Keep It Simple Stupid

Madman

Madman

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Sound systems can get quite expensive. And sometimes they can be just a bit annoying, so we shut them down at those times. For that reason I do not want to spend big bucks on one. In the past I have done the very same thing that I describe in this video. For some reason, this one sounds the best.

For those that like high end very realistic sound, this is not it. It's about as basic as you can get in model railroading. So have a look and let me know what you think, good or bad.

 
Sounds alright to me. I have several 'qualities' of sound card, and guests often find the low end ones more pleasing.
 
It sounds fine to me Dan. I have something similar in my Heisler bash. When stationary you can hear the 'kettle' simmering. High end I don't have - too expensive for me!
 
Sounds better than any of the other Stainz that I have heard or got. Not sure why, is it a Marklin/LGB Sound or an older LGB one? So many Stainz sound like 2 pieces of Sandpaper being rubbed together. This one does not. Curious.
JonD
 
dunnyrail said:
Sounds better than any of the other Stainz that I have heard or got. Not sure why, is it a Marklin/LGB Sound or an older LGB one? So many Stainz sound like 2 pieces of Sandpaper being rubbed together. This one does not. Curious.
JonD
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It's an older Stainz. I've owned one or two of the Stainz locos that come equipped with sound. The first one sounded good, while the second sounded as you say, sandpaper.....:mad:
 
Greg, I can certainly appreciate the sound that comes from those systems like Phoenix and others like the LGB 65000 series modules, of which I owned two at one time. But I am at a point in the hobby where it needs to be simple and inexpensive. Moreover, the average guest is happy just to hear something. It's like smoke. I rarely activate my smoke units unless we have company that wants to see my railway in action.
 
I have used an old Bachmann Big Hauler sound card which is basically a white noise generator switched on and off using a reed switch/ magnet on the wheels arrangement on a Stainz and an LGB tank engine.

I recently used a sound card made using a Picaxe with the program from gregh of Sandstone & Termite fame, it is inexpensive and I like the sound (chip cost $6-8, program was from Greg's site) SWMBO and friends like it so it must be OK. Only other costs was veriboard, some components and a Picaxe programming cable (one off buy).

But then again I am planning on buying another proprietary sound card of Aust make for second of my 1:20.3 scale steam engines when I get it re built but I have to save the $ for it.

I personally think that smoke is not realistic so I have no smoke units fitted to any of my locos, my live steamer Ruby is another matter.

Bottom line is its horse for courses.
 
playmofire said:
Hmmm...think I prefer the Stainz.
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I think the sound of that big loc Phoenix is a bit spoilt by being in a room with poor accustics, would sound very much better outside without the echo's of an emptyish room.

Sadly the Sandpaper comment is not one of my originals, but as in many great sayings I have adopted it with relish.
JonD
 
The Hudson is superb in every way and I diesel have a loco with Phoenix sound which I love. Having said that I think simple sound is all you need in the garden to create the correct ambience. I like the mylocosound steam sound as shown in my Connie. I know the whistle is wrong but that's the sound I like. I like the way this chip stops the chuff as you slow down. Pretty good for £49.


 
chris m01 said:
The Hudson is superb in every way and I diesel have a loco with Phoenix sound which I love. Having said that I think simple sound is all you need in the garden to create the correct ambience. I like the mylocosound steam sound as shown in my Connie. I know the whistle is wrong but that's the sound I like. I like the way this chip stops the chuff as you slow down. Pretty good for £49.


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Certainly the MLS Cards have got much better oflate, I think that I am right in saying that some of the sounds are properly sampled from a real loco. Not sure that this applies to the Whistle as yet. May start to think about one in my next Battery Diesel Railcar Conversion build. I have an old one in another Battery Diesel Railcar that frankly dissapointed, but again for the cost you cannot make a fair comparison.
JonD
 
I think for me the big issue with sound is that it's better if you can tweak it to your needs. Full size locos don't sound identical within classes and the way whistles and horns are blown varies from driver to driver.
 
To be honest I think the 3-beat sound of that old Stainz in Dan's post would irritate me I think, why not 4 beats?

I'm afraid my locos with sound cards usually get the sound turned off after a short while, returning peace and quiet to the garden!
 
ntpntpntp said:
To be honest I think the 3-beat sound of that old Stainz in Dan's post would irritate me I think, why not 4 beats?

I'm afraid my locos with sound cards usually get the sound turned off after a short while, returning peace and quiet to the garden!
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To respond to your second comment, I agree. After a bit, the sound of a steam or diesel loco can getting annoying. Just the site of a train running through the garden is enough at those times.

As for three or four beats, I can't tell how many beats my arrangement has given. If I watch the film carefully, as the train is slowing into the station, it looks like four beats. As described in then Youtube description, I have three brass rods on the axle. The axle in question is a Bachmann standard metal wheel set. The Stainz drive wheels are alittle larger, so the math would have to be worked out. Personally, I am not up to the task. Perhaps if someone with more oomph than I have at the moment might care to do it.
 
Greg Elmassian said:
I understand Dan, just giving an honest response to your question.

Each person may hear different things, and have a different satisfaction level.

I've become spoiled I guess.

Greg
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I would expect nothing less than your honest opinion. After all, I posed the question.

As mentioned, I have heard some pretty amazing sound systems. I have an interest in "O" scale and watch Eric Siegals critiques on Youtube of Lionel, MTH, etc. With the exception of the crew talk, if i closed my eyes I could imagine hearing the real deal. For some reason the crew talk option just doesn't appeal to me.
 
Madman said:
As for three or four beats, I can't tell how many beats my arrangement has given. If I watch the film carefully, as the train is slowing into the station, it looks like four beats.
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Hi Dan, I was referring more to the sound it makes rather than the beats per revolution. To my ears it comes across as a distinct accent CHUFF-chuff-chuff CHUFF-chuff-chuff. Maybe it's because I play drums - I pick up on rhythmic patterns like that. Just have to imagine it's a 3 cylinder loco I guess?

Quite a pleasing sound though for a cheap arrangement.
 
chris m01 said:
The Hudson is superb in every way and I diesel have a loco with Phoenix sound which I love. Having said that I think simple sound is all you need in the garden to create the correct ambience. I like the mylocosound steam sound as shown in my Connie. I know the whistle is wrong but that's the sound I like. I like the way this chip stops the chuff as you slow down. Pretty good for £49.


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Chris thanks for the video clip.
I am I am repairing a Connie (mentioned in a previous post) with a split gear by replacing it with a brass one and I will be converting it to battery and will be installing a mylocosound card. It was great to hear how it will sound.
I will also adding a mylocosound card to a 3 truck shay.
These 2 locos will be my show ponies, the rest of my fleet will have inexpensive sound cards.
 
GAP said:
Chris thanks for the video clip.
I am I am repairing a Connie (mentioned in a previous post) with a split gear by replacing it with a brass one and I will be converting it to battery and will be installing a mylocosound card. It was great to hear how it will sound.
I will also adding a mylocosound card to a 3 truck shay.
These 2 locos will be my show ponies, the rest of my fleet will have inexpensive sound cards.
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My Connie received a brass gear last year. I had to use a bit of loctite on the drivers to keep the screws in place when rebuilding it. My Shay also has a mls sound card .

 
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