This should be good news for us who want to taylor sounds more to the actual prototype.## Quantum Programmer Coming In November
September 2006
The Quantum Programmer will be an extremely useful tool for your continuing and utilizing the evolving upgrade process. Of course you will be able to download customized QSI sound files directly to your loco in adition to computer assisted programming, but also you will be able to do this in operations mode programming (on the main) and run your loco at the same time … you can even use your DCC booster on the output of the Quantum Programmer and speed match locos on the main!
Quantum Programmer will be an extremely useful tool for your continuing and utilizing the evolving upgrade process. Of course you will be able to download customized QSI sound files directly to your loco in adition to computer assisted programming, but also you will be able to do this in operations mode programming (on the main) and run your loco at the same time … you can even use your DCC booster on the output of the Quantum Programmer and speed match locos on the main!
This is interesting because initially they were NOT going to allow you to download new sounds. I guess all the talk on the QSI Yahoo group convinced then that leaving out the ability to custom load sounds would be a very bad idea given that the two top competitors have this feature. Pity Soundtraxx has not seen the light in this regard. --Randy
(replying to myself) BUT it could be liek the last discussion. Yes you can download new sounds - by getting a compiled sound set from QSI. I do not think this will allow the individual sound customization like ESU and Digitrax. Some issue about the sound files being incorporated as part of the firmware, so with the QSI download it’s all or nothing. So when someone supplies QSI with improved sound files and they make them available, you will be able to update your loco, but forget about going out and finding your own files and making a new sound set yourself. --Randy
The individual sound customization for ESU is not easy. We have been working on downloads to the PCM Big Boy whistle now for about two weeks with fair results, but it is not done yet. The file must have a start, a middle and an end or taper.
No but you CAN do it - you can;t even TRY with QSI.
Witness the updated sound files on Tony’s site for the PCM Reading T-1. I just need access to a programmer so I can update mine. That was created by a fellow model railroader, who doesn’t happen to be a sound engineer or anything like that. He just had a good recording of a T-1 from riding behind one on fan trips.
I thought the Niagras had the air horn on a different function? Or maybe I’m just nuts. Check on Tony’s to see what features are in the updated chip for it - it may be that the update makes the air horn available. You need the updated chip anyway to enable programming once the programmer is released. But unless they change from whhat was stated on the QSI group on Yahoo, you won’t be able to simply change the horn sound with your own file. QSI may make a softwrae update available withthe air horn, which you could download from them and program using the Quantum Programmer. The updated chips they are selling have their version 7 firmware - future updates can be programmed witht he Quantum Programmer, ending the need to buy nad physically swap new chips going forward - so these new updated chips should be the only ones you ever have to swap.
Which is it if you hook up the tape rcorder to your computer and record the results as a WAV or MP3 file. [:D]
I just had my old turntable hooked up to copy some of my old vinyl before it gets too deteriorated.