DP VS CKT-SQUEAL, sound files
Dear Trevor,
- if comparing "apples to apples",
the DP LITE from Pricom
http://www.pricom.com/Trains/DreamPlayerLITE.shtml
is price-comparable to the ISE CKT-SQUEAL
http://www.iascaled.com/store/CKT-SQUEAL
The DP LITE brings to the table
- true Stereo playback
(can be used to get "2 point-sources from a single player", or "imaging" between the two signals)
- a proper Audio spec D/A converter
The CKT-SQUEAL
- is only MONO in file format and output,
- and does not AFAIK use a dedicated Audio-spec D/A stage,
but DOES add the ability to run "Start/Loop/End" filesets which can adapt to any trigger duration,
and maintains 4 discrete "trigger inputs"/triggerably effects
(to get this you'd need to step up to the DP MK2).
As price is a wash,
and you are (unfortunately * ) appearing to gravitate towards conceptualising
in the "one sound = one player = one speaker" headspace,
( * this is a common approach by many modellers, it appears logical,
but almost always results in spending more $$$ than is necessary accross a layout,
and typically provides in an impaired end-result)
Then the race between the DP LITE and the CKT-SQUEAL in this application is actually a helluva lot closer than it might appear. The DP wins on sonic-specs and the ability to "stereo image" the sound.
The CKT-SQUEAL wins if "variable duration" playback is critical.
NOTE! To allow "variable duration playback" will require The End User to create a suitable "loopable file set". Simply loading a stock "straight WAV file" will not do the job. As a result, even with the CKT-SQUEAL having this ability, it is the apathy of the typical modeller to get their hands dirty with an Audio Editing App to create said "loopable file set" which renders the function "toothless", and mitigates the CKT-SQUEAL's biggest drawcard.
- RE Sonic sources
There are a few ways to obtain some relevant "flange squeal" sounds.
(Remembering that there is
- the long ultra high-freq "schiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnngggg"
- the lower-freq/slower "grinding" flange squeal
- the wheel/rail skimming "schiing, schsch shiinnng"
- the "ting ting" click and pop of a flange hit
- and the railjoint which can vary from slow low "cLUMP" thru "KA-thump KA-thump" to fast "kadangkdang"
...and maybe the traditional "clickety clack" if you're lucky... )
- if modern-era high-speed running is the desired effect, I'm sure a recorder dropped trackside at Barry S's studio next time you're down for a TrainMasters TV session would work
- For those who don't have that luxury, there are a number of remarkably-clean YT clips featuring cameras/recorders mounted on-car which show fantastic examples of various-speed flange squeals/grinds/railjoint-flatspots/etc. Search "Flange Squeal" or "Rail Joint".
(there's gotta be a "diamond-crossing rave party remix" in there somewhere,,,)
(a bit too much wind noise, but still interesting...)
(bad recording, too much unwanted wind and machinery noise, but some interesting "long grind" sounds).
(They obviously thought that no vision would force sound-hunters to use their ears...
...they were right!)
- For those who crave more "control" over the sound design, creating your own metallic "flange squeal" and "flange hit" effects can be as simple as running the handle of an X-acto knife or other metallic object along a long freestanding steel or (preferrably) aluminium handrail. The resulting "schiiinnnnnng sching shiinng schiiiinnnnngg" sounds can be recorded using a dynamic mic, condensor, video camera, or even a cell-phone with a "dictaphone" app. If you have more than a few seconds to experiment with with, the "creative" possibilities of such a "play it live" situation can be quite intriguing.
- and for those who can't break away from a computer monitor,
a sine-wave in an audio editor,
processed thru a modulated resonant filter,
with dynamic pitch/volume moves
(either manually recorded using a Maschine or similar controller,
or drawn in using the Audio Editor's "Automation" tools)
can get a plausible "synthetic" flange squeal happening in short order.
No matter how you get your sound source, and create the sound file, remember that flange squeals are commonly characterised as "brain splitting high frequency". They can induce migraines in Real Life, and the challenge is to:
- reduce the volume to Scale Sound levels
- maintain enough high frequency response so "we know that's a flange squeal"
- while taming the highs enough to not generate migraines in every operator and layout-viewer
Not exactly easy, but not impossible either...
(As with any Layout Sound mission, the key is to Trust Your Ears!).
I hope this helps...
Happy Modelling,
AIm to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr