Why I Buy TCS WOWsound Decoders (Why I think Wowsound is the BEST)

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ต.ค. 2024

ความคิดเห็น • 81

  • @michaelcudby787
    @michaelcudby787 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Hey there. It been a while since I was on here, & since then have installed my first TCS wow steam in a big boy, just recently.I installed a tiny sugarcube speaker, but absolutely ghastly sound that I could not here.I have since installed a bigger speaker, & that loco really came alive. As for smooth, slow speed, ABSOLUTELY the best.I have trouble getting slow speed in my steamers, but this is amazing.The sound is good to my ears, & I always programme plenty of momentum in to all my decoders.Took a bit to get used to audio assist, but I have got the basics up & running,& running beautifully.I am going to go TCS for my steamers, from now, & I have gone ESU for my diesels. So glad I went TCS for my steamers. When I get more confidence, I will play around a little more. In the meantime, more than happy.Cheers Michael NZ

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Im so happy to hear that you're enjoying it dude! glad to hear my video helped :) cheers!

  • @NotGavin
    @NotGavin ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Decoder works amazingly! I really like the coasting feature where you have to use a function to apply the brakes, super cool! I'm planning on adding WOWSound to my Walthers/Lifelike Proto 2000 Berkshire in N Scale, since i believe it would be better then LokSound for specifically a Berkshire type. Great demo video!

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      yes! glad youre enjoying it :)

  • @lackawannarailfan
    @lackawannarailfan 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Really nice decoders and sound! Wish I could have engines like that! Take care!

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      thanks! haha its not hard, just have many searches on ebay saved, and check them every week. Good deals come often, but you just need to find them. Usually theyre mispelled or worded odd...like "pennsy" instead of "Pennsylvania". Always use OR statements on ebay searches. Good luck!

    • @lackawannarailfan
      @lackawannarailfan 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@trainman440 Thank you! The only thing I am worried about is the chuff rate in sync. Have a nice day!

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@lackawannarailfan worried about...how it syncs? its quite genius how they program it. Its easy but also guarantees a sunced chuff for each steam loco. When you enter audio assist chuff sync mode you basically run the loco at speed step 20 and adjust the chuff until theyre perfectly in sync. Then you save the setting and itll auto program the designated cv to its number

    • @lackawannarailfan
      @lackawannarailfan 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@trainman440 Ok thanks!

  • @ianisaacs2340
    @ianisaacs2340 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    TCS diesel decoders are AMAZING TOO! As far as I am concerned no one can touch them, especially with the horn quill feature. I won’t consider any other decoder until they offer a “quill-able” horn/whistle. Overall, they are the most organic sounding, IMO.

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Interesting, I know Tsunami also has qulliable whistle/horn feature, but to my recollection, none of the decoders with that feature sound particularly realistic. But that's personal preference!

    • @ianisaacs2340
      @ianisaacs2340 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@trainman440 “synthetic” sounding decoders really spoils the experience for me. I had forgotten about tsunami having a quill-able horn/whistle, but it sounds terrible, IMO.

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@ianisaacs2340 it does, I agree! I havent tried the quillable whistle in WOWsound admittedly, I had assumed they would sound just as terrible but maybe I should try them out before judging!

  • @SouRwy4501Productions
    @SouRwy4501Productions 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I used to mainly buy Soundtraxx Tsunami until last year. I’ve been slowly converting my fleet to TCS WOWsound. However, I’ve had problems with adjusting the address on my most recent addition, a Bachmann NYC J3a (HO scale). If anyone knows how to fix it, I’d be very grateful.

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      try factory resetting it

  • @trainman440
    @trainman440  3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Im not sure if I made it clear in the video or not, but I have nothing against tsunami or loksound. They are also perfectly fine and equally great decoders which I would be more than happy to have (Ive owned one of each before!). I just find little incentive to pay $30 extra for one of those, when a cheaper, yet equally great sounding (well a tad superior sounding to my ears) decoder could be had.

  • @donavonrobbins1908
    @donavonrobbins1908 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video. Just converting to DCC myself. Went with a lot of loksound for my he is and dash 9s. Tsunami for my EMDs. Have well over a dozen steam engines to do. Leaning towards tcs now.

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      thanks! Yea TCS may not be good on diesels but their steam is unbeatable!

