HO Scale Prototype Sound Decoder Install | Boomer Diorama ~ # 245

[@Cowboy_Steve]

Howdy Boomer! GREAT stuff my friend. Heck it was so informative I watched it twice and have it saved lol. I too am going with Loksound V5 decoders so that was a nice bonus. Had one question that I suppose I could research myself (but I'm lazy)... if I needed the ditch lights to alternate, I would need to use AUX 3 & 4 as well (one light on each AUX)? Then make the appropriate changes through the Loksound programmer? I want to prototype a short rail in Southern Ohio, and this series on the rebuild of the SD35 is soooo good. Well done and thanks for sharing 🤠

[@boomerdiorama]

My whole fleet is getting ESU Loksound V5. You only need AUX 1 and 2 for alternating ditch lights. The programmer has a steep learning curve but once you become familiar with it, you realize how powerful it is. I used one of my existing locos to read from while playing around with the program app and took notes about the lighting and realized how powerful it is. Go in and open up the Decoder app and also look at the sub-menus on each category. You can do it all there. Take your time and you will figure it out eventually. I love the programmer now. Check out KZbin for tutorials as well. ;-) I am still blown away about what you can actually do with it - it seems inexhaustible. Hands down the most powerful programmer and Decoder there is right now. I hope that helps some. Cheers.😁

[@ironwolfusa]

Now THAT was a great tutorial! I've done standard decoder installs, just to keep it simple, but I think I can try a custom install now. You gave so much information on how to do it. Just WOW!

[@boomerdiorama]

The key is to take your time and be methodical about it. Do one step at a time and think it through carefully.

[@traceydeviney]

Your how to videos, are on a level no one else is even close to. Had I not run across your videos, I would have given up on this hobby, that I really enjoy. Your analysis of the mental thought process of this hobby is priceless. You're the only reason why I'm still loving this hobby. God Bless you!!!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you for the encouragement. The community around this channel is fantastic as well. God Bless you too! Cheers ~ Boomer.😁

[@traceydeviney]

@@boomerdiorama Thanks!! On a side note, I also have a cat. Well she adopted me. She was abandoned in my neighborhood and found her way to me. Starving and skinny, I took mercy on her. My wife is allergic to cat dander. Unfortunately, she remains outside. 😞

[@DonaldPriceIII]

How cool this build has been, makes me want to go out and do it.! I Need to overcome some challenges so that I can get back to building my own models. Thanks Boomer for all your hard work in producing these videos.

[@boomerdiorama]

You can do it!

[@ADPeguero]

@@boomerdiorama Hey, Boomer got me back on super-detailing my N Scale locomotives. Sure wish I had invested my money on HO initially but I'm too far into N at this point. I will make it a short term goal to build me a simple HO scale diorama. This stuff is so much fun. I converted a bunch of my older Atlas and Kato N scale DC to DCC and am enjoying adding detail to them. Boomer, you're an inspiration man.

[@HartfordWhaler]

Nice video. I recently had a friend @ThePWMRR install loksound v5 decoders in both of my engines. Such a nice upgrade with the built in capacitors and upgraded sounds. One thing I’ve not yet learned is micro soldering without frying things. It’s on my list. Cheers.

[@boomerdiorama]

The trick to micro soldering is a fine tip, and pre-tin the tabs and wire with just a quick touch. ;-)

[@ronduz1281]

Great tutorial video👍👍👍

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@vicsmith1204]

Wow! gotta agree with everyone else, I'm saving this for future reference! Great stuff Boomer!

[@boomerdiorama]

Cheers and Happy New Year!

[@vincenthuying98]

Dear Boomer, awesome and superb install vid! Especially for someone with one foot still in the 20th century! For those next steps into the 21st century I saved this vid into the legendary model railroad chapter!! A truly amazing, inspiring locomotive upgrade and relivery (see I made that one up) of this donation from Andy Dorsch. What a marvelous way to honor such gesture. Cheerio

[@boomerdiorama]

It turned out good. Although there was some damage to the unit. ;-)

[@shadowfaxx5]

Very nice and inspiring!!! I get a lot of fun and satisfaction from similar projects!! I may try a loksound decoder one of these days from seeing what you have done!

[@boomerdiorama]

Go for it!

[@silvertrain7945]

Another great video. Thank you and keep them coming.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thanks, will do!

[@David-yo5re]

Beautifully done. The paint, the sound, the lighting. Wow!, I'll take 2 of them please. 😊

[@boomerdiorama]

Saw an undec SD35 at InterCity Trains & Hobbies. ;-)

[@ainsleyperry5192]

Boomer, It's a noisey little thing as it trundles along. A nice addition to the fleet. I like hearing your Switcher 153 start up. Sounds like a bag of nails when the motor first fires up, lovely. Cheers, Chris Perry.

