Anyone thought about using a KUBE MP3 player to add sounds to an engine:
THE KUBE MP3 PLAYER
I wonder if the head/earphones could be made to fit inside an engine?
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How would you control chuff rate, engine speed sounds, horn/whistle blasts?
well the idea is not bad, but with the technology that we have today a bluetooth speakers could be perfect as well, and you can control from your phone the sound....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJwUDkXXmpY
AG.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJwUDkXXmpY
AG.
Another application is for layout background sounds. For under $20 you can get MP3 players with a built-in speaker (rather than just driving ear buds). With the GB-sized memory, this represents days of sound. So you could pre-record hours of non-repetitive actual freight yard switching, station sounds, tower comm from a scanner, whatever. If there is only one MP3 file on a player, the players I've seen will simply repeat it. So replace batteries with a wall wart or voltage adapter from accessory power and it's no maintenance.
Compare to old days where background sounds were a 2-minute looping cassette tape, or a solid-state sound module with a whopping 5-minutes of low-quality audio.
The stereo separation on MP3 players is perfect. This means you can play two completely independent sound tracks out Left and Right. Just take two mono recordings, combine with audio editor freeware, and Save As stereo MP3 file.
Compare to old days where background sounds were a 2-minute looping cassette tape, or a solid-state sound module with a whopping 5-minutes of low-quality audio.
The stereo separation on MP3 players is perfect. This means you can play two completely independent sound tracks out Left and Right. Just take two mono recordings, combine with audio editor freeware, and Save As stereo MP3 file.
When I posted this I had just learned of the Kube, still don't know a lot about it.
I wonder if you can hookup separate speakers and what kind would work? At 23x23x23mm that's a small cube to be plugging things into.
Stan2004, that "sounds" like a great idea, thanks!
I really enjoy the diesel rumble and steam chuff as the train goes round the room, but with the sound off they don't sound that bad either. Maybe sound other background noises would make things even better.
I wonder if you can hookup separate speakers and what kind would work? At 23x23x23mm that's a small cube to be plugging things into.
Stan2004, that "sounds" like a great idea, thanks!
I really enjoy the diesel rumble and steam chuff as the train goes round the room, but with the sound off they don't sound that bad either. Maybe sound other background noises would make things even better.
Hi Bob,
These might work:
http://www.allelectronics.com/...MINI-SPEAKERS/1.html
From the All Electronics site:
"Crisp, clear amplified sound for your iPod or other portable music player. Requires a bit of minor surgery. Cut off the proprietary Sony-Ericsson plug, and attach a 3.5mm stereo phone plug and a power source (batteries or power supply). Color-coded wires in control cable are easy to identify; red and black for 5 Vdc power, blue, green and copper for left and right audio signal. 35" cable between speakers. 15" cable between speaker and connector. Operates on 5 Vdc (power source not included). Speaker dimensions: 2.1" high x 1.8" wide x 1.2" deep. Of course, if you have the Sony-Ericsson phone/music player that these were designed for, just plug and play."
Take care, Joe.
These might work:
http://www.allelectronics.com/...MINI-SPEAKERS/1.html
From the All Electronics site:
"Crisp, clear amplified sound for your iPod or other portable music player. Requires a bit of minor surgery. Cut off the proprietary Sony-Ericsson plug, and attach a 3.5mm stereo phone plug and a power source (batteries or power supply). Color-coded wires in control cable are easy to identify; red and black for 5 Vdc power, blue, green and copper for left and right audio signal. 35" cable between speakers. 15" cable between speaker and connector. Operates on 5 Vdc (power source not included). Speaker dimensions: 2.1" high x 1.8" wide x 1.2" deep. Of course, if you have the Sony-Ericsson phone/music player that these were designed for, just plug and play."
Take care, Joe.
Joe,
Man those things are small!
My problem is I'm not an audiophile, I still call everything a "stereo". Guess I need to get my son over to help his old man out.
Man those things are small!
