TIPS & TECHNIQUES

Sound Systems

    Recently I have been evaluating the various after market sound

systems that are presently available.  In this article, I will deal with

only the digital systems, since they are recorded on chips from actual

locomotives, and are as close to the real thing as you can get.  My

comments are the result of reading technical articles, product reviews,

large scale chat rooms, e-mail from friends that have installed the

systems, and hands-on experience.   There are basically five major

manufacturers of digital sound systems that I had a chance to review:

LGB, Phoenix, Sountraxx, Dallee, and PH Hobbies.

    LGB has an excellent sound system of very high quality.  Since it is

not offered as an after market product, it will not be reviewed with the

other systems.  I do not own any LGB locos, but I have heard their sound

systems, and they are very good.

    Dallee makes systems that are primarily for DCC (Digital Command

Control)  equipped locomotives.  They do not work well with conventional

track power, and the whistle, horn, bell sounds are only fair.

    PH Hobbies makes basic digital sound systems.  They manufacture  the

systems sold by both Aristo and USA as their "drop in" sound systems..

The engine sound for both steam and diesel is fair.  The steam chuff

rate is controlled by a reed switch, and the diesel sound is controlled

by input voltage.  The bell, whistle or  horn are all controlled by reed

switches or remote control depending on your preference.  The system has

an internal battery which is supposed to be charged by track power.

This battery powers the sound system at low rates of speed,  however

once the battery voltage drops, the sound system cuts off or goes to

static.  This battery has been a major weak-spot in these systems, and I

am told that this problem has been corrected with their new system.

Their new Y2000 Series system is digital, but has been reported as

"marginal" with poor volume and sound quality similar to the original PH

systems.  PH charges $130 to $150 for their system which is high when

you consider the lack of features and the "poor" quality of the sound in

both steam & diesel.  You do not get a crossing signal, and cannot

synchronize the sound with locomotive movement.

    Phoenix makes a top quality series of sound systems.  They have

actually built their systems to specific locomotives, and even to

certain railroads that had distinctive whistle sounds.  They presently

have 22 American steam, 4 European steam, 9 American diesel,  1 electric

engine, 1 trolley car,  1 goose, and 1 rotary snowplow available.  The

sound is excellent, with the steam sound being reed switch or voltage

controlled.  The diesel sound is voltage controlled.  Horn/whistle, and

bell can be voltage controlled, reed switch controlled, or remote

controlled and have excellent sound reproduction.  You also get brake

screech, doppler effects on horn/whistle, and an optional low voltage

booster.  The diesel sound also includes startup, idle and stop sounds.

These systems are not cheap. They are the most expensive out on the

market today,  the sound is not compressed, and as such does sound like

the real thing.  In fact, the doppler effect on the horn/whistle has to

be heard, since it really sounds great.  Phoenix also sells some

fantastic speakers with excellent sound quality.

    Sountraxx Sierra also makes an excellent sound system.  They have 11

different steam systems and 10 diesel sounds available at this time.

Their steam sound is voltage or reed switch controlled, and their diesel

sound is voltage controlled.  The horn/whistle and bell are voltage,

reed switch, or remote controlled and are also excellent  You also get

the sound of the fireman shoveling coal and working the grease gun,

optional coupler clank, and optional firebox flicker with the steam. The

diesel offers start up and idle, air pressure release, dynamic braking

sound and multiple lighting options.  Lighting can be optioned for MARS,

Gyralight, strobe, ditch lights, and many other functions.  There are

fifteen different programmable options available with this sound

system.    This system is probably your best bang for the buck if you

want something more sophisticated than the Aristo or USA system, but

don't want to go to the most expensive sound system available.  Like

Phoenix, Sierra's sound system is also uncompressed, so the sound is

true to the prototype.

    The digital sound world is not total milk and honey.  Unlike

prototype steam in which the chuff rate is shortened as the speed

increases, the digital systems have a tendency to go to the "steady roar

syndrome" at high rates of speed.  The Sierra system has a good set of

automatic effects (two toots for forward, three for backwards, one for

stop).   If you want to blow  the whistle with a remote unit, you must

turn off the automatic functions.  Another potential problem with

Phoenix or Sierra systems is with the use of PWC from Aristo power

supplies.  PWC (Pulse Width Control) puts pulses on the rails to light

the lights and start the smoke working at low rates of speed.  This can

cause your sound system to produce false horn or whistle signals, and

have the dynamic brakes come on when the locomotive is almost stopped.

This can be remedied to a certain degree with Sierra by changing the

sensitivity from medium to high (an option),  and also by adjusting the

filterrate (another option).  These settings have to be by trial and

error  while the loco is on the test track.

    The last area I want to address is the speaker used in these

systems.  The better and larger the speaker, the better the sound.

Since Phoenix and Sierra have a lot of bass in their diesel recordings,

your best sound will come from a speaker that has a large magnet, and

where the cone is free to move.  Steam sound systems do not produce much

bass, and you can get by with the basic speaker supplied by the

manufacturer.  A three inch round speaker mounted in a tender will give

optimum sound.  Most diesels will accept an oval speaker mounted in the

fuel tank area. You need to use an 8 ohm speaker for all of these sound

systems, and Phoenix, Aristo, and Sierra make excellent speakers for

this application. An alternate speaker location for diesel cab units is

in the rear of the body shell  facing up so the sound comes out through

the body vents.  Several people have written me with this suggestion,

and they are very happy with the results.

    The choice of sound systems is up to the individual.  If possible,

listen to each before you make a purchase.  Sierra and Phoenix have

sound libraries that are available on their web pages on the internet.

They will let you hear what you are getting.  Remember also that too

many sound equipped locomotives running at the same time will cancel

each other out.  You want to produce a realistic sound effect on your

railroad, not just a lot of  noise. Always remember that we are dealing

with 1:1 sound in a 1:2X (scale) world.  Many times people overdrive

their speakers to the point that body shells vibrate.  These systems are

supposed to provide sound to enhance the effect of  running trains.

Keep your volume at a reasonable level.