[@boomerdiorama]

The Switcher (Atlas MP15 - # 153) is my favorite locomotive to run.😁

[@555metroman]

That was fun. Thanks for the positive approach to something that is pretty damn tricky!

[@boomerdiorama]

They are tricky but they get easier after a few.

[@michaelimpey1407]

Boomer, great result with the 385 Loco. It looks just like the real thing. The fine work is fast my eyes and fingers now, but we have a guy in Australia that will fit the ESU SugarCube Speakers into Custom built enclosures, and the sound is amazing. He also records and does custom sound files for the particular locomotives, so it is worth the money (IMHO). Thank you for sharing, I really enjoyed watching, and learning the insides of the Loksound, all my sounded Locos are Loksound, most are V5, a could of early ones are V4.5. Cheers, and take care, Michael

[@boomerdiorama]

Thanks for sharing. As you can tell I am also a big fan of ESU Loksound V5. ;-)

[@FHollis-gw4cc]

Before you get too deep into the programming of your decoder, you do know ESU added a tone control to the version 5 decoders don't you? What a difference! Just upgrade the ESU software, download and install the new version of the sound file you want to use, and Voila! An amazing upgrade to your decoder at no cost! Way to go ESU!

[@boomerdiorama]

I noticed that. Thanks for sharing that! Cheers!

[@shaunhuckstepp7531]

Hi Boomer, I aws watching you paint the handrails , I found also using a toothpick to apply paint on to handrails work great as well . I just use it like a roller brush make sure you use the round toothpicks it rolls on smooth and even . Just another tip that might help in tight spaces. Shaun

[@boomerdiorama]

Great tip! Thank you!

[@mattw9667]

I don't know why people think Atlas locos are substandard in any way. I swear, 80% of my fleet are heavily customized Atlas locos. They run like butter, lighting is very easy to customise, weight is good even if you chop the weights to accommodate larger speakers. All that said, keep tossing them aside... I'll buy them all! This SD35 looks just as good an any Scaletrains or Genesis loco and I would bet it runs 300% better too. Great job Boomer.

[@boomerdiorama]

I love my Atlas locomotives. I have some brand new GP40's just waiting for a railroad. ;-)

[@steves.922]

Awesome tutorial! Thanks Boomer!

[@boomerdiorama]

You bet!

[@stevenz4432]

That is one awesome and inspiring build

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you. The whole layout is quite engaging. Really feeling it lately. Thanks again! Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@JeffRichBLET129]

I've been on the fence about DCC for a couple reasons. Cost of course but also I'm way behind the curve on technology and my mindset is almost british with blocks and switches. My peers are always on me about it so we'll see. As far as sound, I'm currently not that interested. Reason? , I had a live sound system under my person for over 30 years ( and somewhat deaf because of it) . I've been to layouts with it and tinnitus makes it unenjoyable. Good lord I sound old saying that. I may be swayed to DCC operation as my layout progresses especially for lights, operations and such and my young friends in the hobby have offered to school me. Keep in mind I have a good roster of standard locomotives and as you stated it's not cheap to convert. Its a very informativevideo as usual. BTW, it was good to put a face with the voice on your backdrop video. Keep 'em coming!

[@boomerdiorama]

I don't disagree with you and see your point. I turn mine off all the time. But then there are days where I love to hear a pair of EMD locomotives idling on a siding. ;-)

[@JeffRichBLET129]

@@boomerdiorama It's a great noise. I had an old friend who retired before me. Said he was gonna wire his lazy boy up to sound and vibrate like a gp38-2 so he could get some great naps.

[@PeterTillman3]

You have set the challenge Boomer!

[@boomerdiorama]

I hope it helps for those who need it. ;-)

[@allenlandis4504]

Thanks Boomer. You make it look so easy.

[@boomerdiorama]

😁

[@theronparrish3793]

Love that slow music I can play drums and the bass to this and how you explain your deccorder

[@boomerdiorama]

Lol . . . sounds good. ;-)

[@WestCoastRails]

Another great build sir!! I like the GAC 500 .... perfect for these 3D chambers I have that are porous.

[@boomerdiorama]

Interesting. I didn't know they were porous.