My problem is I'm not an audiophile, I still call everything a "stereo". Guess I need to get my son over to help his old man out.
Hi Bob and Folks,
From what I gather, all you need to do is build a simple voltage regulated circuit with the appropriate filtering that will deliver 5 VDC from track power for the speaker(s) and player. The speakers would just plug into player. I also assume that mini USB plugs would connect to both for the power.
(Here is the PDF from All Electronics http://www.allelectronics.com/...sets//spec/AMP-8.pdf that shows the 2 leads for the power, so I guess just one USB mini connector would be necessary for the player.)
What sounds would you be playing?
Take care, Joe.
From what I gather, all you need to do is build a simple voltage regulated circuit with the appropriate filtering that will deliver 5 VDC from track power for the speaker(s) and player. The speakers would just plug into player. I also assume that mini USB plugs would connect to both for the power.
(Here is the PDF from All Electronics http://www.allelectronics.com/...sets//spec/AMP-8.pdf that shows the 2 leads for the power, so I guess just one USB mini connector would be necessary for the player.)
What sounds would you be playing?
Take care, Joe.
Joe,
Not sure what sounds. I could play anything from background noise (animals, people talking, etc) or...mount a couple of these around the layout and wire them so as the train (and train sounds) moves one set would fade out while the other fades in. I know that would take some fancy wiring/electronics, but I feel doable.
So far this is all daydreaming on my part. It could probably be done with a cassette player and a couple of sets of speakers (like computer speakers), but the cost will probably rise. I do have 2 pairs of computer speakers that are just sitting collecting dust, so that may be the way to go. A cassette player is old tech though, gotta go with what's new
Not sure what sounds. I could play anything from background noise (animals, people talking, etc) or...mount a couple of these around the layout and wire them so as the train (and train sounds) moves one set would fade out while the other fades in. I know that would take some fancy wiring/electronics, but I feel doable.
So far this is all daydreaming on my part. It could probably be done with a cassette player and a couple of sets of speakers (like computer speakers), but the cost will probably rise. I do have 2 pairs of computer speakers that are just sitting collecting dust, so that may be the way to go. A cassette player is old tech though, gotta go with what's new
Hi Bob,
I use an old Walkman type cassette player and one computer speaker to play one channel of a Green Frog Productions sound effects tape of station announcements. Works well. I just spliced an on/off switch into the power supply of the player to operate it from the control panel several feet away. I have the one speaker right under my old Plasticville station. "Old tech" is still just fine!!!!! If it works, do it!!!!!!!!!!!
Take care, Joe.
I use an old Walkman type cassette player and one computer speaker to play one channel of a Green Frog Productions sound effects tape of station announcements. Works well. I just spliced an on/off switch into the power supply of the player to operate it from the control panel several feet away. I have the one speaker right under my old Plasticville station. "Old tech" is still just fine!!!!! If it works, do it!!!!!!!!!!!
Take care, Joe.
Joe,
I cleaned up a part of my train room yesterday and found an old Walkman inside a window seat! I even have a tape somewhere with steam engine sounds on it. If I get a break (from working on my Vanderbilt tender project) I'll see if I can get some external sounds going.
I cleaned up a part of my train room yesterday and found an old Walkman inside a window seat! I even have a tape somewhere with steam engine sounds on it. If I get a break (from working on my Vanderbilt tender project) I'll see if I can get some external sounds going.
Hi Bob,
That's great! Nothing like making something from practically nothing. All Electronics has a little USB power supply/charger that I use with newer computer speakers and a CD player (not with the trains). Not very powerful, but enough for a pair of computer speakers.
http://www.allelectronics.com/...SPECIAL-PRICE/1.html
Take care, Joe.
That's great! Nothing like making something from practically nothing. All Electronics has a little USB power supply/charger that I use with newer computer speakers and a CD player (not with the trains). Not very powerful, but enough for a pair of computer speakers.
http://www.allelectronics.com/...SPECIAL-PRICE/1.html
Take care, Joe.
Victrola even doesn't need power!
AG.
AG.
