A quote from Lionel's Director of Audio

I might be able to comment if the guy woulda used plain English instead of corporate speak.  "Overarching goal," huh?

Pete

Just for the Texans on the forum.

o•ver•arch•ing (ˌoʊ vərˈɑr tʃɪŋ)

adj.

I thing the detail of the Lionel sounds systems is far more ahead of anyone else out there. Not just the main engine sounds, but the little sounds like creaking and the hissing of the engines etc. Will they ever be perfect and just like standing trackside, no, but for some engines it is as close as we will get.

I completely agree.  The squealing brakes you get even in conventional when slowing are impressive, as is the dynamism of the sound on acceleration. 

I wrote: "I might be able to comment if the guy woulda used plain English instead of corporate speak.  'Overarching goal,' huh? "

Thank you for your condescending reply.  I too know how to use a dictionary, but I already knew the meaning of that word.  I would have used "ultimate" instead of "overarching." I'm just not fancy enough, I guess.

Pete

That is great as sounds is a major component of my enjoyment of trains.

Art

I also agree, especially when they have the prototypically correct whistle for the steam locomotive model involved.

I'd say pretty darn good, even to our Texan brothers.

On Steam engines, there's no doubt Lionel's sound is just awesome compared to competitive makes. When it comes to Diesels however, the gap is narrowed considerably. But in the end... I still have never met a toy Loco I didn't like.

From a purely technical standpoint, sound quality is often measured in dynamic range and signal-to-noise ratio.  While I've never done technical measurements, my "ears tell me"  that Lionel is superior to its competition in both metrics.  Almost like comparing sound quality of CD to cassette tape in some cases.  Or feeling like "you're right there" vs. listening to sound behind a curtain.

Sound quality in some of the latest Legacy locomotives are world-class (clarity, whistle echoes, speaker quality, use of multiple speakers, etc...).  They're definitely doing all the right things in this department.

David

I don't know if Lionel's sounds create a "stronger engagement between the operator and the locomotive," but I do find the sounds to be entertaining, much like Miller signs are entertaining, well-done scenery, etc. are entertaining; and, Lionel sounds are sufficiently realistic that they can add to the verisimilitude and mystery of the operating lay-out.

I also think Lionel has the best sounds, definitely sound better to my ears anyway.

Managing to work "verisimilitude" in a posting is, like Lionel's sound, impressive!

Beats "archover" by a long shot.

Pete

I have an issue with archover every time I stoop too far to pick up a piece of paper. The sound you hear is my vertebrae cracking. 

Wow, some people know some big words.

As for sound:  I have been greatly disappointed in the progression of MTH sound from the early Protosounds that one runs conventionally so that the roar of the laboring engine on initial movement is equal to the appearance of effort in real time.  The later sounds of Proto 2 and 3 have not been an improvement.  It seems silly to see a diesel start out with a heavy load but the sound do nothing more strenuous than idle until you reach 5 speed steps (5 smph).  This continues in speed steps of 5 throughout.

.....

Dennis

I'm still LOL!  I figure if overarching could draw attention, verisimilitude would be a hoot--thank goodness for auto spellcheck on this site.

I think the Passenger-Freight sound and motion sequence is a real hoot! 

Amazing how such a group can complain about someone's words when they also have an opportunity to express what they do and do not like about the sounds system. Would it be easier to answer the question if the original poster spewed a Lionel bashing comment so as to get everyone up in arms? I have not heard anyone comment about the crew talk sequences and how they do not like them. I have not heard anyone comment about asking for different sounds like the older engine IDs or how does anyone really like the sound sequence playback?

Amazing............

My only complaint with Lionel's sound,  I can't remember which MTH diesel engine it was, but the sound of that engine starting up sounded more like a real diesel engine compared to Lionel's start up sound, It had more definition to the sound more realistic, Lionel's sound is kind of muffled no definition, it is just there, when you press the start button a diesel engine starts to crank it takes a little time to start up it is not instant,The MTH engine took more time on start up.

Fred

yes Lionel Sounds are realistic.... but the Crew talk can be done without. especially on steam engines before WWII vintage.

I only have one Legacy locomotive -- a GP7.  I am quite happy with the sounds, but can see an opportunity for further advancement.

Personally, I think the engine sound is the best available for 3-rail.  Normally, I manually control the engine RPM for realism.  However, I notice that, if I let the locomotive electronics choose a throttle position, then the RPM's don't increase until a speed of 10 scale MPH or more  is achieved.  I would have to suggest that there is room for advancement there.

So, I'd like to see the automatic RPM increase each time the hand held controller dial is turned clockwise to initiate movement or to increase speed, and to decrease RPM whenever the dial is rotated counterclockwise to decrease speed or stop.  Foe even better performance, the automatic feature should do nothing for about 10 seconds following a manual command of RPM up or down.

I personally have been overarched many times during my lifetime.  Usually by a rainbow.