Diesel mounted FM transmitter to subwoofer just keeps getting better

This is good to hear (no pun intended) Willie!

Several folks have experimented along these lines and we'll be interested in your progress..

c.sam,

   Got to tell ya when I talk to Bill on the telephone and he has the sound system on in the back ground, it sounds like the train is running right thru my living room even over the phone, if Bill can make this smaller and insert it into the train, I definitely want one!  People outside Bills home must think he has a real train inside his house.

PCRR/Dave

Some years ago, Lionel and probably others, dropped the lower frequencies (from about 200 Hz and down) from the recorded sound set. The idea was that the small speaker could not reproduce it and it worked the amplifier needlessly, so why not remove it.

With that said, you may find that additional speakers and amplifiers will not give you more bottom end. If it is not on the recording, you will not be able to reproduce it.

Not an audio expert by any means, but I don't think that altering the sound with a synthesizer is the way to go.

I would look at what frequencies the:

1) PS3 audio board is capable of outputting.

2) FM wireless unit and radio pair are capable of transmitting/receiving.

3) subwoofer is capable of reproducing.

You could have a weak link somewhere.

Dave

willygee, What are you using for the FM transmitter.  I was wondering if a car wireless transmitter, like those made for a smartphone/MP3 player, might work?

Presumably you're using the built-in mic as input to your Android app.  Some smartphones have an external mic input on the 2.5mm/3.5mm coaxial jack.  If so I'd think you could make/buy a cable that takes line-level (several Volts) signals and attenuates it to a compatible level at the mic jack.  Then you could, to RoyBoy's point, measure the spectrum at the engine's speaker terminals to see if there's any low-frequency content for you to work with. If not, Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect 200!

But if there is something there, I'd think something like an equalizer could be messed with.  I'd experiment first with something you already have like the built-in equalizer in most PC audio systems or mid-range home audio/theater systems to see if boosting the low-frequency gives you the desired effect.  Only then fork over the cash for some standalone bass-boost widget or equalizer.  If you "only" need, say, a few dB of bass boost to enhance your listening experience, it might be more practical to do this right at the transmitter input on the engine.

to answer john's ?..

willygee, What are you using for the FM transmitter.  I was wondering if a car wireless transmitter, like those made for a smartphone/MP3 player, might work?

it is a Music Gear fm transmitter for  MP3 player from the Family Dollar store. $6.50

Reply to stan 2004.

At a music studio where i play drums we needed to drop the singers voice for some ZZ Top vocals. It is a rack mounted something and works quite well.I will ck with the guys at my local Guitar Center who are also train enthusiasts and see what is available.