Uploading Sound Files To LokSound Decoders (103)

One of the great things about LokSound decoders is you can upload new sound files to them whenever you want. This can come in handy when the LokSound folks release a new sound package containing sounds from your favorite locomotive or a new selection of bells or horns, etc. Plus you can make modifications to the sound package itself with the new version 5 decoders. So let's take a look at the equipment you'll need as well as the process for uploading a sound project to a LokSound decoder.
Here's a link to the LokSound website where you can find sound packages:
www.esu.eu/en/downloads/sounds/

[@v4victory665]

another Excellent tutorial on a very little covered subject, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge .. you really are the DDC Guy 👍👍

[@mandbhomestead]

Great video Larry, that is an extensive program. I am Looking forward to the Digitrax session (as I use those decoders). I am still learning about DCC and Sounds. All of this stuff has really changed since when I was a kid (in the early 80’s) running DC trains with no sounds. Thanks for sharing and stay safe. Ken

[@michaelfedora5630]

Super video Larry very educational

[@CarminesRCTipsandTricks]

Larry.... I could watch your Intro 100 times!! I'm a confirmed ALCoHaulic, nothing sounds like them!! Especially the 251s! One thing I've never done (yet), is program Sound Files. I really want to get some Lok Sound DEcoders. Besides great sound, the Throttle modulation is amazing! The Decoder Tester is worth its weight in GOLD! Thanks for this. 👍👍 Carmine ✈🚂🚙

[@TheDCCGuy]

You’re welcome.

[@DCCTRAINPlus]

Well done.

[@SammoKarm]

Excellent, Thank you for this it has been extremely useful.

[@flyboy2610]

I just got my ESU 53900 decoder tester in the mail today! Haven't even had it out of the package yet, too much "stuff" on the workbench! That will be tomorrows project. I'm guessing this could be used with the Digitrax PR3 or PR4 to load sound programs into their decoders. I bought 4 SDN136PS decoders at a price too good to pass up. One of them will go into a Bachmann 0-6-0 steam locomotive that I modified to more closely resemble Union Pacific #4439, the last operating steam locomotive in the Los Angeles area. I put a Digitrax DZ123 in it, not a lot of room. I'm thinking some frame mods may be needed. But anyway, the SDN136PS comes pre-loaded with a steam sound file for a class K-27, a narrow gauge 2-8-2. I'll be needing to load a new sound file for it. This is uncharted territory for me, glad you're there to help guide me through it!

[@PSYCHIC_PSYCHO]

Thank you, very useful and helpful information.

[@KimKeyboardKimFokken]

I am looking at a Lok53900 decoder tester but it looks slightly different that yours so what model is yours? I like the idea of preloading sound files into decoder before it goes into locomotive. I have that Lokprogrammer device and I hook it up to my windows 10 laptop.

[@TheDCCGuy]

It is at least 8 years old so they probably have updated the design in that time.

[@BC-fy1wn]

Larry,can I use the newest ESU Loksound Command station to program ESU decoder sound files?Or do I still need the stand-alone decoder programmer.Also,can I use any version sound files with the latest sound decoders?(i.e.,V5 decoders can I use version 4 sound files)?Thank you for your time and these videos.

[@TheDCCGuy]

I din’t own one if these bu AFAIK the command station can only program the decoder CVs but I don’t think it has the capability to upload a sound project to the decoder. For that you either need the LokProgrammer or have the dealer upload the sound project when you buy the decoder.

[@johnpriestley3714]

Hi Larry, some time ago i was watching one of your videos were you mentioned the value of I-Phone speakers. compared to Sugar Cube, I have obtained some from the internet but unable to see what to do? there is 4 electrical contacts. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I really appreciate your videos very informative. Thanks

[@TheDCCGuy]

The iPhone 4 speakers that I have seen only have 2 electrical contacts-what kind did you order? Once you find out the type then just do a Google search to see what the extra contacts are for and how to use them.

[@johnpriestley3714]

​@@TheDCCGuy It was I-Phone 4 now I see it now one is the screw hole fixing (note electrical) the other is the connector for the signal antennae that came attached to the speaker unit leaving the two terminals. Thanks Larry Great stuff keep the good stuff coming with your videos I live in the Philippines so need people like you to keep me updated on products like the alpha voltage amperage meter from DCC concepts, you covered in a previous video.