[@FHollis-gw4cc]

Like you, I've done a bunch of decoder installs and the tings I learned are the same as you. Great minds think alike, huh? I do have one thing I want to run by you. I was watching a video by a sound engineer about speaker enclosures and was shocked by what I saw! So, I did some investigation on my own and am still figuring things out. When you get a chance, try this out: Take a speaker (sugar cube like you'll put in your locomotive) and connect it to a decoder, play the sounds and you can hardly hear them. Put the speaker in an enclosure and it sounds like it was designed to sound. Now, take it out of the enclosure, take a sheet of Evergreen, cut a square hole in it that is just smaller then the speaker hold the speaker up to the sheet and listen to it. No baffle, no enclosure, just the speaker in the back of the sheet with the sheet facing you. I'd be interested to hear your impression. Now, a question, specifically about the locomotive in this video. Am I correct that you use only Tamiya paints except for the weathering? I'm concerned with the deacalling. I stopped and studied the close up shots during this video and I don't see any hint of outline. The "usual" recommended procedure is paint, gloss coat, decal, dullcoat. I'm missing the part in your painting video where you told how you hid the decal edges. Bart

[@boomerdiorama]

I believe I did explain that in the paint episode (Part 3) at the end of the video. I have always done it that way - flat paint, gloss coat, decal, (Micro Sol 3-4 times), and then your choice of clear coat to finish.

[@Mike__B]

Now if these DCC sound decoders can just come down in price to reasonable levels I'll be a happy man.

[@boomerdiorama]

I agree. These ones I picked up a few years ago when they were cheaper. Shop around you can find deals on them if you look.

[@PostmoderneModelWorks]

I have and like LokV a lot, but I know you have Tsu2 as well and I don’t know how much time you’ve spent with it and can say the EQ and ability to adjust echo and reverb for individual channels is absolutely brilliant. Dialing in those sounds is something you’d really get into.

[@boomerdiorama]

Yeah. I'm not into TSU2 personally. I like the ESU Loksound Programmer option and the better motor control. They do sound good though. Cheers.

[@danielfantino1714]

1/8 scale. Perfect 6" speaker. Better sound....once you convert your sound chip to 24 volts 😊 Thanks Boomer.

[@boomerdiorama]

Now that is upping the anti for sure . . . and why not. 😁

[@DRCRailroard]

Hey Boomer. Great sounding sound system. Sounds better than most of my 0-scale engines. I had no idea how expensive it is to modify HO. I guess I won't be too critical about the 3rd Rail complete ERR sound systems for $130.00.

[@boomerdiorama]

Nobody likes to admit the expense because we can spread out the cost as we build it. In the end, it is rather expensive to build a custom locomotive at any scale. But then how many locomotives do we have sitting on the shelf that we could monetize for that one special locomotive we wish to build?

[@cbrailroader642]

I am definitely team ESU very much but I would definitely not switch scale based on better sound. I believe the future of sound is going to be subject to Bluetooth. Soon we will be throwing our locomotive sound to small stereo speakers under the layout via Bluetooth…t’s going to be awesome …. But too much at the same time. Sometimes I want sound, but sometimes it’s annoying and I just want to watch the train move …. No sound, just quiet . There is still something to be said for the simplicity of DC 😃 but can’t go backwards! Thank you for the install !👍

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes indeed!

[@adriengadson3544]

Their are ways to get N scale louder and with a full sound. Esu definitely has the best audio recordings and db's needed. In small tight N scale I found high quality cell phone speakers give the best full range of sound at 8 ohms. Yes you can wire in resistors or other speakers to change the ohm load. This is not a good option due to the amp in the decoders. Also you definitely have to watch the weight on N scale. They need all you can get and milling the frames takes a lot out. Fishing weights formed into shapes helps this problem.

[@boomerdiorama]

Good points. Some HO Scale locomotives don't like weight removal either. But I find the Atlas HO Scale 4-axle switcher MP15 to be superb runners no matter what you do. No need for current keepers either. I love that locomotive because it never seems to stall and runs beautiful.

[@adriengadson3544]

@@boomerdiorama Also 2 8 ohm speakers wired in parallel would give you 4 ohms. This wouldn't be such a draw on the decoders power. Also 2 with more power that way can almost sound as loud as 4 with no distortion. The same size enclosure that you have could be used for 2 also. It could save you money in speakers. I do custom car audio...so it's my job..Anyway have a good day.

[@bernicemeade3232]

Wow go boomer now that's a Six hundred dollars locomotive. I want one lol Cheers❤

[@boomerdiorama]

That's about what it cost in the end, not including labor. ;-)

[@MaxSupercars]

Great video. Yeah, the ESU LokSound 5 ist the best decoder at the moment. I like them a lot and use to customize the sounds. Enjoy the beauties! 😊

[@boomerdiorama]

I like them for MU easily as well.😁

[@Okanagan_modeler]

Love your videos very informative gives me hope I can do this one day😊

[@boomerdiorama]

You can do it!

[@huliediggs20]

Greetings Boomer love and how you explain your attention to detail.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thanks Hulie! Cheers!

[@railscanner]

Great video Boomer! Always something to learn from.

[@boomerdiorama]

O.K. Thank you!

