So what exactly was the difference between these two? Were the boards the same? Did QSI 3000 have any functions PS1 did not?
Where can I get my hands on old QSI 3000 boards? and were the sound chips interchangeable between PS1 and QSI 3000 boards?
Very fascinated by this stuff. The 90s were great. Thanks in advance for any detailed info from anyone who remembers their time.
*I just love the sound in this thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H43xciZoeq0
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QSI 3000 was the last generation analog control board in the late 1990's just before the digital era really took off. It evolved from earlier QS-2 and QS-2+ boards.
The QSI 3000 board was a direct replacement for MTH's Protosound 1 board. As upgraded you could get in transformer control analog. Some of the upgrades were,
You could program it to start in F-N-R, or N-F-N-R, or R-N-F.
No more clinks and clanks to count. A voice told you what the count and program you were on.
Added 'chatter'. By blowing the horn or whistle, you could activate water filling sounds, coal filling sounds, Diesel filling sounds, and several others.
You can program the engines in several different modes, Regular running, A short run where the engine operates it's self. Starting, running, horn and bell operating for a specified distance on your layout. Another mode is a display mode. The motors are automatically disconnected and the engine starts, revs up, blows a grade crossing and stops at a station.
On diesels, you can turn on the tubrocharger for 2nd generation diesels, off for 1st generation diesels.
Better recordings than the earlier versions.
There wasn't a board for every engine. I kinda found it funny that the QS3000 logo was a Union Pacific Gas turbine on the back of a rocket, Challenger style. They didn't offer a turbine soundset!
The chips are not interchangeable with the Protosound chips, It will damage both.
As far as I now, you can still buy the QS3000 boards from the Scale Tin Rail in Longmont, Co.
Chuck's description is mostly correct, here are a few corrections & addtions:
1. Scaled Tin Rail no longer offers the QSI 3-rail products.
2. For a while, QSI did an update/exchange program for MTH top boards to QS2+. It kept the same sounds but added programmable start up direction (useful for m.u. consists) and was compatible with more transformers.
3. QS3000 offered some additional sound effects for some sound sets. For example, atmospheric effects that emulated the sound of an idling diesel from a distance. Another triggerable one in the "small steam" sound sets was a wheezy "I think I can!" voice in the steam exhaust.
Thank you for the fantastic responses. Your knowledge is invaluable. I really hope I come across some QSI 3000 boards, and other QSI stuff. Such a hidden gem. Oldies, but goodies...
The QS3000 was made specifically as an aftermarket unit due to the popularity of the TAS UCUB board.
Lou N
Seems I remember QSI advertising they were going to make those QS3000's compatible with both TMCC & DCC?
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