Ok, here's my sound experience so far. I've installed a couple of ESU Loksound decoders, one in an Athearn RTR GP35 and another in a P2K GP38-2. I'm pretty happy with them, but they are a little pricey. I've installed a couple of Soundtraxx decoders, and the two things I don't like about them are 1) They are too quiet, the best speaker baffle in the world isn't enough, and 2). The throttle response is poor. I know it's probably prototypical lag, but it still doesn't seem right. I've got several QSI factory sound equipped locos and like them the best. I'm contemplating trying the Digitrax SoundBug but haven't found any reviews yet. Just wondering about some of your experiences with sound, and in particular any impressions of the SoundBug.
I've quite a few engines with ESU sound and the other sound engines are with Quantum, from LifeLike. I like the QSI very much, but with ESU you can change the sound. That was fun with my switcher "Henry" and his special whistle. :angel: You can hear the engines at YouTube. Wolfgang
I am running QSI, Soundtraxx, Soundtraxx Tsunami, and one LokSound. My LokSound I do not like but I must qualify that it is an older chip (+ 2 years). I have read some really nice things about LokSound in the past year and I should give them another try. I really like the QSI chips. I have purchased 4 chip ugrades from Tony's and also purchased the Quantam PC interface to download sounds off the internet. That has worked really well. My favorite is my Proto2000 "Berkshire". I upgraded the chip and downloaded a new whistle, bell, chuff, etc. from the QSI website. It is every bit as crisp and "steamy" sounding as my Medium Steam Tsunami. Sounds great. I also downloaded sounds into the upgrade chip in a Broadway Limited SW7. That too sounds great. Also, I really like the conventional Soundtraxx. I agree it is somewhat "quiet". HOWEVER... I have started leaning more towards "quiet" in my volume settings on the engine. I find that the lower volume settings seem a little more "in scale" to my ear. Just a preference. As for the Digitrax, I have purchased two units for a couple of Budd RDC cars I have. I had a thread here somewhere about those things and wound up purchasing the chips. I have yet to install them. I did hear a couple of Digitrax units in operation installed in contemporay diesel units. They sounded AWESOME.
I can't justify for myself spending the $$$ for LokSound or Tsunami sound decoders and opt'ed for the cheaper DSD-100LC from Soundtraxx and the newer Digitrax SFX064D sound decoders. I have been quite happy with the SFX064D decoder and feel that it is significantly louder than my Soundtraxx installed units. The Digitrax decoder comes with an SD38 or generic steam sounds preloaded. Once I save up to buy the PR2 digitrax programmer, I am looking forward to replacing the sounds with more "prototypical" audio for my diesels, as they are reloadable with custom sounds. I recently also tried a Soundbug from Digitrax and can report that the volume is quieter than the SFX064D decoder, much on par with the Soundtraxx DSD. You'll want to baffle the speaker when using the Soundbug to get a satisfactory sound level. The only catch to the Digitrax sound decoders is they are 3 channel and not 4 channel sound. So you can't have prime mover, bell, whistle, and brake squeal for example all going at once. This is something I have been able to live with. Other than that I am happy with what Digitrax has been doing with sound. :thumbs_up: (I am not affiliated with either Soundtraxx or Digitrax. These opionions are my own.) Wildstar
Thanks for the feedback guys, that's just what I was looking for. I'm sure my Soundtraxx speaker installations are less than optimal, it's sometimes a challenge installing them in hood units. Between modifying weights to make room, then lighting with resistors, etc. I sometimes think about backdating and running all F units! I forgot about MRC, I know they're not always held in high regard but I did hear an Athearn SD45-2 that sounded pretty good once the volume was turned down to an acceptable level. I'm curious, is there any reason that QSI isn't offering decoders direct? Some kind of deal with the manufacturers? I'm really looking forward to the Atlas GP38s and GP40s coming with QSI sound...I've got 4 reserved. The wallet is going to get a lot lighter when they arrive! Thanks again to all!
