Looking for advice on his projects

Hi
I have been looking for a sound decoder, preferably Zimo, for a Hornby Class 153 I have my eyes on

The name Mr Soundguy has come up in my searches. But I can't find out much about him. His web page is incomplete although he may be just starting. 

Has anyone had any experience with his sounds?

Cheers
Evan

I've heard of him Evan but don't know anything about him unfortunately.

Is it the decoder you're after or the sound file ?

I know John Dew uses YouChoos who seem to be good also, Paul Chetter (also known as "Paulibanger")  of this parish supplies projects but I do know he's stowed out with work at present.

Hi Peter

It's a bit of both.

I've found some shops who use the ESU decoder. Another Pete (peterm) is a bit of a wiz with Zimo decoders so I am trying to stay with Zimo.

As for the particular sound file I have no real preference for a particular file and would be relying on the company's reputation.

I see Digitrains sell a 153 sound on a Zimo decoder. They describe it as 150/153/156. I have now also had a look at Youchoos. They don't have a 153 but they may have a 150 sound

Dealing with any UK shops from Oz is a real task and not for the faint-hearted so I tend to stick with the tried and true.

Cheers
Evan

Since Brexit on 31st December, dealing with UK is also extremeley difficult for us in France Evan - and we're only 21 miles apart !!!

I now source my Zimo decoders from Germany but, because I model UK outline, will have to buy the sound projects from UK and load them myself.  I don't think that presents any problems under the new trade laws.

I have a Zimo MXULFA decoder update and sound uploading module, bought last autumn, so only need the sound file sending to my computer.  Without this gadget, I'd be in your position in having to buy a ready-loaded decoder.

Until I got the MXULFA, I bought my locos and had the sound decoders professionally fitted in UK and just shipped the whole thing over here. 

 I could still do that but there would now be both customs duty and VAT to pay in addition to the decoder costs so decided, rather than have a decoder shipped from Austria to UK and back to France, I'd nab it before it crossed the channel and avoid those new import costs.

I have just 1 loco fitted with an ESU chip and it's good but I dod have several with Zimo chips and they really are superb.  Of course, with sound, so much depends on the speaker and sound file loaded but, as far as decoders are concerned, I'm going to home in on Zimo from now on - both for sound and normal. 
 
You've probably read that it's all a bit chaotic here at the moment regarding trading between UK and the Continent ……………………….  I'm beginning to think modelling US outline might make more sense !!

Mr Soundguy has been around for years but I have mostly only heard his earlier projects, which quite frankly failed to impress me. I have heard a couple of newer projects from him which seem better, but the number of recordings/videos available online suggest that not many people are using his projects.

You could look on YouTube and also on RMweb at Richard Croft's installations of various suppliers' sound files and different speakers. 

Digitrains and YouChoos both have good reputations. I have used a few steam sounds from John at YouChoos, and he is very helpful with advice. Some, but not all, of his sound projects have playable recordings on the website.

Be aware that YouTube is useful for sussing out what projects may be better, there are many variables that reduce the quality of the recordings and playbacks, so it is a rough guide only. Speakers make a huge difference as well: a sound project often works better with a particular speaker or combination of speakers.

If you don't like a project you have bought, it is possible to get it reblown with different sounds from the original probvider or their 'rivals'. Postage and insuring your valuable decoder add to the cost of doing this, though. I bought an ESU LokProgrammer a while back, so am able to reprogram my ESU decoders, but not the Zimo ones. I can buy the sound project alone, locked to the serial number of the decder I want to reblow, and get it emailed to me to put on the decoder myself, and have done ths a number of times from different suppliers (in particular, legomanbiffo). As Petermac above said, he can do the same with Zimo decoders: if you are regularly buying sound decoders and projects, it could be worth adding up the shipping costs and seeing whether the cost of the Zimo MXULFA is worth considering instead - I have done enough ESU reblows to have justified my LokProgrammer.

Hi Evan,

PeterM is also from Bribie Island (you probably know that, LOL) and has an MXULFA. (We're long term 'PenPals') Have a word with him, he may be prepared to temporarily load sound projects to one of his ZIMO decoders so you could hear it first hand.

I've got a Class 150 project for ZIMO which I can email so you could try before you buy. There are some interesting control features, eg, working brakes, speed related items like flange squeal and detonators. When the doors are 'open' it's not possible to drive the model and if you are already moving it's imposssible to operate the door opening sounds, even accidentally.  (don't want passengers falling out, do we?)

Getting an MXULFA makes sense if you have a few ZIMO decoders. You will be able to easily refresh your decoders to 'like new' simply by updating the decoder software onboard. This often introduces new features and is useful for both sound and non sound decoders. Of course, the ability to load soundprojects is the 'big ticket' feature of the MXULFA, but it's also possible to run a layout as it is a mini central station too, great for testing new updates/projects as soon as they are loaded. (Also load a full sound project in less than 2 minutes).


Best regards,

Paul

I should have mentioned in my previous post that Digitrains have Paul Chetter's sound projects as well as others. I have at least one of Paul's, a class 08/09, and it is very good.

Sorry for not mentioning you by name above, Paul.  :cheers

Thank you for the various comments. Lots of good advice and has given me something to think about.

I have decided to not go with Mr Soundguy for the reasons Jeff mentions.

