Upgrading HO Scale Locomotive Sound | Boomer Diorama ~ # 292

[@PeterTillman3]

Man I love your channel Boomer. It really lifts me on those down days :) God bless you

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you Peter! When you get your new layout, it is going to be awesome for quite some time. 😁😆🤗

[@PeterTillman3]

@@boomerdiorama yep 👍

[@mickqld3003]

Hi from Australia! Another great video thanks Boomer. I can only imagine the number of people you've inspired to get started. I also run V5 Sound in almost all my locomotives. I've even enjoyed a few hours just downloading the sound from many different locomotives, into a 'test loco', over a few nights. Eventually loading the correct SD24 file into it. (great old very smooth-running Atlas Loco from my hobby shop 20 yrs ago) All my others are Australian, mostly Auscision Models brand, which are top shelf quality. I've fitted out 5 locomotives myself, one being small enough to need shaving some internal plastic and also the decoder edges. Though few others have done the install, so a bit unique and worth the effort. (Or risk? ;) Other Locos are factory installed as supplied. Some with nice custom factory files, which I need to not mess up.. :) I like the various Sugar Cube speakers, realising early that the enclosure design and seal are critical to them. Just sealing up a gap in a factory installed unit, made it nearly twice as loud & better audio quality. You can barely hear them at all without any enclosure! I think the programmer is a worthwhile investment. Speed matching etc. Great resource & fun. Cheers.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thanks for sharing your experience with sound decoders and speakers!

[@mr.e1944]

That sound is like night and day. The new speaker is the way to go!

[@boomerdiorama]

Oh yeah . . . it most certainly is. Pretty cheap upgrade as well. Who knows, maybe Rapido keeps upping their game with sound. They can do better than what this particular model offers.😉

[@JeanPierre-jb5ln]

Remarkable improvement with ESU speaker, always worth upgrading. I model 1:48 and use ESU sound with Tang Band speakers which look like a bigger version of Boomers

[@boomerdiorama]

1/48 scale (O Scale) is awesome for sound!

[@michaelimpey1407]

Boomer, great tutorial on Loco sound, and the options available. The difference between the original speakers, and the new Loksound one was just chalk and cheese. Most of my locos are either EMD or Alco, I just love the sound of them. There are GE Locos in AUstralia, but just not in my period / location. Thank you for sharing, cheers, and stay safe, Michael

[@boomerdiorama]

O.K. Thanks for sharing that. Happy modeling to you as well! Cheers ~ Boomer.😁

[@jeffvandergraff2574]

Nice installation. Sounds beautiful. Always fun when you have room to work

[@boomerdiorama]

Sound upgrades can make a big difference. 😉

[@southernprojectsyt6340]

I do love your high detail level of your operating layout. AWESOME!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you! It's a labor of love for sure. Enjoying every moment of it as well. Cheers. 😁✌

[@danielfantino1714]

Big improvment for sure. Thanks for it. GE have always tryied to burbble better than Alco. The best was the 244. In PA it should have been incredible. One thing GE is master is in self catching fire. Now we have to find a decoder for that without burning layout and home. 😅😅 Boomer, you act like Brazilian railroads. They purchased our surplus SD40. Replaced CC trucks by BB+BB, extended frame lenght about 3 feet each end, shortened fuel tank, lowered dynamic fan in putting them below radiators, and put lower narrow gauge couplers. They did it also with GE. They look monsters when coupled to their tiny mini locos, boxcars etc... Sure Draper Taper and cowl units offer far more room for improvment like you did. Happy Thanks giving 😊

[@boomerdiorama]

Lol . . . thanks for sharing that. It's nice to hear stories about other railroad practices etc. Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@Cowboy_Steve]

Howdy Boomer! Yeah... definitely a dramatic difference in the sound quality. Richer and more robust. Well worth the effort! Thanks for sharing 🤠

[@boomerdiorama]

👍😉

[@DonaldPriceIII]

Wow what an amazing difference in sound quality from the " sugar qube" to the " boom box " thanks again for a fantastic tutorial video.

[@boomerdiorama]

My pleasure!

