New Dimension In Sound With A SoundCar (221)

[@DarkpawTheWolf]

These are particularly useful on old DC "dummy" locomotives, if you can convert the wheels from plastic to metal for pickups. Or what I do is take two old "pancake" drive locos, pull the motor out of one, and replace it with the electrical pickup truck from the other, and you now have 4 axle electrical pickup. Put the sound decoder in there (and lights, if you want), and put it on the same loco number as a non-sound DCC loco, and put the dummy one (now your sound loco) in front of the powered one. So now you have the powered loco driving the train, but your sound still comes from the loco in the front, even though that's not the one that's pulling. Works perfectly.

[@greeneyedggirl]

OH MY! This is so an answer to a question I hadn't asked yet! Another use is when you're pushing a train and have a Caboose at the end for safety... There's a couple of shortlines that I like, one I might model, where the train backs up into the mountains 9 miles, and then comes back down. So the Caboose has a flashing light, and whistle to blow going through crossings. So this will make that easy now, thank you so much!!!

[@PotentialAutist42069]

Thats exactly what I am going to do. I model a NE PA coal hauler, and they definately had a few switchback routes.

[@epacm50]

I have the Tsanami Sound Car in one of my passenger cars. They sound terrific!!

[@greeneyedggirl]

So very cool, for ops, there was an article about using prerecorded sounds for things like setting the brakes and so forth, and this makes that simple too!!! Thank you so much!!!

[@TheDCCGuy]

Check out the new version of these on the SoundTraxx website, they have a bunch more sounds now.

[@elsdp-4560]

Thank you for sharing. Always something new to think about.

[@Crlarl]

An addition to the videos list, On every KZbin channel, you can sort their video uploads newest to oldest (default), oldest to newest, and most to least popular.

[@mariner3485]

Great topic! Thanks. I have an early Soundcar decoder that is still waiting for an install - the only thing you didn't cover was the 'upgrades' that the newer Soundcars have compared to the original release. I will read the manual/website but thought you could give a quicker summary to the improvements added.

[@TheDCCGuy]

Yes, I am collecting followup topics to address in a potpourri video, got anything else for me to look back at?

[@hobospoonfedrailfanningfun1315]

Very interesting Larry. 👍 keep making them vids.. we can't get enough... toot toot

[@jagc1969]

ESU also produces a sound decoder without motor control functions, just sound.

[@TheDCCGuy]

Thanks, I’ll take a look.

[@jagc1969]

@@TheDCCGuy Look for ESU's Loksound FX. Right now the say that it is intended for dummy locomotives but I have talked to ESU's tech people and they told me that they plan to upload sounds for wagons and coaches soon

[@epacm50]

ESU has a sound only decoder as well. I believe it's know as the "Sound Pilot". I am planning to purchase one of those units next year.

[@Trainmaster909]

It’s called the LokSound FX

[@jhoodfysh]

Great video Larry. I am still wavering about adding sound to my layout because I am hard of hearing. I am concerned that the added sounds would make communication more difficult. It probably would be great when visitors come over though and would help entertain them.

[@TheDCCGuy]

Sound can be an annoyance as well as a source of enjoyment. When I started the Piedmont Southern I had few locos with sound. But now that I have over 60 I find that they add a sense of realism I had previously missed. That said having more than a handful droning on at one time can give m a headache and that is one reason I wanted to be able to cut power to the tracks in the staging yards. I also plan to retrofit that capability to the ready tracks in my other yards.

[@jhoodfysh]

@@TheDCCGuy Yes turning the sound locos off when in the yard is a good idea too. I liked that video that you showed how you were doing it in the staging yard.

[@ricter591]

Thanks Larry, Enjoyed it so much. 🐾🚂KY.

[@Weesel71]

Very good explanation and presentations! Here's a possible curve ball: Can you customized the sounds to a decoder and do they have to be on rolling stock. I ask because I'm looking to add ambient sounds to my town such as general traffic, church bells, and possibly a small band. If there is another product that will do this, I'd appreciate hearing from yourself or any viewers. Thanks!

