DCC Impulses Column - 5
4. LokSound Select Micro decoder, as was installed in an
Atlas Alco S2. ESU Photo.
4
not my first choice back then. With the newer products coming
out, it is time for me to reboot and rethink my position.
I was very favorably impressed with what Matt demonstrated
in his clinic. The sounds in HO-scale locos are crisp and clear
and well defined. Without getting into specifics of bits and
sample rates, I will say that I was more than satisfied with all
sounds, and I’m a picky person, soundwise.
One loco he showed was an Atlas S2, which is one of my favor-
ite-sounding locos. I’ve installed Tsunamis in at least a dozen of
them and run some of those on two layouts where I operate at
least monthly.
His after-market installation of a LokSound Select Micro was
measurably better in sound, motor control and ease of use
than the units with Micro Tsunamis that I’ve used. That’s a lot
to say. Matt explained the continuous nature of the air throttle
in the Alco S-series locos and demonstrated the lack of notch-
ing in that sound file. This is important as not all locos have
notched throttles. LokSound is working hard to make the sound
files correct for specific locos in this regard.
Another loco that he demonstrated was an F40PH with accu-
rate head-end-power (HEP) sounds available when used in pas-
senger service. With the HEP enabled, the motor ran at notch
6 (HEP Standby) or notch 8 (HEP Run) regardless of loco speed,
as the prototype does.
MRH-Dec 2014
