http://www.tonystrains.com/tonystips/2005/070605.htm
no info on digitrax’s site yet , and of course they’re for diesels [V] , hopefully we’ll see some steam soon
prices are very reasonable , looks like they’re going to do exact plug and play
[wow] Digitrax sound!! That should be so cool! I can not wait for more info. and maybe a sound clip!! [:D]
That’s interesting, but what is the purpose of the separate 4-function lighting decoder? Does that mean the sound decoder does NOT support lighting? Or does it have only limited lighting outputs, so you’ll only need it to support ditch lights or strobes?
Also, the idea of downloadable sound is really good news. Take heart, steamies! If that means what I think it does, you will be able to replace the diesel audio provided with the chip with audio files of your choice. My guess is, this will require a computer interface, but only for the initial download. Really good news for traction fans, who so far have been left out of this sound thing.
This release date is very good timing by Digitrax.
I wonder how it will compete against the Tsunami’s advances features.
What this means is that you can mount the lights only decoder in the loco body shell with all the bulb wires going to that and have only two wires running to the power/sound decoder instead of a dozen lengthy wires crammed into the body space and running the risk of getting tangled with drive mechanisms. CPPedler
It seems like $25 is a lot to spend for wire management, although I just started installing My First Decoder last night, so I’m not exactly what I’d call an expert on these things.
I still want to know how you update the sounds so that it’s accurate for the model you have installed it in. This ephemeral “you download them like ringtones” isn’t very satisfying unless the decoder comes with a USB plug as well.
If the lighting module is seperate, I wonder if it could be used by itself in places like passenger cars, buildings, etc.???
Allen
Maybe I’m over enthusiastic, but the thought of being able to upload the sounds of the Leslie SL4T horn (exclusive to Amtrak SDP40fs), the Canadian K5H, the American K5H, the RS5T, the Hancock air horn,and other popular horns…is exhilarating.
I’d guess that’s the idea - would be ideal for cab cars, etc assuming it can be configured to give directional lighting and a seperate output for interior lights. Lenz offer something similar - planning to fit one to a Rowa cab car I have sitting around here, ideally using current-conducting couplers so that I can have pickups on two cars feeding the decoder and control two sets of interior lights from one decoder. The problems are with finding the couplers and another matching coach!
Thanks for the heads up! The downloadable sound idea is fantastic. Retailers can reduce the amount of stock they would have to keep on hand and us modelers will have the ability to reprogram the sound (I think) so that we can use the decoder in a new model should our interests change (ie: new prototype with a different horn or even Alco to EMD).
What really blows me away is the price! A decoder, sound and speaker for less than $50.00 when one buys four? WOW!
yeah i was so excited by the news i didn’t really even think about the price . this is going to seriously hurt tsunami sales , even mrc’s low price units , assuming the sound is good (and i think that coming from digitrax it will be)
Not necessarily. Tsunami’s have a very large sound bank for multiple engines and are programmed to change the chuff sound based on the laboring on the engine. (Sounds different going up hill over downhill.)
Dynamic remodulation of chuffing from uploaded sound files will never be as good as something that is prerendered and adjusted at a lab for feedback. Europe has had uploadable sound files for a while and the sound has been regarding as inferior.
Then there’s the 1024 step back emf in the Tsunami.
Question is, is it worth the extra $80 or so? Despite me personally giving them such a hard time for the extremely late release of the Tsunami, I personally think they are still worth it. The quality of the previous sound traxx decoders (minus the annoying buzz) has been excellent. And the support at Throttle-up!/Soundtraxx is also excellent.
DigitalGriffin makes a good point. But will modellers choose to pay the extra $80? I think many will not. Soundtraxx seem to be heading for the top end niche of the market. Personally I will probably buy one or two Tsunami for “showcase” locos but no more.
I’ve never understood why the LocSound stuff didn’t catch on in the US. Maybe now Digitrax are making it “respectable” they will sell more, or alternatively maybe now they have no chance with Digitrax in the game. I think the potential is huge: traction, doodlebugs, overseas modellers… I must get down to my local steam museum to get some soundbites of the mighty NZR KA, and the humble Fiat railcar.
…and I wonder what this means for Soundtraxx and Digitrax co-operating on the Surroundtraxx project now they are competing.
Good question which I’m sure will be debated back and forth here shortly. While much depends on the quality of sound, catalog of sounds available, technical support etc. having another option - not just by manufacturer but by price point - can’t be a bad thing.
Hopefully both the Digitrax and Soundtrax units will find their own niches in the market place and both will do well.
The Loksound system you referred to was toy like installed in the Trix 4015. It was the Loksound 2 version and does not allow you to blow the whistle as you want, and the injector or bell has to shut down before the whistle starts to blow. Loksound 3 solves this problem and they have added aticulated chuffing, which the 4015 did not have.
They might do better in the future, considering PCM is going to use Loksound 3, but a lot of us that purchased the Loksound 2 equipped 4015 had to change out the sound to use it on our layouts or clubs and that is not cost efective.
BLI’s new additional company, PCM will be using Loksound 3 in all of their new locomotives instead of the QSI. I listed their new web page below. Loksound should do OK if they get their act together for this new product line.
Wow i have to get one of those for my SD38-2. Well maybe i should wait until i have a DCC system. LOL
has video of AJ demonstrating the new sound decoder AND the playablw whistle feature
Very Interesting!