Here’s a video of the new Aristo steam sound files. Actually not to bad, Lot better than the diesel units
http://youtu.be/WoaxPtEYDcw
Ralph 
Me Likey!
Hey, did anyone else notice it’s listed in the “comedy” category???
Cool.
Just what I was waiting for 
Ralph
Yeah, although apparently Chinese engineers feel that a bell only rings 8 times, not once, and not until turned off. The diesel does the same thing.
The whistle is also apparently “stuck” in “grade crossing” mode, again like the diesel, although the diesel uses 5 toots, this one only 3.
Aristo has indicated they are looking into programming an American grade crossing with 2 long, one short and one long… should be easy since 4 is between 5 and 3…
For the money, better than anything else in the price range, just wonder who checks this stuff? Certainly not someone in the hobby.
Greg
I REALLY like the lack of spooling steam generator like LGB has…HATE that sound.
Now I just need to send in my transmitter for update! 
I’m not sure it has 4 chuffs per evolution of the drivers, though.
Nice pile of junk in the center.
A Dash with a big hole in it.
John Bouck said:Agreed...I think they needed more magnets. I actually think the last demo without the reed switch sounded better, closer to the right number of "chuffs".
I'm not sure it has 4 chuffs per evolution of the drivers, though...
As a non-sound guy I can take it or leave it. Given most of the public visiting our club layout likes to hear the “noise” I will definitely pick up a few.
The first part of the video apparently had magnets on the tender wheels… so you could tweak that… the second part was “auto chuff”.
Yeah, a insight into what appears to be the repair center… well, they sure are testing for minimum radius ha ha!
Mark V, you don’t like sound? When I first heard it I was hooked… think the first one I liked was a Tsunami though…
Greg
Greg,
the very first real sound I heard in a model was PFM in an On3 engine (that was a very long time ago). After hearing that I waited patiently for the day someone would come up with a sound system that would sound as good. Lets see … it took more than 30 years. And then hearing that Aristo sound … I’m completely underwhelmed!
HJ, I don’t think a You-Tube video gives Aristo a fair shake. I play CD’s in my computer and they are no where near as nice sounding as my CD/stereo system. I think LGB has some of the best sounding diesels out there, but I have yet to hear a recording of one on the ‘net’ that sounds decent.
Yep Greg, I like sound for about 5 minutes, then I am thankful for the off switch…
Still, it’s a nice feature…We’ll see how it sounds in person soon.
I would think that if one would like to demonstrate what an item sounds/looks like one would get it as closely tuned as possible. That said I have another theory where video sound is concerned, you can’t get more out than goes in is the first point. The other point is: hearing it on a layout supposedly sounds better because the 10ft rule comes into play. Just like it “looks good” ( as in almost real) even though it doesn’t, it sounds good because one doesn’t really remember what the real sound is like. In one case the eye gets deceived, in the other it’s the ear that gets fooled. Naturally that’s just my theory.
Mark V said:I have a 480w 4.1 speaker system on my computer. Sounds better than most people's stereos :) Ralph
I play CD's in my computer and they are no where near as nice sounding as my CD/stereo system.
The voice over sounds like the British academic Stephen Hawkins. I feel the reviewer is ‘cheating’ with the sound synch. He only does operation at a set throttle. In magnet synch he is getting less than two chuffs per revolution, possibly down to one chuff. In auto-synch he is achieving close to four chuffs but only at a fixed throttle opening. When using voltage as a synch source the chuff rate can be very variable depending on the voltage input. The reviewer should have varied the voltage input with both magnet and auto synch actuated chuff to get a better appreciation of the ‘sound quality’ (?) or lack there of.
The actual chuff sound is acceptable although the ‘beached whale’ whistle is abhorent. As with any low cost sound system the bell generally always sounds like a bell but it is the chuff and whistle replication that generally is more difficult to make believable. One can get two dollar sound systems in children’s toys that have a similar sound to this system. I definately will not be climbing over walls to purchase the setup. I feel designed for the ‘lazy’ or budget minded modeller who simply wants sound at minimum cost and trouble. I assume the sound is included free of charge and is able to be easily disabled for those with more ‘sensitive’ ears.
