I am looking to find a sound file for an actual working freight yard. I want to hide an mp3 player on the layout which, will play the sounds. I can only find ones that are 3 or 4 minutes. That loop would get irritating because it repeats. Looking for a 30 or 40 minute one. Anyone have a source or some links?
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http://www.airbornesound.com/d...ain-sound-effects-1/
Here is a source, but it costs $21. I didn't know if you were looking for free or purchase.
It is a WAVE file, but it can be converted to MP3 with software that is free to download from the internet and use. http://www.freemake.com/free_video_converter/ and http://www.freemake.com/free_video_downloader/
Take a digital recorder to a freight yard. 
Bill Cantrell posted:
In looking at the track list, it doesn't seem to give the lengths of each clip though I suppose you could edit/splice them together to get to 30-40 minutes. Or, if you only have a bunch of shorter clips, the cheap MP3 players I've messed with consecutively play all the stored MP3 files then repeat...or more expensive ones have shuffle mode which might apply to your application to demote the repetition irritation factor.
What struck me about the track list is it doesn't seem to have any/many switching operations - particularly coupling/uncoupling - if that's what you mean by yard sounds. Not sure your opinion on crew talk/chatter but radio comm is another sound effect that could be randomly mixed in to create ambience of a working freight yard.
Finally, since MP3 players are so inexpensive (I use eBay modules and DIY to get it under $5), if you're limited on clips, perhaps use multiple players simultaneously playing independent clips of different length. They would then mix in a way that you won't get repetition. This is where the eBay module approach of using $2 MP3 players summing into a single $1 audio amplifier could work.
You can just use a free audio program like Audacity to mix all those clips and have a composite sound file and then just use a single player. 
Another technique if you're limited on "raw" source material is to take advantage of the stereo capability of MP3 players. So, for example, you could have a engine clip pan from left-to-right speaker but later pan from right-to-left speaker. Or the same sound clip played from a speaker placed further away can increase variety (decrease repetition) fool the listener into making the yard seem bigger than it is. I don't know what MP3 player you have, but those with a single built-in speaker mix left and right together but the individual left and right channels are of course available at the headphone jack...so a $1 eBay stereo audio amp module can boost the 2 independent audio signals up to a couple Watts each to drive independent speakers.
Perhaps common knowledge, but those of us who grew up with 2-channel FM stereo know there is not perfect separation between Left and Right signals...so the 2-channels are not independent; some of the Left comes out the Right and vice versa. OTOH, with MP3 format and players, the 2 channels are truly independent so you can have one MP3 player generating 2 completely independent sounds. Or in practical terms you get 2 layout sound effect generators for the price of one.
gunrunnerjohn posted:Take a digital recorder to a freight yard.
Or, from the comfort of your own home, I noticed there are dozens of live video feeds of train yards. http://www.railserve.com/RailCams/
Most seem to be video only. A couple have live tower com audio; the one from Horseshoe Curve seems to have live audio where you can hear trackside sounds though not the best quality and they could use a windscreen on their microphone.
gunrunnerjohn posted:Take a digital recorder to a freight yard.
If I had an active one around I would.
stan2004 posted:Bill Cantrell posted:
Finally, since MP3 players are so inexpensive (I use eBay modules and DIY to get it under $5), if you're limited on clips, perhaps use multiple players simultaneously playing independent clips of different length. They would then mix in a way that you won't get repetition. This is where the eBay module approach of using $2 MP3 players summing into a single $1 audio amplifier could work.
Can you send some links to these MP3 modules. I assume you need a number or modules, amp, player and speaker?
gunrunnerjohn posted:You can just use a free audio program like Audacity to mix all those clips and have a composite sound file and then just use a single player.
Yes, I am pretty good at Audacity. The problem is finding clean clips. Most have wind noise or heavy car traffic noise.
This is a good one for sound. Still looking for switching operations sounds.
TurtleLinez posted:Can you send some links to these MP# modules. I assume you need a number or modules, amp, player and speaker?
I've shown how to strip these down and integrate them in previous OGR threads but here are some current components available on eBay. There are hundreds of choices so this is just a sample. OGR moderators seem to delete my direct eBay links so I give just the listing numbers which you can enter into the eBay search box.
$1.09 MP3 player (eBay #191641729283) free shipping:
$0.97 Stereo amplifier (eBay #221906257817) free shipping:
$1.29 64MB microSD card (eBay #121660652553 ) free shipping
Of course you'll need to supply an 8 ohm speaker (or 2 if stereo).
So when all said and done you might end up with something that looks like this from a post I made for a DIY crossing flasher where an MP3 player and amplifier provided the dinging bell sound:
Or, for a few dollars more, you can get an MP3 player with a built-in amp and speaker such as:
$5-$10 MP3 player w/ built-in amplifer and speaker (eBay #361449117999) free shipping
There are many variants and above are simply representative. I use what applies to the application at hand...such as whether this is going into rolling-stock or trackside accessory, whether I need stereo or mono is good enough, whether size matters, and so on. To be sure, there are i's to dot, t's to cross, solder joints to make, etc. when rolling your own. I happen to enjoy this aspect of the hobby and it does save a few bucks vs. buying off-the-shelf sound-effect boards/modules that several train suppliers offer.
The point is, as seems to be the case these days, the hardware is NOT the issue. As you already know, it's finding and editing the source audio that is by far the more difficult and time-consuming aspect of the job!
Found a couple of nice background noise files on another forum. I also have many clips and will be assembling my own. I will post here when done.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.
I have made some background noise files that I think are good ones. I took files from all over the Internet and mixed them with Reaper. If someone has a place I can post them I will do so. They are 63 and 54 mb MP3 files. I will be doing some more.
Why not attach them to a post here?
Those are cool...i grabbed some of the web of freight trains. One is 5mph with squeal and wheel noise with low rpm motive sound.I run it through my media player and hit repeat..goes on for hours sometimes. File below..sounds much better on my home media speakers.
gunrunnerjohn posted:Why not attach them to a post here?
I did not think you could attach that big of a file to a post?
I cannot download WillyGees file nor can i post a link to the two I uploaded. Maybe you have to be a premium member for that.
I can play it...not a premium member either.
willygee posted:I can play it...
me too just can't download your file
Plays for me on windows 8.1 and aol browser.
Doug
yes gentlemen.....PLAYS fine...can you download?
Both of the MP3 files downloaded fine, but WillyGees file doesn't download, just stalls.
gunrunnerjohn posted:Both of the MP3 files downloaded fine, but WillyGees file doesn't download, just stalls.
Ok so you found my two files somehow? I could not figure out how to post a link to them.
gunrunnerjohn posted:Both of the MP3 files downloaded fine, but WillyGees file doesn't download, just stalls.
The mother load of train sounds. I was able to right click on control bar and save audio as. I play them back using repeat via windows media player. Works great.
Here is the master list:
I don't think I want to pay for the clips, there is plenty of free stuff around.
I dont pay for them...just download and hit repeat.
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