[@shaunhuckstepp7531]

Hi Boomer ,Repedo makes some very nice models . Mate you work very hard at this hobby spoiling yourself every now and then is good for the soul. I've hit my son up this Christmas for a nice 1/24 scale Italeri Peterbilt 378 one can only hope. Thanks

[@boomerdiorama]

Sounds awesome! 😉

[@tonybasile58]

Always great videos !!! Thanks

[@boomerdiorama]

I appreciate the kind words.

[@10gaDragonsBreath]

Cool man . . . I learn so much from your modeling bench Boomer . . . And I'm like you, I'm a EMD sound kinda guy but I'm like you man it's hard to beat the 4-stroke low rpm sounds of the GE's and I'm falling towards the ALCo & MLW 4-axle sounds as well . . . That big ol speaker made a huge difference in quality sound just as you said it would and did . . . Man the political scene down here is scaring me to death, these politicians are plumb off their rocker. Love your channel Boomer, your the best of the best . . . Big B from Kansas

[@boomerdiorama]

Kansas! . . . awesome! I think the political climate is screwed everywhere. Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@stevenlitkey9354]

My first love is ALCo followed closely by GE U-Boats. Just can’t get enough of their gutty low gurgling exhaust, billowing thick black smoke from the turbo lag !! When I was heavy into the model RR scene , sound was in its infancy. I never had sound equipped diesels, my shallow venture into sound was a Pacific Fast Mail sound console. Even to this day, I think it’s steam whistle sounds stands head and shoulders above anything out there. With the reverb chamber it is just outstanding.

[@boomerdiorama]

I have a soft spot for steam - but in O scale. ;-)

[@stevenlitkey9354]

@@boomerdiorama ohh absolutely !!! Steam in HO is pretty underwhelming compared to O scale or even S. 😃😃

[@zedman6516]

Nice clean job Boomer, sounds much better. I just heard today that Bowser is starting to offer the current capacitors in their latest releases.

[@boomerdiorama]

That is awesome. Bowser locomotives are beautiful, especially their SD40-2's ;-)

[@GregoryMostardi]

Damn Boomer, that sounds fantastic!! I'll stop by Intercity and grab one of those ESU speakers for my unit.

[@boomerdiorama]

You can also use a 4 Ohm (single) speaker as well.

[@DRCRailroard]

Great sound upgrade. I didn't think electronics was your forte. I guess I learned several things this time.

[@boomerdiorama]

You are correct. Electronics is not my favorite forte, but it is necessary to complete these challenges for me to reach the goals I have for the layout. This is the beauty of this hobby. So many aspects to dive into which make the experience all the better. 😁

[@RickTapkey2]

Great sound upgrade! I love the low end rumble.

[@boomerdiorama]

Me too!

[@tcarney57]

I know you won't do it, but if that were my BC Rail unit, I'd repaint it in two-tone green with a white zigzag stripe. It would get a dogwood-blossom BCR herald, too. It was the most beautiful and appropriate paint scheme I've ever seen. Class, pure class. If I live to be a 1000 years old, I'll never understand--or reconcile myself to--chucking it for the gaudy (and American) red, white, and blue.

[@boomerdiorama]

I like the period personally because I grew up around it. ;-)

[@jaxithfox]

For all my locomotive projects I've been using the decoder buddy from nixtrains. The make projects much easier and they make lighting so nice.

[@boomerdiorama]

That is one option for sure. I like the ESU motherboards for the stated reasons and they also have built in LED resistors and capacitors. 😁

[@CraigBelcher-wg1fn]

Nice job interesting you hollowed the stack .My best sounding steam loco is an old Pfm decapod .I installed the 2 speaker enclosure firing up through the coal load suspended on paper fixed with matte medium .

[@boomerdiorama]

What I would give for more room in some of my HO scale locomotives like a tender. The beauty of steam is you can really go to town with the tender for sound for sure. 😉

[@andyp.1102]

Hello BD, it took me a while, but now I'm completely convinced by sound locomotives. If I had a house with a garden, I would build a large garden railway with decent sound!!

[@boomerdiorama]

It's a nice option to have. It is also nice if it's good quality as well. Cheers!

[@andyp.1102]

@@boomerdiorama YEEEES!!!!!!

[@deejayjonez599]

Sounds amazing!

[@boomerdiorama]

Cheers!

