I have two diesels with sound. They are the E-8 chassis from Precision/Broadway Limited that I have swapped out the shells for my kit bashed E-5 and an E-6. I run them at train shows on the NTRAK layout where the background noise moderates the annoyance factor. When I run trains on a friend's layout with sound I can only stand so much. Sound does not scale real well in my opinion.
I like it, but in limited quantity. I agree, most of the default volumes are way out of proportion, but then the idea is for us to hear the sound, not the n-scale people on the layout who are "miles" away when across the room (not even counting compression). I much prefer the steam sound, for all the comments above, the two diesels... ehh. They are the BLI with Paragon-2, and the sound is superb, but it becomes a drone, quickly. I love the horns, bells and "city sounds", though. Push came to shove, though, I could easily live without it.
Steam rules when it comes to onboard N scale sound.:thumbs_up: It gives you adequate room for the decoder and a full range speaker along with a host of special effects. Unfortunately I run all modern diesels, so I opted for a stationary sound decoder and an under bench work amplified sound system. I use only SoundTraxx Tsunami 16 bit sound decoders.:thumbs_up: I adjust the equalizer to fill the bottom end and tame the high end. I adjust the reverb (echo / decay) to create ambiance. For demos I like to crank it up; otherwise the volume is kept to a minimum. At times I just mute the prime mover drone, problem solved. DecoderPro makes all these adjustments quick and easy. Using sound can be exciting and demanding at the same time. Backing off the throttle and applying the dynamic brakes when descending grades, applying the radiator fans during run 8 or grade climbs, correct use of bells, whistles, coupler clank, brake squeal / release and air compressor functions provide an enhanced train operation session. Sound increases the sensation of me running the trains instead of just the trains running. Jerry
Well, I have a dual layout. O gauge on first level and N scale on top level. O gauge is DCS and , of course , sound. No need for sound on the N scale I get plenty of sound down below. Anyway, I do turn the sound quite far down so that you aren't hearing five engines roaring away at the same time. I at times will run them without sound depending on who else is occupying my family room at the same time. TV, family talking and train sound blasting at the same time give me a prototypical headache.
Well you would not like my operating sessions. I usually have some type of music in the background at low volume. (Classic rock or hindu spiritual, I can never decide) That, plus I turn the sound decoder's volumes down. Sound is fun at reduced volume. But then again, a trio of Kato SD-40s make a wonderful sound on their own without sound decoders.
I think sound is great, and hopefully by the time I can afford it, we'll have some quality onboard sound units on the market
I don't have any sound yet, but I'm interested in it for horns and bells. I am not interested in hearing diesel prime mover from halfway across the layout. In the real world you can hear a horn from miles away but only hear the engine from within a few hundred yards. I think that manufacturers need to pay attention to this aspect and record sounds properly and include good volume adjustment. They also need to equalize sound files so that they sound good on tiny speakers. You cannot just take something that sounds good through your headphones and put it on a decoder chip. I daresay that some of the manufacturers have no idea what the term 'sound design' means. The real problem is, I really can't afford it, and in N scale it's just so much work, especially with the hood diesels I model. If I were in HO, I'd probably be all over editing sound files and installing multiple decoders and speakers to get things just right, but for now I'm just waiting till I have more money or there are better products for less.
EngineerBill, Could you provide more detail on your system, especially how you sync with your throttle? We can do this with a pm if you prefer. Thanks, Ernie C
That's kind of the way I feel about the whole thing. I went to an operating session at a large layout, with a lot of sound locos present. It was a clamor!!! I found it distracting & aggravating. I have a "Challenger" steamer with sound chip that my grandson loves, and that's about all the sound I need.
As I said going into quiet mode or muting the engine sound is not the same as having the sounds of the engine starting up or shutting down when you press the appropriate function key, and you don't want the engine to go silent every time the loco stops. The BLI E units even have the distinct sound of each of the two engines starting up one after the other.
I wondered about multiple trains with sound running at the same time and it appears it would also drive most everyone else to distraction. Mute the engine sound, but horns and whistles still have their uses! And I think more people will experiment with ambient/background sounds; you wouldn't want to drown that out with too-loud engine sounds (whatever your definition of "too loud" may be).
