Help needed from someone using this.

Because sound decoders are still really expensive (in both money and time for installation), I am thinking of using the 4d Sound add-on. I'm struggling to find sound files to assign via Train Animator and can't find any complete 4dsound projects on the net to see how it's all cobbled together.  Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated, as would any comments on how well it works. I'm reluctant to spend US$150 and then find out it isn't very good or that there are no available sound files to make it work properly.

Peter

OO Green Diesel / Steam crossover with TC Gold V8 with Digitrax DCS100 and all sorts of other bits & pieces

Hi Pete,

I bought 4Dsound a few years ago and after experimenting with a few sound graps from you-tube videos decided it was too much like hard work hard on my medium sized layout.

Like you I couldn't find much in the way of sound files on the net and having no access to locos I found that there are plenty of train videos on youtube s I used readily available software to convert the video into a downloadable MP3 file.

I then used audio editing software to break the sounds down into small "graps"that could be used in 4Dsound.  I only experimented with diesels as steam was far too complicated.  The result wasn't too bad but it was programming the blocks around the track to try and imitate the sound of the loco that let me to give it away. - You really do need a lot of patience and spare time. _ installing a sound decoder takes 5 minutes - I spent over 15 hours trying to get 4Dsound to give me something partly realistic

That said I have found that the software is good for ambient sounds - there are plenty of sound files on the net and unlike locos there are generally not UK specific - ( church bells might be one exception)

I can't fit sound decoders in 5 minutes so I'll persevere a bit longer. I found some downloadable sound files from the Trainsim community that seem to have some promise. I'm still to be convinced that it merits installing an old unused surround system  under the table and buying an external soundcard for my laptop to drive it.

Peter

That 5 minutes is perhaps a little "wishful thinking" Peter but it really doesn't take long.  A few minutes once you've got the body off !!! (I assume you're modelling "OO" or "HO" gauge)

Sound decoders are indeed expensive but to me, they're worth every penny !!!  Have some background "effect musak" playing by all means but the real fun experience comes once you've got the decoder fitted. :cheers

Hi
I use an American simple chuff chuff sound box which is ok but not particularly realistic. I am tempted to buy the system from MrRails of Southampton of which their demo sounds seem ok.

[user=1043]Wizmacnz[/user] wrote:

I can't fit sound decoders in 5 minutes so I'll persevere a bit longer. I found some downloadable sound files from the Trainsim community that seem to have some promise. I'm still to be convinced that it merits installing an old unused surround system  under the table and buying an external soundcard for my laptop to drive it.

Peter

Peter,

To get the best out of 4D sound you will need a surround sound system and a soundcard that supports it. 
I was fortunate that I already had the kit and an appropriate  sound card in my computer so I only had the cost of the 4D software ( which costs about the same as one loco sound decoder).
Given my experience, and depending on how many locos you want to run, I would not recommend going down the 4D sound route for good loco sound unless you are prepared to invest a significant amount of time on the project.

 

[user=540]gdaysydney[/user] wrote:

[user=1043]Wizmacnz[/user] wrote:

I can't fit sound decoders in 5 minutes so I'll persevere a bit longer. I found some downloadable sound files from the Trainsim community that seem to have some promise. I'm still to be convinced that it merits installing an old unused surround system  under the table and buying an external soundcard for my laptop to drive it.

Peter

Peter,

To get the best out of 4D sound you will need a surround sound system and a soundcard that supports it. 
I was fortunate that I already had the kit and an appropriate  sound card in my computer so I only had the cost of the 4D software ( which costs about the same as one loco sound decoder).
Given my experience, and depending on how many locos you want to run, I would not recommend going down the 4D sound route for good loco sound unless you are prepared to invest a significant amount of time on the project.

 

I already have a spare surround sound system and can get  a suitable soundcard very cheap.  As you say the software is about the cost of a single decoder, so having purchased the software are you using it? If so is it worth the time you've invested?

Peter

[user=1043]Wizmacnz[/user] wrote:

I already have a spare surround sound system and can get  a suitable soundcard very cheap.  As you say the software is about the cost of a single decoder, so having purchased the software are you using it? If so is it worth the time you've invested?

Peter

Peter,
For loco sounds definitely "no" I now use mine for ambient sounds only.

Well I might just save myself the expense then. I can probably do ambient sounds without +4dsound.

It is quite easy to play ambient sounds with the plain TC software. In System Operations there is an entry labelled Sound File, after selecting this you can browse to the location of the file you want to play.

I use it to play various bell codes and the tapper in a simulated signal box. I have also used it to play an engine whistle when needed. If I could find suitable files it would be useful for station announcements, doors slamming etc.

Hi Brian
I'm playing with lights at the moment, but I do intend to get back to RR&Co sound later and have the full sound and light show. I have picked up quite a few sound files; including  doors slamming, guards whistles etc. from various places on the Internet, but I couldn't put my hand on my heart and swear they were all public domain.
Peter

I will keep looking for more sound files.  This is an 80sec video of TCG playing the tapper and bell codes in my box. They play through the laptop speakers.

4D?  I haven't progressed from 1D!

Terry