[valetman]

On most sound decoders, the sound volumes are adjustable independantly.

If you set everything to zero bar the horn/whistle, then the horn/whistle is the only sound you have.

Personally, I have volume adjusted to a level that means I hear the engine when its within about 5 feet of me, in this case,especially on a large layout, you will only really hear one loco at a time.

 

[valetman]

QUOTE (Expat @ 21 Feb 2009, 08:51) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Anybody got any thoughts on the feasibility of this ?? What are the possibilities of automating it by means of reid switches ??

it would be possible I'm sure, although I suspect using a standard dc sound device would be much cheaper than using dcc decoders.

As to the other point, there are various sound equipped N scale locos appearing from the US outline manufacturers now, so I wouldnt say never when it comes to sound for UK N guage, it will inevitably trickle in over here at some point.

 

[valetman]

QUOTE (Expat @ 21 Feb 2009, 10:00) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>The reason for thinking of having DCC sound chips was that I could have different types of whistles, depending on which loco was 'blowing'.

It would be fairly easy to mount a nice speaker and decoder connected to the DCC bus , its then a question of how its triggered. I'm sure there would be a way.

I would suggest using some of the cheaper US sound decoders from digitrax or the lower end soundtraxx that retail at £50 ish, they are simply generic engine sounds (which you dont need), but unfortunately, they are all US outline whistls and horns, I dont know of any cheap sound decoders with UK sounds on them, so you are back to the loksound or similar at double the price unfortunately.

 

[valetman]

QUOTE (alanb @ 21 Feb 2009, 14:30) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>So, if you have sound, you cannot use ABC in the future.

This is the reason why I was hoping that a manufacturer could provide a cheap decoder with just whistles and horns on which are not dependant on speed.

Lastly, why are sound decoders so expensive? Is it that much more difficult than making a good quality DCC decoder which costs around £20.

AlanB

The Zimo MX640 fully supports ABC , and the sounds will correspond as the loco slows. It has one drawback, limited availability of sound files, although it has only been out for a year.

The sound decoders are what they are, as with anything, they are priced at what the market will stand, and not a penny less.

The US outline decoders are, by and large, about £40 cheaper than the UK loksound ones, which can be accounbted for by economies of scale I would guess.