Peter Jordan Posted August 20, 2010 Share Posted August 20, 2010 I haven't been on the forum for a while, but I'm hoping some folk may be able to help me. I would like to add a sound system to my conventional 12 volt DC layout - I know there are some systems out there but they all seem to use synthesised sounds which aren't terribly realistic. Does anyone know if there are any systems out there that can be used with a DC system to play proper sounds? And I'm thinking of under-baseboard speakers, not ones fitted into locos. or vehicles. It would also be nice to have a system that could play a background sound of birds, passing traffic etc. for the loco/train sounds to be superimposed on. I've done a 'Google' and looked at various websites, but this has left me as confused as when I started! By the way, if anyone wants to see my layout (with sound dubbed from CD) go to: The video was taken a while ago - later this year I hope to post some more video showing the weathering I have done and also the signals working. Peter Jordan Birmingham, England Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold traction Posted August 20, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 20, 2010 Not looked too much into this, but this unit can have sounds stored on a SD card with different ways of activating them. Special offer from Digitrains. http://www.digitrain...eam-player.aspx There are also the ITTC sound modules from Bromsgrovemodels that can also be used and activated in different ways such as a switch or reed switch to operate the sound when a loco passes. You can click on the sample sounds for each device as well, just needs a speaker. http://www.bromsgrov...m?categoryId=64 Cheers Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted August 20, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 20, 2010 Peter I know you have a fine model railway, having seen it elsewhere on the web. This company, with a chap called Jim Wells at its heart, offers a US surround-sound, but may have applications for the UK as well. http://www.fantasonics.com/store/store.html I have to say that I am not convinced that 12v DC with gismos will ever approach DCC for convincing sound images, and as decoders sell more and become smaller and cheaper, the chances of fitting period 4mm scale models with sound increase daily. Quality models certainly cry out for sound in some form. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mozzer models Posted August 20, 2010 Share Posted August 20, 2010 MRC make some that will plug in to the DCC 8 pin you then have a remote to oparate some of the sound but some are automatic have a look on ebay I have one in one of my On30 locos i will try this weekend to vidio it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
34theletterbetweenB&D Posted August 20, 2010 Share Posted August 20, 2010 Arrange a stereo sound stage to align with a section of your layout, and play one of the old 'Transacord' recordings with a train moving scross the sound stage, and a moving train going at roughly the same rate. Fall off chair in amazement, then decide to use a computer or minidisc system or whatever to have a selection of suitable sound samples to match train movements. Hardly an original idea, this relatively simple presentation gives an idea. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dI9vaiBcHGc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Jordan Posted August 22, 2010 Author Share Posted August 22, 2010 A big 'thank you' to all those who've replied to this topic so far. The website links look very useful and I'll follow those up. I'd considered the CD idea and there is no doubt that for a layout where the majority of the traffic is passing trains it could work quite well. The problem is that on my layout there is a great deal of shunting, so for this I really need some system that will allow sound to follow the train movement fairly accurately and start and stop with ease. I don't think the CD system could achieve this. Any further contributions of information will be gratefully received, and I'm sure the topic will interest others too. Peter Jordan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 My shortline - Harlem Station (see 2010 challenge) uses an MRC Soundbox (no longer made - but show up on ebay every now and again) It was available in3 versions - steam, diesel and both - and the output is fed directly into a set of amplified computer speakers with subwoofer under the layout. It works fine, in fact I don't turn the volume up to anywhere near full! I think MRC now do a system that will operate the sound on DCC sound equiped locos running on DC layouts, but I can't find the reference number This is the original http://www.modelrect...iew.asp?ID=7739 and I THINK this is the one for DCC sound locos on DC http://www.modelrect...iew.asp?ID=8266 EDIT 14:55 pm a search on ebay.co.uk or ebay.com for "MRC box" currently trows up several examoles Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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