I want high quality modern diesel sounds for my N scale layout. The sounds I want to hear most are engine sounds, horns and bells. I want to control these sounds from a wireless hand held throttle.:tb-cool: IMO sound decoders for N scale with tiny speakers do not reproduce high quality sound. IMO sound decoders with better speakers are too large for plug and play installation in N scale diesel locomotives. IMO packaged sound systems are tethered to a hand held controller with a fair quality speaker system. So how can I get “everything” I want?:tb-confused: What about buying the best sound decoder on the market with programmable 16 bit capabilities that can be addressed with a wireless hand held throttle? Then hook it up to track power and a high quality 2.1 powered speaker system or better. We are talking about sound that will fill a 9 X 12 room therefore localization is no longer an issue.:tb-biggrin: Are there any other viable options? Possibly using a computer? Jerry
Wait for a surroundtraxx. It has been promised for years now but is the sort of capability you are looking for. Last I heard, this december, but it is sort of on the AC12 track.
Soundtrax has an under table unit out that required Digitrax and transponding to work. It is available now from Litchfield Station Litchfield::... Bruce, the owner of Litchfield Station, told me that Soundtrax is waiting on other manufacturers to have decoder feedback of the address and they will adapt the product to work with the others. So it is out there if you are Digitrax and spend the extra time, money and effort to get transponding to work.
You can wire a Soundtraxx Tsunami to an outboard 2.1 speaker system with no problems. Feed track power to the track power wires, and then connect the speaker wires to the speaker system. Nothing special needed as long as the speaker system is 8 ohms. The problem with this is that it really only will work for one locomotive - whichever one you program the address for in the Tsunami. As the prior two posters indicated, Soundtraxx has a system called "SurroundTraxx" that uses large under-layout speakers spaced around the layout to "fade" sounds in and out from various locomotives, as long as the locos are equipped with Digitrax transponding decoders. This system will work with multiple locos. I certainly like the engineering concept behind this system; how it works in real life remains to be seen. John C.
$$$$ choke, choke, choke, choke ...... I have checked out the system ... Nice! I am looking for minimal cost and minimal hardware alternatives. It is nice to dream! Jerry
Jerry: Years ago (over nine to be exact) on the "original" JJJ&E, I hooked up Soundtraxx DSX sound only decoders to 4 inch Radio Shack car speakers. Each decoder was hooked up to one speaker and which was strategically placed on the layout. I had 25 different sounds for different locomotives. Each decoder had its own four inch speaker. When several forum members saw the layout they could believe the sound coming from one speaker as it filled up the single garage which was 10x20'. You consist the decoder to a locomotive and the decoder acts like a locomotive responding to all changes in the throttle. Pete Nolan saw the layout three years ago and thought the sound was coming from the moving locomotive even though it wasn't. He was very impressed with the sound system considering how easy it was to set up. If you want more in, get in touch with me.
Problem? Actually I was playing with the idea of using an address different from all other locos. Using two wireless throttles I could run any loco of my choosing with one throttle and play the desired sounds using the other throttle. Jerry
You did not hint at any cost constraints. But I agree. With several hundred locomotives on my roster, I looked at a lot of cost options and this is actually reasonable when you have a lot of locomotives. I am implementing this with leftover stereo speakers and a 100 watt amps. I am not so much looking for volume but more for fidelity of the sound And this was also to show it is not vaporware but actually out in the marketplace right now.
Thanks Bob! Now you're talking:thumbs_up::thumbs_up: I want as much low end bass response as I can get; since bass frequencies are non directional. The midrange and treble sounds would benefit greatly with more strategically placed speakers. I may be looking at a 5.1 or 7.1 system powered by a receiver. The true limits may come from the sound files themselves. I will get with you on the exact placement / position of the speakers. Jerry
Jerry: The Soundtraxx DSX sound only decoders were being discontinued after Soundtraxx phased in the Tsunami decoders. They originally cost $138 and they can be found for half price or less. Since you are going to use primarily diesels sounds you should still find a decent selection. Try Litchfield Station, Tony's Trains or any DCC e-tailer.