I do know PeterM and catch up with him quite regularly. He certainly knows his way around Zimo stuff. I suspect he gets nervous every time I ring and start the conversation with ' Can you do me a favour please?'

I think most of my Zimo stuff comes from Digitrains and I am pleased with it. I recently bought a Class 43 sound from Youchoos and have to say I have a few problems with it. Some of the sounds being so faint that you can't hear them properly. As one might say, we are in correspondence and I am hope it will be resolved shorthly

Thanks for the kind offer Paul. Those control features sound awesome. I will check with Pete.

Cheers
Evan

You can alter volumes by adjusting CV's Evan ………. :roll:

Hi Jeff,

Thanks, but don't worry, no offence taken and no apology required.

Pleased that you like the Class 08 sound project. What version do you have? Is it the one with the 'radio controlled shunting' vocals?

Best regards,

Paul

[user=900]Paul Chetter[/user] wrote:

Hi Jeff,

Thanks, but don't worry, no offence taken and no apology required.

Pleased that you like the Class 08 sound project. What version do you have? Is it the one with the 'radio controlled shunting' vocals?

Best regards,

Paul

Mine is !    :cool wink :cheers

[user=900]Paul Chetter[/user] wrote:

Hi Jeff,

Thanks, but don't worry, no offence taken and no apology required.

Pleased that you like the Class 08 sound project. What version do you have? Is it the one with the 'radio controlled shunting' vocals?

Best regards,

Paul

Hi Paul,

No, it doesn't seem to have any radio vocals on it - I just ran it through the full gamut of functions from F1 through to F28 (no lights for F0). I bought it some years ago through Digitrains.

I wouldn't mind updating it to the one you had with the really throaty exhaust, but I can't reblow the Zimo ones myself, and at present it isn't practical to send it in for a reblow.

[user=321]SRman[/user] wrote:

[user=900]Paul Chetter[/user] wrote:

Hi Jeff,

Thanks, but don't worry, no offence taken and no apology required.

Pleased that you like the Class 08 sound project. What version do you have? Is it the one with the 'radio controlled shunting' vocals?

Best regards,

Paul

Hi Paul,

No, it doesn't seem to have any radio vocals on it - I just ran it through the full gamut of functions from F1 through to F28 (no lights for F0). I bought it some years ago through Digitrains.

I wouldn't mind updating it to the one you had with the really throaty exhaust, but I can't reblow the Zimo ones myself, and at present it isn't practical to send it in for a reblow.

 

Hi Jeff,
I know it's a long way but if you want, you can send me the decoder and ask Paul to send me the sound file and I'll load it and send it back to you. I've no idea how much postage would be, but must be cheaper than sending to England.

[user=900]Paul Chetter[/user] wrote:

Hi Evan,

PeterM is also from Bribie Island (you probably know that, LOL) and has an MXULFA. (We're long term 'PenPals') Have a word with him, he may be prepared to temporarily load sound projects to one of his ZIMO decoders so you could hear it first hand.

The penny's dropped. Only took about ten minutes. I think Evan was trying to tell me this, but I thought he was saying that I could put two sound files on one decoder. I could of course overwrite to a decoder and after trying the sounds I can put the original back on.

I do like how Evan called me a wiz on Zimo decoders… if only he knew.  

[user=1120]peterm[/user] wrote:

Hi Jeff,
I know it's a long way but if you want, you can send me the decoder and ask Paul to send me the sound file and I'll load it and send it back to you. I've no idea how much postage would be, but must be cheaper than sending to England.

Hi Peter, that's a very kind offer. It would certainly cost a lot less to send to Queensland than to Britain. Under present circumstances, also probably less likely to get lost or sidelined.

My OH and I were hoping to drive up to Brisbane in mid to late March, but with the uncertainties of border closures and so on, we aren't holding our collective breath! If we do get there, we will be staying for at least part of the time with friends in Caboolture, Petrie and Lawnton, so not all that far from you, so it may be possible to arrange a get-together.

I'll P.M. Paul about the possibilty of getting the file and, of course, payment for same once I am closer to knowing what is happening.

:cheers

Caboolture sure is pretty close and I'll look forward to hopefully seeing you and your better half. :-)

Just an update: I have had a small windfall, so have ordered a Zimo MXULFA. It may take a while to get here, but it means I will be able to undertake my own uploads of sound files. Once I get it, I can see about updating the 08, as well as many other possibilities.

Nice one Jeff. You can keep all your decoders up to date and be able to use the CV's 153, 111 etc.

Not directly connected to this thread, I feel this is the best place to mention thisas it's relevant and could affect us all.
The current bad weather in Texas has meant they aren't making microprocessors 
at the moment, and although a lot of the chips we use are European, there are
going to be less to go around for a while, classic supply and demand issues.

This is also affecting the motor industry, currently the lead time is approx 40 weeks!

I've had the MXULFA for a month or two now but, other than updating my Zimo decoders, haven't used it much.  There's a lot to learn, particularly for a dummy like me,  and I've found it quite difficult to sort out all the details about what it does and how.  Instructions seem to be spread about quite a bit.  

A good, comprehensive, "starter guide" with a glossary of terms attached would be useful for the likes of me ….  As per usual with electronics, the designers expect us to know more about these things than many of us do …… :???:

The supply situation caused by a combination of Covid and Brexit doesn't help either.  I'm trying to get my head around the technicalities and the German language at the same time and my head hurts ……..