  • @Marco-xz9sc
    @Marco-xz9sc ปีที่แล้ว

    I really like ESU LokSound for anything but my American engines ( unless they are American prototypes made by a European manufacturer ) wow sound is good for my Bachmann, BLi, and another USA based brand, but everything else gets an ESU

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  ปีที่แล้ว

      I agree! ESU steam is really good for european steam. However their american steam sound catalog is still rather limited (although it has been getting better lately).

    • @Marco-xz9sc
      @Marco-xz9sc ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@trainman440 as some who liked M4/MFX protocol, I prefer it when decoders have the capability to use the higher protocol. If TCS did, I’d be even happier

  • @trainstorm1225
    @trainstorm1225 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Very nice! Love the break sounds on that! Sounds so awesome! I don’t change decoders in my locomotives, I or rather the hobby shop, did add a LSU LokSound decoder on my Rivarossi Berkshire but that’s about it. Kinda wish they did WOWSound, lol! I’d like to add DCC and maybe sound to my Bachmann Thomas fleet, so I’ll keep TCS in mind!

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks! The brake sounds are AWESOME, its honestly what makes it good. Actually, loksound woudnt be a bad idea for thomas stuff cause you can add custom audio recordings into it.
      Id recommend you get into decoder installations, the most basic ones only require you to open the shell and plug the thing in! TCS makes some really great custom boards that fit perfectly into certain engines, and video tutorials. Decoder installs can cost upwards of $400 sometimes of done by others, its a good skill to have in case something goes wrong. Invest in a cheap $10 soldering iron, and save in the long run! Cheers!

  • @evanhizon8112
    @evanhizon8112 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I find TCS to be versatile and better because of the number of whistles and steam features. But Tsunami2 is starting to gain my interest because of the actual recording sounds of the Big Boy.

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I really do like TCS but especially with the recent price hike, Im looking at other alternatives now. I will still stick with tcs for my PRR stuff because their PRR whistle recordings are unbeatable. But might be looking at Tsunam or ESU for my ATSF and NYC stuff.

  • @trainman440
    @trainman440  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    There are a few points I missed:
    -th-cam.com/video/VCokySRUNNw/w-d-xo.html is an excellent clip of a PRR banshee. After careful review, BLI's Paragon 3 banshee actually sounds pretty good as well.
    -TCS is well known for having probably the best motor control abilities, resulting in amazing slow speed and quiet BEMF control.
    -Keep alives or large capacitors can easily be added for smoother operation with their design.
    -besides whistles, bells and chuff, there's also air pumps, generators, coupler clanks, etc sounds you can choose from, effectively making each decoder/engine sound completely different.

  • @officialpennsyjoe
    @officialpennsyjoe 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    The Paragon 3 version of the Banshee whistle is pretty close. I have that equipped for my K4s. If I get anymore Bachmann models, then I may modify them to TCS WOW.

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Interesting, Ill have to take a listen from you vid. The banshee on my L1s (wit p3 sound) sounds similar to the banshee shown in the video of the H10s. Then again, its personal preference, as Ive grown quite fond of of the P2 version too. Yea Id only get decoders if your engine is lacking one, dont bother replacing perfectly good decoders unless they burn out.
      Edit: the P3 banshee sounds nothing like the p2 banshee

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I took a good listen and youre right BLIs updated P3 banshee actually sounds pretty close! Cheers!

  • @yuyuhaio
    @yuyuhaio 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    This video not sponsored my TCS WOWsound. Shame,,,

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      LOOL ikr, coulda made a few bucks

  • @train-addict4656
    @train-addict4656 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Yes TCS has the best steam decoder, the
    drifting and whistle makes them awesome .
    The BLI Banshee hit the nail on the
    head, go figure ...Most of BLI"s sound files not a fan off,

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Funny you think that, I find the BLI paragon2 banshee to sound terrible. Their paragon3 banshee sounds significantly better. Cheers!

  • @gonebamboo4116
    @gonebamboo4116 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Agreed, that whistle is actually appealing. I've never heard a real one but everything coming from any model that I've ever heard is 'pert near digusting'

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I agree, they sound really good.
      Here's actually a great clip of a PRR 3 chime (aka K4 passenger whistle), vs a banshee (freight whistle). Compare that to the sounds from this video, and you'll see they are very close!
      th-cam.com/video/VCokySRUNNw/w-d-xo.html
      Cheers!

