TCSWOW o scale release

I have just received a TCS Wow Diesel decoder this week to try. For O scale I plan to try it two ways - in an Atlas China-drive GP35 with motors wired in series (already successfully tested an NCE DA-SR in it - draws way less than half an Amp at moderate speed), & in a Weaver GP38-2 (Pittman motor) piggybacked with an NCE D408SR 4Amp decoder.
Even cost of the two decoders together compares well against something like a Loksound XL, I reckon, & means not having to wait for a dedicated O Scale TCS Wow.....

Sounds good (literally)! 

 

I just put a HO WOWsound with KA2 into an Atlas SW9.  I haven't had much time to fiddle with it so far but the factory settings plus "calibrating prototype throttle for auto notching" which took about 1 minute using Audio Assist, makes for a very impressive and realistic operating experience. The audio quality does seem better through the same speaker than some other brands I've tried.  

 

One thing I wanted to mention is that for me, the single biggest improvement in the WOWsound is the "proto throttle" or "auto notching" feature. This feature is dependent on measuring the back EMF from the motor to make the throttle notch up and down based on actual load on the motor.

 

So I am wondering how we may be able to send that back EMF info to the WOWsound when piggy-backed with a D408SR. With the Soundtraxx DSX etc. piggy- back we don't connect the DSX to the motor (of course - that was the point!)    in the past. But without that back EMF read, I fear we'll be losing the "auto notching" feature which for me at least is a huge leap forward in prime-mover sound realism.

 

I'm rather hoping you have a way to overcome this as I have a few D408SR/DSX installs where I could just swap in a WOWsound for the DSX instead of having to wait for the TCS O scale version.

 

Thanks for any light you can shed!

 

Pete

 

  

I must admit that whilst I've read about this auto-notching feature (as I understand it, one button for notching up & one for braking?) I wasn't intending to use it myself, as it sounds more useful for large layouts with long mainline runs rather than a layout like mine which is more a short industrial switching lead.
I suppose I'm used to the usual throttle buttons (NCE Powercab), & rarely set any deceleration momentum - as Lance Mindheim has said, sometimes things on a layout might be going wrong, & you need to stop NOW!!!
I like the Tsunami feature of being able to set the notch up/down sounds to manual, so once a train is moving the loco can be "throttled back" to sound like it's coasting along, but as it involves extra button-pushing (including "shift" on the Powercab to use F10) it's also a bit of a hassle.

Hi Sunday,

 

This new feature of WOWsound actually automates what you describe.

 

I have been using the dynamic brake sound function of Tsunami with the brake fan sound set to off, and the throttle notch set to drop to zero, as a way to get the engine to drop to notch 1 when appropriate by hitting F4. I learned about this from some DCC experts on an HO forum.

 

But as you say, I then need to hit F11 to make the brakes work which can be pretty scary in close-quarters switching, plus I find I have to look down to find the buttons (Digitrax DT402D).

 

But with the WOWsound the throttle drops down to notch 1 as the load decreases all by itself. Then ramps up again if you increase throttle, or the loco feels more load e.g. grade or tight curve. There is a separate function for manual braking (F7 by default) but it has 5 stages which increase each time you press F7. So if you need to stop very quickly, hit F7 5 times and it's almost instant stop. It also adds user-variable amounts of 2 kinds of brake squeal sounds.

 

There's also a separate 5-stage dynamic brake function which has the fan sounds, various notch behaviours and slows the loco, but won't quite stop it. But you likely won't need that for most of your switching. 

 

I'm going to stick a little bead or something (maybe a cut-down map pin) into the F7 button on a throttle to see if I can always find the brake in a hurry without having to look away from the loco.     

 

I recommend you try this in your China drive GP35 first so you can get the feel for it with the back EMF. It seems like a big step forward in sound realism to me. The one thing that always bugs me about other sound decoders is that "cruising along under almost no load" but the engine's in notch 6 or so, which just doesn't sound right to me.

 

Anyway, that's my $0.02 worth.    

 

There are some videos on the TCS site which show and explain all this way better than I can. It's not allowed to post manufacturer links here but a quick Google will find it.

 

HTH

 

Pete   

I like that "Dynamics at vol 0" tip for Tsunami - very neat idea!!

From your description of the Wowsound functions, I'm tempted to hang on for the large version myself for my Weaver Geep.!!
Just got to get some Play Time now to try it in the Atlas GP35.

It is such a simple work-around that I wish I had thought of it.      But the credit goes to a buddy of Mike Confalone's for coming up with it and to Mike for publishing it in the online mainly-HO magazine. Those HO guys are doing some neat stuff with DCC etc. They just got the size too small...  

