N Scale sound in locos sound terrible to me

[nuno81291]

I model in HO primarily now. I only have 1 of 10 units that does not have sound. I find it very little bizarre when I call up that unit and it moves silently... totally hate it. It just seems totally wrong to me now. I modeled for years with DC with no sound. Never going back. Now how do I get an install on a 44 toner?   I would agree that there are different levels of quality out of the box. At most I have done some tuning of levels, and at that some brands seem to just have better files or mechanical design of a speaker enclosure. However I’d take bad sound over no sound every time.

[jdcolombo]

Sound like the turbine in a Turbo Train doesn't draw as much attention in real life because the loud sound lasts only about a minute (or less) as the train passes by you. But when you are operating the Turbo Train on a layout, you are constantly hovering above it, continuously being exposed to the full volume of the whine.  Taking it even further, in a layout setting, you will be exposed to the whine in the entire room,  even if you aren't operating the train. Unlike in real life, the sound doesn't fade to silence once the train passes.

True of the Scale Trains UP Turbine, as well.  I can only take about two minutes of that thing before I have to turn the sound off.  But people at train shows love it.  Sounds like a jet engine (which it basically is . . . ).

John C.

[Steveruger45]

Sound like the turbine in a Turbo Train doesn't draw as much attention in real life because the loud sound lasts only about a minute (or less) as the train passes by you. But when you are operating the Turbo Train on a layout, you are constantly hovering above it, continuously being exposed to the full volume of the whine.  Taking it even further, in a layout setting, you will be exposed to the whine in the entire room,  even if you aren't operating the train. Unlike in real life, the sound doesn't fade to silence once the train passes.

Soumdtraxx has a layout system that might be worth investigating that appears to cater for the “passing sound” experience.  Anyone seen/heard or has it that could comment on it.?
https://www.soundtraxx.com/surround/index.php

[CNscale]

Now how do I get an install on a 44 toner?

Well here's how you would do it in N scale:

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But you're in HO, so I guess you're out of luck. 

[Maletrain]

I like sound on my locomotives, and also some ambient sounds like crickets and birds chirping and water flowing.  But, those sounds need to be low enough that they are not permeating the room and giving everybody the sound effects from everywhere at the same time.  Maybe cork ceilings would help?

One thing that strikes me after an op session with too much sound is that the real railroad crews probably had even more sound, and it was continuous!  And, those folks were doing it long before there was much thought about hearing protection.  Every time I hear the locomotives on the old Reading mainline blowing for the endless series of grade crossings, I wonder how the engineers stand it.

I also wonder about those model sound locomotives that have the horns/whistles set to much lower volume than the other sounds.  Is that because they are recorded inside the cabs? 

I agree with the post that said the sounds of N scale equipment should seem like the sounds of the prototype at the distance that you are away from the equipment in scale feet.  There, the sounds that are intended to carry, like the horn and bell, should dominate.  I guess the low frequencies of the engines and cars rolling should be noticeable, too.  But, that is a challenge in N scale.

[Dave V]

I go back and forth.

[EspeeGoldenState]

We've talked endlessly about sound in locos, but with all the refrigerated boxcars and containers out there, yet only a handful ever have sound. Or say the diesel generator in a business train consist.

You could lump them kinda into the ambient noise section, but every time I look at my BLMA reefers or ST containers I debate about putting sound in a couple. Heck even passenger cars have units under them making noise.

I for one will never own a steam locomotive without sound, when I see one running without sound, it just looks dead. Even 4014 when hauled back to Cheyenne had some sound as it went by.

Chris

[peteski]

I also wonder about those model sound locomotives that have the horns/whistles set to much lower volume than the other sounds.  Is that because they are recorded inside the cabs? 

I doubt it.  All the sound decoders I have ever worked with have all those different sounds played through separate distinct channels on the decoder. The volumes for all those individual channels are adjustable.  I think the default volume levels were simply arbitrary chosen by the person who created that sound project to be uploaded to the decoder.  Actually, in many cases, all the individual volumes for all the sounds are set to the same level (probably with no thought being given to how they sound together).  I doubt that someone tailored the volumes specifically for "in cab" experience.

[Jbub]

We've talked endlessly about sound in locos, but with all the refrigerated boxcars and containers out there, yet only a handful ever have sound. Or say the diesel generator in a business train consist.

You could lump them kinda into the ambient noise section, but every time I look at my BLMA reefers or ST containers I debate about putting sound in a couple. Heck even passenger cars have units under them making noise.

I for one will never own a steam locomotive without sound, when I see one running without sound, it just looks dead. Even 4014 when hauled back to Cheyenne had some sound as it went by.

Chris

I recently purchased an Athearn refer with sound and was able to run it last weekend at a local train show. I thought that it was going to be gimmicky but was pleasantly surprised. Granted I've actually heard a refer engine running but it was cool to have sound from the middle of the train. The only thing I don't like about that car though is the electrical pickup design. It's super high friction to the point that I wonder if the wheels actually roll when the cat is being pulled

[CRL]

I recently purchased an Athearn refer with sound and was able to run it last weekend at a local train show. I thought that it was going to be gimmicky but was pleasantly surprised. Granted I've actually heard a refer engine running but it was cool to have sound from the middle of the train. The only thing I don't like about that car though is the electrical pickup design. It's super high friction to the point that I wonder if the wheels actually roll when the cat is being pulled

Why are you trying to drag a cat 🐈 around your layout? 

[Maletrain]

I see that BLI is now offering their stock cars with not just cattle sounds, but also chickens and sheep. Did I miss pigs, or have they not gotten there, yet?  Somehow, this is more like a side-show than a realism thing.  I keep having visions of those Lionel circus trains with openings in the car roofs and giraffe heads+necks sticking out.

[DKS]

I go back and forth.

TWSS

[MK]

I keep having visions of those Lionel circus trains with openings in the car roofs and giraffe heads+necks sticking out.

That won't happen.  Giraffes don't make noises.

[Steveruger45]

That won't happen.  Giraffes don't make noises.

They do when the train they’re  in goes into a tunnel.   It’s a sort of “ thud, splat”. 

[MK]

Ewwwwww!