That is Scott Polk doing the talking, and I’m pretty sure it was Navin doing the electrical switchover.
It’s ok in person… I recorded a youtube several years ago with the prototype unit in Aristo’s booth at a show, and it sounds the same now (weird how it took so long to produce)
For $50 more that their standard decoder it’s a good deal, but a few fixes could make it a lot better.
Greg
Greg,
if the video is an ‘official’ Aristo production one would have thought that some degree of professionalism would be mandated. The video looks like a typical dog’s breakfast affair with mess everywhere. Perhaps the video sound quality is not that complimentary but honestly the quality as viewed seems little different to the sound cards found in el cheapo battery toy trains in $2.00 shops. As a standalone unit it definately would not find a market. Perhaps why it is bundled with the remote control system. I fail to see why given the several years lead time/development a more ‘professional’ propietary system was not used.
…but the koolaiders will love it!!!
And why not? They get a $20 sound system included for an extra $50 on the Revolution whether they want it or not. Gotta hand it to Aristo, they sure know how to “spin” a price rise. Never mind the quality, feel the width.
Mark, I was able to link the new diesel sound board with my 1st generation software (beta) transmitter, so there may be no need to re-program your transmitter. I did it mostly on a lark, but it worked. One minor difference; all my existing receivers, you held the “link” button on the receiver until the transmitter said “Passed.” With the new sound boards (and the latest versions of the non-sound ones, so I’m told), you merely have to press and release the “link” button on the receiver. If you continue to hold down the “link” button on the sound receivers, the unit will not link.
Quote:Correct on both counts, Tim. Aristo is very clear about this being designed for the budget-conscious modeler or for the modeler who just wants a very basic, low-cost option for sound. And yes, it's easily turned off--either by pressing the "1" key on the transmitter (which really just turns off the speaker, it doesn't turn off the sound), or by not plugging a speaker in to begin with. It's not "quite" free; street prices seem to be running anywhere from about $5 more to around $25 more compared to the non-sound receiver purchased from the same dealer. Not an intolerable increase.
...I feel designed for the 'lazy' or budget minded modeller who simply wants sound at minimum cost and trouble. I assume the sound is included free of charge and is able to be easily disabled for those with more 'sensitive' ears. ...
HJ, I remember those old PFM systems well. Tape deck for bells and other sounds, playable analog whistle… Big reverb box that you didn’t want to hit lest it make a horrendous noise! Ah, those were the days. My dad’s early on-board sound systems were very similar in design to PFM’s stuff. Heck, we used them well into the late 90s when the digital systems really came into their own.
Later,
K
I brought my TXs to York this year, and they did an upgrade to the software for me, took all of 90 seconds. I need to get one of the steam units to play with, I like the diesel, even though its fairly generic. I hope that Aristo listens to feedback and fixes the bell and whistle, thats my only complaint.
Bob McCown said:I second that!!!
...I hope that Aristo listens to feedback and fixes the bell and whistle...
The feedback I have heard from those who actually own the system has been very positive…Except all seem to agree on this one point. As an owner of the Revo it is a forgone conclusion I will be buying the sound version as I have no other choice. I do not mind as even with the added sound the cost is comparatively small. In fact, the ‘street prices’ I have seen are very comparable to what I used to see for the non-sound versions.
I also think it is important to remember…You can still spend considerably more and install any after-market system with the new receiver should you choose.
Kevin Strong said:
.............HJ, I remember those old PFM systems well. Tape deck for bells and other sounds, playable analog whistle… Big reverb box that you didn’t want to hit lest it make a horrendous noise! Ah, those were the days. My dad’s early on-board sound systems were very similar in design to PFM’s stuff. Heck, we used them well into the late 90s when the digital systems really came into their own.
Later,
K
My friend had a smallish On3 layout in his crowded basement which was no great shakes as far as trackplan went - just one notch up from an oval - but oh man, the detailing of everything together with that sound system! Still haven’t been to CO, but his small layout sure captured the atmosphere (I do read books and look at pictures). :lol: :lol:
Shameless plug: layout also enhanced by our handmade trees.