  • @gonebamboo4116
    @gonebamboo4116 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Nice cabeese, by the way.
    Showcase?

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks! I would but I havent done anything to them yet. Eventually Ill add lighting and markers to them. They're the Walthers N6b and Bowser N8 caboose.

  • @brodieforsha2696
    @brodieforsha2696 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Just wondering does it have a good prr 3 chime?

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hi, yes it does. It has the Banshee, a signature 1361 K4 3 chime, as well as two other versions of the 3 chime whistle. They sound very accurate and well recorded.
      Here's a video of the K4 3 chime: th-cam.com/video/pefZrhsHOds/w-d-xo.html
      Here's a video of the other 3 chime (on a M1b): th-cam.com/video/7Zp0soLvngc/w-d-xo.html
      Cheers!

    • @brodieforsha2696
      @brodieforsha2696 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Wow! thanks!

  • @GSMRFan
    @GSMRFan 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Tcs are great. I like the tsunami 2 pretty good too

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yea Tsunami2 are fine decoders too!

    • @Trainmaster909
      @Trainmaster909 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Tsunami2 is good, but their steam decoders leave a lot to be desired

  • @kurtturner3901
    @kurtturner3901 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Irritating dialog, script it better !!

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  ปีที่แล้ว

      lmao fair enough, I dont script "rant" videos, so they do admittedly get pretty ranty. I know its hard for some people to watch lol. Thanks for the critique though! Who knows maybe I will start scripting these as well one day.

  • @dagger1-140
    @dagger1-140 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    While I think TCS wow sound sounds the best I think in my personal opinion the Tsunami-2 is just as good. I have one 2200 installed in my brass NYC H-10 and one in my spectrum NYO&W mountain and I love the way they sound. Two sugar cube speakers give it a big voice and the larger speaker make the things sound like you’re standing next to the actual engine

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hey arent you the guy who shared his LMB H10 on reddit? :D
      Lol yea as I said, all modern sound decoders sound great, its honestly personal preference more than anything, but the goal of the video was to list some reasons that differentiate the TCS decoder from others besides just sound. Tsunami2 and loksound also sound great imo but TCS to my ears just has that slight edge, not to mention the fact that its a tad cheaper haha. Not to say I'd complain at all if I got a tsunami2(id be more than happy)! It just aint worth $30 extra dollars

    • @dagger1-140
      @dagger1-140 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@trainman440 I actually am! Funny you mention it and ya I think the only reason I have installed a TCS is they can be finicky according to some. With Tsunami the only thing for me that makes it worth for me is the customer support. On my install for my O&W mountain the decoder blew out (presumably because I jumped the gun and a wire touched the rails). I emailed the support had my decoder sent to them and they fixed the decoder and sent it back to me good as new and now my O&W from like 2008 has life in it again. The TCS definitely has sharper sound (Not to mention those beautiful quilling whistles) but Idk. You make excellent points but for me until I get a TCS and can compare the two right there in front of me apples to apples and see what each is capable of besides the points listed (like stress testing) I just work with my experience that I have with tsunami and the words of others (such as the guru that worked on my H-10 I’m so fond of now)

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@dagger1-140 I mean they both install identically, with the same 21 pin or 8 pin sockets, and both have excellent warrenties and customer support...ultimately youll have to try to install one of each like I have to see which one is more difficult to install. Both also have install tutorial videos...Also TCS has custom boards that allow you to replace the stock dcc ready boards in many models making installation even easier. Idk, I wouldnt judge until you try to install and run one of each. But whatever works right?

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@dagger1-140 Yea I was one who commented on the paint job haha, I need to get my NYC L-2a painted, that's why I asked. Cheers!

    • @dagger1-140
      @dagger1-140 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@trainman440 indeed. Like I said ultimately I work with what I know for now but I definitely want to throw a wow sound into one of my engines. Maybe my Bachmann Niagara I’ll do that instead of another tsunami that way I can test them. Regardless you are right saying you can’t go wrong with either.

  • @gonebamboo4116
    @gonebamboo4116 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    That hoggers voice makes me wonder what she looks like.
    " . . . . , bye!" ❤️
    😂

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      LOL ikr, its an interesting voice they chose. Atleast it doesnt sound like a robot lol

    • @ianisaacs2340
      @ianisaacs2340 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      It sounds like a female robot

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@ianisaacs2340 indeed!