[@Curious_Skeptic]

I'm almost ready to get back in to trains. I have a TON of HO stuff and N scale. I started into DCC, but not very far. I'd love to find better sounds. Broadway did not impress at all! I really want to be able to add custom sound files. Sound is SUCH a big part of the hobby for me! Your track work is AMAZING! Beautiful! Sadly, being cheap, lol, I'm going to use up what I have and just try to make it work best I can. Nothing patience can't improve. ;) PS: I've been trying to design something like the Broadway Rolling Thunder, but for all sounds. So, as the train moves around the layout, different speaker sets would play the sounds instead of the little speakers in the loco! :) Getting there. Might work with old DC as well as all it does is trigger location and switch speaker sets ;)

[@boomerdiorama]

I think Lance Mindheim uses under the layout sound like you are attempting to achieve.

[@Curious_Skeptic]

@@boomerdiorama I'll have to check it out. Would love to see what other's came up with. Rf Tag as triggers. Then the system knows exactly where each loco is.

[@FHollis-gw4cc]

What an incredible difference! The original had that weird sound that I really dislike. Don't know how to describe it, but it's objectionable. The new speaker seems to completely remove it. It's way too bad I don't have room for those in my locos.

[@boomerdiorama]

Lol . . . you summed up my exact sentiments. Cheers! ;-)

[@SilverCreekSub]

ESU is king!! The random sounds can be tweaked and added! Have fun!

[@boomerdiorama]

I would not disagree with you! . . . lol. Don't miss the Live Podcast coming to Second Section Podcast on KZbin November 7th at 5:00 PM Pacific time!

[@1romcat]

Nice work as usual btw!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thanks for taking the time to comment! Cheers.😁

[@1romcat]

@@boomerdiorama Cheers!

[@tonylawlor3503]

We'll just say it sounds angry not pathetic as before a kitten turns into a Tiger brilliantly done 😅😊

[@boomerdiorama]

The danger is going to O scale sound . . . lol. Once you hear it, HO scale sounds tinny. There are times where I just turn sound off as well. ;-) Cheers!

[@AndrewUnderwood-sm7qd]

Cool! I have a whole fleet of MLW C630Ms and an M-636 that need sound upgrades. Cheers!

[@boomerdiorama]

I think you can use Decoder Buddy boards as well if you want to save coin. ;-)

[@clive594]

Nice One ........Kemosabe

[@boomerdiorama]

Cheers! ~ Boomer. ;-)

[@CNJmodeler]

I'm pretty sure that rapido works with ESU to create their motherboards. Another great video!

[@boomerdiorama]

The Rapido motherboard has nothing to do with ESU really. Other than the "pin" slot. I mean I showed that right. No way ESU is giving away a patent on a superior motherboard. Cheers and thanks for sharing! ;-)

[@Vman7757]

Cool. I wanted to hear the horn too. Oh well.

[@boomerdiorama]

It sounds lame . . . 🤣 . . . so I didn't bother.

[@MyFingerLakesRailwayLayout]

I had a friend swap out the 2 Rapido speakers for 2 Scale Sound speakers in both my B36-7's. Huge difference in sound quality. And with a Lok Programmer, you can tweak the treble and bass. As well as install other sound files, as you mentioned. Just ordered a new loco, 4 axle MP-15 switcher, not sure there would be room for the ESU speaker, but will check it out.

[@boomerdiorama]

I put two small ESU speakers in my Atlas MP15. It was a tight fit but surprisingly it turned out to be one of my best sounding locomotives.😉

[@StationaryDingleberry]

I am curious sometimes why companies don't offer different quality levels like a car, say a Honda EX vs. LX and you pay for the difference. I mean really, I don't know the extra cost, but going so far with fantastic detail; who wouldn't pay a little more to avoid crappy sound. Thanks for posting.

[@boomerdiorama]

Great point. The first runs of these were cheaper and less detailed. I think the sound quality and DCC features in current locomotives are still evolving. I also picked up the latest Athearn Genesis Dash 9 and they really knocked it out of the park with Tsunami sound.

[@PeterTillman3]

Hi Boomer - I remember seeing the guy from TCS on the Ken Patterson show around 3 or 4 years ago (can’t remember his name) showing how they record the locomotives and it was pretty high end.

