Confused.com (About sound)

[LittleWesternModelRailway]

Hi all, recently coming back to the hobby. Have my track plan, track work and other bits already sorted so that fun has started. I also recently purchased my first locomotive after 15 years. 
 

To the point, the locomotive (a Bachmann 56xx 32-057A) is not DCC fitted but should be DCC ready, however I would like to know as from a small research I am yet to find the answer. If I want to install a Sound Decoder do I need a standard DCC decoder for loco operation as well? Stupid question I know but from the few videos and things I’ve read I never seem to get a definitive answer. 
 

I’d like to stick to the recommended NX18 Bachmann decoder and a ZimoSoundChip with a sugar cube speaker. But budget friendly options would be greatly appreciated  (I should also mention I plan to fit a small StayAlive to the loco if possible).

 

Thanks in advance! 

Edited December 26, 2021 by LittleWesternModelRailway

[55020]

The sound decoder will also control the locomotive, so no need for a seperate decoder.

 

Quite often the decoder choice will be driven by your favourite sound project, although different decoders do come with slightly different capabilities.  I stick to ESU decoders, so am not really in a position to comment of the Zimo decoder you mention, although I do think ESU and Zimo have very similar capabilities and are both quality products.

 

 

Steve

[Ray H]

Welcome back to our fascinating hobby.

 

The Zimo sound decoders that I have bought usually come with a small capacitor for use as a stay alive. The sound facility is as much part of the decoder's skills as "driving" the model into which they are fitted. Configuration variables (CVs) are usually set by the retail decoder supplier but subject to the system you're using are generally adaptable by the end user.

 

I've no experience of the TTS type decoder but believe they are considerably cheaper than other sound decoders but they do have fewer functions and I'm not sure whether a list of CVs/functions is supplied with them.

 

I hope this helps.

[Izzy]

It would seem the loco you have, 32-57A, is quite early Bachmann and as later production still uses an 8-pin socket it's unlikely you will be able to use a Next18 socket decoder, if indeed it is DCC ready. You may need to hard wire a decoder. As well as the type/size of sound decoder needed you will need to also attach the speaker and stay-alive if used. Given the age of the model finding the space for these parts will mostly dictate what can be used in respect of these.

 

There is a useful installation guide at Youchoos: https://www.youchoos.co.uk/Index-Resource.php?L1=Guides&Item=OOBach56XX

 

 

[LittleWesternModelRailway]

2 hours ago, 55020 said:

The sound decoder will also control the locomotive, so no need for a seperate decoder.

Thank you for the clarification  I will look at many options before purchasing, once I have the locomotive I will be able to determine my size

[LittleWesternModelRailway]

2 hours ago, Ray H said:

Welcome back to our fascinating hobby.

 

The Zimo sound decoders that I have bought usually come with a small capacitor for use as a stay alive. The sound facility is as much part of the decoder's skills as "driving" the model into which they are fitted. Configuration variables (CVs) are usually set by the retail decoder supplier but subject to the system you're using are generally adaptable by the end user.

Thank you for the reply, I'm very happy to be back! I had heard something along those lines but not confirmed it, it's not 100% certain I will use Zimo. Once i have the loco I will know my space and that will dictate my decoder most likely.

[LittleWesternModelRailway]

54 minutes ago, Izzy said:

It would seem the loco you have, 32-57A, is quite early Bachmann and as later production still uses an 8-pin socket it's unlikely you will be able to use a Next18 socket decoder, if indeed it is DCC ready. You may need to hard wire a decoder. As well as the type/size of sound decoder needed you will need to also attach the speaker and stay-alive if used. Given the age of the model finding the space for these parts will mostly dictate what can be used in respect of these.

 

There is a useful installation guide at Youchoos: https://www.youchoos.co.uk/Index-Resource.php?L1=Guides&Item=OOBach56XX

 

 

Thank you for the link, this will help alot! This is pretty much exactly how I would like to set it up! Firebox, crew and sound!

[Izzy]

1 hour ago, LittleWesternModelRailway said:

Thank you for the link, this will help alot! This is pretty much exactly how I would like to set it up! Firebox, crew and sound!

I have found John at Youchoos to be very helpful with my installs and have no hesitation in recommending them - usual disclaimer. Personally I now stick to Zimo for ease of use and guarantee of running quality but it’s each to their own in this respect.

