Adding sound to fifteen locomotives
One of the projects that I hope to accomplish in the next 10 or twelve months is to add sound to about fifteen locos in the transition period, that is a mix of steam and first generation diesel. What I have to work with is a number of P2K GP9's, GP7's, SD7's, S1's (or 2's or 3's) a PA, an RS3 from Atlas, 2 or 3 Genesis F3 and F7 AB's, several Spectrum 280's and a Mountain, two Mantua 462's (last edition before they folded, two Genesis 282's and a couple of IHC 260's and 440 as well. None of these are currently have DCC decoders of any sort for consideration.
I realize that Tsunamis are the decoder of choice but they seem a little pricey and excessively complex for my purposes. And loksound and QSI are not up for consideration.
What I think would work is the DSD101LC series from Soundtraxx. It seems to be a broad enough product range to cover my needs but I have found next to nothing about them on my web searches and do not know if they are still in production. So far Soundtraxx has not responded to my email inquiry.
The other alternative that I know of is Digitrax Soundbugs (SFX004) plugged into the DH165 series decoders. This seems a viable option in that the decoders are up to date in terms of features, specific to various locos and offer an interim path of first installing the DCC and adding the sound more gradually. The draw back is that I've got minimal desire to mess with sound files and the one shown of the Digitrax website don't really match my needs.
MRC seems to offer quite of range of product as well including some specific to some of my locos but I have read very little positive about them. As well their track record of bringing DCC product to market is sketchy. I Command 2000 - a dud, the first Prodigy (the one I have with the rotary selection switch) orphaned and made immediately obsolete by the next version.
That's the other thing I'll probably need to keep and use my current Prodigy system for a couple years just to amortize buying it in the first place. So the decoders that I do get need to be compatible with it. As well they should work with the NCE wireless system that I hope to acquire in the future.
Simplicity is a high value to me and I am looking for input.
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Let Mikey taste it.
I understand the need for the Digitrax stuff - that's how I estimated $800 for a working system. At fifteen loco's it definitely would be cost effective to use the Suroundtraxx system. The cross over point is ten or eleven locomotives.
But there are other considerations in deciding between a Surroundtraxx system and "carrier based" (i.e. Tsunami's in individual locos.
1. Which would produce the most convincing sound? It would seem that a richer sound would come from the Surroundtraxx (bigger speakers) but would the layout viewers believe it was coming from the locos and not from under the table?
2. How many sound files does the Surroundtraxx store? Could it store the files for fifty locomotives? Can you add and delete them? A carrier based system stores its own files so there is no upper limit.
3. I currently have an early prodigy system and intend to replace it in a year or two with an NCE wireless. (two reasons: neater looking stuff than Digitrax and more importantly they sell a mininode sytem that looks ideal for signalling and train detection). It seem that so far the Surroundtraxx only works with Digitrax. So in addition to it's cost there is the cost of immediately replacing my current system and with a system not of my first choice.
4. What is the compatibilty of "guest locomotives" with the Surroundtraxx?
5. Lump sum commitment verses nibbling away. Carrier based system is the clear winner here. Far easier to work into my budget - one or two sound installs a month.
Besides at this point in time I prefer to benefit from the wisdom that others have gained through direct experience. Lots of good things said about carrier based sound systems. Are there any Surroundtraxx users out there who are willing to share there experience?
Aran Sendan
Or there's this
Railroad & co have a surround sound add on for their Traincontroller software. This software requires block detection to work but it will not only track your trains without transponders ( for surround sound ) it will automatically run them as well as your signal system and route control too.
here's a link http://www.freiwald.com/pages/sound.htm
cheers Steve
Marc it is Cheaper than buying 15 Sound decoders
$700.00 is a lot less expensive than $2000.00 for 15 engines and for people that have heard the system (I HAVE) it sounds BETTER then all 6 of my K27's that soundtraxx also makes for a one room home railroad as far as muffeled sound How much do you think a 1" or 2" speaker stuffed in a tender compaired to 8 - 6"X9" full range speakers will be muffeled.
Dan
Rio Grande Dan