I have a “what I did” about installing sound in an S scale American Models GP-9 at:
http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/gp9_sound/
Thank you if you visit
Harold
Muddy sound? I think not. The quality of the sound is dependant on the sound chip chosen combined with how well the speaker is baffeled, and I am sorry to inform you that you chose a mediocre Soundtraxx chip. Also, your baffel is WAY TOO SMALL for that speaker, it should be much, much deeper to get that non “muddy” sound.
Next time consider installing 2 speakers back to back in a larger baffel mounted somewhere where the actual prototype-engine would be. Installing a speaker into the fuel tank is asking for problems (picking up debris and such)…but you probably know this…[;)]
David B
I know you used to be the “DCC guru”. Amazingly the bigger speaker does make a difference with an 8 bit sound chip. I discovered this when I made a stationary diesel soundbox. The “inferior” Soundtraxx LC decoders sound great with a larger speaker and they cost less. But then experience is not a good as other people’s “expertise”.
Two small speakers in the hood will sound like a hissing snake.
Harold
OK…sure.
David B
Having been in train sound since 1984 with Onboard Analog, small speakers will not give adequate sound with an 8 bit sound chip.
I have used the Soundtraxx LC’s with speakers small enought to fit into HO diesels. Yes, the Soundtraxx soundchip sounds inferior with those speakers. Even the steam LC will sound good with a 1.56 diameter speaker. The air pump will actually sound like an air pump. With small speakers in an HO locomotive it will sound like a hissing snake.
http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/mogul_dcc/
The Tsumani 16 bit is entirely different. It will sound good with 1" diameter speakers. I have put them in a HO Roundhouse Oldtimer
http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/1905/roundhouse_sound/
But if you put it in a larger tender box with big speakers there is also a big difference. It will sound great.
http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/mogul_tsunami/
The speaker baffle is usually something that can’t be controled. A bigger soundbox is always better but usually not possible.
I can say all that because I have been there done that.
Harold
I have issue with the word ‘muddy’. None of my sound equipped locos sound ‘muddy’ (all custom installs with Digitrax sfx and Tsunami chipsets).
Also you mention that ALL 8bit sound decoders sound ‘muddy’ with smaller speakers…but do you have any experience with Digitrax SFX decoders with your own sounds? There are ways to make a crisp non-‘muddy’ sound with this 8bit decoder.
You are correct that it will always sound better with a bigger speaker…but some of us actually like to ‘scale’ the sound to tolerable levels and not want to have our eardrums blown out everytime you turn the sound on.
David B
Boy, David, you sure have a way with words…
Why does everyone equate bigger speakers with louder sound? The major complaint of sound is the irratating shrill white noise sound. That is because of the small speakers. Since I don’t build HO diesels it is a moot point. I find with the bigger speakers the volume can be reduced and most of the irratating white noise sound is eliminated. I can run the S scale locomotive for hours and it doesn’t drive me crazy. Unfortuntely for model train sound HO locomotives get tiresome very quickly turning many people off to sound.
I use two different frequency response speakers in my steam installations because I have found that it gives a fuller sound at less volume.
I use Soundtraxx because they support 8 ohm speakers which are available in the larger sizes I need. My GP-9 article was written more about speaker installation. I was suprised how really good the Soundtraxx LC sound with the larger speaker.
Harold
I only wish a G-Scaler would come in here and tell you how sound in S scale locos is not worth your effort. That S scale sound is full with white noise and the like.
David B
Diesel sounds are worth the effort in HO. A locomotive without sound isn’t any fun. Just that the technology hasn’t advanced to produce the cacaphony of sounds a diesel makes with a smaller speaker. Sound in diesels will make a quantum leap with 16 bit sound.
Harold
Good points here. What I like to see is not MORE sound just better quality sound.There are some commercial speakers with really nice sound that don’t seem too much bigger than what we’re using. Also like to get more base, maybe a little of that low rumbling you get from heavy equipment rolling on steel rails. The kind of sound I’d like too here from deisels is the kind you get from Mariners games on TV. Hminky I always enjoy your how too stuff even if I don’t run out and do the project immediately. DMBedard I always enjoy your input too ,however carmudgeonly it sounds, I hear the voice of reason.
I was just sayin to my wife this morning,“what if we could fit one of those BOSE speakers in that HO loco.”
Ok…I understand your points now. You are not anti HO sound, rather anti 8bit HO sound. I think the Diesel Tsunami will come a few years too late. Digitrax and Loksound are moving up to 16 bit sound soon.
David B