new to DCC, need info and ideas

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

Hi everyone.

I’m considering a switch to DCC eventually. I have recently purchased a DCC ready loco (still in the mail) and eventually I want to install a sound decoder to it.

I purchased a N&W #611 from BLI last week. It does not come sound equipped. I have been doing research on DCC in general as well as sound decoders for the past few months before purchasing this loco. I realize that there are generic sound decoders that re create steam loco whistles and chugs/chuffs, etc, however, being a perfectionist at heart (it’s a blessing and a curse) I don’t think that is good enough for me.

Does a manufacturer create a sound decoder that I could program myself to authentically recreate the whistle of the 611? Or is there a sound decoder that I am unaware of that already is programmed this way?

Thanks in advance.

-tryin’ to learn somethin.

2

You might visit Digitrax and look at the SoundFX decoders and their Soundloader.

3

Loksound/ESU also has highly programmable sound decoders, but they’re pricey – and the programmer is likewise not cheap.

But I hear good things about the Loksound/ESU decoders …

4

Take a look at Digitrax - they market a lot of loco specific decoders

5

If you don’t mind a hooter, the Soundtraxx DSD-101LC heavy Sound Decoder would really work for you. They are only $51.95 at Tony’s Trains & sport a NMRA eight-pin plug. Add a Tony’s Trains Speaker ( which I believe is a QSI). Only need to solder the green & brown wires to the speaker. I didn’t use the capicitator or whatever it is called. Also, if you want a baffle, get one. I did not get any for my Bachmann Berks because a 1.25" speaker can barely fit!

6

I would avoid any DSD “LC” decoders as they have limitations and are a dated technology.

My advice would be to start with a Tsunami Medium decoder with a good speaker/baffel combination (It is by FAR the best sounding steam decoder on the market). If you want to include your own sounds, then you need a programmable decoder as well. You can get a Digitrax sound bug (they come in a few flavors now, including one that utilizes an 8 ohm speaker). You will also need a Digitrax PR2 to download the sounds onto the bug.

David B

7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUzew_YiQ0A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6lWBp2APrQ

This is a 4-8-4, heavy Tsunami is better suited. But you can only use the whistle sound listed and this one is not. You can’t modify the Tsunami whiste further.

This BLI #611 had QSI for sound as per link I found.

http://www.broadway-limitedwest.com/nwj.htm

Rumaging thru the QSI web site I found this. Downloadable file to upgrde a QSI to N&W J 4-8-4. It’s in the software download section. Search for H0312-0 or HO312-1

http://www.qsisolutions.com/products/techinfo/qchip/q-chip-upgrade-codes.html

May be an idea to call QSI (Quantum) and see what they might suggest.