N Scale sound in locos sound terrible to me

[peteski]

Surely, there’s room on this board for more than one curmudgeon. 

You specifically quoted part of my post, so I responded.

And as you said, you are free to be as grumpy as you want here.  But expect that another curmudgeon will address your comments, especially if he is being quoted.  Everybody here is free to sound-off 

[C855B]

...Everybody here is free to sound-off 

Which is exactly what I do... turn the sound off. We're here all week folks. Be sure to tip your server.   

[robert3985]

When I turn on my layout, and all my engines start up...the diesels coughing and grinding, the steam engines' turbines spooling up as the headlights come up to full intensity, and all that banging and blowing off....then, when I start pulling a drag out of the yard with the bell ringing and with proper whistle signals...then listening to the rods clanking when I'm drifting down-grade, and the brakes squealing just perfect when I come to a stop at the Echo Coaling tower....I'm in model railroad HEAVEN, with a big ol' smile on my face.  Frankly, I don't give a rat's weenie if some model railroaders don't like sound...that's just fine, but, it's totally futile to try and rain on my parade because the weather's always good on my layout with DCC, lighting effects, and SOUND!   

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[Point353]

For all the die-hard loco sound fans, why isn't there a similar level of interest in recreating the sounds that the rest of the train makes as it goes by?
For example, go to the Horseshoe Curve webcam and listen to the racket as a train grinds its way up the hill.
Alternatively, go to the La Plata MO webcam to hear an entirely different sort of noise as a string of stack cars whizzes past at 70 mph.

[Lemosteam]

For all the die-hard loco sound fans, why isn't there a similar level of interest in recreating the sounds that the rest of the train makes as it goes by?
For example, go to the Horseshoe Curve webcam and listen to the racket as a train grinds its way up the hill.
Alternatively, go to the La Plata MO webcam to hear an entirely different sort of noise as a string of stack cars whizzes past at 70 mph.

IMHO, that would be the use of an under-layout sound device as the sound might be specific to a locale on one's layout.  Maybe a mid-consist car with a sound decoder in it to put the sould in the middle of the train "in-curve" would also be a way to handle that.

Me?  I like sound (and DCC) because I am enamored by the miniature tech.  I find it amazing that devices can be manufactured to fit in a scale this small.  I can't wait till they develop an engineer's seat located micro camera in 4G HD and object recognition for layout control. 

[robert3985]

For all the die-hard loco sound fans, why isn't there a similar level of interest in recreating the sounds that the rest of the train makes as it goes by?
For example, go to the Horseshoe Curve webcam and listen to the racket as a train grinds its way up the hill.
Alternatively, go to the La Plata MO webcam to hear an entirely different sort of noise as a string of stack cars whizzes past at 70 mph.

I can only speak for myself, but when I'm operating my sound equipped engines, I'm in the cab, not standing alongside the track...so sounds of the train passing are irrelevant to me.  On several of my locomotives, I can do a doppler effect, which is cool, but I don't use it very often since I envision myself in the cab traveling at the same speed as the locomotive.  Maybe a doppler effect for grade crossing bells would be more appropriate!

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[jdcolombo]

For all the die-hard loco sound fans, why isn't there a similar level of interest in recreating the sounds that the rest of the train makes as it goes by?
For example, go to the Horseshoe Curve webcam and listen to the racket as a train grinds its way up the hill.
Alternatively, go to the La Plata MO webcam to hear an entirely different sort of noise as a string of stack cars whizzes past at 70 mph.

Actually, some sound decoders also have a "rail-clack" sound that you can engage.  For me, I suppose I'm less interested in that because I'm focused on running the engine - not quite the "I'm in the cab" perspective of Bob Gilmore, but more of "I'm in my car chasing the loco on a road that parallels the tracks."  If I were going to do that, though, I'd use a stationary decoder with speakers under the table at the specific "train watching" spot where the sound would be expected - like a grade crossing, for example.

John C.

[Point353]

I can only speak for myself, but when I'm operating my sound equipped engines, I'm in the cab, not standing alongside the track...so sounds of the train passing are irrelevant to me.

Do your sound equipped steam locos have the speaker in the loco or in the tender?
If the speaker is in the tender - and you're in the cab - doesn't it seem strange for the sounds of the loco to be emanating from behind you, rather than in front?
Also, does only one train at a time operate on your layout, or do other trains sometimes pass your train on an adjacent track?

[ristooch]

Me?  I like sound (and DCC) because I am enamored by the miniature tech.  I find it amazing that devices can be manufactured to fit in a scale this small.  I can't wait till they develop an engineer's seat located micro camera in 4G HD and object recognition for layout control. 