[@TheDCCGuy]

You get what they come with and that’s it. There are companies that make sound packages lime what you want but I can’t remember them off the top of my head. Just do a search for model railroad sounds and you’ll get lots of links.

[@wasatchrangerailway6921]

I would bet that I am the only model railroader that uses sound decoders and recordings to follow the train around the layout??? I use SCR's that open and close to follow the train! Single pole double throw reed switches are operated with magnets under the locomotives. I use the lighting features to turn the lights off and on in structures, particularly houses! It gives the impression that someone is in the house! I can also control the CTC signals with the decoders!

[@TheDCCGuy]

I have often thought of using heat sensors placed in the fascia to turn on sound and other effects when a person moves in front of the sensor-one of these days.

[@bradleyogden5688]

I'm planning on using one of these on my weed spraying train.

[@SFCRambo60]

Do you know if one could use this on N Scale Train Cars? Great information.

[@TheDCCGuy]

As long as you can stuff it and a speaker inside and provide power pickup it should work fine. I especially see no problems with passenger cars and cab cars.

[@monmixer]

I'm educating myself. I want to do my first small layout and I want to do DCC

[@forbeshutton5487]

What are your thoughts on the MRC Synchro Sound 750?

[@billreid8278]

I have an Xcel spreadsheet of your 221 programs listed by title if you need it. Bill

[@TheDCCGuy]

Email me it as an attachment at larrypuckett @ me dot com . I assume you can figure out the real address in there-thanks.

[@n-scaleespeegalveston-hear4641]

Is it possible to reduce the clickity clack “speed” it seems too fast at a slow loco speed…

[@TheDCCGuy]

Yes, the sounds associated with movement are scaled to loco speed and can be easily adjusted with a CV. For example in addition to the clickety clack, there are wheel noises, flange squeal, and a flat spot sound.

[@jamescarry4733]

This is Great. I am seeking sound for a boxcar for flatwheel sound. The bang bang bang sound say mid train. Would you do a video on this Flat Wheel sounds. I love this channel.

[@TheDCCGuy]

I think that is one of the sounds on the decoder.

[@Conn653]

What about a cattle car? Does this decoder offer livestock sounds?

[@Mark_W_L]

Yes. Cattle or sheep. If you want hogs or chickens Broadway Limited produce livestock cars with those sounds (and they also do cattle and sheep sounds).

[@TheDCCGuy]

Yes, the newest version has tons of sounds, lots more whistles, horns, and bells, as well as cattle and sheep. For a full list visit their website.

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

Nice video!

[@andrewstevenson5449]

Model rairoads are becoming noisy places! Seriously, if you have two or three trains running, with loco and rolling stock all sound fitted, that's going to be a lot of sound, and in model - even on the largest layout - it seems to me unlikely that you'd ever get the effect of the sound building as the train approaches you and fading away completely after it's passed you. I guess you need sensors at the entrance to fiddle years/staging/Schattenbahnhöfe to switch the sound off, or operators need to do so, when trains go behind the scenes. Incidentally, I remember 40-50 years ago, when modellers cut nicks in the rails to get the clickety clack sound. Which makes me wonder, is there also a going over points/switches clickety clack, which was always the fun bit when the clickety part of the clickety clack went crazy. (If you see what I mean!) With the intelligent consisting, it must be a bit annoying having to swipe each car(riage) with a magnet if you're changing loco, e.g. at a terminus station. Thanks for the video - interesting and clearly presented as ever.

[@n-scaleespeegalveston-hear4641]

Want one at least but I would put a small neodymium magnet on the opposite end of my uncoupling tool, the bbq skewer, so that the magnet is always close.

[@scoobsm6994]

I'm with you on this! I have many sound equipped loco's, but only ever have one running. Having several running is just white noise - I ended up turning them all off. You loose the dimensional effect of a train gradually approaching, getting louder, then receding into the distance. Sound is OK, too much is just noise. It's interesting that we are trying to replicate a noise for realism/enjoyment, but in real life this industrial background white noise is actually detrimental.

