I’m looking for a new sound decoder ( complete ) to install in one of my Loco’s. I do not own one or know much about them. I would like to find something that will fit in the Athean SD45-2.
You didn’t mention if you used DCC. This makes a huge difference as does the scale you are modeling in. Please give us more information… [;)]
Jeff
If your running DC, your out of luck for deseils…but for steam the Tsunami line and the MRC line work fine with DC.
Right now, the selection for 2nd gen EMD units is limited the earlier soundtraxx units. The LE series is cheap and will work with your loco just fine. the downside is that you need really clean track as dirty track will make the decoder reset. The DSX line requires a seperate decoder to run the loco, but will handle dirty track just fine (with a capaciter installed)
David
Accord,
I’m a DCC newbie, have listened to a Soundtraxx DSX decoder that, along with a quality speaker, was installed properly by a friend. Good baffling is critical. I was very impressed with his E8’s sound. Be aware that the DSX Sound decoder must be used in conjunction with a “motor control” decoder such as a Digitrax 123.
You could wait just a little bit for the diesel version of the Tsunami which combines motor control along with more dynamic sound.
As far as the “music”, the EMD 2nd generation decoder would be the closest. The SD45 series were equipped with EMD 20 cylinder 645 diesels. Soundtraxx’s version (if I’m not mistaken) is the EMD 16 cylinder version. Though it’s the same family, the 20 cylinder had a “slightly” deeper rumble to it. However in HO scale, as was mentioned on another thread, the difference in sound is negligible.
As for your horn choice, it depends on what railroad you’re modeling. SCL, for example, in its later years favored Leslie horns such as the S3 and S5. CSX favors the Nathan “K” series. You can go to Soundtraxx’s website and listen to several EMD 2nd generation samples.
Another option: LokSound offers the sound for the 20 cylinder EMDs. I haven’t heard a LokSound unit yet, but am looking forward to it as my friend recently acquired one.
Peace.
David,
Actually that is incorrect. The Loksound V3.5 decoder from ESU will work on DC power just fine (in fact they make a controller similar to the unit QSI provides), and ESU has more diesel prime mover selections than all the other sound manufacturers put together.
Regardless of this, I still don’t think this guy specified a scale or control type did he? A little more information would help.
Jeff
Actually the LokSound 20 cylinder sounds are really cool. I have one in an ATSF SD45 and it’s neat just to listen to it idle. I still think at this point LokSound has the best EMD prime mover sounds going, and the decoders are small so fitting them inside most HO scale locomotives isn’t too hard.
I like my LokSound units better than my QSI units, both sound and motor control is superior, though I’m hopeful about the QSI upgrades as they become available. I have several upgrade chips on order.
And yes, the LokSound decoders run great on DC. They have the new micro version for N scale, now, too.
Jerome,
A good place to check would be Litchfield Station: http://www.litchfieldstation.com
Bruce usually has some examples of sound installs on his web site and a list of the items the he uses to install sound in the locomotive and/or the info needed to accompli***he task yourself. After you go to the link above, click on “Installations” then “Examples” to see what locomotives Bruce has done.
Bruce doesn’t appear to have the Athearn SD45-2 listed. That doesn’t necessarily mean he hasn’t installed a sound decoder in one. You can always e-mail Bruce and ask him what he recommends for the SD45-2. I would imagine that is plenty of room underneath the hood for a Soundtraxx decoder and speaker(s).
Jerome, another good source for DCC information and supplies is Empire Northern Models:
http://www.empirenorthernmodels.com
Tim is both VERY knowledgeable and helpful and does some VERY good installation work. (For the most part, if Tim sells it; he also works on it.) Contact Tim soon. He’ll be outta commission for a week to 10 days because his store is moving to a new location.
Hope that’s a help…
Tom
Thanks guys, sorry the scale is HO and it is for DCC operation. And yes sorry to disappoint you, I am a guy. Tom, I will check out Bruce’s site and I will ask him for info. Thanks again always a great bunch of guys ready to help.
Dacort,
Thanks for that info! Hope you don’t mind my asking:
What brand SD45 did you install this LokSound in? What type of speaker did you buy and what baffling method did you use?[:D][;)]
You are correct…but I dont consider the LOK decoders to be part of our ‘mainstream’ decoder supply…I have yet to see one. Now…if only Soundtraxx would wake up and make a programmable decoder like the LOK…then they would have the market cornered.
David
David,
Collectively ESU sells more sound decoders worldwide than any other manufacturer, and probably more than most of them combined. While I realize the US hasn’t had the exposure to them up until recently, early adopters (like myself) have been using them for years now. Honestly I wouldn’t have a Soundtraxx or QSI decoder in any of my diesels just because the prime mover selections are so limited and generic. I’m anxiously awaiting what Soundtraxx will do with the Tsunami diesels decoders, but if they stick to the old three prime movers philosophy they won’t win me over as a customer.
For an HO scale SD45, if you want the correct 20 cylinder prime mover and a huge selection of horns, ESU is the only decoder to use IMHO.
Jeff