[@rogerhancock5834]

Hi Larry, Can you use the LOK Progammer to change sounds on other manufacturers decoder or just on ESU decoders?

[@TheDCCGuy]

No, as I said in the video these are proprietary files and devices, which means they only work with that makers decoders.

[@josephbenko5578]

Using Lok Programmer and latest software, and downloading factory sound project (73877 Select Direct Micro) in a Windows 10 PC. If you check the downloaded file the Functions and General tabs will display the factory Functions Descriptions (light, bell, horn...) and under the General it display a full locomotive description, but after loading project to decoder both areas are blank for the most part. How can I keep the factory information when moving the project to the decoder?

[@JWitchard]

Excellent video. Does NCE do similar equipment to upload sound files and can files be uploaded to other manufacturers decoders such as Zemo etc.? Best regards, John.

[@TheDCCGuy]

NCE does not offer sound decoders. The sound files, software, and hardware are all proprietary, which means they can only be used with that makers deciders.

[@JWitchard]

Thank you for the clarification.

[@DugmerJunction]

Hi Larry, Does the programmer it allow you to copy and paste projects from a decoder which already has a complete sound file and duplicate/save it to a new blank decoder? I would imagine the sound projects are protected by serial numbers and wont allow you to copy but thought i'd ask.

[@TheDCCGuy]

To my knowledge you cannot download a sound project from a decoder to use on another one since as you say it could lead to copyright type issues. However if you have a sound project you have download free from the ESU/LokSound website then you can makes changes to certain types of files. This is a very complex process and to et an idea you can download the LokSound decoder manual rom their website and read the section on that. Zimo has an interesting take on this in that you can load a paid version sound file into one of their decdoers and then buy the activation code for it. That protects developer’s work theoretically encourages development of more sound projects.

[@DugmerJunction]

The DCC Guy thank you for the reply

[@natetoews2421]

Something I am curious about is my layout has river valleys and badlands and the train horns echo but my scaletrains es44acs I have to add echo to the horn

[@TheDCCGuy]

Sound is one of those things that don’t scale down all that well. You just have to be willing to suspend reality a bit. Of course we already do that since our locos run off electricity instead of steam or diesel, among other things.

[@SignalMan9292]

What about just flashing ditch lights for a DCC only n scale scaletrains NS C40-9

[@tyhik9338]

Happy New Year Larry, question, if I purchased an HO Scale cab car or locomotive from Atlas or Rapido, how much money do I need to pay for the folks at Lombard Hobbies to install 21 pin decoder?

[@TheDCCGuy]

I have no idea, why not ask them?

[@KimKeyboardKimFokken]

I have the same thing hooked up right now. Tester ESU53900 to Lokprogrammer device and that connected to windows 10 laptop so the only way right now that I see something is working is when I click for decoder information, is recognized. I am currently using decoder ESU 58429 which I will be installing on 5 of my locomotives. Two of them is getting new main boards that currently have soundtraxx and I am changing to loksound 5 so all 5 of those locomotives will have that decoder in them. So with that being said, I am not seeing any lights coming on, on the tester

[@normanmaxwell9003]

Hi Larry not sure if you still monitor your utube posts but wondered if it is possible to extract a sound file from a retailer loaded ESU loksound decoder to a file on PC using lokprogrammer or other means then reload onto new blank loksound decoder as i have a decoder that i have lost audio output but everything else works i.e. drive & lightning so suspect amplifier ic fried. Cheers Norm

[@TheDCCGuy]

Norm-to my knowledge these are proprietary files that cannot be extracted. However most sound files for North American prototypes are available on the ESU website or the model manufacturer’s whereas in the UK and EU most are available only from creators who embed a serial number for the specific decoder it is to be installed on.

[@normanmaxwell9003]

Thanks Larry i wondered if that may be the case, will buy a blank loksound & see if i can find file close enough on ESU site as this was a Class 68 Transpennine Express so exact wont be avail. Keep your tutorials coming they are very helpfull. Cheers Norm

[@dario86707]

hi how can i save the sound data? because once the decoder sounds have been deleted which box should I select so as not to delete everything? Thank you.