[@yrunaked4]

I believe his name is Dan Mycio

[@PeterTillman3]

@@yrunaked4yes that him 👍

[@boomerdiorama]

TCS really nailed the horn quill for sure. If ESU could nail this it would take things to another level for sound. I mean some of the TCS GE/EMD sounds are pretty good as well. I find the current GE sounds by ESU and Soundtrax to be overdone. The TCS GE sounds are more subtle - which I like actually.

[@PeterTillman3]

@@boomerdiorama sure did

[@bluefj-wc3vz]

Lol, that telephone cable behind building between poles with the splice case is off the hook! 😂 As well as the cable cover on the poles. 🤘

[@boomerdiorama]

I have to move things a thousand times for video production ;-) . . . lol. Cheers. ;-)

[@bluefj-wc3vz]

@@boomerdiorama lol i meant off the hook as being awesome. Not meaning it’s literally off of a hook 😂

[@bobmartin3018]

Have you ever tried Scale Sound System speakers

[@boomerdiorama]

No. I know about them though. I don't bother trying to order stuff (online) anymore because the exchange rate on the dollar and the shipping is ridiculous. Therefore, I just use ESU or make my own. Sound is subjective anyway. Some of my other locomotives sound as good as any scale sound speaker anyway because the recording is awesome as well.

[@joec6804]

I have 7 of these Dash 8's now. I was hunting for speaker replacements immediately after firing up the first one out of the box. Scale Sounds took care if me with a dual speaker combo for all of them. This ESU drop in is pretty slick. An like you mentioned. Acts like it's made for this Dash 8 car body. Good call on hollowing out the stack. Hadn't done that yet. Like you mentioned. There is still more one can do to fine tune these sound features. At least we have the option to do it or not. In regards to the lighting. I don't understand how a manufacturer takes a step backwards in regards to the lighting features. You can get away with using light tubes on number boards, class lights. But for headlights in 2024 for this kind of money? I have two of their B36-7's and they are flawless. But the nose headlight and rock lights on these new Dash 8's is a big, big bummer. Only one out of my seven units have ditch , and rock lights with the same brightness effect. The platform ditch lights are decent. But the rock lights... They shouldn't differ like that. With mine it is like glue is in front of the LED in the housing. I haven't disassembled one yet. But something isn't right. I filled out a warranty work for all but one. Maynhave to take care of it myself like you mentioned. Will keep an eye out for video on how you are going to weather your's. Mine are all pre CN. Cheer's!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thanks for sharing all that. Wow . . . seven Dash 8's sounds awesome. I am going to redo this whole locomotive for lights except the number boards and class lights. I don't mind doing it. Then I am going to weather it like some personal photos I have of those units in Squamish B.C. I want to period date them late for my layout along with a few more "fallen flag" holdovers'. Cheers! 😉

[@lasher9811]

Next time you use this similar speaker, you should try the 4 ohm This resistance works best with ESU. ESU 50344 SPEAKER 24MM X 55MM X 8.6MM, SQUARE, 4 OHM, PASSIVE RADIATOR

[@boomerdiorama]

O.K. I will do that! Thanks for sharing that tip. I wondered about those. I will pick one up. ;-)

[@yrunaked4]

I would love to hear the chug of an old U series GE, they were the most impressive sounding. U Boats Rule!

[@boomerdiorama]

Oh yeah. I think the next Rapido release is a U boat.

[@Bunyip_Studios]

The new speaker is a vast improvement

[@boomerdiorama]

I think so. I mean, I don't mind sound sometimes. It's nice to know it is there on a certain day when you feel like it. ;-)

[@ainsleyperry5192]

Boomer, a very nice upgrade. Is there something in the water out at River Road? Locomotives seem to be breeding like rabbits! Cheers, Chris Perry

[@boomerdiorama]

Lol . . . It has been wet lately . . . 😉

[@ADPeguero]

This is one reason why I want to move over to HO. There's no room in N Scale locomotives to do this. Waiting for you to weather it. I have the CN Draper Taper version of that loco.

[@boomerdiorama]

If you saw my to-do list and where that locomotive sits, you might wonder . . . lol. Everything goes on the long list . . . lol. Cheers.