  • @michaelcudby787
    @michaelcudby787 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    How man.SLOW the conversation down.So hard to understand.Other than that,you could be right about TCS

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Lol I realize I speak way too fast, and have been working on it. If you see my more recent videos, I have slowed down my speech and also started scripting certain segments to increase video production quality. Cheers!

  • @wobblinwheel
    @wobblinwheel 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I wish TCS would supply proper documentation with their factory installed decoders! Some sounds described in the owner's manual aren't even THERE! Somebody said, "it needs to be programmed in"...yeah? HOW? Without a complete list of cv's, that's pretty much impossible..."Audio Assist" = RUBBISH ❗Also, when you press the button for "grade-crossing" whistle, the the whistle is NOT the same whistle as the one programmed for the locomotive! Can you change it? WHO KNOWS!....❓Oh, and sometimes the grade crossing whistle is not even the same as the one you heard just moments before 🤔🤔 you might as well forget about the grade-crossing function, as well as direction change sounds, johnson bar sounds, etc. Audio Assist says you can adjust the volume of these particular sounds...IF ONLY THEY WERE THERE 😡

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      TCS supplies the full documentation of factory installed sounds on their website, just like nearly every other decoder manufacturer such as Tsunami, QSI, etc. I dont believe any manufacturer supplies the full documentation in the box. Tsunami, econami, loksound, NONE of them provide a full list of CVs in factory installed decoders, heck, none of them give the full CV list even if you just buy the decoder alone! You have to go to their website.
      If you dont like auto assist, you can still use the traditional method of using CVs. Its just nice to have the option for those who actually like it.
      Grade crossing whistle is a different, more accurate recording. This is also true for some other decoder manufacturers, and I enjoy the variety. Its a prerecorded whistle that has more of the variable high and low sounds as opposed to the "long' and "short whistle buttons. You can still easily recreate it with F2 and F3 if you dislike it. Again, they give you the option, you dont have to use it.
      You CAN adjust the johnson bar and etc sound volumes individually, look at the manual.
      A lot of these complaints either apply to other manufacturers, or simply are optional "bonuses" that you dont have to use at all. But hey I respect your opinion. Just dont buy Wowsound decoders, it just means there more for the rest of us! Cheers!

    • @wobblinwheel
      @wobblinwheel 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@trainman440 I actually jacked up the volume of the Johnson Bar, using audio assist, but in operation....silence...don't get it..I'm assuming the Johnson bar should be heard when changing direction. Am I right? (I'm really not sure)

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@wobblinwheel interesting ive never had that problem before...maybe resetting the decoder will fix it?

    • @wobblinwheel
      @wobblinwheel 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@trainman440 I've decided this "decoder" has got to GO! I tried to simply adjust the "mute" setting to reduce the volume by half, instead of total quiet. Now the mute button doesn't work at all! No matter what I do, it will not mute the sound, only the "idle" sound is muted. Nothing else...and even THAT is BACKWARDS! I now have to turn ON the mute button (F8) to hear the background sound! Otherwise, it's totally silent at idle...now, I no longer have a "mute" button, just turns off the background idle sounds, when it is turned OFF! This is an absolute haywire piece of crap...mind you, I'm no "novice" at programming a decoder! Does cv8 to 8 still reset this EVIL contraption? I have to wait until next week to call TCS, as the "guru" is on vacation...good grief! Never again...I never thought Bachmann could screw up worse than they already do....got the locomotive working pretty good, now that I made a new drawbar that actually works! Now to shitcan the decoder...😡 just more money...

    • @wobblinwheel
      @wobblinwheel 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@trainman440 do you happen to know what CV controls the MUTE function (f8), and what is it's default setting? It seems I no longer have a "mute" button...

  • @wobblinwheel
    @wobblinwheel 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Do you realize you're talking WAY TOO FAST, to be understood half the time? Some sentences sound like jibberish at times...

    • @trainman440
      @trainman440  3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I naturally speak fast, and Im continuing to work on slowing down my speech, stuttering less, and possibly even start scripting entire videos. You arent the first to complain, and you wont be the last. Im working on it!

    • @wobblinwheel
      @wobblinwheel 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@trainman440 no problem. Just thought I'd let you know...👍