I'd like to add a couple of sound generators to my model of the "Suter", a steam engine sound and a whistle. The ones I've seen over here in the UK are (how can I put this politely?) pathetic! And sound like no steam engine or whistle I've ever heard!
Does anyone have any suggestions for GOOD sound generators that will sound right?
Regards
Eddy
Here's the company i use. He has ocasionally made special sound chips for River Bill and me. http://www.ramrcandramtrack.com/
That looks - or rather sounds! Like exactly what I've been searching for Joe. Do you know any stockist that has a secure online ordering system though? I'm certainly NOT sending credit card details via email as they suggest!
Regards
Eddy
I wanted to put a sound generator in my steamer and thought about making one myself by recording an actual steamer next time I was in Echuca....it may be harder than I thought though
Harbor Models carries RAM products. Maybe you can order through them.
http://harbormodels.com/
Thanks Joe - I've just ordered the sound units from Harbor Models. God knows how long they'll take to get here though, as they only do ground shipping! They'll probably arrive by the time the boat is ready for testing on the water :-)
Regards
Eddy
Well I was wrong! Harbor Models don't just do ground shipping - They sent the two sound modules I ordered via airmail and they were here within 5 days of ordering - Fantastic service!
Regards
Eddy
Eddy,
I know I'm almost 2 months late for this string , re the sound generators, but the system I am using in the P.S. Capt. Sturt is made up of an old portable cassette recorder and a pair of computer speakers that I got out of an Opportunity Shop. The speakers have their own built in amplifier that runs of mains power, 240 volts here in Oz, then thru a transformer that steps it down to 9 volts. I just used a 9volt battery for the power supply,pulled the speakers out of their cases. The sounds you want to use can be anything you want to record be it horns, whistles or anything. the unit is switched on and off via an extra servo and microswitch
Peter Webster
Thanks for that Peter.... It's an option I'd thought about using myself, but the thing that put me off it was trying to get hold of good quality recordings of the sounds I wanted.
I got some recordings of steamboat whistles recorded by the Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen at a whistle blow in Marietta, Ohio back in the early 60's
That sounds interesting Joe, are they in a format that can be shared via the internet? I'd love to get a copy of them if it's possible?
Thry're on a cassette right now. I can record them on the pc in wav format.
I was wondering if this - http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=30111&TabID=1&source=15&WorldID=10&doy=4m4 - would be of use to us, I was considering using one for the whistle in my model...
Quote from: towboatjoeThry're on a cassette right now. I can record them on the pc in wav format.
WAV format would be great Joe - That way I can download them and put them back onto a cassette...
Quote from: mjt60aI was wondering if this - http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=30111&TabID=1&source=15&WorldID=10&doy=4m4 - would be of use to us, I was considering using one for the whistle in my model...
That's an interesting unit Mick, not one I'd seen before..... I agree it could be VERY useful for all sorts of stuff in models!
As a follow up to the chat about using a tape cassette to record sounds for use in models, Towboat Joe sent me the following link that might be of interest.... Quite few steamboat whistles that you can hear in MP3 and Real Audio formats.
http://www.steamboats.org/favorites/tom-greene-letter.html
Eddy,
Just as follow up to the sound unit on my Capt Sturt.Using the cassette walkman unit I found that the magnetic play head on the walkman also, quite effectively picked up the motor sound and played that thru the amplifier also. I got to thinking about this and decided to try an MP3 player, problem solved only sound that comes thru the speakers is the sound in the MP3 player and it has the added advantage that you can download your whistles off the net, legally available sounds that is, so I put just 2 at this stage and the system works well and takes up half the space. I will forward photos if anyone is interested.
I'd certainly be interested in more details and photos please Peter, I've thought about using an MP3 player myself, but wondered about a suitable amplifier as all the units I've seen are only capable of driving small earphones...
As a youth I feel it is my place to talk about technology of the mp3 player variety. They can be used with speakers. Now a days with Ipods Mp3 players etc people wnat them to become their stereo systems so as such small speakers are on the market I've sdeen them depending on size between AUS$40 and AUS$300. Even my sister has some for her ipod. The just use the same jack as a headphone jack. Most computer speackers are the same. so technically they should work and possibl y run on batteries. Mys sisters does.
Hoped that was of some help. It's a good idea!
Eddy,
Here are some photos of the updated sound unit and as usual I have the photos in reverse order. photos No 1 & No 2 show the Mp3 player mounted next to the servo, photo No 6 show the amplifier/speaker box with 9v battery, photo No3 shows the servo mounted in the hull next to the 12v 7ah battery used to power the motor, radio gear and the 2 super smoke generators from Action Electronics, photo No7 is a close up of the amplifier which I took out of an old pair of multimedia speakers I got for A$5-00 from a local op-shop, no expense was spared with this unit,
photo No5 shows both units together. I have checked out the amplifier and it is very audible from a distance of about 30 feet especially when I play the calliope effect of "If you knew Susie". The next outing I will check out the smoke units and hopefully get some video for you as soon as the weather calms down as we are having temperatures of 35 degrees plus at present along with the inherent thermal effect (ah! those memories of free flight days of yesteryear). If you have any other specific enquiries please don't hesitate
Peter Webster
from sweltering Melbourne
Land of Oz
Thanks for that peter, it looks like a very neat setup - What MP3 player and speakers etc are you using (make/model etc).
Definately something to think of for my next build!
By the way, please PLEASE don't take this the wrong way, but I've reduced the size of the images you uploaded - They should still be amply big enough for everyone to view clearly, but don't take up anywhere near the space that the originals did on our website. Sadly we don't have unlimited space, so it's something we need to keep a check on...
I'm looking forward to your smoke units now :-)
Hi Eddy,
Sorry about the size of the photos, I forgot, old age I think, however, I have reduced this lot for you. While I remember the model of the MP3 player is a Panasonic SV-MP21V and the speakers are out of the mutimedia unit and are 1watt, 4 ohm and using the same speakers means they are matched to the amplifier and also you don't have to buy any others, these are more than adequate.
Now for the smoke unit installation the following photos should be self explanatory along with the accompanying comments. Let me know if you need any further info.
Petr Webster(down under and bloody hot in the land of Oz)