Weak chuff sounds from new PS3 steam

It might improve things, but I find MTH sound files to be hit or miss.  I have a Railking M1a that has a similar problem to what you describe.  It came with passenger sounds, which were loud, but not what I wanted.  I switched to the PS2 freight sounds (by accident) and they were so quiet I could barely hear anything.  Then I switched to the PS3 freight file which made everything loud - except the chuffs.   I don't think it's the speaker - my RK Santa Fe Northern and my RK Dreyfuss both have acceptably loud engine sounds.  My RK Challenger is somewhere in between, and my SD70ACE and ES44AC are almost too loud.  All are PS3 and all appear capable of producing a lot of sound.  The files themselves make a big difference.   

 

Someday MTH will take full advantage of what PS3 is capable of - sadly, that day is not today...

If everything else is loud, then I don't think so.  The speaker attached to the shell look large.  Is it 45mm dia?  If so that is not much smaller then the normal 50mm speakers.  G

A few years ago MTH released their NYC L3/4 Mohawks. The chuff sounds were barely audible over the generator and air compressor sounds. Adjusting engine sounds raised or lowered them all so that didn't help. After a few inquiries MTH released an improved sound set for these engines. It might be worth contacting MTH to see if they would do that for this engine.

 

Pete

Both GN and Blue Goose speakers appear to be 45mm (I was wrong). Just the orientation makes one appear bigger. So the difference must be all in the sound files. I will ask MTH  if there are any plans to release a better sound file when I talk to them next week. The mutted chuff sounds are not that bad. Just needs improvement in my opinion. I'd be curious if anyone else has concerns with this engine (or sound file). Sounds are all subjective.

I have had the same problem.  I currently have no modern manufacture steam engines on my roster because I have sold all of my mth.  I am definitely pro mth but I am looking to add the legacy system in order to run the Lionel engines.  It seems that when it comes to steam, Lionel is leading the pack, at least in my opinion.  

I'm 50/50. MTH has the passenger subjects I like to run and the control system is more fun. Lionel is just all black steam engines. 

 Bob I have found your observations about the new PS3 sound sets to be true on the PS3 engines I formerly owned or have heard at the dealers. For me, I like lots of volume, and would rather have to dial it down if its too loud.

 I was quite excited about the most recent MTH GS4 Daylight offering, but was quickly disappointed after hearing it; enough so that I passed on the purchase. I have both the PS2 GS2 and the PS2 GS4 and sound volume and robustness is not even a fair comparison to the PS3. Also the PS2 GS4 when I first purchased was also very weak in the sound volume dept. but I was sent a new sound file from MTH and it made a day and night difference. 

 

 I tried some aftermarket speakers described as "FatBoy" equivalent, but they turned out to be worse than the MTH originals. 

 

 I also just recently tried to incorporate a micro-amp into the sound system hoping to achieve increased volume, but so far I have been unsuccessful. I am getting higher volume, but I'm also getting large amounts of static. I'm by no means any type of audio or electronics wiz so it's still a work in progress for me.

 

 On a side note, I have also just recently jumped ship over to the Lionel Legacy system, and so far I'm more than impressed!!! From what I remember from the old Cab1 TMCC days, Lionel has made huge strides in their offerings. This is just my opinion, but I think their steam sound sets are leaps and bounds ahead of MTH, their diesel sets are comparable if not better, but that being said I also wish I could get increased volume out of the Lionel prime mover and chuff sounds also. 

 

 Scott

Look for a PS2 sound file and put it in.   It needs to be a 3V file.

Marty,

Loading a different file appears to be doable. And maybe I'll experiment with it someday.  But it sounds like everything gets replaced. I'm not sure that I want to loose all the neat customized unique sounds. I like the whistle too.

 

 Marty has MTH updated the sound files for engines such as the GS4(20-3302-1) or C628(30-2859-1) from their original 5v releases? The sound volume in the GS2(20-3060-1) or the C628(30-2301-1) had dramatically higher sound volume. 

 These are just a couple of releases that come to mind that we noticed dramatic differences in volume level from the early PS2 releases to the later PS2 release, so I guess my question is what good will loading a later release PS2 5volt sound set do?

 

 

Scott

You can't load a 5V file, and yes the 3V files made for a later production engine is usually a rewrite.  May have some old sound clips in it, but it is a newer file. 

 

Upgrade files are files that MTH took the old 5V sound file and all they did is convert it to the 3V format.  So the sounds should be the same.

 

Many of the newer 3V files have a date code embedded in the name so you can see how new it is.  G

G, my bad on the 5v as my question to Marty was for 3v.

 I guess all I can say is that if they are simply converted to the 3v format, something is happening that is making the volume level lower on several of the PS2 3v offerings that had a comparable PS2 5v offering.

 As I'm writing this I also am thinking of the NYC Dreyfuss  Hudson offerings as well. The 20-3045-1 have some great throaty loud sounds that really pack a punch; the 20-3527-1......ah ya not so much. The sounds are very nice, but just have no deep volume. Its as if the volume pot is turned half-way down, but it's not.

 Again just my opinion, but several of the 3v PS2 and most of the PS3 offerings I have heard are lacking in the volume dept.

 

Scott

Your probably correct and as mentioned MTH has made adjustments when enough complaints about the engine.  If a 3V has an upgrade file illuminated it means the original production was changed.  If there is a newer 3V engine made you can load that file to see if it is better.  Like some Northern released over the years.  G

What is the best way to express my sound quality comments to MTH? Call? Or Email? I hope they'd like to hear my feedback.

Bob,

 

You can either call technical support or E-mail Jeff Strank, VP Operations, directly.

Barry, I knew you would reply to my comment about MTH  crap

Two reasons why
1. Its what I bought when a train was needed around the Christmas tree, to match my wifes decorations and I was told by the LHS, Loco sound was THE platform and all would build from that.
2.  By the time I invested into enough MTH to justify buying the DCS TIU & remote....I was sort of stuck with it...because the majority was bought used...

When it works, its good...
When it doesnt, its money

Sort of like the ACA...you had to vote for it to see whats in it...now you got it, for all its good points, you got to accept the bad, which are direct results of "others"
Which like Mike, is the result of "others" actions that I cannot control, and wonder why
the best intent is not the motivating force.

And now, to add Lionel, is more money, and new issues yet to be discovered.

So two choices
Sell for a loss or
Stick it out, take enjoyment when it happens, deal with the issues.

I will only lose money if I sell.