Soundtraxx SoundCar

[renegade]

Good day guys,

I have looked at the Soundtraxx SoundCar decoders with interest. I think I want some...

For those that have no idea what these are, I will explain... 

We all know, and have most likely heard, a loco can be equipped with a DCC sound decoder.   This gives us the nice bells and whistles (literally) and some additional sounds, such as engine rumble (or chuffs if you are that way inclined) and so on.   however, all the sound is then focussed at the head en of the train.  in real life though, sound is everywhere.  we have wheel flange squeel, brake squeel, clickety clack on the wheels.   also, when a caboose is used, and the train backs up, its horn is blasted, and when moving though a grade crossing or station at slow speed, its bell rings along with the loco's.   SoundCar allows this to be simulated.  it also gives you 4 functinos which can be used, for example, as a FRED, or flickering light in the caboose's stove, interior lighting, etc, etc etc.   but wait, that is not all...   you do not need to install this decoder in a caboose...   how about a reefer?  it has a diesel or gas powered refrigerator that runs.. add the Soundcar, and HEAR it...  or your passenger cat that is equipped with a generator?  soundcar will do that, and allow internal lighting...

no, I do not have shares in the company.. I just like the idea...

so yeah, they suggest adding about 3 decoders to a train or 12-15 cars for optimal effect...

for more info, have a look at the Soundtraxx website... http://www.soundtraxx.com/dsd/soundcar/soundcar.php

has anybody had any hands on with them yet?  what is your opinions?  yay or nay?

I like sound a lot, and think this will add just that little extra...

[Freightcars]

The videos of the Soundcars is impressive.  This does add an extra dimension to the actual models because you're adding sound to the rest of the train.  So your modeling is that little bit more real.

I haven't got any experience with the Soundtraxx models so I don't know how good they are in real life.

I did some expirimntation with the same idea using a Digitrax sound decoder.  It worked OK in theory but I never got round to finding better audio samples to make it work properly.  Its a project I need to consider picking up on again.

Cheers,

Niel