Static Noise in ERR Railsound Boards

I don't have any ideas, but if you find out, I'm all ears!

I'm wondering if it's the switching power supply on the RS Commander board.

Are these AC, DC or both.

Bill

Bill, what does AC or DC mean here?  Are you talking about track power?  I wasn't aware there was any DC versions of the ERR stuff.

John

  Motors, I haven't had to much of a problem with DC motors, but with AC thats a different story.

Bill

The Aftermarket sound sets are 4 bit compression (RS4), and the source recording for encoding is probably old too!  In their day, the sounds were great, however by today's standards - a bit lacking. We really don't have a way to improve the sound quality, unless we move to a newer technology (RS5).  We won't be able to consider this approach unless I get an OK from the Chief; and my sound designers can code up the sound sets.  Each sound set is a custom mix and takes considerable time...

The power supply is running at 750khz; there is not a noise source there.

I here the static even when a DC motored locomotive is sitting still, no motors running.

Perhaps Jon can answer another question.  Is there any chance that some of the many sound sets already available for various locomotives could be released for aftermarket upgrades?  Right now, you have to select from half a dozen entries, there are lots of other choices that would be neat to have.

Interesting I never noticed the static until I received a K-Line Mike with K-Line TMCC. If I understand Jon correctly the static may have been on the original recording and then encoded on the chip??

I plan to swap out the speaker for better quality like a DD Megabass if it will fit. Perhaps a driver that emphasizes the lows over the highs will help mask the problem. We'll see.

Pete

Well how bout getting the okay from the chief? We'll buy em. The other scales that run DCC have engine specific choices . It aint 1998 anymore.The one sound board fits all engines was terrific back then not now . At least give us RS5 .

I'm sure there are spares lying around to make duplicates of and if not I'd let ya barrow my engines for duplicates as long as you send them back in the condition you got them in. The ERR line could definitely benefit from an upgrade it's very dated .The TMCC conversion boards are my personal preference but some engine specific choices with intelligible crew talk would be nice.

David 

I've been sorely tempted to look at MTH PS/2 conversion kits lately, they have a much better selection of sounds that you can download.  I'd really like the option of better and more unique sounds for each locomotive, it would be really nice if some nicer sound chips were available for the RS boards that ERR sells.

John, Listen to some MTH engines before jumping ship. The sound variety is better but the quality is more like RS 2.5.

Maybe PS3 will alter that equation.

Pete

Yea that and the total PITA of the install itself. I guess my biggest beef is I could put up with the hassle of the install if I'd benefit from doing it. What holds me back the most is MTH's controller . I don't like it at all. In fact I've grown to hate it so much that I'm down to just 2 MTH engines and a brill trolley . Neither one is knocking down doors with the sounds but it's how I control those sounds that keeping me in the TMCC market.

David

What's kept me from doing the leap is that a number of people have commented on the MTH sounds. 

Yep, after fooling with the MTH DCS controller, I can sure appreciate my Legacy system.  The MTH controller is more like the CAB1 than anything else.   I sure would like to have more variety of sounds for TMCC conversions.

These are all recent boards purchased and installed by a qualified technician. These boards are being used with ERR AC Commanders and RS4 Boards for Northern type loco sounds and I had one installed in my LTI Daylight with "daylight" Sounds.