I’m wanting to get into the dcc scene, but after doing a few days of research here and elsewhere, I have some questions/want to make sure I understand things correctly.
I was under the assumption that loco decoders came with both control and loco sound functions already.
But it appears to have loco sounds, one needs a seperate sound decoder. Is this correct ? All I’m interested in sound-wise are the basics; engine, horn, bell, i.e. Not interested in city, country, etc. “background” sounds at the present.
N scale presently does not have good sound (per above) decoders. Correct ?
Some dcc systems will play the sound on your decoder some won’t. I.e. I read an earlier MRC Prodigy system wouldn’t play sounds even if you had a sound decoder on your loco ? Correct ?
In a nutshell, all I’m interested in is the sounds I listed above. The basics. But even for that, it appears I need two decoders per loco, one for control, one for sound ?
Soundtraxx Tsunami, Digitrax sound, and and ESU Loksound all are sound and motor decoders in one unit. QSI is also an all in one decoder but not available as a standalone unit to install yourself. But Broadway Limited, Atlas, and Proto2000 locos come with QSI decoders. Precision Craft Models sells HO locos with the Loksound decoder already installed.
ESU has the Loksound Micro which can fit in many N scale locos. Quality sounds and you can edit them yourself with their programmer. Precision Craft Models is selling N scale locos with this decoder already installed.
The only ‘incompatibility’ would be an older DCC system that doesn’t give you the option to use much more than the first 3 or 4 functions. Even then this is enough to blow the whistle and turnt he bell on and off, plus the ‘default’ sounds that operate without functions keys, like motor sounds, airpumps, etc.
99% percent of SOUND decoders control both sound AND motor functionality. The expection is DSX (By soundtrax), but that chip is obsolete. If you want to install sound into a current loco (you must be more specific on your locomotive type as sound decoders are very specific) then that decoder WILL control your sounds and your motor.
Sound for N scale is still a pipe dream and probably never take off as a decoder-in-every-locomotive product. This is true because you cannot have a speaker of any SIZE in N scale. There was a product on the books called Surroundtraxx…google it.
All DCC systems will play sounds…its just ‘how many’. All DCC systems have F-buttons or Funtion buttons. F-buttons control your sounds (except chuff and engine noise as these are automatic). Some have more, some have less…best to research before buying.
Again…you only need ONE decoder for Motor and Sound in your loco…if you would have asked the question 3 years ago…then YES you would need 2 decoders.
I think Digitrax sound FX units are a two part unit. A sound decoder and a seperate decoder for lights and motor.
Also , most current sound decoders give you much more than horn bell whistle. With the growing number of sound functions there are NMRA standards for up to 28 functions.
1). Most decoders are motion and lights only. They have no sounds. Decoders like Digitrax’ DH123 and DH163 have no ability to broadcast sound. If you purchased a sound equipped decoder, you could use the DH163 decoder to control the drive while the sound decoder operated the sounds, but that’s about it.
2). N scale’s main limitation is like HO’s sound limitation…size of speakers. Most of us associate trains with a lot of bass…the rumble of the trains, the roar of the diesel or chuff of the pistons. And to get decent bass, you need a bigger speaker. That is not really an option for onboard sound in N or HO. However, treble reproduction works quite well with a small speaker. As a result, most people think that on board sound is “tinny” and too high sounding…but that’s the limitation with physics and sound reproduction.
3). The main limitation with systems is the number of functions available. Older systems only had 9 functions (F0 - F9) or less…while new systems go up to F12 or even F20. Sound decoder manufacturers so far have created enough sounds up to F12 in several cases…none yet have gone for F20 that I know of. Some systems require an upgrade to the “brain” in order to handle more functions (NCE, Lenz), while others require a throttle with the ability to use these functions (Digitrax).
By the way, judging by your handle, are you NALC? My father put in 30 years…and boy is he glad he retired! LOL
Thanks for the excellent, detailed info. guys. And Paul3, yep, proud member of the NALC, and I too can’t wait until I retire, (ten years left), but then, who doesn’t
I don’t have any serious complaints though; been lucky to work in good offices.
