Sound Decoder for A4

stmartins · 2009-02-14

Having been "bitten" by the sound bug I have just ordered a sound decoder for a new Hornby A4.I am told it should all fit into the loco. Having ventured inside City of Sheffield the chip and speaker are in the Tender so I was wondering whether anyone has actually fitted the decoder and speaker into the A4 loco. Any advice appreciated. I have looked on the Hornby site to see if there is a diagram but there is no DCC sound PDF's available yet.

dwb

· #2 · Feb 14, 2009

There's plenty of room in the current Hornby loco drive model for the LokSound decoder. I installed a 20x40 speaker in the tender after carving away quite a lot of the lower bunker sides. I used a four pole micro connector from Express Models (website) to take make the connection to the speaker. I used four ways so that I have the opportunity to add a lamp to the rear of the tender at a future date. The cable is quite stiff so it hangs in a safe and stable position just under the footplate.

David

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Martin71

· #3 · Feb 14, 2009

Hi

Hi

Yes I can understand how you were bitten by sound bug. Im not sure where you got your A4 sound from but in my opinion DCC Concepts by far has the best A4 sound.

I have done a fair few A4's and I always manage to put 23mm speaker up over the cylinders and a 40x20mm speaker in the tender. If you use 2 speakers make sure you wire them in parallel.

Here is a couple of links to give you a bit of an idea.

This is an A4 with 2 speakers.

This one has the front speaker only and the tender is not attached to show you the effect.

Hope that helps.

m

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stmartins

Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 14, 2009

Hi Martin
I have just ordered the chip ( will arrive Tuesday) from South Western Digital, hence the question of fitting. I have to admit I was a bit ignorant of DCC concepts but have just mailed him enquiring about the original Deltic decoder he does.
Its a bit of a minefield at the moment as I love the concept but it seems as if its all down to the actual recording that goes onto the decoder memory. If I keep buying them I will have to take out another bank loan!!!
Will let you know if the chip comes up to expectation which I am sure it will

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neil_s_wood

· #5 · Feb 14, 2009

I used a 23mm and 20x40 in parallel in the tender and was very happy with the results. I used the SWd one which is what I'm assuming you are using. I did post clips of these somewhere but can't remember where. Vey few locos will allow you to easily locate the speaker in the boiler. Be prepared for major surgery if you take that route.

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stmartins

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 21, 2009

I used a 23mm and 20x40 in parallel in the tender and was very happy with the results. I used the SWd one which is what I'm assuming you are using. I did post clips of these somewhere but can't remember where. Vey few locos will allow you to easily locate the speaker in the boiler. Be prepared for major surgery if you take that route.
=============================================================================
Hi Neil
completed the task, it was just so easy. I cheated a bit and the speaker is in the body pointing up towards the double chimney!. I have a friend who is a Gresley fanatic and he thinks the sound is brilliant from the Klychap Blast pipe effect.Was not sure of the decoder when I first fitted it but with a few minor tweaks I love it, its a lazy man's decoder as unlike the Duchess this does it all for you, guards whistle, steam, a toot from the chime whistle and off it goes.Its a nice touch.There must be a huge market out there for genuine British Sounds if I am to believe the interest from this forum.
Its a shame our availability is so limited to pre-recorded american or European locos.

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neil_s_wood

· #7 · Feb 21, 2009

QUOTE (stmartins @ 22 Feb 2009, 00:38) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I used a 23mm and 20x40 in parallel in the tender and was very happy with the results. I used the SWd one which is what I'm assuming you are using. I did post clips of these somewhere but can't remember where. Vey few locos will allow you to easily locate the speaker in the boiler. Be prepared for major surgery if you take that route.
=============================================================================
Hi Neil
completed the task, it was just so easy. I cheated a bit and the speaker is in the body pointing up towards the double chimney!. I have a friend who is a Gresley fanatic and he thinks the sound is brilliant from the Klychap Blast pipe effect.Was not sure of the decoder when I first fitted it but with a few minor tweaks I love it, its a lazy man's decoder as unlike the Duchess this does it all for you, guards whistle, steam, a toot from the chime whistle and off it goes.Its a nice touch.There must be a huge market out there for genuine British Sounds if I am to believe the interest from this forum.
Its a shame our availability is so limited to pre-recorded american or European locos.
Hi StMartins, was that just the speaker on its own or the speaker with its enclosure?

Cheers Neil

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Martin71

· #8 · Feb 22, 2009

Hi

Worth sealing the speakers it really improves the sound to no end. The tender is no real problem you got plenty of space but I struggle putting the 23mm pointing at the cylinders as I usually have a smoke genny in there also.

Also try not to have speaker floating but mounted on a sturdy surface to reduce vibration etc. I also reinforce the sides of the tender to reduce this problem.

Glad to hear you have it completed and I wish you many hours of enjoyment!

m

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stmartins

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 22, 2009

Hi StMartins, was that just the speaker on its own or the speaker with its enclosure?

Cheers Neil
============================================================================

No it s bit naughty...I could not get the speaker and enclosure inside the body, just too tight so, as the chip is fully enclosed in a plastic sleeve I have stuck it onto the chip with a thick sticky pad.I don't expect its ideal for a lot of Locos but the Gresley had a peculiar "echo" chuff caused by the Blast pipe and the open fitting probably amplifies this on this loco but it probably would not suit another loco.
I have posted a minor complaint on this site in that very few UK companies are doing dedicated UK sounds... SWD seems to be the only one I have seen and these are limited, its such as shame as reading the forum the interest seems to be there.
Is it the New British disease..If its not made in China we cant do it!!!

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dwb

· #10 · Feb 22, 2009

QUOTE SWD seems to be the only one I have seen

My sounds are from SWD and DCC concepts. I have seen reference to sounds from Howes and Olivias trains. I think there may be a couple more as I am sure someone will post on shortly.

David

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neil_s_wood

· #11 · Feb 22, 2009

QUOTE I have posted a minor complaint on this site in that very few UK companies are doing dedicated UK sounds... SWD seems to be the only one I have seen and these are limited, its such as shame as reading the forum the interest seems to be there.

There are a few more companies doing sound with diesel well covered, if you like that sort of thing. As David said Howes have a reasonable range which varies in availability, Olivias have some which I haven't heard yet and there is also someone called Mr Sound Guy who I have not yet heard too. DCC Concepts will do custom sounds jobs and other mods for you too.

The big issue at the moment is that there is not that much UK steam sound commercially available as it is harder to do. The companies that do UK sound are mainly sticking to diesel sound as it is easier and needs less work for a return on the investment.

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