Best DCC Diesel sound

[randa2007]

At Pen-Gos model railway I started with Zimo 645s for the sound of many locos before trying the Coastal DCC options with the V4 ESU LOKSOUND. I would definitely say that the V4 gives the better sound but I have now just fitted a class 25 and a 52 with the LEGOMANBIFFO V4. These 2 engines are by a long way better than Zimo and slightly better than the LOKSOUND. However the BIG difference is the DRIVELOCK. QUITE simply yo give the loco some power then hit F8. This locks that power setting BUT STILL LET'S YOU WORK THE THROTTLE. The result is you can change the engine note separately from the speed. I give the loco a mid to low speed setting then use the DRIVELOCK and alter the engine note, especially great when starting a heavy train. Then by turning F8 on and off you can toggle the train speed. This feature is very unique and I would recommend anyone to buy one of these superb sound systems.

I will put more video clips on my YouTube channel Pen Gos model railway in the next few weeks.

[MikeParkin65]

Just spent the afternoon playing (all the housework done this morning!) with my Legoman equipped Deltic and 24 with Drive-Lock. It is does give a new dimension to the sound - I got quite addicted to setting off from the station, locking the speed then openging up the engines under the bridge - great fun!

[tractor_37260]

At Pen-Gos model railway I started with Zimo 645s for the sound of many locos before trying the Coastal DCC options with the V4 ESU LOKSOUND. I would definitely say that the V4 gives the better sound but I have now just fitted a class 25 and a 52 with the LEGOMANBIFFO V4. These 2 engines are by a long way better than Zimo and slightly better than the LOKSOUND. However the BIG difference is the DRIVELOCK. QUITE simply yo give the loco some power then hit F8. This locks that power setting BUT STILL LET'S YOU WORK THE THROTTLE. The result is you can change the engine note separately from the speed. I give the loco a mid to low speed setting then use the DRIVELOCK and alter the engine note, especially great when starting a heavy train. Then by turning F8 on and off you can toggle the train speed. This feature is very unique and I would recommend anyone to buy one of these superb sound systems.

I will put more video clips on my YouTube channel Pen Gos model railway in the next few weeks.

 

First off both Coastal and Legoman use Loksound V4.0 decoders - the loaded sound files will of course be different.  There is always great debate as to which is better Loksound or Zimo - but a LOT depends on the actual sound files loaded also.  Legoman's latest versions with Drive Lock etc are very good indeed, if not the best presently available Loksound files, but also worth considering Howes and SWD - who were the first to bring sound to the UK market.

 

As for Zimo - unquestionably - the best available sound files are Paul Chetter's  - his ActiveDrive versions are really excellent all round - the SLW Class 24 being a prime example of them...............

[Albie the plumber]

It has to be said , we sound modellers have never had it so good !

 

Both speakers and sound projects have improved beyond all recognition .

 

Ten years ago , it was a V3,5 and a 23mm round speaker , the sound was good but you simply couldn't do anything other than drive to the sounds .

 

Different story today , as already pointed out you can do so much more , and in real terms , the price of these chips has barely risen .

 

Thanks should go to all those people ( they know who they are ) who spent half their lifetime getting model loco sound /movement to sound/behave more like the real thing !

 

Thanks guys , we really do appreciate it ! 

[Dougjuk]

For me I love Bifs sound work, apart from a Sutton class 24 the rest of my fleet (25 in total) are all legobiffoman.   He is always helpful and since buying a programmer I can get upgrades and updates easily.

 

My speakers of choice are the Zimo dumbo's that I have bought from Youchoos, they have transformed my fleet.

[Craig1989]

Me and my dad have about 40 diesels with sound and we have a couple of factory fitted sound one with southwest digital and the rest all legomann and always use legomann

[rushdenx1]

Personally I prefer a bit of variety when it comes to the sounds on offer.  I have a number of Class 37's and have at least one fitted with Sound from the main suppliers: Digitrains Active Drive, Legomanbiffo Drivelock, Howes, SWD and Olivia's. Each have their own merits and I still enjoy the range of different sounds you get and the different driving techniques

required.  Yes, the sounds and speakers have improved, but unless you're a connoisseur there's no need to start replacing or upgrading your whole fleet. One of my favorites is still a Loksound 3.5 with SWD sound.  Kevin.

