scale can be bad. If you blow the horn on an N scale train you have to do it very quick, or you will be blowing it for 5 minitues! The bells on gates are very slow, and will be ticking off local residents in N-scaleville. And as for the stuff you want, it would be like the bell. The cricket would be making that odd sound for quite awhile. Although, it would be very nice to ahve on layout tours. Happy RRing, Dane N. ------------------ BCRailKing@Canada.com Teen Association of Model Railroaders- for information, contact Dane N. at TAMR2860@Canada.com http://www.tamr.org "I was DC, and went DCC!"
Dane, the sound is for ambience. It is sub-conscious, background sound to impart a feeling for the scene without becoming the centre of attention. I like the idea of a cricket chirping near a quiet depot, station, or country scene. Industrial noise emanating from a factory, faint idling around an engine facility, etc. It should be sub-liminal (maybe you could add something like "you like this, you want this, why not begin an N Scale layout yourself" for your non- railroading, and other scale modelling, friends?) and not impinge on the scene. Even if the railroad is working in fast time, you are still hearing, and seeing, in real time. Gary. ------------------ Gary A. Rose The Unofficial TC&W page N to the Nth degree!
Robin, It's nice to know others have not only thought of non-railroad sounds but have actually taken steps to provide them. Dane, I've never considered the implications of 'scale sound'. Is this a factor worth considering? I know volumes would have to be lower (obviously crickets cannot be heard over a steam whistle!) but would the chirp really sound faster? An idea worth comptemplating nevertheless. Maybe I could find an Alvin and the Chipmunks phonograph to play in the background for my passenger station. Just kidding! Glad to hear you have an opinion about the subject. Gats, I think you're on the right track (no pun intended!)
One thing that I do when I go to either Disneyland or Disney World is look at the way the Disney people use sound to make for a complete experience. They blend in all types through the park to bring another dimension to the experience. I went on a tour one time where they explained this and now try to use in with my trains. Oh by the way at Disney World they have a tour of the backstage areas for the locos. So if you want to see some really neat things in operation give it a try. We are going to be there in a few weeks just for the tour of the rail road areas (Disney World). Art
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Art: One thing that I do when I go to either Disneyland or Disney World is look at the way the Disney people use sound to make for a complete experience<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Disney does the same thing with smells too. If you walk by the candy store on main street, there are small fans built into the window casings to direct the smell of chocolate onto the sidewalk. There is a gorgeous N-Trak module here in Southern California that depicts an orange grove and packing house. Built into the front of the module are two small fans with orange scented air-freshener behind them. Looking at the module you see and smell oranges. I don't know who the craftsman of the module is, but it is one of my favorites! Ed Harrison [This message has been edited by ten87 (edited 21 August 2000).]
I have seen that also Ed! Pretty cool and creative! ------------------ Craig Martyn Best Looking Models Around Custom detailing AND N scale detail parts. http://users4.50megs.com/blma/
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ten87: Disney does the same thing with smells too. If you walk by the candy store on main street, there are small fans built into the window casings to direct the smell of chocolate onto the sidewalk. There is a gorgeous N-Trak module here in Southern California that depicts an orange grove and packing house. Built into the front of the module are two small fans with orange scented air-freshener behind them. Looking at the module you see and smell oranges. I don't know who the craftsman of the module is, but it is one of my favorites! Ed Harrison [This message has been edited by ten87 (edited 21 August 2000).]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I remember a company advertising in MR many years back that was selling railroad scents to do just that. They had about 30 different scents. I distinctly remember the scent CREOSOTE (RR ties). Does anyone know if this company is still around? I don't remember the name of the company but I think they were advertising back in 1993??? ------------------ Mike Drzycimski Arlington, TX The Southview Lines www.crosswinds.net/~mdrzycimski [This message has been edited by mdrzycimski (edited 23 August 2000).]
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ten87: There is a gorgeous N-Trak module here in Southern California that depicts an orange grove and packing house. Built into the front of the module are two small fans with orange scented air-freshener behind them. Looking at the module you see and smell oranges. I don't know who the craftsman of the module is, but it is one of my favorites! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> There was a photo of the module posted by Peninsula Ntrak. According to their page: <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Wayne Larson of Group 160 brought his brought his 1950's era Southern California orange grove module which includes an animated RR crossing with flashing lights and sound effects.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Great job Wayne! This has always been one of my favorites! Ed Harrison
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mdrzycimski: I remember a company advertising in MR many years back that was selling railroad scents to do just that. They had about 30 different scents. I distinctly remember the scent CREOSOTE (RR ties). Does anyone know if this company is still around? I don't remember the name of the company but I think they were advertising back in 1993??? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Mike, that was Olefactory Airs, from memory. I experienced their roasting corn and conifers scents on a couple of layouts back around the same timeframe you mention. They seemed to disappear. I haven't seen any mention of them in years. Gary.
Those N track modules look great, the site you posted is well worth the look ------------------ Paul Cassar-# Member number 50 ICQ 61198217 http://users.bigpond.net.au/railroad2000
