I watch the You Tube site regularly and do a lot of searching. Below is a link to the EM-1 with added sound module.
I bet the other new sound ones will show up pretty soon.
I would take time to search You Tube regularly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kfF3VbQTR8
A lot of steam and smoke would be very nice.
IRich
My impatience caused me to install a Tsunami decoder in one this week. I’m not a big fan of Bachmann decoders, so this killed two birds with one stone. I decided to go with the N&W 1218 hooter which is similar to the EM1 whistle. The one in the you tube vid sounds like a multiple chime whistle.
-Stan
What did you do to install the full featured Tsunami. As I understand this, the loco runs on a non sound decoder and the SoundTraxx sound module, for sound only, plugs into the 21 pin connector mounted on the motor decoder PC board. The non sound motor decoder is a new and better decoder. I figure that somehow the motor decoder has to be disconnected from the motor and lights. I have not seen any details on this yet.
I know others are going to ask about this.
Below is a link with all the features and CV’s, three whistles for this loco as supplied by Bachmann. You will see facts and not opinions.
I have been following the EM-1 threads in the Bachmann forum.
http://www.soundtraxx.com/factory/OEM%20pages/bachmann/bachmann_ho_em-1.pdf
Rich
I also wonder if the motor/lights decoder board is made by SoundTraxx as SoundTraxx this year came out with new non sound decoder to provide better consisting with non sound locos and the features “might” be on the non sound decoder board.
Rich
Rich, I carefully pulled the fasteners on each connection at the decoder and soldered the proper wire with each of the Bachmann wires. since each wire on the locomotive is black with the exception of one red wire, you want to do one at a time so you don’t get mixed up. The bachmann decoder has each wire labeled on the decoder. I was surprised to see the locomotive already had a speaker attached, so I didn’t have to install one myself. It’s a great runner with no issues on our layout except clearances with the opposite mainline on curves, but we have been operating a Rivarossi C&O Allegheny for a couple of years now, and we just had to update our timetable to include the EM1 with the locomotives that must have exclusive clearance on curves.
-Stan
That sounds pretty good. Thanks for the video Rich.
But I’m still getting the Titan Ariculated Steam and dual speakers for mine.
When I get this installed, I’ll post a video of it. Maybe a 2-3 weeks.
Yes, don’t blame you Stan. if that is indeed the Bachman Tsunami drop -in I will wait until one has the right whistle.
Rich:
Maybe it’s just me, but that does NOT sound like articulated ‘chuffing.’ The ‘chuff’ sound on my one and only sound articulated (BLI AC-5) sounds about twice as fast, even crawling.
whoops–take it back–when the film goes into color, then I get the articulated chuff. Wonder what was going on in the first part?
Tom
Yep’ I to am disappointed that the sound module didn’t come with the N&W 1218 hooter which is standard on the TSU 1000…,three whistles and they all sound like crap
I have heard horns that do not sound correct or maybe because we are trying to reproduce this with HO size stuff.
I believe the EM-1 had a steam whistle.
By the way, please tell us what Crap sounds like?
Rich
The on board non sound decoder for the loco has the SoundTraxx technology as the sound module has the Tsunami technology. I believe the sound module also has the equalizer CV’s but do not have the loco so no idea on how the sounds can be modified.
Some are installing the TSU1000 heavy steam. Since the sound module comes from SoundTraxx, I have to assume Bachmann told SoundTraxx what to put in for sound.
I have been seeing SoundTraxx technology, instead of Tsunami decoder. I am seeing Bachmann sound value also.
Bachmann seems to be muddying the water with their sound locos.
If enough locos sell then they will be happy.
Rich
Over all I like the sound, but in person I might feel differently. I did enjoy the whistle, sounds some what like my PCM Big Boy with the 3.5 Loksound Decoder.
Does the EM-1 come with just one speaker? Does it have a speaker cabinet? If the factory board is removed do you folks think there is room for a set up like this?
If I add a decoder, I would want the Loksound one.
Ken
Go look at the Bachmann site and look in the HO forum.
There are a couple of photos of the inside of the tender with one speaker in the center and weights on either end of the tender. The motor PC board is above the speaker and weights with a 21 pin connector on the PC board ready for the sound module.
I downloaded the photos for myself but I will not post them here.
A picture is worth a thousand words so don’t just take my words on this.
Some here really ought to venture out.
This site is excellent and I mention it in other forums lot but there is a lot more info off site that never gets here.
Rich
Rich, do you have a link you could share?
Photo I showed is a PCM Big Boy with there 8 pin decoder. My PCM runs a 21 pin decoder. Hum, wonder if there is any chances of just plugging in a Loksound 3.5 sound decoder and over riding the factory decoder? No way it could be that easy and I have to change the speaker anyway.
Ken
Regarding the motor-lights decoder, if you turn it over, you’ll see the Soundtraxx name on it. I was told by George at ST that when the sound module is installed, you have the equivalent of a Tsunami decoder. However, knowing Bachmann has in the past contracted with ST for cheaper, crippled versions of Tsunamis, I’m sure this combo is also crippled; it makes more sense to spend another $20 for a Tsunami Heavy Steam and replace what’s in there with it if you like Tsunamis best. I took out the ST board the first day I had the loco and put in a Titan because I like its articulated sound better. It has more than 30 whistles and horns to choose from, including two hooters. Anyone wishing to try my Titan settings for Regulated Throttle Control email me. Hal
O.K lets just say pathetic sounding,and yes i do to take into account speaker quality and size, but give a listen to the default whistle.
I’ll be using the B&O three chime soon as we sort out the reason we are unable to access the sound modules files… we are using Decoder Pro 3 with PTB-100 booster
OK, I decided to get the plug and play sound for the Bachmann decoder, and it was a mistake. They only offer 3 whistles, one of which is a B&O 3 chime, but the EM-1s didn’t have a B&O 3 chime but a single chime Nathan hooter instead. And the other 2 whistles offered are multi chimed as well, and I don’t recognize them. Here is a real B&O 3 chime:
and here is a Nathan hooter off a B&O EM-1:
The sound is distinct. You can hear the real whistle on Herron Rails B&O video featuring the films and sound from Don Krofta. When you hear it, you can hardly tell the difference from the N&W 1218 whistle. My advice to anyone who wants prototypical sound is to buy the Tsunami large steam decoder and install it. I will be swapping decoders tomorrow. I think I might install the Bachmann/Soundtraxx decoder in a Rivarossi C&O 2-6-6-6.
-Stan
Is is a compound or simple articulated? Compounds would only have one set of chuffs, simples have 2 sets. Some compounds could be started in simple mode for more starting TE, sounds like this was backwards.
–Randy
The EM1s are simple articulated locos with two stacks that make the two sets of chuffs depending on where the drivers are positioned. The two sets of drivers are independent of each other, and a little slippage or stall in one set can change the cadence coming out of the stack[s]. Revelation Video had a shot of one EM-1 with the front drivers slipping, and another shot of the rear drivers slipping on one of their B&O videos, unfortunately they didn’t have the sound to go with it. It must have sounded amazing though.
-Stan
Speaking of the QSI Titan decoder i assume this is a motor/sound decoder,you mentioned you preferred the articulated sound over the Tsunami, Ion checking their website found no sound sample have you by chance made a video of your completed installation we could can watch?
While i did install the sound module I’m not overly crazy about it and am thinking of changing to the titan.
Thanks.