Another Sound Project: ALCO RS-11 (photos & video)

jdcolombo Nov 21, 2013

  1. jdcolombo

    jdcolombo TrainBoard Member

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    Another sound project:

    Atlas RS-11 with ESU LokSound ALCO 251 sound file. The sound file is of the V-16, rather than the V-12 (which is the version that came in the RS-11), but this file sounded a LOT better than ESU's generic Alco 251 file. I particularly like the startup sequence . . .

    Photos of install:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    YouTube Video:

    [video=youtube;PvTZPzdpOwo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=PvTZPzdpOwo[/video]

    John C.
     
  2. cnw mike

    cnw mike TrainBoard Member

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    Nice work! It sure helps to have a decent camera to capture it with as well. ESU has a new 12cly 251 sound file on the "to be released" list.
     
  3. rrunty

    rrunty TrainBoard Supporter

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    Another great job, John. That horn sounds fantastic.

    Bob
     
  4. rogergperkins

    rogergperkins TrainBoard Member

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    John, you have another winner here! This is making me wonder if even I (all thumbs) could do DCC and sound with some of my Atlas DC locomotives. :wideeyes:
     
  5. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    Beautiful work! I really enjoyed the video and sent it to my H0 scale buddies.
     
  6. jdcolombo

    jdcolombo TrainBoard Member

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    Yes, I have high hopes for the new V-12 sound file, which was recorded in an RS-36. That's one of the things I like about ESU - you can reprogram the decoders with new sound files as they become available.

    I did this with my GP7 install - I had the original ESU 567 file, which was OK, but lacked a few things, like the characteristic transition whine. So I downloaded their new 567 V-16 non-turbo file and installed it, and boy does it sound great. Here's a video of the new EMD sound file:

    [video=youtube;mE9y38mulDQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=mE9y38mulDQ[/video]

    (Yes, that's my cat meowing in the background, which you can use as a sound reference!)

    John C.
     
  7. joetrain59

    joetrain59 TrainBoard Member

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    All we need now is some ALCo smoke!!! Awesome.
     
  8. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Well, your cat might not be excited while listening to that Geep, but it's great from where I sit! Those sounds really enliven that scene.
     
  9. Virginian Railway

    Virginian Railway TrainBoard Member

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    Great work on these, I especially like the Alco. How many sound equipped units do you have?
     
  10. jdcolombo

    jdcolombo TrainBoard Member

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    Five diesels (Four Atlas GP9's and one Atlas RS11) and a bunch of steamers (I started adding sound to my steam fleet back in 2003). I'll probably do four more diesel installations (two RS-11's and two SD9's) so that I have one sound-equipped loco in each of my 2- or 3-unit consists. I think one unit in a consist is probably enough. But we'll see.

    John C.
     
  11. DrMb

    DrMb TrainBoard Member

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    Well, if you want to set off every smoke alarm in the building... ;)
     
  12. EMD F7A

    EMD F7A TrainBoard Member

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    HOLY COW! That sounds amazing!!!! The RS11 is rad, I love the air bleed chuffs from the GP though. Your vids are great, I can't help but think the locos will sound a little better in person! Puts the MRC boards I have in my Fp7's to shame!

    New policy for me: less locos, more SOUND!
     
  13. Virginian Railway

    Virginian Railway TrainBoard Member

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    Just thought I'd ask how big of a difference, with your experience, do different speakers make with Loksounds?
     
  14. jdcolombo

    jdcolombo TrainBoard Member

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    The speaker makes a huge difference. In general, bigger is better, but a smaller speaker with an air-tight enclosure will always out-perform a larger one without an enclosure. Here's a video comparing different speaker sizes, all in optimal sealed enclosures, using a Tsunami steam decoder:

    [video=youtube;nUCXCIKitTk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=nUCXCIKitTk[/video]

    There's not much doubt here that the bigger speaker sounds best, followed basically in order of size. But speaker design counts, too - these are all cell-phone/tablet speakers designed for maximum output in a small space. More traditional oval speakers can't touch them.

    John C.
     
  15. Virginian Railway

    Virginian Railway TrainBoard Member

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    I can tell the difference, for N I'd say the smaller non-ovals would probably be best if space allows.
     
  16. sd90ns

    sd90ns TrainBoard Member

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    You can add sound to all the Alco diesels you want but they won’t be prototypical until you can get them to blow a big cloud of black smoke when accelerating under load.

    Maybe I shouldn’t be giving you such ideas what with all that you have already accomplished.
     

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