[LittleWesternModelRailway]

Another quick question for the masses. So I'm looking at sound files (YouChoos to be precise) and I see an option for "LoadCode". What does this mean? Am I purchasing a code to request the sound file to install myself? TIA

Edited December 28, 2021 by LittleWesternModelRailway

[wiggy1]

32 minutes ago, LittleWesternModelRailway said:

Another quick question for the masses. So I'm looking at sound files (YouChoos to be precise) and I see an option for "LoadCode". What does this mean? Am I purchasing a code to request the sound file to install myself? TIA

 

Yes, you need a Zimo programmer to do this.

The file is then locked to the decoders code and sent over the internet.

 

Wiggy.

[LittleWesternModelRailway]

Oh that's pretty fantastic! So with the Zimo Programmer software and the right cable, I should be able to take this code and flash my own MX64 decoder?

[Nigelcliffe]

36 minutes ago, LittleWesternModelRailway said:

Another quick question for the masses. So I'm looking at sound files (YouChoos to be precise) and I see an option for "LoadCode". What does this mean? Am I purchasing a code to request the sound file to install myself? TIA

 

As Wiggy said above, and I'll expand upon. 

 

With most suppliers, including YouChoos, you can buy a decoder with sounds of your choosing installed on the decoder (typically £100-ish), or a blank decoder (saving a few pounds, but it lacks sounds), or just the sound file sent to you with a "load code" (typically £10-£20, depending on supplier).   

 

To get a "load code" from the supplier, you need the serial number of a decoder (unique to each decoder, by reading certain CVs in the decoder), and a load code is produced by the sound supplier to match that serial number.   

A load code sound file is locked to that specific decoder serial number, it won't work on another decoder (even identical decoder type). 

To put the sound file into the decoder, you need a specialist device.  For Zimo that's a MXULF (best part of £200), or a Zimo DCC control system (£1000?), or (with some limitations) a Roco Z21 system (£300-ish).     

 

Unless you've a good reason for needing to use the "load code" route, don't go that way as a beginner.  

 

 

You can't put sounds into a MX64 - that's an old motor+lights decoder, not a sound decoder.    You might have meant MX645, MX648, etc.. 

 

 

 

- Nigel

 

[LittleWesternModelRailway]

2 minutes ago, Nigelcliffe said:

 

As Wiggy said above, and I'll expand upon. 

 

With most suppliers, including YouChoos, you can buy a decoder with sounds of your choosing installed on the decoder (typically £100-ish), or a blank decoder (saving a few pounds, but it lacks sounds), or just the sound file sent to you with a "load code" (typically £10-£20, depending on supplier).   

 

To get a "load code" from the supplier, you need the serial number of a decoder (unique to each decoder, by reading certain CVs in the decoder), and a load code is produced by the sound supplier to match that serial number.   

A load code sound file is locked to that specific decoder serial number, it won't work on another decoder (even identical decoder type). 

To put the sound file into the decoder, you need a specialist device.  For Zimo that's a MXULF (best part of £200), or a Zimo DCC control system (£1000?), or (with some limitations) a Roco Z21 system (£300-ish).     

 

Unless you've a good reason for needing to use the "load code" route, don't go that way as a beginner.  

 

 

You can't put sounds into a MX64 - that's an old motor+lights decoder, not a sound decoder.    You might have meant MX645, MX648, etc.. 

 

 

 

- Nigel

 

Thank you for this explanation, I was reading into the 'how to' manual on Zimo's Website and it made it seem like a cable and a windows programme was all that is needed. I wonder why it's so expensive to do! Luckily I have a friend who lives close by with an large fleet he is looking to Sound Decode also.

As for the decoder? Then I am confused as the option for LoadCode Small Decoder is MX64*/65*/66* I assumed that was the range of those decoders.

Thanks

[pauliebanger]

 

ZIMO produce a huge range of different types and sizes of decoders, probably more than any other manufacturer

 

The decoders on YouChoos page have a little * which I believe is meant to represent the missing digit, so MX64* includes MX644, MX645, MX648 and so on.

 

You can view the full range of MX small scale decoders here (sound decoders grouped on the right of the page).     http://www.zimo.at/web2010/products/lokdecoder_EN.htm

 

Best regards,

 

Paul