I have at least 5 MTH Premier locs with the same sound bite. Has anybody changed the sound bite; and if so, how is it done ;and is the end result worth the effort?
Warning: I am not a tech guy.



Rick

Lionel does the same thing. I don't know what is involved, but yes it is possible. I believe Norm Charbonneau (forgive my spelling) has done this to his trains; I saw it on a Lionel Nation DVD. Give him a shout.

I had someone do it for me who was experienced with the computer and the MTH website. We changed the sound set because I didn't like the high pitched whistle on my C & O Kanawha (which is accurate for that engine).

You'd better get someone to do it that knows how. Basically, you have to download sound files (the whole works - you can't just change one thing) from the MTH website, load them into your engine, and listen to what they sound like. You have no way of knowing what each file sounds like by looking at the sound file list, which is only identified by MTH stock number and a few other digits, if I remember (20-xxxx-x, etc.). Also remember the cab chatter and announcements, etc., on the file you want to load. You may not want passenger station sequence on your freight train.

If you know the stock number of the engine you've heard and like, that makes it easier. Downloading a selection of files to your computer is very time consuming, but it does work. As I watched the guy do it, there were snags along the way, but because of his experience, he knew how to get around them. I would have had a heart attack if some of those things would have happened to me and I was driving the computer. To listen to the files, you have to load them into an engine, which doesn't take too long.

There's also the 3 volt vs. the 5 volt issue, which, if I remember correctly, is a coded part of the sound file name. Otherwise, if you want to load a diesel sound into a steamer, it will let you. I liked the deep voice horn of one of the 2-6-6-4 Challengers, but it also came with the double chuff, which of course didn't work in the Kanawha.

Maybe someone will offer to do it for you for a modest fee or for free. I found a perfectly acceptable whistle for my Kanawha, and love watching it run and listening to it even more now.

If I messed up on the facts, would someone please straighten me out so we don't mislead Rick.

Good luck.

Mike

Hi Rick,
There are three very qualified people who can answer this question. Due to your rocky start, they may not respond. They are, Marty Fitzhenry, Barry Broskowitz and Hugh who is known as choochoohugo. There are many on the forum who could help. It all goes back to your rocky start again. Good Luck

Thanks for the input guys. Sounds like a major hassle. I think I'll shelve that idea for now. Speaking of sound, what make and model of locomotive, has your favorite diesel horn in it?


Rick

By far that would be Lionel's legacy SD-40-2 from the CSX husky stack set.

It is not hard to change the sound files on a MTH engine, I do it all the time. Get Barry's book and it will take you through the steps to do that. As to his "rocky start" I don't think that either Marty or Barry hold a grudge, starting out on the Forum is a learning process for everyone, and most of us take what folks post with a grain of salt.

Paul,
It's nice to have you back and up to steam.

I'll second NBB's opinion with Legacy's SD40-2. Even not considering Legacy, Lionel did some pretty neat things with echo (like reverberating off hills), variety, and quality (IMHO). Conversely, Lionel's Sound of Steam ties with Williams True Blast (1 and/or 2) for worst !

Stack

Omax,

You don't need to buy barry's book to upgrade your sounds.

Just go here, read the instructions a few times, download the necessary programs, get the necessary equipment and do it.

Its VERY easy once you have it set up correctly.

http://www.protosound2.com/

The main tutorial article you need to use is listed as:

DCS Loader Tutorial Article - December 26, 2007

The most recent DCS Loader GUI is nice in the fact that if the 3V and 5V sound files are incompatible with whatever engine you're uploading to, the GUI tells you and doesn't allow you to load the wrong type of file.

No you don't need to buy Barry's book that's true, but I recommend it if you are serious about running DCS and have a limited knowledge to start with as it covers just about everything on DCS. The tutorial you point to Dave is good except that it's pictures are for the old loader software so the screen shots are not the same.

quote:

Originally posted by VaGolfer1950:
No you don't need to buy Barry's book that's true, but I recommend it if you are serious about running DCS and have a limited knowledge to start with as it covers just about everything on DCS. The tutorial you point to Dave is good except that it's pictures are for the old loader software so the screen shots are not the same.

The buttons are so easy and self-explanatory on the new GUI that there shouldn't be an issue.

There shouldn't be anything to mix up on how to use it. The setup is still the same and that's perhaps the hardest part.

Rick, if you are asking can the whole sound file be changed then yes! All you need is a compatible PC, DCS TIU, connecting cable, and a COMPATIBLE MTH "sound file" for DCS system onboard your engine.

BUT if you are asking can you change a single aspect of the sound file then NO.

Ron

Thanks for the info guys. Ron - I am specifically interested in changing the cab chatter. I don't use it much, as I have heard the same thing too many times.

Actually the novelty of cab chatter wears off pretty quickly for me. I think it might be more interesting to have some type of random play program, for cab chatter (for example put the complete library of freight chatter on a small chip in every freight locomotive; then let the random play program pick from the complete library of freight recordings).


Rick

I found a hobby shop that would change sound files for a fee. Since I don't run DCS if I decide to make the change that it the route I will go.