[@TheDCCGuy]

I am not exactly sure what you are asking here? Did you clear the decoder memory? If you have the LokProgrammer you can just upload the program again.

[@nolanknoepfle8044]

Can the ESU tester be used as a bench programmer before you install a new decoder

[@TheDCCGuy]

Yes, that is the idea. You can also program the decoder on it before doing an installation and since it has a speaker you can test the sound. By the way, several companies including TCS make comparable versions.

[@nolanknoepfle8044]

@@TheDCCGuy I have already purchased the tester but the paperwork that comes with it is hard to read and I couldn’t find where it said that. Thank you so much. Love your videos.

[@engineerhall5887]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@MusiGigs]

I am getting the error "the current sound file is too large for the decoder error", any idea how to resolve this ? Many thanks

[@TheDCCGuy]

I’ve never seen that one. If it is a ESU LokSound file you’ll haven’t to contact their tech support. If it is a third party file then you’ll need to ask them.

[@MusiGigs]

@@TheDCCGuy thanks mate, I have many ESU based locomotives never had this issue. Looks like the memory of the decoder is corrupt and needs kind of reformatting for a fresh writing and that is something I don’t know how to do with the lokprogrammer. It is a free ESU sound file that was there. I have written to them, let’s see how it goes. I shall definitely share the outcome of this here so everyone can benefit, please wish me luck.

[@TheDCCGuy]

Have you tried reloading the decoder firmware?

[@MusiGigs]

@@TheDCCGuy yes Sir, did that. The decoder is not dead, the lights and movement back and forth works, just the sound file or sound memory is corrupt it seems, it is not allowing me to rewrite anything in the sound memory, even though the space seems empty. This is a unique experience… I have reached out to ESU support let’s see

[@MusiGigs]

@@TheDCCGuy further update, I tried checking if the sound files are there in the decoder … there are none, but the moment I try to write the sound file it turns red and says that the file is too large for the decoder. Which means the space to write the sound file is not there. I tried with the smallest sound project to check if that works, but still same error

[@tyhik9338]

Do you have to have a decoder tester or no?

[@TheDCCGuy]

If you mean the ESU one yes I have one.

[@cato12]

Will this decoder tester work with the esu lok xl

[@TheDCCGuy]

Assuming it has a compatible connector or wires there should be no issue that I know of.

[@Steve_B1950]

Thanks.... But I use Soundtraxx

[@TheDCCGuy]

So do I, I use the all.

[@REDDFOX12]

Do you tutor privately for a fee. Let me know.

[@TheDCCGuy]

Sorry, no time.

[@rdanscale3416]

Larry watched your Video Actually on my Tv yes you tube on the Big Screen it's actually better for some reason easier on my Eyes.. Got a few Questions I was given a Computer completely free from my cousin, It's an hp 650 with Windows 10 8 gigs onboard it has a i7 vPro processor.. I believe it has enough space for Decoder Pro & Esu's lok Programmer.. One thing I want the lok Programmer for is to Add too what say Kato or Atlas or Scale Trains has put onto the Decoder Larry like adding door sounds or if the Engine is used for DPU mode or just to change a Horn or Bell maybe add break squeal but I don't necessarily want to change what's been installed by the initial company.. If you could do or already have a Video on doing this type of Programming I'd appreciate seeing it most of my Decoders are installed by Kato & by Kelly Duford which was programmed with a specific program only from Kato it ain't one you can just Grab off of ESU's website Alec from ESU said this Larry so it's a Sword I want to tread with carefully I'd like to update or add to what the Decoder already has but not loose it's valuable contents & speed tables... Thanks for your Time Larry & I'm watching as Many Videos as I can sometimes more than once just to remind myself of what I watched not that I'm tuned in just trying to Cram in all that I can remember like at school.. Allen D

[@TheDCCGuy]

Yes you can modify LokSound files, BUT it is a very involved procedure. So before you take that dive into the deep end I suggest you look a lot more closely at what is actually involved. You can download those files and mess with them on your computer using LokProgrammer before you jump in and by the hardware needed. If you are not very computer savy you could be getting in over your head. I am a techie type and I have never quite figured it out.

[@andersonfonseca7282]

Translater for portuguese to please

[@TheDCCGuy]

Use Google Translate.