RandyWales

Hi all... Just a quick reminder that Swansea Railway Modellers Group is staging a FREE exhibition next weekend Oct 3rd/4th at the Waterfront Museum in Swansea. Several layouts, traders and demonstrations. http://srmg.org.uk/2015-show/ Randall

Hi again... Just a little note to advise anyone interested in using real sounds on their layout. The number of high quality train videos on Youtube is accelerating by the day. Many enthusiasts record both Steam and Diesel Gala days and post them on Youtube. Some are really top notch and recorded in HD. When you play back a video in Youtube, you should have an option (under Settings) to increase the display resolution. If you can, change the setting to 1080p HD because the quality of audio is correspondingly higher. Youtube Downloader also has this option. Randall

Hi again.... I've been watching videos on Youtube again ..this time looking for HST Intercity 125 Paxman Valenta sounds to use in sync with my new Hornby blue/grey High Speed Train. I've had a bit of a revelation. Up until now, I have been transmitting sounds from my iPad (running Soundbyte) to a bluetooth speaker beneath the layout. (nb on my O Gauge layout I transmit high quality sounds direct to the locos using onboard Bluetooth speakers). This evening, however, I was searching through Youtube with my iPad on my lap and then synchronising the running of the model on the layout with the real thing in the video. There was an astounding difference having the high quality REAL sounds playing through the decent quality iPad speaker on my lap Previously, having the speaker beneath the layout did admittedly take getting used-to. Tonight, though, having the speaker on my lap, with my viewing position relative to the real train in the video was absolutely astonishing. With the speaker much closer to me, the sounds reaching my ears genuinely seemed as if they were coming from the Power Cars and carriages running on the layout and not from the iPad in my lap. A combined optical and aural illusion? Those who appreciate the screaming Paxman Valenta sounds would have smiled as the model slowly accelerated in time with the real thing in the video. I was able to immerse myself in the soundscape of the real thing, which let me tell you is streets ahead of the sounds from a soundchip. I am slowly building a full library of sounds that will allow me to view/listen-to many different train consists, with different locomotive types, from various viewing positions on the layout. My sounds are taken from videos on the web, but others are sounds made available for home use by enthusiasts using professional recording techniques. I use Youtube Downloader to download the sounds. The same product can also create a soundtrack as a seperate file for loading (via iTunes) into Soundbyte (after suitable editing in Audacity of course). As a caveat, sounds produced as described, would probably only be suitable for the individual operator rather than several people as the source of the sounds are localised because of the nearby positioning of the speaker. Someone standing a few feet away probably wouldn't have the same experience. If you would like to see examples of REAL train sounds being run very effectively in sync with model trains, then search for Everard Junction on Youtube...The many video tutorials / video blogs each have an introduction that shows model trains running through the layout accompanied by a real soundtrack. Very effective. When I have more time, I will try and create videos of my own to demostrate how realistic using real sounds actually is on a model railway. This is a topic that was advocated by the late John Allison of Warley MRC way back when. He was a very inspirational modeller. Finally, be aware that you have to control the sounds and motion of the trains separately. Some advocates of DCC sound on RMweb who obviously have different views to me have recently posted comments that the link between sound and motion is vital. This is totally misleading and probably has something to do with vested interests. After all, when you have invested hundreds in DCC Soundchips, something that is low cost but is more effective must stick in the craw. Randall

Sound Byte Cart Machine...that's the one Randall

Hi Doddy... Thanks for replying....very interesting but lots of detail I haven't come across before, so I need time to digest your post and check out your gear.... I am in total agreement with your sentiments about Bill....a really nice, knowledgeable and approachable guy. He did confide some of his ideas on sound production to me, which I have utilised to improve my samples, but a lot of what he told me went Whoosh over my head... Lucky I have all his emails to refer to when I need clarification. I must get back in touch with him... Soundbyte doesn't have motion control of trains, but on the times I've taken my Bluetooth speaker-fitted 7mm stock to my club, nobody picked up on the fact I was controlling the sounds and the locos separately. It is so easy. Everyone was impressed by the quality of the sounds though. Randall

