MTH PS-1 , 2 , or 3

Gotta agree with you here, Joe. The "sound attack" of PS-1, followed by PS-2 was simply amazing. 

I am happy with all my MTH engines, including a couple that pre-date ProtoSounds, but my favorite is Proto 3, followed by Proto 2 and then Proto 1.

To me, the sounds of Proto 3 are the most realistic (like there is a real train in my basement), and I love the way Proto 3 and 2 run more prototypically slow and steady than Proto 1. I also prefer the more realistic way Proto 3 and 2 start up than Proto 1. I see little difference in the fan driven smoke of all 3, which is terrific.

I don't understand someone can think that the Proto 1 engines sound better than Proto 3 and 2.

I would partially agree but I think it sometimes depends upon the respective sound-set.  MTH had several really good PS1 (QSI) sound-sets that never carried over to PS2 or 3.  IMHO the 1st gen PS2 was the worst w/ many of the sounds being flat, cut-off and no resonance.  Late PS2 sound gradually or selectively improved, more so in the diesels. 

Late PS2 and new PS3 have very good start-up sounds.  I was pleasantly surprised by the improved clickety-clack sound mix with crossover and doppler crossing bells and PFA in my PS3 Railking RBMN #425 steam loco.  The random idle sounds improved.  However chuff sounds good only to 10 scale mph where it then seems to get electronically compressed and/or cutoff between chuffs.  MTH's labored steam chuff was bad in PS2 and is still horrible in PS3.

I think MTH made improvements over the years and narrowed the sound quality gap between them and Lionel, but they still have room to improve.  MTH claimed that PS3 hardware/software would permit more memory for better quality sound but the expectations might not have been met considering how good their source recordings might be.  It takes time and money to build a sound library and some prototype sources may no longer be available, where a skilled sound engineer might now be needed to do some magic.

Keystone posted:

I would partially agree but I think it sometimes depends upon the respective sound-set.  MTH had several really good PS1 (QSI) sound-sets that never carried over to PS2 or 3.  IMHO the 1st gen PS2 was the worst w/ many of the sounds being flat, cut-off and no resonance.  Late PS2 sound gradually or selectively improved, more so in the diesels. 

Late PS2 and new PS3 have very good start-up sounds.  I was pleasantly surprised by the improved clickety-clack sound mix with crossover and doppler crossing bells and PFA in my PS3 Railking RBMN #425 steam loco.  The random idle sounds improved.  However chuff sounds good only to 10 scale mph where it then seems to get electronically compressed and/or cutoff between chuffs.  MTH's labored steam chuff was bad in PS2 and is still horrible in PS3.

I think MTH made improvements over the years and narrowed the sound quality gap between them and Lionel, but they still have room to improve.  MTH claimed that PS3 hardware/software would permit more memory for better quality sound but the expectations might not have been met considering how good their source recordings might be.  It takes time and money to build a sound library and some prototype sources may no longer be available, where a skilled sound engineer might now be needed to do some magic.

What you say, Keystone, makes me think you know a lot more than me about the sounds of real trains and what the major model train companies offer. 

I have two Proto 3 engines, the Great Northern and CSX smoking diesels shown in the videos below. As an uneducated and inexperienced railfan, the start up, chuffing and horn sounds of these engines are more realistic than the sounds of my Proto 1 engines.

I only have 1 modern Lionel engine, the TMCC  Delaware & Hudson smoking diesel shown below, which has terrific sounds and prototypically slow and steady speed:

Hey Arnold,I agree proto3 is really nice prototypically,startup,shut down,appearance,running slow,etc, I dont mean proto 1 sound is better,I'm having a hard time trying to describe it(Proto 3 sounds) It's idle sounds are nice,but the random chatter is less frequent,and a railking CSX random chatter I have is very faint while the idle sound is loud at the same time.Still like the PS 2 sounds overall the best.         I have to say, getting back into this in 1998 or 9 I think,I bought my first PS 1 home with my newly semi constructed layout,A Z4000 a railking Conrail SD90 and caboose and one traincar,Put it on the track and the sounds just floored me, "Jack,we're going right out the Northend", then that Christmas my wife bought me the ready to run Amtrak Passenger set,the passenger station sounds were just fantastic,I still like the engine,it has this idle sound that comes on after a while,I think it;s supposed to be a compressor maybe? ,it's so neat. Then PS2 came along,that was even better.I have two SD90s I think,one Sante Fe the other a NS,love those random chatter sounds. PS3 came along,The detail of the engines is beautiful,it runs at slow speed over hokey pieces of track beautifully,everything about them is a improvment except for the sounds

I have to say though that I do like the PS3 sounds for the premier PRR L2s Mikado (and I think it is the same sound set on the premier PS3 PRR H10 consolidation)   

I think the best Proto 1 Sounds were in the 1st subway, "161st Street and Yankee Stadium,  hold that door." The subway is always a crowd pleaser when I run the trains for friends snd relatives.

PS-3 has about the best Alco sounds that I have ever heard.

   Bill T.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

What you say, Keystone, makes me think you know a lot more than me about the sounds of real trains and what the major model train companies offer. 

I have two Proto 3 engines, the Great Northern and CSX smoking diesels shown in the videos below. As an uneducated and inexperienced railfan, the start up, chuffing and horn sounds of these engines are more realistic than the sounds of my Proto 1 engines.

 

 

Arnold, I agree that the PS1 chuff isn't good on my two PS1 steamers, but I like the engine sounds on my PS1 BN Zephyr and PCC trolley.  I love the whistle and announcements on my PS1 PRR G5, doodlebug and aforementioned Zephyr and PCC.  I'll confess that I have some trains from each era and I enjoy sound to some extent - especially the newer extended start-up and getting up to speed.  However, since I have never taken the time to properly set up an MTH's engine's very cool doppler loop effect, after a number of loops I prefer the newer versions of clickety-clack (wish they allowed you to blow the horn/whistle during this feature) or low/no volume and enjoy just the melody of wheels on the track sound.  Like you, I know what I like and don't like and I hope each company continues to work to improve sounds in both quality and variety.

MTH sounds have always been quite satisfactory for me. Some standouts:

PS1 - PRR G5s 4-6-0 #5740

PS2 - New Haven Alco DL109 #0719

PS3 - New Haven GE 44 Ton diesel switcher #0807

MELGAR

Yes I agree and I have 2 PS1 and 1 PS2 and 3 PS3 love all the sounds!!!!