[@chrisstromberg6527]

Hide the wallet trick, I’m gonna have to try that. LOL

[@boomerdiorama]

It can fail though . . . lol.

[@JF-lt5zc]

Confront Fear OMG, SO true! I've met so many 'modelers' who are afraid to even weather their locomotive, let alone crack the shell and mess with the guts. I bought an Atlas B40-8 a while back (Santa Fe) and it needed work. AC unit wasn't present, headlight needed to be relocated to the nose, horn was in the wrong place, etc. Could I have messed it up? Sure. But even if you do, just keep working it and figure it out, people! I think it is an age thing. I was a modeller as a kid in the 70s and 80s and built my first locomotives from Rail Power Prodcuts shell/chassis or kit bashed Athearn blue box in the 90s. It takes patience and practice but anyone can do it. These days, most peope want the instant gratification and have no idea how that locomotive atually works under the shell, or how to fix it if it has an issue. That Tsunami horn is very nice. It would be nice if the ESU programming was that good. I'm 100% ESU though due to the ability to program and change whatever you want. I may be wrong, but isn't Tsunami pretty locked down? Or maybe they just don't play with JMRI. Excellent video and excellent results from your install. I'll oftenuse 3M double stick tape to mount boards, speakers, etc. Firm enough to hold and easy enough to remove. And it acts as a great insulator! For your speaker mount, try using kapton tape on either side. It's a tight fit anyway and you really just need something to prevent it from wiggling free during handling and operatin.

[@boomerdiorama]

"Could I have messed it up? Sure. But even if you do, just keep working it and figure it out" - That is how I approach things . . . 😉👍

[@RTM-fan]

If there is an ESU inside you can change lighting settings, even with a function key dim the lights, you need the lokprogrammer interface and software I do this all the time. Can help you if you like, but you need the lokprogrammer interface and software to upload the soundfile.

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes there is. The headlight "light bar" sucks and no software programming will fix it properly without turning up the heat on the light, even then it looks lame. ;-) I do have the lok programmer for later. ;-)

[@RTM-fan]

@@boomerdiorama of course, leds are much better, but what I meant is that there are very cool settings voor lights, also a superb setting voor a real looking sirene light, see my firetruck video then you know what I mean, the dimmer function is great if you like to dim light temporarily. I love ESU and for Europe they are easy to get. I normally edit soundfiles and put in real sounds I extract from videos, like all my scratchbuild RTM (Rotterdam Tramway Company) engines. But if you require assistance don't hesitate to ask.

[@boomerdiorama]

@@RTM-fan I have played around with the lokprogrammer. Wish I had more time, because it is very powerful as you say. I just use it for changing sound files and tweaking a few things. When you are building a layout like this coupled to video production, the "collective) small things are huge time gobblers, so I tend to ignore them.😆

[@Johnny_Guitar]

Very cool update Brother, but I seriously need to stress a VERY important point here! Go online and buy a _'ground wrist strap'_ and a _'silicone work pad'_ for your electronics, and why? Simple! Static electricity! If you by any chance accidently get humanly _'energized'_ via carpet rub or any rubbing, that discharge CAN and WILL destroy the I.C. Chips on any board! People who work on computers, cell phone rebuilds or any micro electronics that have very sensitive components, it wouldn't take much of an electrical discharge to _'short out'_ where the Pin-Outs are or any exposed connections, and once they're _'zapped'_ that's it, end of life, a brick! But, in a pinch or otherwise, just wearing well fitted disposable _'silicone gloves'_ when man-handling sensitive circuitries will certainly insulate you also! So do yourself a favour, go online and just buy those 2 tools. Hope that helps a bit! (Surrey, Guildford)

[@boomerdiorama]

That is a very good point you raise and I agree. I was thinking of tethering myself to the table I have with the wood top and metal legs . . . but then I would probably trip and drag the whole shooting match with me . . . lol. Just having fun with yah. Cheers and thanks for the tip. ;-)

[@Johnny_Guitar]

@@boomerdiorama 🤣.........👍😎

[@masyapanama1298]

Great video. I have been looking at some of the Rapido engines, but considering the price I would expect that the little details shouldn't need upgrades such as to the lights, sound - I would also expect etched brass grills etc. Also as an aside, I was never a fan of that BC Rail paint scheme. Preferred the old two tone green livery myself.