Jerry: Do a Google search for DSx sound only deocers. Tony's has three different diesels sounds left. Other dealers have them for as low as $41. Most of the supply has been sold but they are still available.
SurroundTraxx does not require transponding if all you want is ambient sound. It can be found in the manual. You only need transponding if you want the sound to follow the loco around a layout. I don't see any need for that part myself, and if I were to have aunit I woul dnot use the transponding at all. Directly from the Soundtraxx site: "Simple layouts can use SurroundTraxx with one speaker as an undertable sound system and enjoy multiple locomotive sounds. This requires no additional hardware other than a speaker and will get you up and running in no time!"
Bob: I'm not seeing 3rd generation diesel sounds for SD70 / SD90 / MAC's etc. on any of the DSX sound decoders. Maybe I missed it somehow. The Tsunami sound decoders are offering 3rd generation diesel sounds. I have no complaints with using the newer Tsunami sound decoder; since it also offers improved 16 bit sound. I think it will only require one sound decoder to accomplish what I am setting out to do. Thanks so much for all your help. Jerry
Jerry: The Soundtraxx DSX sound only decoders were discontinued before the third generation diesels were released. You can wire a Tsunami decoder to the Radio Shack car speaker for sound only. Red and black to track power and purple to the speaker. You then can consist the decoder to any locomotive and the decoder will react to changes in the throttle like a locomotive. A Radio Shack four inch car speaker is in the $10.00 range. You can build a enclosure for it and mount it under the bench work. It has enough sound to fill your train room easily.
Sean: Thanks for this additional info. Soundtraxx has all the bases covered.:thumbs_up: For the most part I will only be running one train through the layout at a time. I think one Tsunami sound decoder could take care of that. Running two trains would only require one additional sound decoder output to the same speaker system. On the other hand SurroundTraxx with the added feature of playing multiple sounds at once; which BTW can include non train sounds would be a nice plus. Just a few more $'s; but not as much as with transponding etc. Jerry
Thanks for the consisting technique Bob! That is the answer I was looking for.:thumbs_up: I already own a 2.1 speaker system that was bought for a computer that has high quality sound. I believe this will more than satisfy my desire for train sounds at a very reasonable cost. Jerry
Completion of stationary sound decoder box As discussed previously I wanted true 16 bit sound for my N scale layout and was not satisfied with onboard sound decoders and did not want to spend a fortune to get it. Thanks to Bob (PowerSteamGuy) with his thought to consist a stationary sound decoder to a given operating loco, I can now have synchronized sound effects while operating a train. Decoder – I’m using a HO Soundtraxx Tsunami GN 1000 (You could also use a Soundtraxx Tsunami 1000). I chose this model for size and convenience of mounting to the box chassis. The 6” x 6” x 4” box has room for two decoders. I intend to have both generation II and generation III sounds since I am modeling late 90’s to current day era. Components, wiring and logic - There are two jacks, one for the main and one for program. A switch allows you to select either one or set to off (center position). From there it is protected with a 1 amp fast blow fuse on both Rail A and Rail B sides. At this point if there is power on the tracks the green LED light will come on. Each decoder is wired to a switch so that one or the other or both can be selected. This allows for independent programming in program mode. Each decoder is mounted on barrier strips for easy insertion / removal. An independently powered fan has been provided for cooling. Output to a 2.1 sound system (or sound system of your choice) is provided using a 1/8th inch stereo jack. Results - I’m running this through a decent quality under layout 2.1 powered speaker system. The sound is fantastic! The effect while running is awesome! I keep the volume low so that is does not dominate the operating experience and does not become annoying. I also do not use the sound option every time I operate. It is just there when I want it. This may not be for everyone. It does seem to work well in a bedroom sized environment or smaller. I would not recommend this for large layouts unless it was to be used in a specific location such as a yard or industry. Here are some photos of the project. Jerry
