Hello. I just have a basic Life-Like proto 1000 set that I added a Athearn GP-38 and some more track and frieght cars too. I would like to know how I could add engine sounds to it. I was thinking of the Ramtrack kits. Or maybe the MRC sound box. Any suggestions? Don’t want to go the DCC route. Since its just something simple. Thanks.
The MRC box works pretty well. You could also install dual mode sound decoders. These would work on DC or DCC although you cannot accsess most of the sounds with DC. This route would be more expensive and your engines would take a lot more voltage to run, but the sound would be more realistic.
I think overall the best option for your situation is the MRC box.
Good luck!
Ok thanks. The MRC soundbox sounds like a good way to go.
I have a MRC 312 and it was a good start. The main thing is the engine sounds are at the same speed reguades of what the train is running. But for $50.00 with shipping off E-bay it was not bad. Then there is the MRC 210, this unit you can adjust the speed of the sound plus it has a board mounted speaker and a car mounted speaker so the sounds moves with the train. Down side is they are no longer made and 95% of them on E-bay the car that holds the speaker are missing. You don’t have to have the car but that is what sort of the appel.
Main reason I have never went to DCC is the sound quality is, well suck’s. I am pick about sound, must sound full and rich. Whaat I have done is grapped some sound’s of U-Tube and recored them on tape. My computer is hooked to a well above avarage stereo system. I recored the sound track’s on tape and play them while the trains are hauling freight.
Here are a few of the best sounding links.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QURWYEj4lgo&NR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C__MJk9PPI&mode=related&search=
Plus pretty cool video as well. Crank up the system, give the sub wolfer a little extra punch and the desk rattels like the engine is passing me.
Cuda Ken
Take a hard look at the MRC Synchro Sound units. At $50, it wired between your DC throttle and the track, and the prime mover samples ramp up in increments related to an eight notch throttle.
Mobile sound for DC hasn’t hit prime time yet, unless you buy all factory sound equipped locomotives. Aftermarket DC decoders are not, to my knowlege, available yet, but watch QSI, they claim they are working on them.
If the small speakers supplied with the MRC Synchros aren’t powerful enough for you, consider wiring them into a PC based sound system, rather than a home stereo. The faster you bring a PC into the audio chain, the sooner you get access to a wide variety of sound effects and controls. Advanced EQ, the ability to import and trigger your own samples, 5.1 and 7.1 speaker arrays, CD or DVD based ambient background sounds, the ability to mix multiple sound sources, etc.
Cudaken,
Good news for you is that Soundtraxx’s next step is the “Surroundtraxx” system that is slated to give plenty of low thumping “ooommmph!” for layouts. Used in conjunction with DCC sound decoders, the system allows the sounds to follow locomotives with strategically placed speakers around the layout. Hopefully Soundtraxx will soon have their personnel problems ironed out.
It will be nice to really hear the low bass “chugs” of a GE U-Boat’s prime mover or the deep low humming throb produced by a 20 cylinder SD45 throttling up.
May still be 3 or 4 years away, but it’s coming.
Almost all aftermarket sound decoders are dual mode. Of course you cannot fully utilize the sounds, but they do run on analog. The thing QSI has going for it is the commander that allows you to use all sounds on DC, and when their aftermarket decoders do come out this will be a nice feature. If not for that though there are better decoders. Loksound and Tsunami are close to that price range (Loksound is more expensive and Tsunami is cheaper) and both are superior decoders.
If you were to buy a locomotive equipped with QSI from the factory it would work out very nicely with the commander. Just depends how much you are willing to spend.
Another choice is the old ('80’s I believe) Circuitron system, which occassionally show up on the auction site.
I was looking at the MRC site and they had a Diesel sound module with wireless controller and just one with out the controller. But there is no descripion of them. They are brand new. But not sure if its DCC or DC. Has anyone used the Ram products with the sound? Its like a speaker and a board that you put into the rail car.