[@rodjensen8736]

Love your videos :) At about the 04:56 mark you mention Scale Train Systems. Do you have a link for this company? I would like to learn more about the science behind speaker enclosure design so that my models sound as good as what comes out of my smartphone playing a KZbin video :) P.S. I left you a contact note at InterCity Hobbies the next time you drop in.

[@boomerdiorama]

You will have to google them yourself. Try Scale Sound Systems. KZbin sensors links outside the channel. Sorry.

[@stephenrusso7075]

Great job

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you.

[@MrMidiman33]

awesome work....

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@IronHorseRailways]

So, do you add drivers to the inside of your locos considering you're putting a speaker in the cab too? I've not had a project like this for a long while, maybe I should start something.... Cheers Boom!

[@boomerdiorama]

I usually don't bother with train crews in 1/87 scale. Most of them look lame to me. Furthermore, most cabs look dark anyway prototypically for me. It's not out of the question though. ;-)

[@IronHorseRailways]

@@boomerdiorama I get what you mean about the darkness in the cab - I have a few drivers in one or two locos but, I don't lose sleep if it can't be done!😊

[@atsf3780]

Hi Boomer, I agree sound can be a very subjective experience in HO in the sizes of drivers we deal with. However, there is objective truth to certain drivers being better spec than the common 11mm x 15mm, and hunting for good spec drivers on electronic jelly bean sites like Digikey is a great way to find better sounding drivers by experimentation. In your four-driver loco for example, you would get likely a better sound experience using a higher wattage, 4ohm single driver such as the 2W continous 14mm X 25mm cubes offered by OWS on Digikey. On the even better side of the spectrum, when you have HO carbody locos like F’s its easy to fit Tang Band drivers that have a very low “F0”, or lowest frequency theyre able to produce. These Tang Bands are the same brand that thrive in O scale with their pre-fab speaker modules. Finding these better spec options just takes comparison and filtering and trying them out, and is made even easier if you have a quality filament 3D printer to design your own custom enclosures to maximum airspace in a loco.

[@boomerdiorama]

I have maximum air space when I scratch build the speaker enclosure and test things hands-on. I don't need a 3D printer to build a speaker enclosure ( worth 5 cents) for a one-off piece. By the time you design one, and print it on a 500 dollar printer that you feel compelled to upgrade every three months, mine is already easily installed . . . lol. ;-)

[@ralphdeblasi8003]

Boomer, wonderful work and video. Question. Do you treat the Delrin handrails with an adhesion product to help keep the paint from flaking off?

[@boomerdiorama]

I don't treat them with additional "adhesion" layers. Adhesion layers make them more fat and they will chip anyway if you handle them too much. I use Vallejo Acrylics and try not to handle them too much. No biggie really.

[@jstockton303]

Great instruction video, many little tips that will add up to a successful install. Do you need Lokprogrammer to program or change the sound profiles on the Loksound decoders? What brand is the lapel microphone you’re using in the beginning of the video, sounds great?

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you. The Lapel (Lavalier) mic is by Rode. It cost 100.00 Canadian. It does sound great considering how small it is.😁

[@danielfantino1714]

Hi Boomer, next time try to destroy an SD40´s dynamic fan housing, cause i´ve a quick fix. He´s the recipe: Remove that fan housing completely, ac and horn. Place the latter on hood side. Throw ac in garbage. Add some vent openings under radiators fan. That´s were your dynamic brake fan will go, inside the hood. Extend frame lenght on both ends about 3 feet. Shorten fuel tank. It´s cheaper then to fill it up. Remove both couplers. Replace by smaller one in lower position. Get rid of those C C trucks. Replace by 4 B B + B B Don´t touch your paint work. Tadam !!! Now you really got a surplus, unwanted anymore North American unit that found a new home on narrow gauge Brazil railroad. CN, CP, BNSF, UP, CR, N&W, NS did it. Same with old GE too. If you feel lazy, keep original couplers but CC trucks should be regauged to a wider one. For more muscle fanatic, why not an SD45 with slanted radiators and mini winy little fuel tank and huge D D trucks a la UP DDA40X . Yes, on narrow gauge track. For actually made models modeler, well GE make them brand new. Monster 4 400 HP on tiny gauge track. So cool....instead of ye old huff and puff steamer..... By the way, NASA just announced last week for a railroad study on moon !!! (Won´t be diesel for sure)😅😅

[@boomerdiorama]

I'm too old and wise for that type of rivet counting . . . all my best of show awards (from my youth) are collecting dust in the closet . . . lol. 😉Thanks for sharing! Cheers. 😁

[@railroad1970]

You heard it here first! Boomer does not care about the people… in his trains. 😉

[@boomerdiorama]

It all depends on the moment. If I can't see them I don't bother. The ones they come with bother me because they look like stiff mannequins. ;-)

[@danielfantino1714]

Boomer my friend, if you want to see those modified SD40 Google B B B B SD4O.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you!