I am considering purchasing a sound system for my layout. does anybody use one and what are the better systems out there? i'd like to have random sounds as well as modern diesel sounds and occassional steam. I have read that some systems have remote controls as well??? Any advice would be much appreciated.
My count on sound units I've tried is five--too bad you are too far away for me to loan them to you to try. Cassette audio tape with diesel "rumble" is better than nothing, but not by much. MRC model 1440 power pack with buttons for diesel horn and steam whistle--basic and only a couple of wires to connect to the speaker. A $7 kit that produces four railroad sounds--more of a novelty item. CMI kit for diesel sound synchronized with power pack throttle setting--nice concept that I never got to work and they seem to be out of business. MRC sound system (model 312) has a variety of sounds selected by a keypad on a tether with two computer style speakers--best of the bunch, but no diesel sound synchronized with the throttle. I'd suggest trying to see what other modelers have used on their layouts and let your ear be the judge.
Sound systems are neat. i have had a few in the past, before i went to DCC. But what type of power system do u use. For eg. i use a digitrax system today so if i incorporate sound i use the one for it.
I use the conventional cab system and dontintend converting to DCC for a while at this stage. I have been to the soundtraxx site but they are currently developing new sound consoles, the site does not say when they will be released. The top level MRC system looks good but a little costly. Does it play sounds randomly or can youprogramme to play whatever is appropriate?
Hello Everyone, I have been thinking about how to put sound around my layout as well. I would like sound for my Sawmill and such. I was thinking I might try and us my computer. I have a 5.1 sound card in my computer that I could drive sound throught 5 speakers. Could place speakers under the areas where I want the sounds. I would record sound loops on each channel for the differnet area on my layout.(Sawmill, car shop, engine house,waterfall). This would let me make sound loops as long as I had disk space. I can also set the volume for each speaker as need. Then when I wanted to play with my layout I would just half to plug the layout speaker system into my computer sound card or having a switch setup so I could flip a switch. What do you think? Raymond
The sound system i was refering to was only for the engines. My old system was an MRC system that did a diesel and a steamer channeled to 4 speakers under the layout. it worked okay with my throttle pack. i also have 5 walkmans with a 45 min. tape in each that went under the table for the various industries. City, farm, lumber, workshop, and the train station. Its neat to have sound when operating. Takes that quiteness out of the room. i don't know what the neighbors thought when i had it cranked up No one ever said anything. But it sure was entertaining to me.
