No (or low) cost sound solution

[Mobi]

If you have a small rechargeable Bluetooth speaker that can offer ready made train sound solution.

Place the speaker inside loco (if space permits) or in a trailing wagon.

Then connect with your phone.

Technically you can play any sound via your phone but when I tried I found default sound players in phone often inserts a momentary pause when playing sounds in a loop.

So here is an AI generated code to play sounds in loop properly along with horn or other sounds playing simultaneously. This is plain JavaScript in HTML so any web browser can run it.

You need to source your own sounds though but that is easy as there are plenty of train sounds on internet.

You can use ffmepg utility to cut sounds to your needs using this command.
C:\Application\ffmpeg\bin\ffmpeg -ss 0:05 -i input.wav -t 0:03 output.m4a
assuming you want to extract from 0:05 seconds of input file for 3 seconds duration.

Of course, purists may frown upon this approach as the sound will not be speed dependent. However, you can manually play appropriate sound files for slow, medium and fast running of your chosen locomotive.

It works fine with my running style where I leave trains running in a loop at a fixed speed i.e. don't vary speed continuously.

I have attached the HTML file and some sample sounds for testing.

 

[peterpavuk]

I'd probably won't use that for locomotive, but that can be brilliant for station background noises.

 

[lgbmad]

I got myself a cracking little bluetooth speaker for a christmas wagon. Great sound and only £10 on Amazon.

 

[lgbmad]

It is a shame 'Model Sounds' went out of business as there were cracking speakers and ideal for all sorts on the railway.

 

[Mobi]

Here is demo sound using a tiny speaker.

 

[maxi-model]

I got myself a cracking little bluetooth speaker for a christmas wagon. Great sound and only £10 on Amazon.

I have similar MP4 player, bought Ebay too, with integrated little speaker. Bought it to run "generator" soundclip to run in WHR service coach. Superbly irritating sound, pity I cannot loop it to extend play beyond 40 secs Max

 

[Fred2179G]

I installed a Blunami HO card in a tram loco and the Blunami created sound on the phone app, relevant to what was going on. Instructions told me to put a small speaker in the tram, which I did.

 

[ge_rik]

I have similar MP4 player, bought Ebay too, with integrated little speaker. Bought it to run "generator" soundclip to run in WHR service coach. Superbly irritating sound, pity I cannot loop it to extend play beyond 40 secs Max

I bought something similar (might even be the same). If the play button is pressed it plays and then stops at the end. If the play button is pressed for 5 seconds it loops the sound. WAV or MP3 files can be uploaded via a USB C lead or can be recorded with the inbuilt mic (not very good quality though. Adding a simple sound box (ie toilet roll) improves the sound a fair bit.

Rik

 

[Fred2179G]

I remembered I had a video of the bluetooth speaker attached to my Blunami app. The advantage is that it is controlled by the app, and you can ring bells, and it is speed- dependent.

 

[ge_rik]

I bought something similar (might even be the same). If the play button is pressed it plays and then stops at the end. If the play button is pressed for 5 seconds it loops the sound. WAV or MP3 files can be uploaded via a USB C lead or can be recorded with the inbuilt mic (not very good quality though. Adding a simple sound box (ie toilet roll) improves the sound a fair bit.

Rik

The listing .....



Rik

 

[maxi-model]

I bought something similar (might even be the same). If the play button is pressed it plays and then stops at the end. If the play button is pressed for 5 seconds it loops the sound. WAV or MP3 files can be uploaded via a USB C lead or can be recorded with the inbuilt mic (not very good quality though. Adding a simple sound box (ie toilet roll) improves the sound a fair bit.

Rik

Interesting tips Rik. Thank you, I'll try them out. It would be nice if the one I had operated with that "auto-loop" function. Max

 

[ge_rik]

Since I posted above, I've been experimenting with DF Player Mini modules. They are cheap (c£4.00GBP on eBay - or less on AliEpxress), they include an amplifier and so can be connected directly to a speaker and can be triggered in various ways, including (using their ADKEY inputs) to loop the same file. Furthermore, if .WAV files are used, there is only a barely imperceptible gap between tracks or when a track loops.

See this short video showing the main engine sound looping around and also switching to the horn sound track when the bind button is pressed on my Deltang/Micron transmitter

For more information see my blog post - How I used a DF Player Mini module as a simple soundcard

BTW - The sound is taken from a video of an actual Simplex loco

Rik

 

[ge_rik]

I have also replaced the old MP3 player circuit board I used ten years ago in my railbus with a DF Player module. At present, the tracks are switched 'manually' via one of the switches on the transmitter.

However, I am exploring how this could be done via Arduino sensing changes in the motor voltage.

As they say, watch this space!

Rik

 

[ge_rik]

The latest version. It uses Arduino to switch tracks when the railbus starts off and when it slows down.

Rik

 

[ge_rik]

I've blogged my various attempts in case you fancy having a play yourselves

How I used Arduino and a DF Player Mini as a sound card

Narrow gauge large scale model garden railway. Battery powered, radio controlled locomotives, some Bluetooth. Set in Cheshire UK in 1930s

riksrailway.blogspot.com

Rik