Scale Trains Tier 4 Sound -- Speaker Improvement

[wmcbride]

I became sidetracked with the two Atlas Gold SD35s that I had ordered and then work took over so I have not done much with the Tier 4.

I had a speaker lying around and did make a styrene enclosure to fit in the fuel-tank recess in place of the stock Scale Trains' speaker. Unfortunately. I had made a measurement error on my micrometer and the enclosure would not fit in the tank. I dodn't have any other speakers on hand and could not easily disassemble the speaker and housing. i think it's the way to approach this unit and I may get to it in a month or so.

Atlas has done such a good job with the speakers / enclosures on the SD35s. I wish ST had done something similar because the stock speaker isn't carrying the water.

[cbroughton67]

Thanks, Bill. That gives me some ideas and where to focus my efforts.


I know how getting sidetracked goes. It's easy to get excited about a project... then another... and another...

[peteski]

I know how getting sidetracked goes. It's easy to get excited about a project... then another... and another...

And here I thought that I was the "sidetracking master". Nice to see others like me out there. 

[edge8300]

Can you reload different sound files onto the ESU decoders Scale Trains puts in their Gevo's, or are they pretty much set with adjustable parameters?

Also, would be interested in a before and after (A la John Columbo) on a stock ST sound vs speaker/enclosure modifications with detail. 

Cheers!

E. J.

[wmcbride]

After I found my speaker enclosure was a tad too large, I hooked it up to the engine. The sound was a definite improvement - even outside of the tank.

With a Lokprogrammer, you can download any ESU file onto the decoder.

[peteski]

After I found my speaker enclosure was a tad too large, I hooked it up to the engine.

What exactly does that mean?  How do you hook up a speaker enclosure to the engine?  And is "engine" the chassis?

[cbroughton67]

I would download the other Tier 4 GEVO sound file, install that and see what you think before you put a lot of effort into the mechanical bits. I adjusted the individual sounds afterwards and I'm pretty happy.

-jamie

@lashedup I just downloaded the V2 file, and it does sound better. The prime mover still sounds a bit over-driven to me, even in sample on the website, but still better than the original. All the other sounds are clear, so I think it has more to do with the recording than the speaker. Are there any specific changes you made that you think improved the overall sound quality? Care to share those changes? This is my first experience with the LokProgrammer, so use small words and short sentences...  Thanks,Chris

[wmcbride]

What exactly does that mean?  How do you hook up a speaker enclosure to the engine?  And is "engine" the chassis?

Ha! Yes, you precisely got me being imprecise.

I hooked the speaker enclosure up the factory speaker wires from the chassis and played with the engine in "full throttle" mode.

[peteski]

Ha! Yes, you precisely got me being imprecise.

I hooked the speaker enclosure up the factory speaker wires from the chassis and played with the engine in "full throttle" mode.

Ah, got it.  So the speaker system (speaker in an enclosure) was just sitting beside the loco and you then enjoyed listening to the richer sound of the Full Throttle effect.

[cbroughton67]

There's not much real estate where the factory speaker is installed. Did you mill-out the opening to create more space?

[wmcbride]

My problem was making my enclosure a tad too high. When I next get to this I will make an enclosure that fits in the existing space and see what that is like. I sure hate to have to start grinding ...

@peteski: Ha! I did enjoy the sounds but what was more important was the the improvement in sounds from the new speaker and its enclosure (even outside the tank) compared to the factory sound. It was akin to a John Colombo before and after video without the polish, knowledge, and skill.

[peteski]

My problem was making my enclosure a tad too high. When I next get to this I will make an enclosure that fits in the existing space and see what that is like. I sure hate to have to start grinding ...

@peteski: Ha! I did enjoy the sounds but what was more important was the the improvement in sounds from the new speaker and its enclosure (even outside the tank) compared to the factory sound. It was akin to a John Colombo before and after video without the polish, knowledge, and skill.

Yes, John does some great work (both with initial sound installs, and factory-sound improvements), and his videos ain't too shabby either. It is all educational and inspirational. 

[jdcolombo]

Well, gee, guys, thanks for the praise.  But most of the time, I'm just floundering around like everyone else, trying to get something to work.  When I find something that DOES work, then I share it.  I don't post about all the failures, so maybe I look smarter than I am!   

John C.

[peteski]

I don't post about all the failures, so maybe I look smarter than I am!   

I don't see that as a problem.  Thomas Edison was not flaunting his frequent failures either. 

[GaryHinshaw]

No mention of Edison is complete without this clip: