microphone button doesn't seem to work

How high is the volume set in that engine? Try turning it up.

I have never got that to work on any MTH engine or remote or TIU since the beginning of DCS. Even with a separate mike.

clem k posted:

I have never got that to work on any MTH engine or remote or TIU since the beginning of DCS. Even with a separate mike.

It works... whether reliably that's another story.  It's an interesting feature but one I never use and found to be gimmicky when it would work.  Your mileage may vary.

clem k posted:

I have never got that to work on any MTH engine or remote or TIU since the beginning of DCS. Even with a separate mike.

Our grandson likes to use it. I don't. He will run the train by his mom and try and talk to her when she's near. I know it works.

The worse thing about it is that if it's pressed too hard, it will stick on and you won't have control.

The volume seems lower than the engine sounds so it's not really worth it for me. I'm used to large PA systems so what do I know?

Thanks Engineer Joe.  Especially the part about it sticking on.  I don't plan to use it much, was going to show my grandson how it works and let him talk through it.  But from what I see of it, it doesn't work.  One reply asked about the volume.  All I can say on that is that my bell and horn work loud and clear and my crew talk works loud and clear.  I'll keep playing with it when I finally get my train room set up and if I discover something important to making it work, i'll share it.  Funny how things that don't work or work the way they are spelled out to work, do not prompt some sort of response from MTH.

To MartyE, thank you for your reply.  I basically wanted to use it when I recorded a script.  If that's the correct way to say it.  Does that work the way it was designed?  The feature where you can record movements and speeds and switching and program in your own crew talk?  Or have I gotten that one wrong? 

one more thing, you have to put your lips pretty much right against the remote. I don't know what type of mic or what quality it is? I do know it isn't very good at broadcasting. Nothing like the stuff I was used to anyways.

While I can't recall the last time I used this function, I do recall a WGH traveling train show where MTH had a booth.  I recall the MTH rep using the mic to talk to kids walking by the layout.  Things like, "hey you kid with the blue hat, come here, I want to talk to you" - plenty of volume in a noisy exhibition hall.  Some kids would actually have a conversation with the 1/48 figure in the cab - suspension of disbelief.  Great crowd pleaser - grins all around by the adults who "knew better."  

I don't know how the mic sound is classified but, in addition to the master volume, perhaps the volume of the mic sound is something that has an individual volume control.  I know you can independently set 0-100% the bell volume, horn volume, engine sounds volume, etc.  Perhaps whichever volume setting controls the mic volume is not set to 100%.  I may be completely off base, but one of the DCS gurus will know if this applies.

You can also try an inexpensive external microphone plugged into the TIU.  Years ago I purchased one for about $5 on clearance at Radio Shack when they were closing the local store.  The plugin mic worked much better than the dcs remote mic that as noted above requires you to place your mouth on the remote.  Amazon has a number of choices.

Amazon.com-Singing-Machine-SMM-205-Unidirectional-Microphone with10Ft.Cord

3.5mm microphone on Amazon

Thanks again to all of the ideas and information, this is exactly what I was hoping for.  I'll try the plug in microphone.  Heck, if even it doesn't work i'm not out much for trying.  I would like to use this feature because of my grandson.  I think he'd get a kick out of it.  I also want to use the record a session feature, and I'd like to just run the train and use it as a Spotify favorite play list radio.