Digital Sound modelling guides
SPROG DCC Decoder Programmer
Configuring digital decoders for optimum performance can prove challenging, especially for beginners. MARK CHIVERS considers one such solution in the intriguingly named SPROG DCC decoder programmer.
Mark Chivers.
VIDEO: Accurascale Class 37 sound demonstration
The latest sound fitted samples of the soon to be released Accurascale Class 37 for ‘OO’ gauge are here. Mark Chivers and Richard Watson find out what is in store.
MIKE WILD
STAFF PROJECTS: Electrical endeavours for New Junction
With the build racing ahead, it was time to pause for reflection giving time to complete the more mundane tasks on this new ‘OO’ layout. RICHARD WATSON plods on with the essential but repetitive tasks.
Big ‘Cat’ sound for the Dapol Class 68
The Vossloh Class 68s are one of the most modern and powerful diesel-electrics running today. MIKE WILD installs the latest generation MS series ZIMO decoder into the feature rich Dapol ‘OO’ gauge model.
LOCOMAN CLASS 37 SOUND DEMONSTRATION
The English Electric Class 37 is one of the most popular diesel locomotives and this distinctive class is Locoman Sounds’ first digital audio project for a diesel. With one eye on spending, MIKE WILD installs a D&H decoder into an older generation 8-pin Bachmann model.
Platinum purple bulleid
The repaint of ‘West Country’ 34027 into a special Platinum Jubilee purple livery has generated huge interest. RICHARD HALL shows how you can recreate the look on a super-detailed Hornby Bulleid ‘Pacific’.
Locoman ‘W1' sound installation guide
New sound projects for the Gresley ‘W1’ 4-6-4 are available from Locoman Sounds to suit both the original high pressure and later rebuilt versions of this unique steam engine. MIKE WILD shows how to install Doehler & Haass decoders into Hornby’s ‘OO’ models with exclusive KeyModelWorld sound demonstration video.
Killer ‘20s’ renumbered, weathered and sound fitted
The Direct Rail Services-operated Class 20/3s offer an attractive and different locomotive for the modern railway scene. For his latest rolling stock project MIKE WILD decided to renumber, weather and sound fit a pair of the recent Bachmann ‘OO’ gauge models.
Hornby Sentinel Sound installation
PAUL CHETTER describes how to add an invisible sound installation to Hornby’s diminutive Sentinel industrial locomotive.
Installing ESU sound in the Bachmann Class 66
Bachmann's Class 66 is a simple locomotive to upgrade to digital sound. In this KeyModelWorld exclusive feature MIKE WILD installs an ESU 21-pin decoder with Legomanbiffo's high performance sound together with a powerful speaker and stay alive into the 'OO' gauge model. Read the full guide here and watch our sound demonstration video.
Digital sound for the Hornby 4-VEP
With the prospect of a new and upgraded 4-VEP from Hornby in 2022, MIKE WILD looked back at the first versions to introduce digital sound while also improving the front gangways in this modelling guide.
SUPER SOUND FOR THE BACHMANN GRESLEY ‘V2’
Bachmann’s all-new Gresley ‘V2’ has been designed with digital sound in mind, but is there a way to introduce a bigger and more powerful speaker in the 2-6-2? MIKE WILD explores the options with a brand new sound file from Locoman Sounds.
VIDEO: Hornby's Tornado with Locoman Sounds
The A1 Steam Trust's new build Peppercorn 'A1' 4-6-2 60163 Tornado is the subject of our latest sound demonstration video to go with our full installation guide in Hornby Magazine Yearbook No 14 for 2022 - on sale now. Watch our completed installation which uses Hornby's BR lined blue liveried model of 60163 plus Locoman Sounds' all-new sound profile for the high-profile main line registered 'Pacific' here.
‘Western’ ambassadors for sound
The distinctive note of the ‘Western’ hydraulics is highly sought after in model form. PAUL CHETTER installs sound into Heljan and Dapols model of the Class 52 in ‘OO’ scale and compares the steps required and the results achieved.
'J50' sound and stay alive
Compact tank engines aren’t always the easiest when it comes to digital sound installations, but Hornby’s ‘J50’ 0-6-0T can be equipped with sound and stay alive. MIKE WILD shows how he did it in this step by step guide.
