New to programming sound chips.

Have just purchased a PR3 interface from Digitrax ($80 AUD delivered).
Been reading the docs.
Have several digitraxSDH164D chips ($45 AUD delivered).
Am going to install one in my Challenger and see if I can program in the sound file from digitrax.
Then hope to make my own files.
Will let you know how it goes as I see others are working on the idea in the Northern Hemisphere.

PS to above.
I hope trainzcp catches this and is good enough to post me as I think he can help me a great deal.
I don't want to dump on him however.
Hint Hint.

trainzcp is no longer a member.  He was ejected after constantly posting copyright material despite several warnings.

Maxsouthoz is the forum legend and has worked on many sound projects and may be along soon to assist!

Thanks mate. Being a new chum I was unaware.
I will contact the boy from south OZ and begin dialogue.
Catch you
David T.

David, there is a Yahoo user group called ukdccsound.  It's a kind of geeky narrowly focussed forum, but you might find it interesting.

Thanks Max. I will search it out.
How long have you been playing with sound files etc.

About 5 years.

I have a couple of the latest Digitrax sound chips and a PR3 and there is definite potential.  Unlike the previous generation of chips they at least have some form of built-in motor control and you can actually re-program them!  I had nightmares with the previous versions and ended up sending them all back for refunds.

I have only managed a few incomplete experiments so far but have created a class 58 sound project from my own audio files which is quite encouraging. Be interested to see how things go for you.

Cheers
Dave

So what are the prices now comparing Digitrax Zimo Loksound?

Brian

So Dave, what about a how to on the Class 58?  Step by step.  I can't wait.  :thumbs

Well, after what seems forever I have finally got everything together and have programmed new sounds into my Digitrax chips.
I have reprogrammed a chip which I added to a UP Challenger. The sounds are acceptable. One looses some definition as engine revs increase. At slow speed the loco sounds great. As you go faster there is a loss inquality of the individual chuffs.
Will play with it some more.
I also added a chip to my recently purchased On30 "Coffee Pot".
SAR Railmotor No.1.
The whistle sounds a little like a Galah on a bar-b-q hot plate but is rather appropriate.
The chuff is of a small tank loco. Also sounds appropriate.
I am satisfied with both as a beginning.
Next I want to obtain my own sounds and program them in.
Am keeping my fingers crossed.
See Ya
David T.

Have programmed a few more locos.
3801 purchased a "Robinson". Think that is correct as I don't collect British OO.
Would like to but you cant do everything.
We put a digitrax chip in it and loaded some british sounds from the Digitrax site.
One lot were a bit poor so loaded another.
Much better.
Runs like a charm and sounds british. Whistle is great as is the chuff.
At $40 it's a lot cheaper than other chips and even though it may not be quite as good the expensive ones are not 4 times as good as their price would indicate.

I agree with David, the 'Rod' goes and sounds well.
We have spotted a Class 37 Diesel sound file on the site… might have to give it ago on one of my 37 to compare with the factory ones.

Sorry for getting your online name wrong Waz. The loco sounds great no matter who he is.
David.

[user=519]Black5[/user] wrote:

I agree with David, the 'Rod' goes and sounds well.
We have spotted a Class 37 Diesel sound file on the site… might have to give it ago on one of my 37 to compare with the factory ones.

The Digitrax 37 sound file is OK-ish but doesn't come up to the quality of sounds generated on the more expensive ranges of sound decoders.  I also find that the Digitrax speakers aren't really that good and always change them for base reflex.

Yes John, we did change the speaker and it made a difference.

But a £104 chip compared to a £29 chip… I'll take the OK(ish) sound any day:thumbs

[user=519]Black5[/user] wrote:

Yes John, we did change the speaker and it made a difference.

But a £104 chip compared to a £29 chip… I'll take the OK(ish) sound any day:thumbs

Yep, that's fine!  I was just trying to making the point that you get what you pay for!!

Indeed you do, John.
I have a tsunami sound chip in an On30 loco and it sounds really great. The digitrax that I have in an identical loco is not as good. As long as I don't run the two at the same time I am delighted with the digitrax. In the comparison it is noticeably not as good. So I generally only run one at a time.
For the price difference I don't have any problem with the cheaper chip. The sound files are the main difference. A good sound file on a less able chip is better than a cruddy sound file on a good chip.
Of course a cruddy sound file and a crook chip and  $@^%$#%.
Besides I like programming the chips.