[NoelG]

At Pen-Gos model railway I started with Zimo 645s for the sound of many locos before trying the Coastal DCC options with the V4 ESU LOKSOUND. I would definitely say that the V4 gives the better sound but I have now just fitted a class 25 and a 52 with the LEGOMANBIFFO V4. These 2 engines are by a long way better than Zimo and slightly better than the LOKSOUND. However the BIG difference is the DRIVELOCK. QUITE simply yo give the loco some power then hit F8. This locks that power setting BUT STILL LET'S YOU WORK THE THROTTLE. The result is you can change the engine note separately from the speed. I give the loco a mid to low speed setting then use the DRIVELOCK and alter the engine note, especially great when starting a heavy train. Then by turning F8 on and off you can toggle the train speed. This feature is very unique and I would recommend anyone to buy one of these superb sound systems.

I will put more video clips on my YouTube channel Pen Gos model railway in the next few weeks.

 

 

ESU LokSound's DRIVELOCK (i.e. 'Full Throttle' version feature) is an innovation, but personally I prefer Zimo's 'ReadDrive' approach which is quite different, but definitely more prototypical to drive and serious fun to drive.  The quality of sound is down to the recordings not the chip used.  What is missing from LokSound is proper coasting (i.e. power off, loco coasting but very slowly decelerating all the time), and proper braking when coasting.  This allows one to stop a model train exactly the same way as prototype (i.e. toggling brakes without throttle use).  This replicates how in the real world one has to judge distance, speed, train weight and inertia to guide a train to a stop at a station, often commencing the coasting/braking operation over 1/2 to 1 mile away from a station depending on train type/speed, etc.  

 

I have LokSounds V4.0 with and without 'DriveLock', and Zimo 645's, all great to be honest, but I just get a real buzz out of driving the Zimo despite the better recordings on many of my ESU chips.

Edited May 21, 2017 by NoelG

[charliepetty]

ESU LokSound's DRIVELOCK (i.e. 'Full Throttle' version feature) is an innovation, but personally I prefer Zimo's 'ReadDrive' approach which is quite different, but definitely more prototypical to drive and serious fun to drive.  The quality of sound is down to the recordings not the chip used.  What is missing from LokSound is proper coasting (i.e. power off, loco coasting but very slowly decelerating all the time), and proper braking when coasting.  This allows one to stop a model train exactly the same way as prototype (i.e. toggling brakes without throttle use).  This replicates how in the real world one has to judge distance, speed, train weight and inertia to guide a train to a stop at a station, often commencing the coasting/braking operation over 1/2 to 1 mile away from a station depending on train type/speed, etc.  

 

I have LokSounds V4.0 with and without 'DriveLock', and Zimo 645's, all great to be honest, but I just get a real buzz out of driving the Zimo despite the better recordings on many of my ESU chips.

 

Watch out for Legomanbiffo's NEW sound decoders SOON!!!

[Andy7]

I have about 25 sound decoders and as a rule would say a V4 legomanbiffo is excellent. My favourite sounds though are my 66 with The latest Paul Chetter file and it is exceptional. You literally feel you are driving the loco. Different modes (light loco/ heavy train), notching and braking control on an F key. Really very good (this is the only Zimo decoder I own).

Edited May 23, 2017 by Andy7

[MikeParkin65]

Spent a very enjoyable few days at the Severn Valley diesel gala where 2 of the visiting loco's were 'Peaks' 45041 and 45060.

 

So as soon as I got home I fired up my D55 which is a v3.5 with Howes project and D108 which has legomans. I have to say both capture different parts of loco's character - Legoman has the low down 'whallop'  (and this is without an 'Earth Mover'!) whereas Howes has the spooling down sound 'off to a tee'.

 

As others have said above, having different projects on the same class of loco's gives good variety to the fleet and keeps it interesting

[Neils WRX]

I model European HO and generally have standardised on ESU Loksound as I like how you can tweak the sounds in Lokprogrammer. I do struggle a bit with " Full Throttle" as I only have a small layout and it takes time to build to full power, rather than just putting the throttle to maximum. Saying that I do have a project for a Czech 751 produced by Artol which does have the option of putting the power controller straight to "10" which is excellent.

[Nigelcliffe]

....I do have a project for a Czech 751 produced by Artol which does have the option of putting the power controller straight to "10" which is excellent.

 

I'm waiting for Biff to do one which goes up to 11 as that's one more than 10.

 

- Nige

[andybuttterworth1962]

Watch out for Legomanbiffo's NEW sound decoders SOON!!!

Snook that comment in!

[55020]

Snook that comment in!

