CV Shortcuts part 4, Speaker tuning with the 7 Band EQ.

In this LONG overdue episode of "CV Shortcuts" , we finally dive into sound!
Our little speakers do an amazing job of producing some of the most challenging audio you could record! Locomotives produce just about every sound there is...from high pitch air valves, through to thumping Bass....and we wan't all that out of a tiny speaker??
Now while the boffins have given us amazing sound files , the mini speakers that seem to do the impossible , still need some help to get the most from them!
Tsunami's 7 Band EQ , will let you "Tune" your hard working little speakers, so you can match the frequencies to the speaker and it's enclosure, resulting in a more realistic sound!
Please note.......
The sound was initially recored on a pro digital recorder to demonstrate the differences ....but the level was too low , so the audio from the shotgun mic was used. Also I waffle on A LOT........so feel free to fast forward to the second half to hear the changes more clearly!
Lastly , sound is very objective and personal, but this is a guide to getting the best sound form your speakers and decoders!
Video chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:30 Why we need to "EQ" our speakers!
6:10 Tsunami 1 Custom EQ table.
9:30 Making sense of the "CV's and how to adjust the sound.
13:00 Adjusting sound in Kato SD40-2 with 28mm speaker .
21:45 Tsunami 2 Custom EQ table .
25:00 Athearn Gevo with better sound after tuning.
Happy tuning!
Gregg.

[@SantaFeBob]

Thank you for taking the time to show the sequences of how to adjust the sound decoders to make them sound more clearly and authentic. Awesome video demonstration. Nice shot of the old war bonnet Santa Fe paint scheme at the end. Thank you.

[@FishplateFilms]

My pleasure Bob! It's easier to hear the differences in person, they are subtle but make a big difference! Thanks for watching. Gregg,

[@Longshadowsmodeltrees]

School is in!! great class. Bob

[@FishplateFilms]

LOL....thanks Bob! This one was tricky to get the sounds Ok ...still not great but you get the idea. Gregg 🙂

[@elsdp-4560]

Thank you for sharing.👍

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks for watching! Gregg 🙂

[@avlisk]

Due to your audio background, I have this comment you may appreciate. My wife had the Bose 901's. I thought they sounded terrible. But she was deaf in one ear, so maybe it was set up for her alone to appreciate. I much preferred my large Advents and even more, my JBL L-100's, which I bought in the 1970's, and still have today! As to HO loco sound, everything sounds good to me with my 72 year old ears.

[@FishplateFilms]

The 901's need to be placed very carefully to get the best sound..the distance from the rear wall and sides greatly effect their performance and sound, but when done right, you get live stereo just about anywhere in the room. I would not use them for classical or soft Jazz, but for heavy Jazz, rock and blues , they are great! JBL make some nice bins for sure! Cheers Gregg.

[@cncpgreatlakesdiv4896]

awesome thx for sharing .😊😊👍👍

[@FishplateFilms]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@upsd402]

Thank you for sharing. It’s amazing how much sound can come out of the one inch speaker. Hope all is going well down there. Cheers from Terry in Nebraska.

[@FishplateFilms]

It sure is Terry! I have a few of my fist gen DCC locos and the sound is terrible, but in the day it was amazing! Starting to cool off a little bit here...but still damn hot. Gregg 🙂

[@robingagnon9659]

Great explanation! I wish I could hear those 901s, they are very interesting speakers :) Thank you for your time on this one, I am a visual guy so seeing that graphic with the sliders made the whole difference :)

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Robin! DOn't worry , it took me some time to work out the tale and how to use it as well! Gregg🙂

[@stevedonald8815]

I just had my first Kato motor fail. It was an SD40-2 with a Tsunami2 decoder in it. It would start to move then the decoder would reset. This was a model from a few years ago and had very little use. Also please do a sugar cube setup for the Tsunami/2 for the equalizer. I've been trying them a few ways with a single speaker. You might also want to mention whether you would use a 2nd speaker even with the sound turned way down. I have been setting my master volume to 72 and the primer mover to 102. That may even be too high eventually, but I needed a starting point. My equalizer settings so far are from lowest to highest 0, 0, 0, 114, 110, 88, 77. Keep going Gregg. You've finally converted my to Tsunami2 from ESU. Have fun building the house.

