RDC Sound

[leestevenson]

I'd like to get my RDC fleet back on the go, and was considering sound. I've yet to come across anyone who has a good sounding decoder for them. Any ideas?

[Mark R.]

The ONLY one who currently has an RDC sound file is QSI available in their Titan line of decoders. As for how it sounds, I'm afraid I don't have any first hand experience, but most of their recordings are very well done, so I would expect it to be of good quality.


Mark.

[Iron Horseman]

I'd like to get my RDC fleet back on the go, and was considering sound. I've yet to come across anyone who has a good sounding decoder for them. Any ideas?

That would be a dual Detroit 6/110 prime mover. Phoenix Sound makes one.

You didn't mention what scale you are talking about. Phoenix specializes in the larger scale. In the past I have wedged some of their stuff into empty HO "B" units but their new units are much smaller. They should easily fit into an RDC.

Until recently Phoenix were by far the best sounding units out there because of their 16 bit polymorphic technology. Many other manufactures now also offer 16 bit sound.

http://www.phoenixsound.com/library/other/rdc.htm

[CSX Robert]

Digitrax has a RDC sound project for their sound decoders.

[diburning]

That would be a dual Detroit 6/110 prime mover. Phoenix Sound makes one.

You didn't mention what scale you are talking about. Phoenix specializes in the larger scale. In the past I have wedged some of their stuff into empty HO "B" units but their new units are much smaller. They should easily fit into an RDC.

Until recently Phoenix were by far the best sounding units out there because of their 16 bit polymorphic technology. Many other manufactures now also offer 16 bit sound.

http://www.phoenixsound.com/library/other/rdc.htm

Interesting.... Do these decoders offer motor control? I'd imagine that the great sound quality will be diminished in smaller speakers that fit into HO locomotives. The recordings sound crisper than QSI's, but in the end, are done the same way, a generic thumping RPM sound that's pitch bent and increased in speed to simulate higher RPMs.

[Iron Horseman]

Interesting.... Do these decoders offer motor control? I'd imagine that the great sound quality will be diminished in smaller speakers that fit into HO locomotives. The recordings sound crisper than QSI's, but in the end, are done the same way, a generic thumping RPM sound that's pitch bent and increased in speed to simulate higher RPMs.

No they are designed to be "control" independent and can be used with on board battery, DC, DCC, AC, etc. including the one I used Railcommand. The sound units have an input for the motor speed.

[diburning]

That explains the lack of notching ramp-up transitions in the sound.

[leestevenson]

Some good advice guys. Guess I will have to take the plunge and just try one out!