I do not see any difference in sound from the Tsunami in the F59PHI and the MRC in the SD70MAC and the F59 was MUCH more money. I do have to agree that the bell , horn and or whistle s are nice but I feel all other sounds can go. If you have seen any of my videos you likely heard my background CD with desert sounds , I prefer that. I would like to see the off board Doppler and detection system come to reality. Mike
I haven't taken the time to read all the replies here. I may be out of sync with the progressive discussion in progress. I did read Mike's input just above and decided to throw in. What is to loud? When you are talking to visitors in a normal voice and they can't hear you. That's to loud. I was visiting Steve's, HO layout the other day when he started up his AB set of SP Bloody Nose, F7's as they pulled out of the station with a train in tow. I could hear the whine of the diesel motor as it started up and the pop off valve sound off. Two shorts on the horn, the bell on to warn the train is moving and he was underway. We could talk and laugh carrying on a normal conversation. While his diesel set growled it's way around the layout. I had to remark that I thought the sound level was right on and it matched the locomotives. Over the years I've worn several hats. One of those as a sound techee. Nothing thrills me more then to hear good quality sound. Something, N scale has been lacking over the years. Those speakers are just to small to deliver the quality of sound I'm looking for. On the other hand when Terri, brought his N scale, Athearn, Challenger and Big Boy up to run on the layout...I was impressed with the sound. He choose to keep them quieted down to what he thought was a realistic sound level. Appreciated by this host. The problem is you can't duplicate that earth shaking, bass sound of a diesel or steam engine. The only way to accomplish this is to bring in large speakers and a 100 watt amplifier and reproduce the sound from a recording. Even this can lack that rumble...I'm looking for. I love to hear the correct sound of a diesel or stove. More often the sounds I hear are incorrect for the locomotive. To generic for me. I love it when it all comes together and sounds like the real deal. Just my two cents.
Commuter GP40Xs and F40PHs frequently stop outside my window waiting for clearance to continue into Boston. The sounds, (whine of something and humming of the cylinders), as they slow down, idle, and then pick up speed would be very important to me. Why if they can put synchronized "chuff" in a steamer can't they make the whine and humming of a slowing / idling loco a default? This ommision will slow down my purchasing - and save me a lot of money, (for now). Well, ok, why can't they at least try? ☺
Steve.... I just made me an audio file of a loco starting,.....idling...accelerating...and shutting down. Along with some other background sounds. I am going to mount a speaker under the yard area of my layout and put the file on CD and run it tru a portable CD palyer ! I made it so it can be looped...and it sounds pretty darn good...if I do say so myself. ** If anyone is interested in the .wav file I made of a Diesel locomotive starting up....throttling up...and shutting down...with another loco idling in the background..and some guys talking in the background...you can get it here: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12602699/004wav.wav DISCLAIMER: YESsssssssssssss...I own it and give permission for anyone to have it...LOL If you have your computer hooked up to your stereo...CRANK IT UP :tb-cool::thumbs_up: .
Sound is interesting. It's also fun -- at first -- then I think it gets old and annoying! So, Mike, you're not alone. We all like new toys but I'm not sold on a lot of sound that really isn't all that great in the first place.
I just went to a gentleman home today to purchase an HO estate and he has HOn3 Blackstone stuff with DCC and Tsunami and I have to say that that (properly set up ) double header was simply AMAZING to listen to. I will try to take some pictures next time I visit him. Fabulous layout!!! Mike
Rick, How about the Soundtraxx under table system with a 18" sub woffer driven by a 250watt amp? It rattles the windows and sliding glass doors when I carried away with the home theater volume. I bring this up because all my current home theater equipment is getting upgraded and the old stuff will be recycled to the under table sound system. I am curious to see how much bass rumble I will be able to generate..........:tb-biggrin:
I personally love the sound of a steamer. Whenever I am in my office/layout room, there is a steamer with sound running on a loop for background sound. The key to enjoying sound is the volume. You should be able to hear the volume change and eventually fade away as the loco get's more than a few feet away. If it doesn't, you need to turn it down. You shouldn't hear every loco on the layout, only the one nearest to you. I can see how a room full of loco's with the volume cranked can turn someone off. I totally agree that too much sound is not a good thing. I help on a large HO layout with an Athearn BigBoy and Challenger as the stars of the layout. We usually have the layout running with the sound off while working. Recently a Bachmann HO Ten wheeler with sound was added. There is something different about this loco. It get's fired up first thing and is never shut down when we are working on the layout. The sound of this loco is soothing, compared to the clammor created by the BigBoy and Challenger. Small steam done right is much more pleasant. As John mentioned, at least with steam, sound will keep you honest on the throttle. When the chuffs blend into a blur, you are probably going to fast. So many people don't take the time to properly set up the chuff rate to match the rotation of the drivers. If you aren't going to take the time to do this, don't install the sound because it detracts from the effect. Your mind has trouble matching the sound with the movement of the side rods and will make it more annoying that enjoyable.
Mike , I think that maybe you've finally seen the light.... Personally, I got bitten by the sound bug a long time ago and running trains without sound to me is like watching an old Buster Keaton movie; it maybe fun but something is definitely missing... It only gets annoying if there is too much going on at once, and too loud...just like in real life...MHO, of course.... Regards, Otto