I have a mix of self-installed Soundtraxx and factory fitted QSI. No problems with volume (in fact they are all turned well down from maximum), but I do put a lot of effort into my speaker installs. There are photos with words of these on my website (in HO Locomotives). I also had an Athearn with MRC sound, but didn't like the loco performance or the decoder, so that went to ebay pretty quickly. Re. throttle response, are you sure you haven't got some momentum programmed on the Soundtraxx? I can't remember if they come with some by default. I deliberately use momentum on my diesels (ST and QSI) to get the right engine/movement relationship, but it does make switching a bit, er, prototypical
Mike, again I'm sure my speaker install is less than optimal. But the prime mover sound does seem a lot quieter in relation to other sounds such as the bell and horn. I was told that the MRC decoders sounded okay but performed so-so. The SD45-2 I saw was pretty ratchety at slow speeds but I just figured it needed the typical Athearn break in. The throttle response thing is tough. I believe Soundtraxx probably has it close to the prototype as far as lag etc is concerned. Even when trying to operate in a realistic manner we as modelers at times make throttle adjustments that are less than prototypical, and while it may be technically unrealistic it is nice the way that the QSI system follows along with you, good or bad!
I actually liked the MRC sound decoder's sound samples, but you are right the motor control is pretty basic. I am looking forward to trying out one of their "Sounder" sound only decoders and pairing it up with a Digitrax for motor control when it is released. I heard one trick to resolve the execessive volume with MRC is to remove the speaker from the baffle. It'll get much quieter.
I did like the sound too, it sounded pretty close to my memories of SD45s. Didn't know MRC was doing a sound only decoder, will keep my eyes out for that, thanks.
The pm volume can be adjusted independently of the other sounds, so you can change the 'balance' of this with horn, etc. It's done with CVs but I don't have a table of them to hand (and it probably varies by make/model). You can also change the momentum, for both acceleration and slow down. Again they are CV set (might be 6 and 7). If you set both at 0 you should get pretty much instant response.
Thanks Mike, I'll play around with the CVs this weekend. One is the Atlas LC board the other is an older sound only model, DSD I believe.
I'm home now, so I dug out my SoundTraxx Slide Rule. Whistle volume is CV120 Bell volume is CV121 Engine exhaust volume is CV122, 0=off, 255=max. CV123 is "Background volume" - probably for the other odd noises like air release, but I don't know for sure. CV2 is start voltage CV3 is Acceleration rate CV4 is Braking rate For CV3 & 4 higher numbers is more sluggish (IIRC the number sets the time taken to reach maximum speed in seconds). So for instant response set both to 0. I think I use 60 on CV3 and 40 on CV4. I have a couple of LCs and a couple of DSDs (all several years old) and I believe these CVs do them OK. I think the sound only is the DSX - don't know about the CVs for that. If you don't have the manual for it have a look on SoundTraxx website and/or e-mail them.
You've been a lot of help Mike, thanks! I've printed your info out and will be tinkering this weekend and will be sure to post my results.
Wildstar: Have you had your sound cut out and start up again when trying to use more than one function? I've been having problems with my SFX004 on my diesel - whenever it's in motion, and I try to ring the bell or sound the horn, or use any other effect, the sound completely stops and then starts again from the beginning again, just like it would if the engine was at rest and starting up. I found this happens at higher speeds, and just about any time I try to use the functions.
My favorite is the Tsunami from Soundtraxx. I have installed so many that I have lost count. Speaker mounting and the enclosure will make or break the sound volume. There are about 200 CV's to work with on a Tsunami, so you need to look at all of the information about them. For speed control you MUST set CV's 209 and 210! I have yet to turn the volume up to 255 in any installs that I have done. Most of the time I must turn down the volume as they are too loud. Don't forget- Scale sounds for the scale you are working with.
I have 4 Athearn blue box units with MRC 1641 duel mode late EMD sound boards in them. Once set up, sounds turned down to "0" which is the min setting they sound good to my ears, as good as any others I have heard. I use QSI mini oval speakers with an enclosure in my narrow hood EMD's. The LHS had this system on a special buy for under $35 per board and I got a few. I wish someone would do a sound board for a SW1200 with 4 functions. I have two SW's, proto 2k units, that I am painting for the local shortline I model. They need directional lights and 2 independant double flash strobes on the cab roof. I have a Digitrax non sound decoder for it right now, but would love sound. Mike
I have 3 BLI Stealth SW7s with MRC mini switcher sound decoders in them and P2K SW9/1200 bodies (modified for logging duty - dynamic brakes). I'm happy with their operation and sounds just like I remember a 567 should. I also have a pair of SW7s with factory sound and am less impressed with their sound, I think they have the original chips in them (need to budget for upgrades). The uploading to Digitrax sound decoders sounds interesting as I'm planning on installing sound into a pair of Bachmann GE 70 tonners. Just looking at alternatives to the expensive Loksound decoders.