[@christopherbailey8817]

1 am new to dcc and have just ordered a next 18 dcc ready steam loco and a dcc decoder to place in the tender. Am I able to add sound to this decoder or do I need to get a sound decoder that will run the loco. I thought that sound decoders were an add on to the d3coder but after looking around I see its not the case. I am in the UK so getting hold of next 18 items is possible. Any help please. I love your channel by the way and am slowly going through each video one by one.

[@TheDCCGuy]

Your loco will have a socket for the decoder to plug into. Unless you ordered a sound decoder it will only control the motor and various lights if provided. For sou d you will need a different Next18 decoder so equipped and depending on the loco model, you may need to,add a speaker. If the model has not been shipped you may be able to get your dealer to upgrade you to a sound equipped model. I believe in the Uk you have pretty good laws that allow you to return undamaged items but I would still act fast. Often the best deal,for sound is to buy the loco equipped that way. It is usually cheaper that way and you don’t have to fiddle with opening the tender or engine to get tomthe socket and speaker location. Most models that are DCC ready these days come with a slot for a speaker and wires running back to the tender if it is a steam loco.

[@christopherbailey8817]

@@TheDCCGuy the loco is secondhand but the decoder is new, yes the tender has a socket already. I don't think the chip has any leads for a speaker (dapol Imperium2) so I take it that if I want sound then I need a sound chip and not able to add sound to the dapol chip. Thank you

[@TheDCCGuy]

There should be a couple of solder tabs on the circuit board in the tender where the speaker wires can be connected. What loco is it? I only know of a couple of US companies that make or have made decoders with provisions to add a sound circuit later. I just looked up their instructions and there are no provisions mentioned for adding sound. You might check with a company like You Choos to see if they offer a sound only decoder that you could add to the tender.

[@christopherbailey8817]

@@TheDCCGuy the train that's on its way to me is..N Gauge Farish 372-032 Class 4073 Castle 4-6-0 'Sir Daniel Gooch' 570 DCC Ready.. I haven't got the decoder yet as its still in the post but expect if soon. Hope this helps.

[@TheDCCGuy]

OK, N scale sound is not easy unless the loco was originally designed for it. I have done a couple and squeezing in a decoder, speaker and stay alive is a challenge and the success also depends on how much room there is in the tender. It is best to buy a sound equipped loco as far as N scale goes in my opinion and it is not something for a newbie to attempt unless you are very good with electronics and tinkering.

[@danshobbies13]

My sound car is a Bluetooth speaker linked to my phone. For 20 bucks I get sounds and music. But I’m cheap and don’t want to do wiring 😂

[@markgoodrich941]

Thanks for all of your videos. This one is very useful to me. I installed one in a Southern diner car. I haven't used it yet. Will these Sound decoders work with locomotive decoders other than Soundtraxx? I ask because I have an E7A with a TCS WOW decoder and you push 8 four times to access the audio assist menu. Thank you.

[@TheDCCGuy]

Yes, they should work fine just like consisting any two brands of decoders.

[@neilharbott8394]

Sounds like something like this would be useful for a UK style DMU on the unpowered end car - it kind of bugs me to see an HST (IC125) with sound, but the tail car has no separate engine whine.

[@TheDCCGuy]

My thoughts exactly, although I was thinking about a GWR autocoach. There are a number of suck UK applications and I plan to write Nancy Workman at Soundtraxx and make that suggestion for a new product.

[@trapdriver7006]

Excellent informative review video.👍😁😁😁😁😁🚂🇬🇧

[@rjl110919581]

thank you share the video still sound card for a dumb loco with high amps

[@dakdak7609]

Thanks. Is there a sound set that works for UK based layouts?

[@TheDCCGuy]

My thoughts exactly, although I was thinking about a GWR autocoach. There are a number of suck UK applications and I plan to write Nancy Workman at Soundtraxx and make that suggestion for a new product.