I get a lot of stuff from Alan – and it’s always welcome. He’s been busy syncing sound effects with his iphone. Have a look!
“Hi Al, I have a couple of old ARGO LP’s of steam trains in the 1950’s. I have fun matching the sound of different locos with the same models. Here is an ex GWR 2-8-0T on a long climb up Abergavenny bank in South Wales, perfect for my layout.
I have transferred all the tracks on to my Iphone and play it through some decent speakers.
Sounds much better than DCC in my opinion. Getting the speed to match the exhaust beats is tricky, but it’s fun.
Alan”
Big thanks to Alan. Don’t forget there is lots of sound ‘how to’ advice in the guide if you haven’t had a look yet.
And the latest ebay cheat sheet is here.
Best
Al
“Getting the speed to match the exhaust beats is tricky, but it’s fun”. Alan, please don’t leave us in suspense, how do you go about doing that?
Thanks for a great clip.
Don
Hi Alan fantastic idea looks and sound so realistic and so much cheaper than dcc.
Regards
Gary
Hi Alan brilliant effect , I have 3 old records of trains by Argo and BBC that’s an idea for the winter months just got to digitise I suppose .
regards john
Well worth adding the sounds Alan , well done co ordinating them ..Dave
Alan you have done a wonderful job of sync-ingsound with action. Hoe we can hear some more. Keep up the great work.
Years ago when working at school I did sound and action and was not an easy task then as we had no computers.
rj
WOW…. great sound… but more importantly…. FANTASTIC weathering on the engine and rolling stock not to mention the great scenery et al. Has a very very realistic look. IMPRESSIVE! Thanks for sharing,
Jim
Alan you have done a wonderful job of sync-ing sound with action. Hope we can hear some more. Keep up the great work.
Years ago when working at school I did sound and action and was not an easy task then as we had no computers.
rj
Hi What can I say just great. The whole effect is magic. Alans layout is the best so far. Well done
Colin
I agree this is the best smart thing I have seen for ages, well done. I guess it will be difficult matching up the sound track with the model but certainly ideal for cameo runs like the film. I will have a go at this once I am up and running as my layout is still being built! and at a smart price! Superb!
Steve Masters
Great work. I initially thought I was watching a prototype scene, that would be followed by your sync’ed sound. Now, only if you could get those cows to move 😀 😀 — dave in Ontario
Guys:
I have a question. I had Lionel trains in the 60’s. I started a set so I would have a train under the Christmas Tree and well it expanded. I really don’t understand the DDC thing. It sounds good. Can I convert the engines I have to DDC or do you have to buy new ones?
I am an engineer and did Heath Kit stuff so I have some electronic knowledge and practical background.
Thanks for the help.
Jim
an outstanding understated layout. High quality scenic items and sparsely applied giving the layout room to breathe. Well done. Rob
Awesome, sounds and looks great !!!
I sure would likeDick to read a how to on this also. Fantastic job on scenery. I am especially awestruck at your blending of backdrop scenery with actual layout. It continues to look excellent viewed at all angles other than viewed at just 90 degrees or straight on. And your backdrop foreground blending treatment at the layout corners is terrific.
This is a superb layout.
Dick from the Wild West of Montana
excellent sound Alan
and wow I thought I was watching the REAL train
because of the great detail in your scenery
dayumm koool sound !!!
keep it runnin’
.Alan.
.Great job on your layout!! I agree with you that the sound is superior to the tiny, tinny squawking that DCC produces. I don’t think that the quality of DCC is worth the cost. Your layout sounds AND looks fantastic. Fine job.
.Thanx
Fitz (from near Philadelphia PA US)
I always wanted To Have This. Guess I Will Keep Trying.
Now that is real sound….gorgeous layout… the new Lionel Vision line Big Boy has some good sound, video is on you tube…. John in Clayton CA…
Good Morning, Alan,
Hi, I am GOPAL Daga from India. Excellent reproduction of sound in your steam loco movement. I am sure you are an acoustic wizard, without this, such reproduction would not have been possible. it very nice to play it again and again.
Cheers !
GOPAL
great sound nice scenery
Answer for Jim
to convert Lionel starter set trains to TMCC control you will need several items and it works out expensive (VERY) cheaper to buy second hand TMCC Engines or Legacy Engines, you will still need a command system like there Cab 1L or Legacy command system, but you get full sounds, with crewtalk etc. I love my lionel trains. Check out Erics trains on youtube, then you will see what I mean.
regards
Ernie
Essex UK
I still think the best sound is in your head, though! Not least because the sound chips produce something “standard” for all occasions but memory adds the quirks, for instance we used to have pairs of class 37 diesel-electrics on the coal trains from Cwmbargoed, and when they slowed right down to pick up the single-line staff at my box they would often both slip in turn as the partner loco gripped, pushed or pulled the other, and slipped again or made the other slip, and they would set off up the bank with the empties in tow on the wet rails like a demented oompah band. Don’t get that with digital!
Rod
Would like very much to hear your deisel engine sound, it would be great. Your idea for the steam engine sound is priceless…you really into the hobby. Tnx
Wow! Thanks for all the lovely comments, all it takes is patience, there’s no science about it. Just remember that 2 and 4 cylinder locos have four beats to
the revolution of the driving wheels and 3 cylinders have six beats. You just have to adjust the speed till its correct. Even then the model might vary its speed if the track isn’t level or there’s dirt on some part.
Alistair may have more clips but if not I’ll send some more in
Outstanding. Perfect speed and with the background, scenery, buildings you have nailed it. Looks so realistic.
WOW!!!! that’s cool……I like that………. and you layout looks great also….love the weathering on the loco and train.
very inprest well done with all the work, can you tell me wot power sapply do you use forall your lights, regards john,
To get the beat synchronized do as the DJs do at my radio station if you put it on a hard drive all of the software out there has pitch control if on a CD the same all pro decks have it too And of course turntables the same set up with a slip mat you could really blend sounds !
Very nice layout Alan. Your sound syncronization is perfect and the weathering of your locomotive and cars is very realistic. On top of that, you have a great layout on which to demonstrate the sound effects. Thanks for sharing.
Jim Beal, I’m not sure what DDC is. If you meant DCC (Digital Command Control), then yes, your old Lionel locos can be converted to DCC by adding a decoder. If you also want sound, then the decoders get a lot more expensive and you have to find a place inside the loco or tender to add a speaker. However, with the larger size of the Lionel equipment, that should be less of a problem than it is with HO and N scale locos.