I just installed my fist Loksound decoder in an HO United brass shay because it was the only decoder I could find that would fit and I am very frustrated with it. I have always used Tsunami decoders before and I find the ESU interface through JRMI DecoderPro is horrible.
First, there does not appear to be a way to set a three-cylinder chug for the ESU as there is on the Tsunami. Then there is no apparent way to disable the rod clank, which is not applicable to a shay. I can find no way to adjust the volume of things like the steam hiss or the reversing gear sounds (I do understand the concept of the random sounds).
Lastly, and most frustratingly, I have tried multiple times to assign the momentum off to one of the function keys to match the setup on my Tsunamis. Every time I do, I lose the chuff sounds entirely and have to reset the decoder and start from scratch to get them back. I hate the incredibly complicated function assignments that ESU uses.
Perhaps some of you old hands with ESU can give me some pointers? I refuse to pay the $140 for the Lokpogrammer, btw, because I don’t intend to install any more the their decoders.
The interface devised by the JMRI programmers is absolutely horrible, but it’s the best they could come up with. Loksound decoders are infinitely configurable as to what button and/or even triggers which sound slot and/or which function output wire. Add that together and there are thousands of combinations. Your best bet may be to find someone with a Lokprogrammer, the interface through the Lokprogrammer software is infinitely easier than JMRI. You’re probably swapping the sound slot as well as the F key assignment.
Even more important - what sound set did you get with your decoder? Unlike Tsunamis, all Loksounds are exactly the same decoder. A Lokprogrammer can load sound sets, and most of the major dealers will install your choice when you purchase the decoder so you don’t need a Lokprogrammer. The Shay sound set is a completely different project than any of the other steam sound sets. That you have rod clank makes me think you have one of the standard piston steam loco sound sets in your decoder.
I have the 73815. And it is the same as they feature on the website. If you listen to the shay example, it plays rod clank. Plus it’s clearly a two-cylinder chuff pattern. ESU may be a great product, but apparently they have never heard a shay. I suppose one day JMRI will catch up with it. Meantime, it’s way too complicated and ridiculous that you have to pay $140 for the programmer to make it work properly. Better yet, maybe Tsunami will come out with a micro decorder.
Further to Randy’s suggestion that you might have the wrong sound profile loaded onto your decoder, the correct sound file for the Shay is #73415. For starters, I would verify that you have that sound file. Your dealer should be able to tell you that, and switch it if necessary.
As far as programming the Loksound Selects, I don’t bother with JMRI. I just use my Power Cab and I have found it to be pretty straight forward. The on line manual can be a bit daunting at first because there is so much information but ultimately it starts to make sense. FWIW, I have the Lokprogrammer but I haven’t found the need to use it.
If you don’t want to do the programming ‘manually’ then I believe you could send the locomotive to someone like Litchfield Station and have them program it for you to your specifications. It can’t hurt to give them a call.
I’m sorry to hear that you are so disappointed with the Loksound decoder. I use them exclusively now, and as funds permit I will be replacing all of my non-Loksound decoders with Selects. I fully understand your desire to have the Loksound decoder function exactly the way your Tsunamis do. I want to go exclusively with Loksound for precisely the same reason. It is very frustrating trying to remember which decoder does what with which command. I do know that the Loksound decoders were one of the last to be supported in JMRI so somehow I’m not suprised that there are problems.
I’d almost have to agree that it doesn’t sound like you have the correct sound file loaded in your decoder. Loksound files are VERY specific to each engine. If you’re not getting the proper three cylinder sound and you do have side rod clank, then you definitely don’t have a Shay file in your decoder.
Is the #73415. I don’t hear any rod clank in the sample file, It does seem to be only a 2 cylinder. Perhaps if there is enough interest, Matt & crew can visit Cass and get some new Shay recordings. Most all of the Loksound diesel sounds are new recordings from the past year or so.
I will say I paid a whole lot less than $140 for my Lokprogrammer. And it’s entirely orth it because ALL of my sound decoders are Loksound. There are many advantages. I only have 2 steam locos (and a third waiting decoder) because of the era I model, the existing two actually have older Loksound 3.5 decoders and I’ve used the sound uploading capability to replace the auxiluary sounds with ones recorded off the actual locomotive back in 1976. The Select decoders in my F units and Baldwin switchers are older versions, before they added the new “Full Throttle” effects (similar to what Soundtraxx has in the Tsunami 2) but with my Lokprogrammer it’s only a matter of a few minutes to update them all, no taking off the shell, no new decoder to buy. The Baldwins also get the benefit of very new recordings made at SMS Rail Services, where they still have several original Baldwin switchers in regular service. No synthesized junk or trying to clean up 60 year old worn out LP recordings. They have done some new steam recordings as well, and are always adding more. Steam is of course a bit more limited as to what is actually running on various tourist lines and so forth. Close is always going to have to be good enough unless you actually model one of those locos, no matter whose decoder you use.
I have to agree with you here, I’m not interested in buying a programmer so I can upgrade for the future. I have never felt this need for once I have installed a decoder.
I have a United Brass two truck HO that I pulled the Loksound out of and put in the TSU2, the decoder and the Sountraxx cube speaker fit in the tender, and the TCS keep alive was painted black and is sitting on top of my motor, (Canon) and is running diagonal from on corner of the cab to the other.
Much happier with the Tsunami 2, and tweaks to the CV’s make it run as good as the Lok.
I put the Loksound in a Bachmann Shay that I don’t use much since I started running the United brass. Will most likely Ebay it off.
I do prefer the Loksound Shay whistles over the Tsunami 2, but not enough to keep me with ESU.
I live in the middle of nowhere, so taking it to my dealer is a no go. I have no intention of uninstalling it to send it to Litchfield (though I love them and buy a lot of stuff from them). I really just needed to blow off some steam (pun intended) after having to reprogram the thing three times for something as seemingly simple as overriding the momentum settings. Thanks for all the replies. Until Soundtraxx comes out with something smaller I’ll just hope none of my visitors knows what a shay sounds like.
I don’t think that’s rod clank, that’s the valve gear reversing. The chuffs stop completely, the the slight noise, then the chuffs start up again. I doubt any of those recordings are made up or synthesized, rather recorded from a real loco. It’s certainly not the rod clank of a standard steam loco playing there. A Shay isn’t going to coast silently, even if it is mechanical noise and not the valve gear - there’s still the gears and the u joints and the valve rods and all moving and making noise even at reduced throttle going downgrade. If anything, maybe it should make MORE noise when coasting that what they have in there. Depeneds on the perspective - on board the loco, or standing alongside as it goes past. From the ground suits the typical model railroad use, which is why when they record locos (at least a decent recording) will have multiple microphones all over. Cab sounds would be easy, stand in the cab with a recorder and ride the loco.