[@FishplateFilms]

Hi Steve, I've had many KAto motors fail over the years ....don't know why ? I did install circuit breakers for the track sections, as I was relying on the main CB of the system to handle shorts, so I think that may have caused a few spikes? I still have 4 Kato's which need motors...so I don't know the cause...All my Athearn and Atlas units are fine, though my 3 Intermountain Locos have crap motors! Glad yo like the Tsunami decoders, watch my videos on tuning them for great running and you'll like them even more! Cheers Gregg.

[@stevedonald8815]

@@FishplateFilms One of the main reasons I have so many Katos was because of their quiet and supposedly reliable running. Although replacement motors seem to be readily available I am a bit put off recent Kato offerings. The Amtrak P42 and GE Dash 9 44CW were both lacking in detail compared to brands like Athearn Genesis. With Athearn now offering LED lighting as standard are you more likely to go with Genesis rather than Kato?

[@FishplateFilms]

@@stevedonald8815 Yes Steve, I feel Kato dropped the ball about 10 years ago and it is obvious they are not interested in HO anymore . Now that Athearn have fixed their Genesis motor, which was an issue years ago, I feel they are best bang for the buck. They are well built with servicing in mind for the serious operator, and their RTR line is fantastic value and well detailed...far more than Kato ?? I've had a Scaletrains and felt they were less serviceable and not as rugged as Athearn or Atlas, but well detailed. For me it's Athearn , Atlas and old Katos? Cheers Gregg.

[@stevedonald8815]

@@FishplateFilms Thanks for the advice Gregg. Always appreciated. I've just ordered my first ES44DC from Athearn. Let's see how this goes with the 21 pin socket.

[@FishplateFilms]

@@stevedonald8815 I think you'll like it Steve! I got 2 of mine with Tsunami 2 already fitted , and the other I installed a full board Tsu' 2 . Make sure you watch my video on setting up the Tsunami decoders for optimum realism:-)

[@justinjordanbalingit8831]

I Want To Finish this At June 2024 1:58

[@michaelmcdougall4527]

Hello Greg thank you for your EQ presentation, I would recommend Scale sound speakers out of Marion Ohio,JT Burke yes custom enclosures and speakers for each locomotive based on size room you have inside the shell and Boil Barkers for Steam I Purchased 1 for my Walthers GP35 with a tsunami one, a great difference over the factory speaker!🚂🚂

[@jpkarenko6952]

I heartily agree on the SS speakers. I have them in all my Tsunami-equipped locos.

[@kennedygauger4680]

Great video. Thanks for sharing the step-by-step approach. It also makes a case for the Tsunami 2 sound decoder. Would this be easier using JMRI and DecoderPro?

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you ! I've tried using JMRI, but it's a bit fiddly and I prefer to use the cab. I do all my adjustments on the main, and sometimes while a loco is on a train under load, so the cab is much easier for me. Cheers, Gregg.

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

Thanks Gregg, finaly its done, after viewing it, im gonna have to back to work, All my engines are athearn genesis with Tsunami 2 decoder.Has i inderstand all my engines have different sound ( SD70ACU 3 of them).will it be the same for my ACU Good to see you back Ronald

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Ronald! You can tune them to sound different if you like , but the different sound files will react the same , so be careful not to "tune " out the differences! Have fun with it! Gregg.

[@peterainsworth8466]

Very informative Gregg. Thanks. I use ESU but I assume they would have something similar. I have some Alco locos - PacNat 48 class (Auscision) that sound tinny. Might give it a tweak 🥸

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Peter! I'm afraid ESU does not have an EQ, but I hear the latest version does have a bass/ treble adjustment. Cheers Gregg.

