How to find sound file on the ESU Lok sound select replacement boards?

[soo]

Hey all,
     I have been installing the 73199 OEM boards for the Lok Sound Select in the IMRC deuce.

     Funny thing,, I installed one,,,wait that sounds like a alco,, sure was,, I changed it to 75465  EMD 16cyl 645E3 V5 (FT). But the issue is that it does not have the same start up sequence that the stock sound board has. So now I have the second one done,, I just want them to start up the same.

      I have one deuce that came from the factory with the sound board installed.  Is there a way to see what sound file is used on the board that came from IMRC pre loaded? I just does not sound right to my ear. But then it could be that I used a soberton 8x12 and a custom enclosure on the two locos that I did today.

     Do I really want them to sound just the same?.. Maybe,, but when they are mu'ed together,, I want them to sound just a tad different from each other. So you can tell that there is 2 or 3 locos pulling the train.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Y-it

[mu26aeh]

http://www.intermountain-railway.com/customerservice/dccwebpage/IRC-OEM-ESU-Sound-Files.html

Go to bottom of page to find the N scale SD40-2

[jdcolombo]

Hey all,
     I have been installing the 73199 OEM boards for the Lok Sound Select in the IMRC deuce.

     Funny thing,, I installed one,,,wait that sounds like a alco,, sure was,, I changed it to 75465  EMD 16cyl 645E3 V5 (FT). But the issue is that it does not have the same start up sequence that the stock sound board has. So now I have the second one done,, I just want them to start up the same.

      I have one deuce that came from the factory with the sound board installed.  Is there a way to see what sound file is used on the board that came from IMRC pre loaded? I just does not sound right to my ear. But then it could be that I used a soberton 8x12 and a custom enclosure on the two locos that I did today.

     Do I really want them to sound just the same?.. Maybe,, but when they are mu'ed together,, I want them to sound just a tad different from each other. So you can tell that there is 2 or 3 locos pulling the train.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Y-it

You can slightly alter the sound of the prime mover (indeed, any sound) in a LokSound by varying what ESU calls the "sound speed" of that sound.  If you have a LokProgrammer, go to the Sound Slots tab, pick a sound slot, and for that slot you will see two sliders for Sound Speed (Minimum and Maximum).  These sliders will probably be set at 128 (default value).  If you alter them slightly (e.g., take the minimum down to 120 and the maximum up to 134), then the pitch and "thrum" of the prime mover will be slightly different for that unit than one set at a stock 128.  Judicious use of the Sound Speed value can vary the prime mover sound just enough so that you get distinct sounds for each unit in a consist, and it also avoids the "phasing" effect that you get when you MU two sound locos with exactly the same sound file.  You can also use the sound speed controls to vary the pitch and timing of the bell, horn, etc.  Just don't overdo it - small changes in the values make effective differences.

John C.

[soo]

Thanks for the replies guys!!
The file number is 73808. Now I just need to do JDC suggested to make the prime movers sound different while in a consist.
Once again..thanks again.
Y-it

[GM50 4164]

You can slightly alter the sound of the prime mover (indeed, any sound) in a LokSound by varying what ESU calls the "sound speed" of that sound.  If you have a LokProgrammer, go to the Sound Slots tab, pick a sound slot, and for that slot you will see two sliders for Sound Speed (Minimum and Maximum).  These sliders will probably be set at 128 (default value).  If you alter them slightly (e.g., take the minimum down to 120 and the maximum up to 134), then the pitch and "thrum" of the prime mover will be slightly different for that unit than one set at a stock 128.  Judicious use of the Sound Speed value can vary the prime mover sound just enough so that you get distinct sounds for each unit in a consist, and it also avoids the "phasing" effect that you get when you MU two sound locos with exactly the same sound file.  You can also use the sound speed controls to vary the pitch and timing of the bell, horn, etc.  Just don't overdo it - small changes in the values make effective differences.

John C.

That's really interesting John. I had no idea you could play with the sounds like that. I'll definitely play around with my various locos now!!

[nstars]

The trick with sound-speed works great. We’re already using it on a couple of engines. BTW, with the loc programmer it is easy to find which sound file is loaded. Makes match the sounds easier.

Marc

[peteski]

Speaking of these decoders, I bought a LokSound Select 73100 to experiment with.  I don't have LokSound Programmer or access to JMRI.

Does anybody know what is the default sound file installed on those?
The diesel engine sounds like something you would hear in a small compressor or a truck and the horn also sounds really wimpy.  The  RPMs of the engine also don't change with the speed of the motor (it seems to just idle). Then the manual included with the decoder states that F6 controls the AUX1 and 2 functions (which are pre-installed LEDs on the decoder. But if I press F6 those LEDs do not light up.  I'm puzzled (and I have not yet started looking at all the CV values).  There are so many of them to go through them all using my NCE Power CAB. 

I was hoping to just hook it up to my DCC systam and play with it (to analyze the hardware), but it doesn't seem to be the case.

[reinhardtjh]

ESU loads the decoders with a minimal default sound file.  It's only really suitable for testing to make sure the decoder works - i.e. the amp produces sound, the motor circuits drive a motor, AUX functions drive a LED or light.

They expect that the buyer will have their dealer load a file they want or have a LokProgrammer to load the files themselves.

I'm surprised the AUX1 and AUX2 do not work as described.  Read the CV's in JMRI and see how they are set, the documentation could be wrong.  Unfortunately CV programming for functions can get pretty hairy and you really need access to JMRI or the LokProgrammer software.

BTW, if you have a Windows system you can load the LokProgrammer software and use it to calculate CV values even if you don't have the programmer hardware.  It won't care.  You might even be able to read the CV with your NCE system and plug it into the LokProgrammer program and have it tell you what it means.  Might be tedious though.

[peteski]

ESU loads the decoders with a minimal default sound file.  It's only really suitable for testing to make sure the decoder works - i.e. the amp produces sound, the motor circuits drive a motor, AUX functions drive a LED or light.

They expect that the buyer will have their dealer load a file they want or have a LokProgrammer to load the files themselves.

I bought the decoder from MBK and I don't think they program the sounds into them. If they do, it is not obvious on their website.  Normally I buy decoders from Streamlined Backshop, but I was ordering bunch of stuff from MBK, so I just added this decoder to my order.

I'm also puzzled that the default sound file from ESU doesn't have all the features described in the instructions included with the decoder (which shows default function assignment - DIESEL chart). Well, whatever sound file is installed by the factory does not have those features.  I guess this project is on hold until I can find some time to manually check all those CVs.

[RBrodzinsky]

If you would like, I can load a proper file for you, and provide the full CV list.

[nstars]

I recently changed F5 and F6 in a couple of our locos and if I remember correctly it was F5 which was mapped to AUX1 and AUX2. But I could be wrong. 

Marc

[peteski]

Thanks Marc - if I have some time this weekend I give that a try.

Rick - I might just take you up on that offer.  I'll PM you when I'm ready.