Hi NickWood... You need to search Black Cat Systems in the App Store.... It would appear that another, but totally different Soundbyte app is also being marketed by someone else.... The price doesn't show when I view the Black Cat Soundbyte as I've already bought the app. However, it is also available bundled with three other apps for £7.99 from Black Cat Systems, and the other three are individually £2.99 each, so £2.99 for Soundbyte looks correct. Give it a go....(no involvement other than as a satisfied customer). Randall

Hi again... I'm bumping this topic simply because there may be members out there who haven't seen it but are interested in providing sounds for their loco fleet/layout...at a cheaper cost than £100 per loco. I'm also hoping someone else is inspired to seek out new possibilities... Randall

I was really impressed by the quality, as most films I've seen of my favourite era have been more or less amateur status using equipment that was contemporary with the time. This is obviously high-end professional, and I've not seen it before, hence my delight. With regard to copyright, I did actually insert only a link in my post. The site software must do the rest. Randall

Two videos of stunning quality from the period.... BR Blue Nostalgia and classic tracks for Pop Pickers.... Randall

Hi Steve... Interested?....most definitely....in more than one?...probably. Randall

Hi Steaurt...Holt's have been closed on a Friday for as long as I remember...try phoning again tomorrow. Randall

Hi Roger...It's great to hear that you've given Soundbyte a try, and I'm grateful that you mentioned that it's not difficult to control the sounds separately. These days, I really feel that there is something fundamental missing if I run my 4mm trains without sound. It is really amazing running a model train through the layout synchronised with a professionally recorded soundtrack played through stereo speakers. I have edited some soundtracks especially for the purpose.....build and fade with the doppler shift in between centred on the train passing my viewing position. Sound decoders? Pah! Please keep us informed of developments... Randall

Another quick Soundbyte tip..... Click the "Setup" menu button at the top of a Rack page and you will see a configuration page for the chosen "rack". Select the options shown below.... Active buttons will now have a white frame around them and you'll also see a progress bar for the active sound. (You can see these options in action in the videos) Randall

Hi Ken....I connect my iPad to my Microsoft Windows laptop that has iTunes installed.... Basically, I select Songs Library then File -> Add File to Library, and then File -> Devices -> Sync. Within SoundByte, I press and hold a button, which opens up the configuration page for that button. Click on the entry called Music Library which jumps to the iPad Songs app and select the required sound for playback. If you refer to my earlier post in this thread, you will learn how simple it is to set up functions like Looping, Fading and button colours etc.... Probably the most important function is "Touch fades other Carts".... Please let us know how you get on.....and if you need any more help, please ask. Randall

Hi Rob....Absolutely not......on both counts! The images are an inspiration... I'm at the painting stage of my Easybuild Class 108, and the standard of your mk1's gives me something to aspire to... Also, the Kirk kits, the GUV, BG and CCT are now on my must buy list! I really regret not buying the blue Heljan Class 47 when they were on the shelves. That was about eighteen months before I made the decision to move up to 7mm. Your City of Truro looks so nice it only serves to reinforce my folly. Thanks for posting Randall

Hi again... To demonstrate that controlling the motion and sounds separately is simple, I've recorded this short demo of my Bachmann Class 105 departing Costleigh New Cut station. The speakers are beneath the layout Randall

Hi again.... Soundbyte and Bluetooth Audio Streaming had a recent outing at the Swansea Railway Modellers Group meeting and I think reception was quite positive. On arrival, I unboxed and railed up my 7mm Heljan Class 37 with the onboard VEHO Bluetooth module and speaker. After a few soundless circuits of the large O gauge test track, I started up the Soundbyte App and observed.... The initial reaction was that someone had a locomotive with sound...Big Deal! It then began to dawn on some members that I was controlling the sounds from my iPad. Several came over to watch and ask questions.... Others remained indifferent (but leaned over to check as the Class 37 went by)... Around the far side, I started up the sounds of a Steam locomotive and watched as the loco passed-by along the front of the test track.... Trigger inquisitive looks... Finally, I did a run past with the sounds of a Mr Whippy Ice Cream van...trigger laughs all round.... Admittedly, I was surprised by the lower fidelity in the large room compared to the close confines of my loft. In fairness, there were other trains running on the 4mm and 2mm tracks, plus the general hubbub of the clubroom....probably a validation that amplified sounds can increase the annoyance factor at exhibitions.... There were also several signal drop-outs when the loco was on the far side of the tracks, behind a few members who were within the central operating area. However, several members (especially the younger clan) came over and asked many pertinent questions and I demonstrated how things worked. I was absolutely chuffed to note that not one person commented on the fact that I was controlling the motion and the sounds separately. Not a bad debut for 7mm sound that cost less than £15.... regards Randall