I echo that feeling. I like the tech, and I am sure I'd enjoy sound (my Athearn Big Boy is a positive indicator) but my hobby time is limited, and I'd rather not spend it replacing existing decoders, wiring capacitors and speakers, rewiring ditch lights, etc. I know I would have to try this should I buy a factory-sound-equipped diesel in an effort to try to improve it as others have shown (egotistical if they can do it, I can).

As things stand now, I am steadfastly resisting buying new locomotives anyway. Wait, did I really just type that?

[CRL]

The above several posts show some of the issues with sound. Different POV’s ranging from in the cab, to a trackside perspective, to a 300-500 scale foot perspective. As obvious as the visual difference of these POV’s are, so are the audible perspectives. I spent a number of years as a member of a railroad museum located trackside to a UP mainline. There is no way to reproduce the visceral impact of that sound in a modeling environment, not even if you “scale the sound” as some have suggested, especially that wheel with a flat spot. That leaves in-cab video, which the gamers and their VR equipment could use, or the 300-500 scale foot at closest approach perspective. I would recommend some railfanning from that distance to see what sounds are audible at that distance in the 1:1 scale world, and adjust your volume levels accordingly. The suckyness of the sound isn’t as obvious at lower volume levels.

I would encourage those of us who don’t like on board sound to continue to make your feelings known so the manufacturers continue to supply non-sound decoder options, and DC options also, or we’ll find ourselves being forced to purchase more expensive equipment than we want. I’m still pissed 😤 that cheap Roundhouse railcar kits are not available. Slap some MT trucks and couplers on those puppies, hit them with some weathering chaulks and you had a reasonable model at a reasonable price. Paying $25+ for a railcar sucks. 😡

[C855B]

... I would encourage those of us who don’t like on board sound to continue to make your feelings known so the manufacturers continue to supply non-sound decoder options, and DC options also, or we’ll find ourselves being forced to purchase more expensive equipment than we want. ...

Agreed. Especially since it's BLI who seems to be pushing the "get it with sound or not at all" business model, and their sound solutions have so far been awful, both in audio quality and operational difficulties. It appears many modelers with interest in sound have been replacing the stock BLI decoders and speakers, paying for sound twice. Really? BLI needs to be... and probably have been... called out on this, but I sense a certain pigheadedness in the product management there when it comes to the audio products.

[jdcolombo]

Agreed. Especially since it's BLI who seems to be pushing the "get it with sound or not at all" business model, and their sound solutions have so far been awful, both in audio quality and operational difficulties. It appears many modelers with interest in sound have been replacing the stock BLI decoders and speakers, paying for sound twice. Really? BLI needs to be... and probably have been... called out on this, but I sense a certain pigheadedness in the product management there when it comes to the audio products.

Actually, Bachmann has also moved to an "all sound" inventory. 

But to be clear, I agree that manufacturers should offer "sound ready" locos (essentially a "DCC-ready" loco with a place for a speaker).  Even those of us who like sound tire of having to pay for a lousy factory sound job, strip it all out, and start over.  I'd much prefer buying a sound-ready model, and put in my decoder/speaker of choice.

John C.

[C855B]

Actually, Bachmann has also moved to an "all sound" inventory.  ...

Yeah, I was going to mention that as an aside, but wanted to underscore BLI started this mess and are a little belligerent about it. Don't forget Athearn is not that far behind, with mandatory sound on their steam since their first-run Challenger with that wireless remote.

[davefoxx]

But to be clear, I agree that manufacturers should offer "sound ready" locos (essentially a "DCC-ready" loco with a place for a speaker).  Even those of us who like sound tire of having to pay for a lousy factory sound job, strip it all out, and start over.  I'd much prefer buying a sound-ready model, and put in my decoder/speaker of choice.

Unless it's an ESU LokSound decoder provided in the stock locomotive.  Then, I'm okay with it! 

DFF

[bman]

I would encourage those of us who don’t like on board sound to continue to make your feelings known so the manufacturers continue to supply non-sound decoder options, and DC options also, or we’ll find ourselves being forced to purchase more expensive equipment than we want. I’m still pissed 😤 that cheap Roundhouse railcar kits are not available. Slap some MT trucks and couplers on those puppies, hit them with some weathering chaulks and you had a reasonable model at a reasonable price. Paying $25+ for a railcar sucks. 😡

Every chance I get. And I be sure to let BLI know when they ask me at a show that my roster does NOT include any of their locomotives. And modeling PC/CR from 1975 to the CR split between NS and CSX, I've a more than a few locomotives for a 2 1/2 X 12' layout. And Bachman?  I don't even know what they offer here of late. Which reminds me. Is it possible to change one's user name? Asking for a friend.