Recently I've become interested in what Zimo and Zimo Zealots are doing with sound.

Here's a short video by my friend and mentor Paul Chetter, of a Class 37 doing some interesting stuff.

ESU need to do some serious catching up.

:thumbs for sure

It's certainly very impressive, Max. What causes the differences in engine sounds then? The start up sound difference under load compared to no load is very significant. Is it more functions selected by the operator, or is back-emf being used to sense the torque required by the motor and then change the sounds? If the latter, it is indeed, very clever.

Sounds good Max, however I wonder how the Loksound 4 will rate against the Zimo. 

 

Cheers

Neil

I'll let you know when I get up to that bit in the book, Geoff.    As I understand it from Paul it's all simple throttle control, so yes, BEMF would be part of it.  You can see why I have become fascinated by it.

Hi Neil.  From what I've read so far, LV4 is behind Zimo before it is released.  Unlike ESU, Zimo have taken an inclusive attitiude to its customers and are bringing us along as developments occur.  Indeed, senior engineers from Zimo regularly post on the Ukdccsounds forum.

I've only tried the MX 642 (HO) and the MX 690S (G scale) decoders so far, but the sound quality is like chalk and cheese.  Zimo has none of the tinniness associated with Loksound.  Another comparison is functionality.  The 690 has output 1 through 12 plus front and rear lights, compared to the Loxsound XL with 2 plus headlight/rear light.

I see Loksound's place in the market as being for modellers who want a user friendly but limited system for creating their own sound projects; while Zimo haven't set themselves any limits and are keen to provide improvements wherever they are suggested and possible.

Hi Max,

Have you tried any of the Zimo decoders yourself yet?

 

I might have to get one to try them out.

 

Cheers

Neil

Hi Neil

Yes, I have (see above), tried a couple of them.  They're not as simple as the Loks, but more UK sounds are becoming available through the Zimo website, so that's a bonus.

Don't ask me too many tricky questions as I'm right at the begining.  :oops:

The Zimo projects do look (and sound) promising. I have been watching some of the discussions and videos linked from RMweb with interest.

[user=269]MaxSouthOz[/user] wrote:

Hi Neil

Yes, I have (see above), tried a couple of them.  They're not as simple as the Loks, but more UK sounds are becoming available through the Zimo website, so that's a bonus.

Don't ask me too many tricky questions as I'm right at the begining.  :oops:

Ok Max, You've convinced me, I've ordered one.  I'll see what they're like.

Hopefully there shoudn't be any questions.

cheers

Neil

I'll look forward to hearing yours in action, Neil.

Max is there a power storage module for the Zimo sound chips i.e. like Lenz's UPS that holds the power for a few seconds to get over power interuptions.

I still have a renegade Class 105 DMU that is an awful runner.

Regards

Pete

I understand that there is Pete, but I'm not very well versed in Zimo at the minute.

As soon as I know, I'll pass it on.  You could ask on the Yahoo forum Ukdccsounds.

Cheers Max i will ask.

Pete

Very good video and Zimo certainly sound interesting but I have a question.

Are the brakes applied with a separate function or by throttling back to zero?

I ask this because ( I do not want to start a mine is better than yours war) I have been doing most in the Zimo class 37 video with Loksound 3.5 8bit decoder for quite a while.

The Loksound 3.5 will go into coast mode, engine at idle, with the throttle not at zero. If throttle is zeroed brake squeal sounds,loco slows a little. open throttle a little and loco keeps coasting with engine still at idle.

Notching up starting at bottom of hill, starting heavy load  etc, no problems.

 As to the sound in Zimo being better, I can't comment as I have not heard Zimo in the flesh.

 Sound reproduction, specially in model locos, can be subjective anyway.

 I would like to do a video and post it but I do not have a video camera.

 Cheers

 Ian

 

Ian.  Post your question at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ukdccsound/ I'm sure Paul can answer them.

I'm still learning how to make a basic sound project.

I'm happy to take the video for you.  :thumbs

[user=269]MaxSouthOz[/user] wrote:

Ian.  Post your question at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ukdccsound/ I'm sure Paul can answer them.

I'm still learning how to make a basic sound project.

I'm happy to take the video for you.  :thumbs

 Thanks max, I will post on ukdccsound tomorrow.

 Will contact you off line re video.

 

Digitrains are at our local show today and it will be interesting to see what they have. There website is showing nil for Zimo sound.

Any questions you want answering?

Yes, Pete.  When are they going to release some stock?

Jeremy Fairlie-Smith at Digitrains has back orders over the horizon - as do all other dealers.  I cleaned John at Broms out.

I'd like an MX 645 for a start.  :twisted:

That is some video Max. :thumbs  I think Jeff's comment that the Zimo project looks "promising" must be the understatement of the day

Whilst I've never heard any of the other chips for a 37 (on my "to do" list now) and, understanding what Ian said about them being "subjective", that one does sound superb - regardless of how it's controlled.

For we "users", we're aware that guys like you are the brains behind it but the sound was very impressive and your "lack of tinniness" comment highlighted what, for me, makes for a really good sound.

These locos are small and plastic and therefore the speakers must also be tiny but to get that heavy metallic sound out of them is quality indeed.

I particularly liked the "clunking" over-run of the engine on shut-down.  You could almost feel the crank lumping over.

Max one disgruntled customer with a dodgy aussie accent it will be.

Have you tried the German suppliers Max, i have used one or two for ESU and they are fine. Let's see what Diginotrains has to say.