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Sound Decoder Comparison
by Don Fiehmann
See also Decoder
Installation Handout (PDF - 1.02 MB)
Click here to download (51
kB) this document in easy-to-print Adobe Acrobat PDF format.
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This is a preliminary comparison of DCC sound decoders
by Don Fiehmann. It will be updated with many performance features
as the units become more available and more testing is completed.
HISTORY
It is interesting how technology works it way into
main stream use. In the mid 1890's superheated steam was the latest
in high tech for locomotives. But it was not until about 1906 that
this high tech invention was put into big production in steam engines.
Why the delay. The superheated steam was so hot and dry that existing
lubrication would failed. It took about 10 years to develop a high
temperature lubrication to make superheated steam workable.
DCC came out in the mid 1990's and now ten years
later technology has made sound a very practicable and affordable
part of DCC. SoundTraxx got the ball rolling and then QSI stepped
in supplying sound to BLI for their locomotives. In 2005 a number
of sound players got into the act. MRC came out with a new line
sound decoders for steam and diesel called “Brilliance”.
Digitrax announced they were going to produce DCC sound decoders
called “SoundFX” at the 2005 NMRA convention. Digitrax
sound decoders were going to be in Kato locomotives. ESU of Germany
has been making sound decoders since 1999 and is now marketing them
in the USA. The ESU line of decoders is called “LokSound”.
The big advancement in sound decoders is downloadable
sound files. Both Digitrax and LokSound have this ability. What
this means for the dealer is they only stock one DCC decoder and
then download the locomotive sound file that the customer ordered.
If the modeler has a programmer they can change or modify the sounds
in the decoder to match their requirements. A decoder that was programed
for diesel sounds could be reprograming for a steam engine.
MRC has taken another approach to minimizing the
number of sound decoders they make. They have only two decoders,
one steam and one diesel with prerecorded sounds. The steam decoder
has 12 whistles and 8 chuffs. The diesel has 11 horns and 7 bells.
The sounds are selected with different CV settings.
Many of these sound files are created by recording
locomotives that are in museums. Newer models are recorded from
operational locomotives. An Internet note from Athearn said they
were going to Colorado to record the sounds of an SD45 so their
new model would be as authentic as possible.
Another area of downloadable sound files that is
just starting to appear on the Internet is modified or new sound
files created by modelers. Now a modeler can make up a sound file
to match some low production locomotive that would not be feasible
for the sound decoder to make. This is a new area of model railroading.
SoundTraxx has not just rested with their line of
sound decoders. Their new line of decoders is called Tsunami. What
makes this new line different is the sounds have been recorded with
16 bit sound samples. Most of the available decoders used 8 bit
sound. This gives their sound a significant improving in the quality
of sound produced by the decoders.
PLAYABLE WHISTLE
One resent addition in sound features is the “playable”
whistle option. This will allow you to play the whistle as it is
blown. The new SoundTraxx Tsunami and the Digitrax SoundFX decoders
will have the “Playable Whistle” feature. In order to
use it you need a cab or throttle that can activate this feature.
The Digitrax DT400 uses a pressure sensitive F2 function key. This
feature has been in the DT400 for a long time in anticipation of
the production of the playable whistle in sound decoders. NCE will
use a combination of a key and the thumb wheel to control the playable
whistle. NCE will require a system ROM update to implement this
on the ProCabs.
COMPARING SOUNDS
The sound that comes out of the tiny speakers in
our locomotives are subject to a many variables. It starts with
how the sound was originally recorded. The location of the microphone
can make a big difference. Sound recorded with 16 bit will sound
better than 8 bit recording.
Once recorded the sounds are cut up into pieces to
make very small sound segments. These are used to make the sound
files that are programed into the decoders. These short segments
can be less that a second to a few seconds long. Sustained sounds
like a diesel idling may only be a short recording that is looped
and played back continuously unit the engine speed is increased.
Whistle sounds may need three parts. The startup sound, sustained
sound and then the sound when you let your finger off the key.
Downloadable sounds can vary in quality and sound
level. I’ve downloaded different sound files and found some
to be louder. With some files you may find that one item may not
sound right to you. I’ve found that the bell in a few did not
sound like a US locomotive bell. Easy to try another sound file.
The installation and speaker can also play a part
in the way the locomotive sounds. Last is how we remember hearing
a locomotive and are own ability to hear the sounds.
Sound Decoder Features
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SoundTraxx
Tsunami
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SoundTraxx
LC
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Digitrax
Sound FX
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ESU
LokSound
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MRC
Brilliance
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Decoder Size
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Note 2
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“AT” format or
1.9 x 0.65 x 0.23
Note 1
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Note 2
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1.22L x 0.61W x 0.26H
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48 mm x 17 mm x 7.5 mm
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Speaker Impedance (Ohm)
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8
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8
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32
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100
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8
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Included Speaker Size
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None
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None
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28 mm, no enclosure
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0.91 inch with enclosure
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28 mm with steam and diesel decoders
plus a 20 mm with the diesel decoder; both come with
enclosures
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Available Sounds
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So far only steam in the beta test
decoders
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Diesel and steam sounds preprogrammed
in decoder
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Downloadable with Digitrax Programmer
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Downloadable with LokSound Programmer
many steam and diesel to choice from
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Choice of steam or diesel decoder
with selectable sounds that are prerecorded.
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List Price
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Not released for sale yet
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TBD
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$79.98
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$139.00
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$119.95
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Note 1: SoundTraxx has Plug N’ Play to fit
individual locomotives. Note: 25.40 mm = 1 inch
Note 2: The production unit is not available yet
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