[@jpkarenko6952]

They call it "Tone Control." Demo at kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGmxgHaEbrF5bcU @@FishplateFilms

[@shaunhuckstepp7531]

Hi Gregg, I remember years ago equalizers where all the go , only good for a set of bad speakers though I think punters bought them for all the pretty lights LOL. I had great opportunity to learn how to operate the sound desk at a church , as I was into all think hifi . I got to know the owner of very upmarket HIFI shop not far from home and over the years the owner and i became good friends and only lived 5 minutes from me . I've got my old Avid model 102 2 ways and still working perfectly ,I don't know if you have heard of them there made in the US. Great tutorial well explained on how to use an equalizer I don't think anyone has done this on model trains before ,perfect application for an EQ. Maybe next time someone goes to their model railway club their loco might sound al lot better, nothing more annoying than listening some %^&* tard run his loco around with the sound screwed right up and all your hearing is distortion. I new someone at a club that used to do that then one day there was deadly silents , he blew the crap out of his speaker much to our amusement we were rolling around on the floor laughing out tits of. Anyway great job once again thanks Gregg.

[@FishplateFilms]

Hi Shaun, the lights did look good on the old EQs LOL. Our in house desk at City Hall was a a 42 channel I think , and we had 4 x 32 Band EQ's , with which you could tune out a single note if you wanted to! The name Avid does ring a bell , there were lots of cool speakers back in the day. The noise can be painful from a room full of locos! I have mine set so you can't hear a train one from the other end of the room if you have one near you. As you say , nothing worse than hearing loud overbearing trains! Thanks for watching! Gregg 🙂

[@shaunhuckstepp7531]

Now that's spoken like a try sound technician, that an impressive desk would like to of got my hands on that. Before I forget I also had BOSE as client a few years ago , if I remember correctly they had their warehouse at Silverwater in Sydney . You know what BOSE means, ( Bring Other Sound Equipment) an old industry joke LOL. Say hello To Lord Stan for me , hope he keeping up with his libations . @@FishplateFilms

[@FishplateFilms]

@@shaunhuckstepp7531 I did sound for "Mental as Anything" for one song , as their sound guy had passed out from smoking a joint...LOL. We did at least two shows a week , mostly concerts, but now and then a cool gig would come along! Also did sound for Rolf Harris many times ..........???? It was a nice desk but a horrible place to mix from as we were at the back in the bio box. Gregg.

[@1471SirFrederickBanbury]

Mighty impressive Gregg! I, being a modeller of British steam, have never been satisfied with dcc sound in steam locos. It’s always been so treble heavy, that it sounds like a toy steam engine. I have been looking around everywhere for a speaker driver which I could use in addition to the usual sugar cube to get that low bass heavy sound, but I can’t find a driver that will respond to anything near the low levels I want. It’s so easy to find midrange+high range speakers, but I never see anything down low, except on KZbin, where subwoofers can be whatever size you feel like and many make their own without telling others how to do it, or at least selling some. I am open to all options, even making my own, but do you know of anywhere I can go, or anything I can do? It would be really helpful. Thanks Gregg.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you Sir! we really aren't getting any "bass" as such , and even if tis in the recording, the small drivers just don't move enough air ? The 28 mm in the Kato is pretty impressive in real life , and when tuned , it's very hard to tell the difference between it and a pair of Sugar cubes! You have a great enclosure in tenders...but then the sound is not coming from the loco?? The beauty of an EQ is that you can cut the mids and highs , to enhance the bass that you have! Thats one reason why I use Tsunami 🙂 Gregg.

[@paulsheppy4305]

Thanks, Greg. Perhaps it would be helpful to sample the sound at each of the ranges you have listed. 250Hz is about middle C, but what does it sound like? 500Hz probably has a much meaning to the average punter as "dark blue" - Yes but is that Navy Blue, Oxford Blue

[@FishplateFilms]

Hi Paul , each loc is so different , so you really have to play it by ear...so to speak! Working around the mids , is the most noticeable , and will get rid of the "nasal" tone and help bring out the other softer sounds. Also it's a personal choice of course! Gregg 😉

[@1BCamden]

What a fantastic episode, thanks. PS how did you notch up the revs without the loco moving ?

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Cam! I use the F11 Brake feature to keep it from moving. I have a video on that too 🙂 Cheers Gregg.

[@1BCamden]

Thanks again Greg, really appreciate your in depth knowledge of the subject matter. Hoping all the train room transports to SA in good order.

