buildings with sound effects?

I put a Harly sound in the MTH Harly dealer. adjustable volume, I can hear it over the trains. I have the telephone         " Joe's Diner" That's heard over the trains. The MTH gas station needs to be louder.

Garrett,

If I may offer a simpler solution.  You can always find buildings and then have a speaker externally to them that makes sound.  I just found $1 MP3 modules on eBay and $1 MicroSD cards that go in it.  That way, for each building you could find a sound effect in MP3 form and have each button wired up to activate them for the guests.  You could get more elaborate if you wanted to go wireless and fancy.  For example, you could have a Bluetooth speaker hidden from view and have a device to control sounds with it.  If you want it really custom you could write an app for it that can switch speakers and have multiple speakers covering the layout.

Best 

James

thanks.  I'm mainly curious about products as they are/were available on the store shelf

How about a Noma Station. Has about a one minute train arrival announcement. The original has an actual record but digital replacements are now available.

Pete

Norton posted:

How about a Noma Station. Has about a one minute train arrival announcement. The original has an actual record but digital replacements are now available.

Pete

My goodness.  These are legendary.  The originals are really a piece of history.

wondering why the manufacturer websites do not include videos of their operating accessory products.  seems like it should be standard marketing tactic

Can't answer why mfrs don't include sound in their building offerings.   Perhaps they've explored the idea and determined the interest level vs. costs recovery/profit potential just isn't there.

Sooooo,..... another option is adding a speaker and sound board......such as George at ITT Products offers...

Sound Link

If you scroll down his list of standard modules, you'll find several with applicability to existing buildings/accessories offered.  Besides, if you have a particular sound(s) in mind for a structure, and can locate an online source for those sounds, George can create a chip with up to 60-seconds worth,....usually at no premium charge.  In fact, he can create personalized chips (calling by name), too.  He has speakers and actuation buttons, too.  Besides, he's a great guy to work with!

Now, I'll have to admit I'm really intrigued by the technology Hallmark employs in some of their specialty cards.....playing music, etc., when you open the card...brief as it is.  It must be relatively inexpensive. 

Reminds me......I wish Lionel would bring back an updated version of their Band Shell.  Heck, even their Radio Station/Tower with Sirius subscription potential would be neat, too.

FWIW, always....

KD

I've used George at ITT.  Fantastic service.

I used him for my grade crossing and . . . I sent him a sound file of waves and seagulls - and he made me a custom unit - at no extra charge!

You gotta be happy with that! 

How effective sound equipped accessories are is going to vary from layout to layout.  I have seen a number of layouts that are so loud when trains are operating that you'd have a hard time making out the sounds being produced by accessories.  Others are much quieter, which makes those sound equipped accessories more effective.  For most accessories I feel it is better to have sound modules as aftermarket additions than as standard features.