O scale sound decoders

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ok, so I know in N Loksound is the shiz, is that the case in O as well?

What about the other manufacturers? I know someone who recommended Soundtraxx.

What's the skinny?

[peteski]

ESU makes large and XL decoders. I have no experience with them but I'm sure they are just as good as the ones we used in N scale (they are all v5  decoders, so they should all have similar programming).

ZIMO (Austrian manufacturer) makes large scale sound decoders.  ZIMO are good decoders but their American sound selection is not as extensive as ESUs.

[davefoxx]

Any of the name brand sound decoders will probably do fine, assuming they have a sound file that will work for your specific project.  I'm partial to ESU, but I understand that Soundtraxx may be as good, if not better, for steam projects.  The real key is installing as big a speaker and sealed enclosure as you can get inside the tender.  That's where it will really pay off.

DFF

[VonRyan]

I know my workplace has the larger ESU decoders in stock, but like the Foxx said, the real kicker will be the speaker you put in there.

[C855B]

I know my workplace has the larger ESU decoders in stock, but like the Foxx said, the real kicker will be the speaker you put in there.

O may have the space for much larger speakers than N, but I still don't think there will be room for a Kicker.




 

[ednadolski]

I used the Loksound L Select in my P:48 GP9.   Very pleased with the sound and motor control.

http://www.esu.eu/en/products/loksound/loksound-l-select-loksound-l-v40/

Speaker IIRC is a 1.25" round installed in the fuel tank.

Ed

[ednadolski]

I used the Loksound L Select in my P:48 GP9.

BTW and FWIW I used to have a Tsunami in there but like the Loksound a lot more.

Ed

[k27463]

I am personally a huge fan of Tsunami 2 in steam.  If you decide to go that route PM me and I'll be happy to walk you through some tricks.

However I think Wowsound has better eastern steam sound sets; but they're not quite as reliable/bulletproof and I'm not sure if they have a decoder capable of O scale amperage, outside of their G scale decoder.

The Tsunami TSU-2200 may be an option as it has 2 amps of motor drive which I suspect will be enough (I've run a G scale 2-6-0 on one...).

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Well damn, looking at Wowsound, they actually have a recording of the bell from the very engine I'm modeling:
https://tcsdcc.com/SV4

I am personally a huge fan of Tsunami 2 in steam.

Why do you like the Tsunami?

BTW and FWIW I used to have a Tsunami in there but like the Loksound a lot more.

Ed

Why?

[mu26aeh]

Ed talk to my buddy Ken with O scale layout in town.  He and Matt from ESU have been working together to get some of his locos playing nice with the ESU XLs

[k27463]

Well damn, looking at Wowsound, they actually have a recording of the bell from the very engine I'm modeling:
https://tcsdcc.com/SV4

Why do you like the Tsunami?

TCS is from PA, they have a great deal more recordings of Eastern roads than Western.

As much as ESU has done a great job of upgrading their sound files for steam the past few months/years, TSU2 just sounds/runs a bit more like how I feel a steam locomotive operates.  I like the dynamic chuff -- add some momentum, and it'll load up nicely as you throttle up before easing off at a constant speed, and cutting back to almost silent with just a touch of rod knock on deceleration.  I suspect Soundtraxx focused on steam first and then diesel.  It just feels more alive.

I'll try to shoot a video of a tuned up TSU2 loco sometime on rollers for a demo.

[ednadolski]

BTW and FWIW I used to have a Tsunami in there but like the Loksound a lot more.

Ed

Why?

I think the Loksound has better sound quality and I like the sound files better.   Also the motor control, and of course the FT feature.

Ed