[@FishplateFilms]

@@1BCamden My pleasure Cam! It will be a big job but hopefully goes to plan!

[@jpkarenko6952]

@@FishplateFilms I may be mistaken,but I think F5 & F6 notch the prime mover up & down without the loco moving.

[@FishplateFilms]

@@jpkarenko6952 Yes , that is available on Tsunami 2 if mapped for those cv's . Gregg 😊

[@jpkarenko6952]

It is really easy to "get lost in the weeds" with Soundtraxx CV variables, I really appreciate this "EQ For Dummies" tutorial! They have another pair of rabbit holes leading to echo and reverb. Any opinion on using those "features?"

[@FishplateFilms]

It sure is, but very satisfying when you figure it out! I've always said that Soundtraxx are the "Drivers" decoder...for people who want the best out of their locos! I have played around with echo and reverb, it works well for horns, but can get confusing for general sounds . It would not work well on a video I think, as the effects are subtle? Maybe a video one day?? Cheers Gregg.

[@jpkarenko6952]

@@FishplateFilms Thanks, Gregg! Will look forward to it, someday. How's the new house coming? It appears Adelaide is about as far "going West, young man," as you can get in Roo-Land. 😃

[@FishplateFilms]

@@jpkarenko6952 Things are happening slowly in the background, but still a while off yet before we start building. Adelaide is as far West you can go on the East Coast.......you still have another 2700 km west till you get to Perth on the real west side! Adelaide is almost in the middle , and "only" 600km from Melbourne. Cheers Gregg.

[@ZombieSlayer-dj3wb]

Tips for programing esloksound v5s ?

[@FishplateFilms]

Sorry Zombieslayer..I only use Tsunami decoders. I'm sure there is plenty of info on ESU , though some af the motor control CV's are the same, a lot are different to SOundtraxx. Cheers Gregg.

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

Hi Gregg, have some points to check with you, first do you put your master volume to 200 as mention second when you start ajusting cv 226 to 232 are they ajust at 128-flat third do you take care of the value of cv 224 Thanks again Ron

[@FishplateFilms]

Hi Ron , On the Tsunami 2's , they are so loud that I put the master vol at 200 . CV 226 & 227 I cut a bit ( less than 128) if I can't hear any difference. George at SOundtraxx suggests cutting the frequencies that you can't hear, so the speaker is not trying to replicate them. Yea I start each one flat and go from there. It's a learning curve but you will get the hang of it...remember you want quality , not quantity! Cheers Gregg.

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

@@FishplateFilms Thanks Gregg but what about cv 228 to 232 is it the same Ron

[@FishplateFilms]

@@ronaldrondeau7870 The mid and high range are easier to hear , so you will most likely cut a bit on the mids and possibly boost the highs, but it all depends on the speaker and how its mounted. On my Kato SD40's, the EQ is pretty flat, as the large speaker in the fuel tank works very efficiently Just trial and error , and how you like the sound Ron! Gregg.

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

@@FishplateFilms Well its not so easy for me but it started to looking good.Im not a sound expert like you . I tired not to over charge the speaker so i begin lower and go up. It took me 2 hours to programm one engine. Thanks Gregg youre very kind to help me

[@FishplateFilms]

@@ronaldrondeau7870 My pleasure ROn! SOund is very subjective and we all hear things differently! Also we are trying to do the impossible....getting huge sound from tiny speakers! Remember , less is usually better than more and take your time and enjoy the different sound yuo can create! Sounds like you're getting the hang of it Sir! Gregg 🙂

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

Hi Gregg onbe more question, what is the CV 128 setting (master volume)

[@FishplateFilms]

As it implies Ron, it adjusts the level of all of the sounds . I leave mine at max and adjust each volume separately. Gregg.

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

@@FishplateFilms so its set to 255 mine is 100

[@FishplateFilms]

@@ronaldrondeau7870 The TSunami 2's are much louder Ron , I think I set mine at 200 , then ALL the other sounds are way softer, especially the prime movers . I think the horns are at 50 on some of mine?

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

@@FishplateFilms Thanks Ill check it all