 

Indeed!  Maybe something will be made public before the Perth Show in June?  It would be great to hear whatever is planned "in the flesh" 

[dasatcopthorne]

OK.

 

Just got a Legoman Class 37/4 Wensleydale chip.

 

OMG.

 

That's all I'm going to say. Will be quickly fitting it in the latest Bachmann Colas 37 and adding it to the Falcon Road TMD roster. Can't wait.

 

Dave

[charliepetty]

OK.

 

Just got a Legoman Class 37/4 Wensleydale chip.

 

OMG.

 

That's all I'm going to say. Will be quickly fitting it in the latest Bachmann Colas 37 and adding it to the Falcon Road TMD roster. Can't wait.

 

Dave

 

Here in Biffo World, we are always working on ways of improving our DCC Sound Projects, at DEMU Show in Burton on Trent this weekend and Perth Show in June we will be displaying the New REALTRACK Class 156 which has the UKs first innovative DCC Sound fitted model train, pop in and see it in action.     Charlie

[tarifa]

ESU LokSound's DRIVELOCK (i.e. 'Full Throttle' version feature) is an innovation, but personally I prefer Zimo's 'ReadDrive' approach which is quite different, but definitely more prototypical to drive and serious fun to drive.  The quality of sound is down to the recordings not the chip used.  What is missing from LokSound is proper coasting (i.e. power off, loco coasting but very slowly decelerating all the time), and proper braking when coasting.  This allows one to stop a model train exactly the same way as prototype (i.e. toggling brakes without throttle use).  This replicates how in the real world one has to judge distance, speed, train weight and inertia to guide a train to a stop at a station, often commencing the coasting/braking operation over 1/2 to 1 mile away from a station depending on train type/speed, etc.  

 

 

The ESU Full Throttle version of the software incorporates the features you have listed and include, Drive Hold, Run 8 or whatever the maximum throttle is, Coast, Brake, Dynamic Brake.   It would seem that the sound providers do not incorporate the spectrum of features as listed.  However I'm sure they will as in time.  I am gradually amending my files to the full spectrum where I consider applicable.  Essentially I do agree that the quality of the sounds is down to the quality of the original sound recordings.

 

Comparing ESU to Zimo, the ESU features are software dependent and Zimo is basically retained in the hardware.  From my viewpoint the Zimo feature where the throttle is reduced by one or two notches drops the sounds to the next level without the use of a function key. 

 

My 153 has the following features; F7 Run 6 (6 drive boxes), F8 Coast, F9 Drive Hold, F11 Independent Brake, F12 Dynamic Brake.

 

Edit for spellings

Edited May 29, 2017 by tarifa

[pauliebanger]

The ESU Full Throttle version of the software incorporates the features you have listed and include, Drive Hold, Run 8 or whatever the maximum throttle is, Coast, Brake, Dynamic Brake.   It would seem that the sound providers do not incorporate the spectrum of features as listed.  However I'm sure they will as in time.  I am gradually amending my files to the full spectrum where I consider applicable.  Essentially I do agree that the quality of the sounds is down to the quality of the original sound recordings.

 

Comparing ESU to Zimo, the ESU features are software dependent and Zimo is basically retained in the hardware.  From my viewpoint the Zimo feature where the throttle is reduced by one or two notches drops the sounds to the next level without the use of a function key. 

 

My 153 has the following features; F7 Run 6 (6 drive boxes), F8 Coast, F9 Drive Hold, F11 Independent Brake, F12 Dynamic Brake.

 

Edit for spellings

 

Sorry tarifa, ZIMO features are held in software.

 

That's why, if the latest ZIMO software is not loaded onto your decoder, you will be unlikely to have the most up to date feature set.

 

Kind regards,

 

Paul

[tarifa]

Sorry tarifa, ZIMO features are held in software.

 

That's why, if the latest ZIMO software is not loaded onto your decoder, you will be unlikely to have the most up to date feature set.

 

Kind regards,

 

Paul

Thanks Paul I should have been more specific.  The ESU features are written into the Lokprogrammer software and triggered by functions.  The chip software version (ROM) is updated automatically when loading a programme by computer.  With Zimo I am required to trigger the decoder (ROM) update.  Naturally one does so to load the latest features and fixes.  I do prefer the Zimo triggering of coasting, I'm not required to design the drive steps.

 

Best regards

 

Mike

[Neils WRX]

A quick clip showing the difference between normal and full throttle, I'm hooked!!!

 

https://flic.kr/p/Vcd6UT