[@boomerdiorama]

I agree the green BCR livery was cool but way too early for the period of 2010 that I am modeling. Cheers.😁

[@masyapanama1298]

@@boomerdiorama I understand. Sometimes I try to be strictly prototype and count rivets, then the other times I take artistic license and just do what I wish. Guess that makes me unfocussed LOL

[@boomerdiorama]

@@masyapanama1298 I do the same to satisfy the "collector" in me. ;-)

[@lightrailbo]

I only use TCS sound decoders with speakers from Scale Sound systems. Best sound possible.

[@boomerdiorama]

Cheers!

[@chuckgilly]

The original sound was like dragging fingernails across a chalkboard. The ESU speaker is a much-improved sound.

[@boomerdiorama]

It is!

[@DavidJulin-i4x]

STAGE 4, whats next... Love your ship. But what about the tog... Plesae give me more

[@boomerdiorama]

I haven't finished stage two yet. Stage three is in planning, and stage four is a concept. The Tug is on the build queue for this winter. Cheers!

[@allenlandis4504]

sounds better.

[@boomerdiorama]

Yup!

[@garyspencersalt9449]

With removing the clip type shell slipping half a business card under the keys on both side will allow then to slip off, be careful as it can be very fast, have the loco over soft foam

[@boomerdiorama]

Lol . . . I get that one. We only drop a prized locomotive hopefully once eh? 🤣

[@MosriteCharlie]

hand movements are called an 0-5-0

[@boomerdiorama]

Cheers.

[@readingthebible5413]

I just put a scale sound systems speaker in a sd40-2. Hate it. It’s louder, but it’s way, way deeper of a sound. That would be great if it was paired with the corresponding treble notes. It’s like they just aren’t there.

[@boomerdiorama]

Cheers!

[@randydobson1863]

Hi Boomer Diorama & it's is Randy and i like yours video is Cool & Thanks Boomer Diorama & Friends Randy & I Bye From Otter Valley Trains & Canadian National ET44AC ( EF-644t ) 3015 Veterans & InterMountian & With & Lok Sound Thanks Friends Randy

[@boomerdiorama]

Cheers! 👍

[@1romcat]

Sound upgrade sounds great but at what cost in dollars. In Canada a Rapido with dcc and sound is $350+ so obviously some compromises were made. Maybe someone is willing to pay $450+ for a unit as you have. Wouldn’t it make sense to buy a non dcc/sound Rapido and build from there? Just a thought… J🇨🇦

[@boomerdiorama]

I was going to do what you suggested initially. I have a long list of DCC ready locomotives. How does one know unless someone tells me like I just told you? I never knew, so I thought I would share my experience with my subscribers. 😁

[@1romcat]

@@boomerdiorama so will that be a forthcoming video? Interested in the importance of common decoders in paired units….? Like to see more on that.

[@boomerdiorama]

@@1romcat I have a lengthy video production list for the channel . . . but I also have to build the actual layout as well. Video production takes longer than the build session and the build commitments are long and arduous to maintain the channel as well. Cheers. 😉

[@1romcat]

@@boomerdiorama just suggestions of course. I’ll look through your vids to see if some of what I alluded to has been covered…

[@boomerdiorama]

@@1romcat It is always wise to have the same decoders and mother boards when you wish to MU units back-and-forth and still maintain all the lighting protocol, etc. Less headaches which I don't need in this game as I deal with so many issues that accompany comprehensive builds such as this already . . . lol. 😆

[@skruloos1]

Im a huge alco fan,and those engines tend to be kind of rattiley idling..

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes, it's quite a sound isn't it?

[@derz-crackmodellbahnvideosinsp]

Electronic solutions could be even otherwise wonderful👋🫡 " For example, our 🐈‍⬛ loves the birdsong that plays continiously in stereo as an background sound on my Z-scale layout." 😁😉 Implied with the freely programmable FALLER Soundsystem, among many other sound files...lol CHEERS, THANKS and Happy modeling 😜 Olli

[@boomerdiorama]

Cheers!