Hi Ray....Sound decoder development does seem to have halted, doesn't it?...(is that too harsh?..maybe not).... I mentioned earlier, the solution is to increase memory and rewrite the project compilation software.... BTW....I now fade the loco sounds and increase the rumbling/railsounds as per your comment.... Also... Don't discount using intact sound tracks which come complete with your 'atmospheric effects'.... Something I am prepared to discount....synthesised sounds.... far too complex and more likely to result in something that resembles a demented wasp... Sorry.... Randall

Hi Andy...Sorry for the ambiguity...the Disagree button should be banned because it courts controversy. Believe me, I accidentally pressed it last week as I was scrolling through a thread and it couldn't have been in a more inappropriate posting .....It appeared I was making terse comment about another member's spouse... I am by no means an audiophile, but I totally agree with you on the limitations imposed on the dynamics of sound produced by small speakers. My point was that within these limitations we don't necessarily have to accept what we are told by those who could be laying the blame for poor quality sound at the wrong door. Samples from a quality soundtrack played through small speakers sound much better than the equivalent sounds that are output from a sound decoder. I don't know what sound decoder you used in your test, but I'd bet you'd be much more impressed if you played a high quality soundtrack through those 100watt speakers. I think that playing a sound decoder's output through 100watt speakers is possibly unreasonable because we are not dealing with sound on that scale. Setting aside the matter of frequency loss, it's not all about volume.... It's about making the most of the constraints that are imposed on us. Randall

It's not the speakers you need to be thinking of.....I've tested this with couple of speakers that are usually associated with 4mm use... It's the Bluetooth module you need to consider.... Fourmil users would probably need to source the tiny Bluetooth devices used for earpieces, and then add a small amplifier to boost the signal into the speakers... It would still be far cheaper than fitting expensive sound decoders. As I said, anyone with the inclination and resourcefulness could do it, no doubt. (Hopefully, they would then inform members of their methods.....) Bear in mind that this method could also be used with speakers that are not mounted on the locomotive, but around the layout. Not quite as realistic, possibly but nevertheless cheap and easy. I'm no expert...I'm making it up as I go.... Randall

Hi again.... Here's another video example of the SoundByte iPad method of playing sounds through the onboard Bluetooth speakers that will be mounted in my 7mm fleet. This one is a MetCam DMU recorded on the NYMR and made available under the Creative Commons licence by RailwaySounds http://www.railwaysounds.co.uk The sounds are much better in 'real life' through the VEHO BT360 M3 speaker shown in earlier posts. Youtube doesn't really do it justice. I've no doubt that anyone with the inclination could make this work in 4mm...and the samples are of much higher quality than can be stored on a sound decoder...even played back through speakers used for 4mm scale. Randall

Hi Steve...PVA may cause issues too....peeling over time... You may have more luck using strong double-sided sticky tape... I've used it to stick mine to foamboard and mdf with absolutely no problems. Randall

Hi again... For personal reasons, I intended ducking out for a while... However, a spare moment and a Google Search led me to this: (please take the time to read the whole thread)... http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/56414-dcc-steam-locomotive-sound/ Seems I've not been far off the mark in any of my criticisms then? Many of my points about the poor quality of DCC sound, and my attempts to find an alternative (which have been be-littled by some), have now come home to roost.... RMweb has a long memory..... Randall