I know that most of us have never heard all the new decoders but based upon hype, technical reports, hearsay from dealers, etc. How would you rate the new incoming sound chips as to quality of sound and locomotive performance? What makes them good, bad, or ugly? I guess I’m looking for a ranking–what is better than what.
Tsunami
MTH
MDC Brilliance
Digitrax
and the relationship to the old chips
QSI
SoundTrax
MDC
Some of these aren’t even on the market yet, so it’s impossible to compare them with others. Only someone who performs installations of sound systems would be able to offer a comparison.
Chip,
I’m sure you are aware that TTE has done reviews of most of the above and has them posted on their web site. I assume you are trying to get some firsthand input for the folks here vs. reading a review in a magazine or on the Internet?
Tom
I know. But people have already formed opinions about what they expect. I’m curious about that.
For instance, the new Digitrax due out next month is price pointed at the price the current SoundTrax decoders are at blowout discount. I suspect that this new chip will out perform the last generation Digitrax, but that is just my opinion.
So on my scale above I would rate the Digitrax above the old Soundtrax. I base that on the reports of the seperate light decoders and the fact you can upload pre-recorded sounds to customize your loco.
Chip, I know everyone would LIKE to be on the cutting edge of RR modeling and have sound in each and every loco, but the sound is just not worth the cost…my opinion. All the model RR I’ve been associatedwith has been ‘silent’ for many a year, except when MRC came out with their ‘Sound Station’. That provided great background sound for most every layout. It was the best.
Now, however, when we have eight or nine sound trains running in our small enclosed clubhouse basement space, it can get down right unbearable after about 10 to 15 minutes. Sound is cool, a bit pricey, and a neat thing, but small doses go a lo-o-o-o-n-n-n-n-g way…if you ask me. My [2c]
John,
You’re right about small doses going a lonnnnng way.
I’m sure you’ve heard this…the trick to operating sound on a layout is to keep the volumes turned down “l-o-w” and it won’t be annoying. It’s like adding spices to a meal; just a small amount does wonders.
Saw this at a club layout with several sound equipped units running. The effect was so nice! Conveyed the perception of distance.
There is a lot of hype about the quality of the sound devices available. Most of it seems pretty good. My complaint is the lack of good quality DC soundboards and the prices are out of sight. Jeff
You can program the muting level of the sound to suit your mood, ear, whim, annoyance level, room acoustics, whatever. When I get tired of hearing my Hudson chuff, I mute it, or even park it with the double-tap on key #9.
By Hudson, I’m assuming you mean BLI so forgive if I’m wrong… What does the double tap on #9 do??
Jeff
Same with my E7’s. In DCC double doubletap on f6 is startup sounds, and on f9 is shutdown sounds. With the diesels the first and last sound is the cab door. In between is the various switches, cycling of the shutters, and individual diesel (there were 2 per unit) I love sopund and usually run around 40-50% volume depending on the size of the space I am running in.
you left out ESU’s Loksound
http://www.loksound.de/en/index.php?showId=2
currently most sounds are for european prototypes but all the sounds are downloadable to the decoder and new sounds are being added all the time . a salesman at my LHS was very enthusiastic about this brand , especially since soundtraxx has been very hard for them to get (soundstraxx is horribly slow dealing with canadians , i had the decoder for the bachmann ho shay on order for 3 months before i cancelled it and ordered one at the new discounted price from a US supplier . it was shipped last week , i’m waiting anxiously!) the thing i didn’t like about the Loksound was the price , $199 for the decoder and another $199 for the programmer to download sounds (all prices canadian dollars)
John, I think you’re right to a point. If someone has no more than five locos (myself for example), then it might not be too cost prohibitive. I like sound. Since I have a small layout, I can hear the locomotives anywhere.
Thanks for your response. I would like to point out that my questions was not about whether or not you like sound. I happen to like sound.
{i]The question was based upon what you have heard, what is you impression of the new sound chips coming out and how do you rank them as to quality.[/i]
As of yet, no one had addressed the question.
Maybe the question is moot, as you say, Chip? You’re asking us for conjecture, but those who have responded may be reluctant to take a stance in the event they are ultimately proven wrong.
However, to play the game, whichever decoder has the downloadable sounds (I have forgotten) sounds like the way I’d prefer to go. The MRC Brilliance sounds promising, as does the Tsunami. If hype were all I had to go on, it would be the latter.
rolleiman, for steamers (the only time I use that function), double-tapping key #9 “parks” the loco into a shut-down mode. First double-tap is first stage, and loco can’t be moved. Second double-tap, loco only emits basic hiss, third double-tap renders the loco in listening mode only…will emit no sounds, won’t move. When you want to bring it back to life, press key #6. And, yes, it is the QSI-equipped BLI Hudson.
Jeff
Throught I might ring in on this subject,I’am looking for DC sound unites for my steam Loco’sI Have DCC but will not use it tell I get decoders for all my LOCOMOTIVES(15) of them and that is an lot of money.I have two at the present.any way sound for DC would be nice And I hope someday the price will come down.
[^][:)]JIM
Well that would probably explain why mine sometimes goes dead… Received it as part of a lot of steamers I bought from ebay, no instructions, no boxes but one of them is BLI (the hudson). Anyway, While playing with the BLI, tapping buttons on the DT400 to see what happens, it goes dead… I’m glad to know it’s supposed to do that… Thanks for the description… It’s probably in the manual I downloaded but haven’t had time to scan the 100+ pages of it.
Jeff
[8D]
I still think MRC SUCKS. Before I get beat on here…you DID ask…and it IS my opinion.