Proto-Sound upgrade button under the support tab on a particular MTH engine - 20-20621-1

Matt,

It's a sound file for use when upgrading a non-command control version of this engine to PS2 (3 volt) or PS3 operation.

Thank you Barry, that makes more sense.

While Barry is correct for engines that are QSI/PS-1 or PS-2 5V, that does not apply to PS-3 engines.

That upgrade file, is in fact an upgrade file for your PS-3 engine.  Most likely the chain file has an update.   May fix some glitch in the original file.

Occasionally a PS-2 3V may have an improved sound file also, especially if something was not right in the original.  

If you open both file, you will find they have different dates, and the upgrade file is a later version.  Hence they are different PS-3 sound files.  G

Thank you G, I guess it doesn't hurt to install it and see what it sounds like. I can always restore it back since the original.

I have the #83 and #84 so I should be able to run them both and try to spot anything new.

George,

That upgrade file, is in fact an upgrade file for your PS-3 engine.  Most likely the chain file has an update.   May fix some glitch in the original file.

Please clarify something for me.

Upon downloading and inspecting the two sets of files, it appears that the Chain files are identical. This is based on determining that both files have the exact same name, are the exact same length in bytes and have the same creation date.

The sound files, however, appear to be different. They have different names, sizes in bytes and different creation dates.

The above would lead me to believe that the upgrade files are for upgrading non-DCS engines  to PS2 (3 volt board) or PS3, while the production files may be newer copies of what came with the engine when it was manufactured.

Would I be correct that Chain files In both cases would be for the diesel PS3 board, since it is what's both in the engine and in the diesel upgrade kit?

Also, it wouldn't make sense to me to have an older, replaced sound file available alongside the newer sound file that replaced it. Instead, it would seem to make more sense to have the latest production sound file and also an upgrade sound file available.

UPDATE! and really good news.

I ran the updated PS package on my #84 and everything seemed to be the same until I blew the horn. I believe this update puts the correct horn on these E-8 Santa Fe's as far as I can tell. I'm not a horn expert but it sounds more prototypical now instead of the more modern horn that it had. I will check to see if anything else major changed, but that stood out to me right away.

*The video horn comparison uploads failed, probably too large so I will try and get them up on my YouTube channel instead.

Barry Broskowitz posted:

George,

That upgrade file, is in fact an upgrade file for your PS-3 engine.  Most likely the chain file has an update.   May fix some glitch in the original file.

Please clarify something for me.

Upon downloading and inspecting the two sets of files, it appears that the Chain files are identical. This is based on determining that both files have the exact same name, are the exact same length in bytes and have the same creation date.

The sound files, however, appear to be different. They have different names, sizes in bytes and different creation dates.

The above would lead me to believe that the upgrade files are for upgrading non-DCS engines  to PS2 (3 volt board) or PS3, while the production files may be newer copies of what came with the engine when it was manufactured.

Would I be correct that Chain files In both cases would be for the diesel PS3 board, since it is what's both in the engine and in the diesel upgrade kit?

Also, it wouldn't make sense to me to have an older, replaced sound file available alongside the newer sound file that replaced it. Instead, it would seem to make more sense to have the latest production sound file and also an upgrade sound file available.

Barry, MTH is using that upgrade icon for both PS-2 3V upgrade sound files for the traditional "Upgrade SF", but also for changes to Factory Sound Files when needed.  Even some PS-2 3V sound file engines have upgrades.  As Matt determines it looks like the SF need a change for the correct horn.  Other cases it is a revised chain file.

As far a PS-3 Diesel kits, no special files needed.  You go and get any PS-3 SF for that engine type.  If MTH had to correct an issue for that model, I would use the latest sound file. 

It is only PS-3 Steam that uses the PS-32 board, that you keep the chain file and go get any PS-2 3V or PS-3 sound file of your liking.   G

George,

MTH is using that upgrade icon for both PS-2 3V upgrade sound files for the traditional "Upgrade SF", but also for changes to Factory Sound Files when needed. 

So why were the production sound file and the upgrade sound file different? Did MTH leave an incorrect sound file available as a download? That doesn't;t seem to make a great deal of sense.

Barry, perhaps it is more of an alternative sound file for the horn then a direct replacement. I did some digging and came up with several different horns used on the E8, but I do like the new horn much better.

I attached videos with both horns (I did this for the audio, so I apologize for the bad video quality)

Old Horn

New Horn

Barry Broskowitz posted:

George,

MTH is using that upgrade icon for both PS-2 3V upgrade sound files for the traditional "Upgrade SF", but also for changes to Factory Sound Files when needed. 

So why were the production sound file and the upgrade sound file different? Did MTH leave an incorrect sound file available as a download? That doesn't;t seem to make a great deal of sense.

I can't answer WHY MTH does what MTH does  G