Has anyone tried it ? … Opinions ??
If DCC/onboard sound isn’t an option, or if you prefer sound with fuller body, the synchro-diesel unit is a good place to start. If you run it through the speaker they ship with, you may be disappointed, but you can run it through any tape, aux, or line input on a stereo system and make it sound ok.
There’s not a lot of low low bass in the samples used, but you can make some noise with it. The high end isn’t all that either, but pre-amp or graphic EQ controls are enough to whip it into the acceptable zone.
I have the MRC Synchro Sound Diesel but have only briefly tested it by connecting it to my MRC Tech IV 260 without operating a train (the track on my layout is all pulled up while I lay down cork roadbed) . In DC operation (I’ve no plans to use DCC), the diesel engine rumble sound nicely steps up as the voltage is increased (maybe 7 or 8 steps). The other sound samples seem like they are of good quality. Assuming I can get the engine rumble synched with my engines’ movement (I’ve seen some people complain that this is tricky), I think it will nicely compliment the layout’s operation. Given the size of the speaker, I think the sound quality is decent. Right now I’m torn about where to place the speaker; I’m thinking I’ll encase it in a hill in the middle of my layout (it’s a small, rectangle n scale layout, so this would put the sound right in the center) covering the speaker face with some cloth on which I can attach clump foliage to hide it (I don’t know if anyone has tried this so it may end up looking like hell).
ok, i got one for you guys. i have the unit ,and i from what can be heard over the kids ([:D] ) beleive it might be ok to use with my DC layout… Havent figured out the synched yet, but havent really tried either, now for the question ; i wonder if you could spice some other speakers into the wiring for a larger layout ( mine being mounted just under the edge of my pop-up in the center) HO layout that is. Or is this a bad idea, and should just stick with the one?
letsgored that is a good idea i didnt think of, but now you got me thinking about a better placement ( in a tunnel , or side of a building etc ) careefully concealed of course. hum . Thanks for the idea to get my brain started tho.
Still am thinking of going DCC but , i think the cost isnt worth it considering my layout works now without DCC and i’m only going to run a train or two at once. I just want the sounds HAHA if that makes sense?
Thanks again
There’s no reason you can’t use multiple speakers, but you should probably run it through a separate amplifier system to get adequate power and sound.
I’d do that anyway. Better speakers and system means better sound quality. The provided speaker is adequate, though, if you enclose and mount it correctly. But pump it through a good stereo system with good speakers and it’ll make you sit up and notice. [:D]
I personally think it’s nice little unit for someone with a small layout who doesn’t want to go to onboard sound.
Mike Tennent
Thanks Mike, i probably need to enclose the speaker then [:D] i just mounted it under my layout to test it( work in progress) LOL . Might need to figure out how to amplify it and run it through some 15 inch woofers and Bose speakers [:p] sure to knock the wife outta bed and wake the neighbors[:D]
Just kidding …thanks for your advise
Chris
I run the unit through an old cheap stereo currently, and could use a dedicated EQ in the audio chain. The treble and bass controls on low end equipment aren’t enough to tweak the MRC unit’s samples into full range signals. Even a 6 band graphic EQ would help a lot.
I’m currently testing a sound setup which uses the MRC unit for background train sounds, a CD player for background ambient sounds, water, animals, birds, insects, and triggered samples in wave files and MP3’s for train dynamics and ambient sparkle, train bypasses, whistles and bells, animal samples, etc. I’m using an old PC (P3 677) with a lead from the CD headphone out jack, a lead from the soundcard out for the trigered samples, and these feed mixer inputs, along with the output from the MRC unit.
The layering sounds very nice, the concept works well, and the next step is to upgrade the PC’s sound system to 5.1 surround, and pick up a set of powered 5.1 monitor and subwoofer.
Down the road a couple years, it may be much easier to encode (record) 5.1 surround sound than it is now, but right now the manufacturers have it pretty well locked up. To follow trains around the track with sound, the current options are using synthetic surround sound derived from a stereo input (SRS decoding), or cobbling up a system which processes audio in at least 5, and preferably six discreet audio streams.
There is no widely available program material already encoded into a 5.1 bitstream, available yet, so the real question here is whether future developments make the purchase of a monitor system with onboard decoders wise or a waste of money.
Thanx for the replies. My layout is in N scale… 8’ x 11’. I have a stereo nearby that could be used to amplify. I have previously tried one of MRC’s earlier sound system with negative satisfaction. With the added selections, seems worth trying … I hope.
The sound of power you get on an Tech 4 220 at 55% makes you want to turn it up till that SD is right next to you, a little light reverb if you can manage it, will make it even sweeter.
If the sound just idles when you hook it up, failing to follow your throttle settings, flip the power pack’s direction switch or reverse the leads to the pack. For some reason, the sound unit only follows the throttle in one power direction. I use the block switches for direction control, and having the sound off option (deliberately reversing polarity on the whole layout at the power pack) is nice too.