Digital Voyager
Bachmann’s ‘OO’ gauge models of the Class 220 and 221 Voyager units pre-date the inclusion of decoder interfaces, but with the right parts they can be upgraded to digital sound and lighting. MIKE WILD shows how.
PowerHaul Class 70 digital sound upgrades
The Freightliner and Colas Rail Freight operated Class 70 diesel locomotives are amongst the most advanced on the British network. MIKE WILD shows how a ZIMO decoder can be installed into the Bachmann ‘OO’ gauge model along with DCC Concepts and Rail Exclusive products for a full suite of sound.
Back to ‘Schools’
Digital sound installations don’t have to be complex or mind boggling, as MIKE WILD shows by turning his attention to a Hornby ‘Schools’ 4-4-0 with a new sound profile from Locoman Sounds.
Hawksworth ‘Hall’ sound
The arrival of a new batch of GWR ‘Modified Hall’ 4-6-0s from Bachmann for ‘OO’ gauge prompted MIKE WILD to take a fresh look at the model’s potential for sound. In this step by step guide, we install a ZIMO decoder and powerful speaker for a realistic and immersive driving experience.
VIDEO: Bachmann Class 57 sound demonstration
The Class 57 is an important part of the modern railway scene and one stands out from the crowd – 57307 Lady Penelope in its Cable Thieves-branded DRS livery. MIKE WILD and RICHARD WATSON discuss this Bachmann Collectors Club limited edition after it's sound installation.
Thunderbirds are go!
The Class 57 is an important part of the modern railway scene and one stands out from the crowd – 57307 Lady Penelope in its Cable Thieves-branded DRS livery. MIKE WILD picks up a Bachmann Collectors Club limited edition of the unique locomotive for this sound installation guide.
'West Country' Special
Who says installing digital sound is hard? PAUL CHETTER takes on Hornby’s air-smoothed ‘West Country’ and discovers that installation of sound and much more is within the abilities of all modellers. This feature from the Hornby Magazine archive includes a brand new sound demonstration video featuring 34067 Tangmere.
VIDEO: Hornby 'Merchant Navy' sound upgrade
Our latest exclusive sound installation guide for KeyModelWorld feature Digitrains sound file for the Bulleid air-smoothed 'Pacific' - and you can watch it for free this week only during Bulleid week. Join Mike Wild in the workshop to find out how to install sound in this model.
Automatic Braking Control
DCC Concepts has released its new Zen Black decoder range which include the ability to work with ABC braking modules to create automated stopping and DCC controlled shuttles. MIKE WILD explains how.
SULZER SOUNDS
The new Heljan Class 25/3 presented an opportunity to add extra functionality to the model as part of a sound installation. MIKE WILD installs a ZIMO chip into the new ‘OO’ gauge model with sound from Digitrains.
VIDEO: Locoman Sounds Thompson 'Pacific' sounds
Locoman Sounds has introduced a series of new sound profiles for the Doehler & Haass sound decoder family to replicate the Thompson 'A2/2' and 'A2/3' 4-6-2s. In the latest issue we show how to install this new sound decoder in the Hornby 4-6-2 while in this video MIKE WILD demonstrates the sound functions of two of the four versions.
VIDEO: Hornby 'A2/3' sound installation guide
In the latest issue of Hornby Magazine we illustrate how to install digital sound in the new Hornby 'A2/2' 4-6-2. For our second related installation MIKE WILD demonstrates the installation process for the closely related 'A2/3' on video using the new Locoman Sounds sound project.
THOMPSON CHOICES
Locoman Sounds has introduced a set of new sound profiles for the Hornby ‘A2/2’ and ‘A2/3’ 4-6-2s with four different versions to suit the two classes in different eras. MIKE WILD shows how to install the sound profile on a Doehler & Haass sound chip into the BR era ‘Pacifics’.
VIDEO: Bachmann Class 45 with ZIMO digital sound
In the latest issue of Hornby Magazine - HM167, May 2021 - we show how to install sound and stay alive into the popular Bachmann Class 45 1Co-Co1 for 'OO' gauge. In this video Mike Wild demonstrates the completed model on Topley Dale.
Stay alive with DCC Concepts
DCC Concepts has gone back to the drawing board to create its new range of stay alives using smaller components and a flexible system which allows for easier positioning of parts within a locomotive. Read the full story here and watch our video demonstration.