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 Posted - December 28 2007 : 5:41:24 PM
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Hey Guys:
Out of curiosity, how many are using sound on their layouts? I mean both background sound, and locomotive sound. With DCC or just DC.
Thanks,
Gareth
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midmo1
Little Six
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Posted - December 29 2007 : 10:27:17 AM
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Mornin'
I use railroadradio.net whenever I'm home...if I'm workin on trains or the layout...I've got the scanner goin....I'm addicted to it...better than listnin' to the wife ...
ted
Mid-MO
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Posted - December 30 2007 : 09:30:12 AM
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Gareth
I waited to respond to your question to see what the forums members would chime in with.
Teds use of railroadradio.net is a great approach to sound for background effect.
On our HO layout the only sound equipped loco is a Broadway Limited GG1 and that does not see much use because the "be careful with that one factor".
I grew up along a short line RR here in NJ and the switch stand for one of the RRs customers was literally in my Grandmothers backyard so as a youngster I got to see and hear some great train movements.
Theres nothing like the sound of a couple of EMD switchers spooling up
just prior to making a pull !
This of course was not a availible option down in the basement back in the late 60s and early 70s...the only sound then was the annoying buzz of a Lionel E unit.
When QSI started putting there sound units as a option in MTH Trains
in the 90s I was hooked and then I got to create the sounds I heard earlier in my youth.
So the short answer is "yes I do use sound" but mine is on a DCS controlled O gauge layout.
Bob Taylor
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ptgolf
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Posted - December 30 2007 : 7:52:41 PM
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| Just purchased a Broadway Limited Blueline Loco with the DCMaster controller and it is really nice.
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Posted - December 30 2007 : 11:10:34 PM
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I have a handful of sound equipped locos:
- PCM Chessie T-1
- P2K Chessie GP9
- Atlas Chessie U30C
- Athearn GP40X w/ MRC decoder (installed myself)
I also had a Broadway GG1 for a while on run-through.
Sound equipped locos are great... but they almost overpower a small layout like mine since you hear them constantly. But the scenery on mine does provide for some cool and interesting echo and doppler effects.
Unfortunately, sound equipped locos only somehow emphasized the sad fact that all that rolling stock is silent... to me the RS on a real train is where 90% of the fascination lies. The rhythmic clicking, the random screeches.... the pounding, rattling, and creaking... every car seems to carry on a conversation in its own language.
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Posted - December 30 2007 : 11:20:20 PM
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Hey Guys;
Good point Gic. It's what makes me think that good background CD's are a great idea. So suppose that is in the background and the diesel/steam engine sound competes? You wouldn't notice the RS silence as much. One thing in a yard the "take-up" couple crash is foundational. Wonder how that could be mimiced? Supppose there was a sound box car, that caried a RS sound chip powered by metal wheels and wheel wipers... not all and every specific sound but a speed sensitive clickity-clack and motion sensitive coupler-nuckle bangs!?
Thoughts?
-G
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Posted - December 30 2007 : 11:32:54 PM
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I've toyed with thoughts about RS sounds in my head, how to come up with a system, if it's even feasible.
Unfortunately, I keep coming back to the fact that if you think adding decoders to engines is an expensive PITA.... forget about individual cars!
But what I think of is that for the most part, people tend to view a layout from a few certain points of interest. So it might be cheaper to install a sound decoder in just those locations...
You would tag each car with some sort of key, to make the decoder generate the corresponding sound(s) as it passed over.
I imagine ACI tags on the bottom of cars. As they pass over a sensor in the track, the sounds are played.
At the most basic level you have the click-clack on every car. You can add tags for bad/loud bearings, empty hoppers and racks (they squeak a lot), high-speed bearings, etc.
Program the decoder to throw some random sound events in, and you'd have something inexpensive and authentic.
Unfortunately I don't have the expertise to pursue developing a such a system, or patenting the idea....
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Posted - December 30 2007 : 11:45:02 PM
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Hey GIC:
Kinda like magnets under the track for uncoupling. If the sensors are connected to a computer under the layout, soundcard wired to speakers in places on the LO, hmmmmm.........
I know a guy who a who's a recording engineer and works in electronics/computers for Bell Canada. Wonder what George would say!?
-G
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midmo1
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Posted - December 31 2007 : 08:35:57 AM
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Mornin'
That "sound per location" idea is more logical for me...I'm a musician..so I have the luxury of owning a 4 trk tape machine..I can record the sounds I want..live or from other sources...On the same tape..solo or in combinations...Then When I do my mix-down...I can "pan" the sounds...stereo if you will...On my small layout...I could use 2 of those walkman type CD players...run one sound in the left speaker at one locale...another sound in the other...with 2 players..that makes 4 speakers under the layout....4 spots...4 sounds...use powered (computer)speakers so you can adjust the volume
Ted
Mid-MO
Edited by - midmo1 on December 31 2007 08:53:19 AM
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Posted - January 01 2008 : 2:48:20 PM
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I listen to that Railroad Radio. I've downloaded a bunch of train sound wave files off the internet that I play sometimes. About 3-4 of my 15 locos will get sound decoders when I convert them all over to DCC.
The problem I have is I don't know what horn and prime mover sounds go with what locos. Don't know if any sound decoders make clickety clack or wheel squeal sounds.
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