Missleading info on Massoth 'S' decoder

[Tim Brien]

A friend recently went to purchase an "S" decoder and was asked if he wanted steam, diesel or electic sounds. He replied that it was irrelevant as he intended downloading his chosen sound from the Massoth website. The dealer advised that if one purchased a steam loco generic sound and uploaded a diesel sound on to the chip then recurrent steam chuffing would be present.

He spoke to the importer and he confirmed this info as told him by Massoth engineers. Seems a little strange to me as when downloading new sounds, the programme deletes existing sound software prior uploading the new software. The friend asked the importer to check the software version on decoders instock to confirm latest version and received a reply that was basically you get what version I have instore. Another reason to import from someone who knows what they are talking about and purchase overseas and not locally!

 

[muns]

the dealer advice here is utter b/s**t.

Currently Uploading of sounds to a S, LS or XLS decoders will completely replace the sounds stored within it.

 

[Zerogee]

......not the cheatest ......

I'm guessing that was just a genuine typo, and not a Freudian slip.....?

 

[whatlep]

Any problems Paul at P&S Hobbies York, not the cheatest but he will fit at no extra charge and he is a walking LGB encyclopedia

I think Tim is in Australia. A trip to York, UK definitely won't be cheap!

 

[Tim Brien]

Mark,
that was my first impression, but the importer is adamant that you cannot change a generic 'steam' unit to a 'diesel' sound at a later date as intermittent chuffing will intrude the diesel sound. He was advised of this by Massoth. I think that something went amiss in the translation. Will not affect me as I will not be purchasing locally.

 

[ntpntpntp]

http://www.massoth.com/en/produkte/82x2100.en.php < Link To

http://www.massoth.com/en/produkte/82x2100.en.php < Link To eMOTION S Sounddecoder

Small stand-alone sound module with SUSI interface and 3 Watt output. Programmable to all Massoth sounds available (check XLS sound list).



I seem to remember there is/was another "generic" sound decoder made by Massoth that doesn't support loading of alternative sounds? Maybe it was an earlier version of the "S", as that one does seem to be marketed in 3 versions: generic steam/diesel/electric. Maybe the dealer is getting confused with that?

<edit> hmmm cannot find any evidence of such a non-programmable decoder but something is definitely "ringing a bell" so to speak! </edit>
<edit #2> Ah - it was the special version of the LS for the little Brekina VW that I was thinking of - that one isn't programmable. </edit #2>

 

[muns]

The only Massoth "sound decoders" that I am aware of that do not allow sounds to be reprogrammed are early XLS decoders with firmware lower than v2 and with green pcbs.

 

[Zerogee]

It's true that the S is sold in the three generic versions (steam/diesel/electric), the same as the LS, so that they can be ready for immediate use if you are happy with the generic sound files - which are usually fine for things like Stainzes and small diesels. However with both of these units the sound files can easily (with the right programming gear) be deleted/overwritten with any of the loco-specific files from the list that Massoth offer for the XLS.
I know it works because Jeremy (Dragon G) has done several for me, so I will happily buy whatever version of the S is in stock and have it reprogrammed for the loco I'm installing it in. Certainly no trace of "original sounds left behind", they are completely replaced with the new files, and any store or trader suggesting otherwise really has no clue what they are talking about.

Jon.

 

[teddytejero]

It is possible to change the sound of the S module. But you will need to purchase the expesive USB programming module from massoth. It's not possible to program sound with the central station as far as I know.

 

[Zerogee]

It is possible to change the sound of the S module. But you will need to purchase the expesive USB programming module from massoth. It's not possible to program sound with the central station as far as I know.

That's right, you need to link it to your computer - but most reputable dealers will put any sound you like on the decoder for you when you buy it, or you talk nicely to one of the jolly decent chaps here on the forum who already have the equipment and the know-how to do it for you....

Jon.

 

[Tim Brien]

Now do not bite the messenger as I am responding to hearsay from someone who has studied the 'S' module. Apparently, there are several versions around from dealers who may have a habit of selling new old stock.

A version 1.3 is not rewritable (apparently). Now I would think that this is a very old model and only available from a dealer who is unable to onsell new old stock and will not reorder new versions until the older version stock is sold.

A rewritable version is 2.0 upwards (apparently). However, it seems that there is a new 'electric' prototype sound module (version 3) which is suitable only for one or two specialised LGB electric models and not considered rewritable for steam/diesel models. The version 2.0 series (2.2 and 2.5) is the version to purchase if one intends upgrading and rewriting the decoder (apparently).

Any with a definitive viewpoint is most welcome to respond as I would really like to get to the bottom of this issue.

 

[Zerogee]

All I can tell you, Tim, is that I bought two of the very earliest S modules produced - remember this is a relatively new product, far more recently released than the LS and XLS sound/driving decoders. The ones I had were from the very first batch to come into the UK after Massoth's long-delayed release of them - I bought them through Jeremy at Dragon G Scale, and before delivering them to me he loaded new sounds on to both of them - one for the Pigsnout Railbus and one for the Zillertal U class.
These first-batch S units differ physically from the later ones in that now an additional large capacitor has been added, apparently to overcome some minor problems that some early units had when connected through an LGB onboard driving decoder. I never experienced these problems, probably because I connected mine directly to track power rather than going via the onboard decoder plugs. This extra capacitor has made the newer units a few mm taller than the first batch ones, which is something to be aware of in very tight locations.

So, from my experience I can honestly say that reprogramming was perfectly possible even on the very first batch of S units, at least the first ones brought into the UK; if there were any released prior to that (perhaps just a very few onto the German market?), then I have no experience of them - but to all intents and purposes I don't believe there is any problem rewriting any production version of the S.

Jon.

 

[beavercreek]

Now, I am by no means an expert or even a 'moderately high knowledge' user of Massoth but I have a feeling that this 'not being able to upgrade' sounds on an 's' module might obviously be, like Muns has already said, complete bull, or maybe the trader is getting confused with the old Soundtraxx Sierra cards.
These cards were great and had sounds that were not user upgradeable but you could send them back to Soundtraxx to have new sounds slotted in.... BUT you could not change a 'steam' card into a 'diesel' card, as there would be ...chuffing sounds kept over...I wonder.....

 

[mike]

i recived from a trader, a s module, id asked for a saxion meyers sound on it..
so off course it arived with a desiel sound on it..
oft to p+S hobbies in york, he wiped the sound off, as the dealer had tryed to upload desil on to a steam sound. and re set it to a saxion meryers sound.. £10 charge warinty for 12 months.. sounds great now

 

[Sandy]

Sad to hear, Mike, I will not ask who it was, but some traders give Massoth a bad name whilst others like P and S Hobbies do them proud.