 

I am keen to hear what you think of the WOWsound in a China drive loco! I would just calibrate the proto-throttle (2 steps using AudioAssist on the main) then run it with factory settings to start with. The only thing I'm not sure of is how well the starting off and really slow running will work with 2 motors. I only have one in an Atlas SW9 for now. But I am going to put them in my MP15s for sure when funds permit.

 

Hopefully by then the O scale version will be out and I can try one in a Weaver/P&D Pittman drive. 

 

Pete      

Well I've just done a "quick & dirty" install of the Wowsound in the GP35, and after a quick test I'm definitely impressed! The horn sound is on a par with the QSI decoder in my Atlas RS3. Makes the Tsunamis sound even more feeble, to be honest!

It will definitely need some motor calibration; it moved off a bit 'sticky' but smoothed out once under way. Once tweaked it should be pretty good I think; certainly the small TCS decoders I used in a couple of Athearn HO BlueBox SW1500s smoothed out the old Athearn drive pretty well.

Now just printed off the manual, to get my head around "Audio Assist" for one thing. It looks daunting on paper, but not as daunting as the multiple CVs to write 'manually', by the look of it!!

All in all - yes, very impressed and I certainly haven't bought my last Wowsound. I may even get one to replace the QSI one, once they release an Alco set, as although the QSI horn is to die for, the engine sound isn't quite 'there', somehow. Certainly my RS3 doesn't splutter much like the real ones on the Batten Kill RR that I've watched on You Tube.

 

Excellent!  The AudioAssist is pretty straightforward  once you take the plunge. I found the flow chart at the back of the latest manual (found on TCS site) to be the easiest way to learn it. Once you press F8 4 times, just listen to the nice lady carefully and do exactly as she says...       

 

All I would do for now is calibrate the "prototype throttle" so you can hear the full effect of the back EMF-induced auto notching. It's addictive!

 

BTW sorry to the OP for going way down the rabbit hole from the original innocent question. In case you can't tell, I'm pretty excited about this new feature...  

 

Pete

 

 

 

 

Mark my words. The TCS WowSound will be the O decoder of choice for diesel and steam engines that don't require smoke units (QSI Titan XL can drive a smoke unit). I've used them in HO and On30 and they are fantastic. Many O scale diesels can be run with the HO scale version though. There is an article floating around where the author wired the china drive motors of an Atlas RS-1 in series to lower the amp draw enough so that an HO decoder could be used. I would think that would apply to most Atlas diesels.

 

WowSound has very good sound. Maybe just a bit behind the QSI Titans in some respects, but the ease of use and "fun to run" factor are top notch on the WowSound. They are definitely worth consideration. IMHO TCS and QSI have relegated the Tsunami to a distant 3rd place. 

Jonathan.  Are you comparing the TCS Wow to a QSI Q2 or Q3 given that the Q3 sound is vastly improved over Q2 sound. 

 

And as you know QSI Titans have two separate audio outputs each rated at 2 watts and with QSI CV Mgr the two channels can be managed like musicians do with a sound board.  How does TCS WOW handle this?  Thanks. 

I was comparing the Q3 Titan emulator files. The HO WowSound boards that I have tested do not have stereo output. I'm not sure if the large scale will have stereo or not.

 

The TCS sounds are very good. Personally, I think the QSI Q3 sounds are slightly better quality though. However, the ease of use with the TCS is why I think it will win over the O scale community. DCC has been around for over 30 years, but still hasn't really caught on in O like it has in other scales. I think that has to do with the age of the demographic and the perceived complexity of DCC. TCS WowSound removes a lot of that complexity with "Audio Assist". Just follow what the nice lady tells you to do

 

You can't go wrong with either decoder. They are both at the top of the list currently. But if ease of use is an important feature or if you don't like programming DCC CVs then WowSound will be the best choice.

Very good points jonnyspeed. I also feel that the "prototype throttle" feature of TCS is a major step forward in sound realism as distinct from sound quality. I know I keep harping on about it    but now I have it on one loco I want it on all for sure. 

 

When I hear the engine drop to notch 1 at steady speed after ramping up to move away, and how it really lugs up to higher notches under bigger loads but still drops down once you reach "cruising speed", all without me having to do anything (other than set the speed I want with the throttle knob as usual) that just makes it more realistic "sound operationally" over other decoders in my opinion. Gasp.

 

Does the QSI emulator feature do the same thing?  It sounded like it might from a video I saw online a year or so ago but I haven't heard it in operation, sadly. 

 

The TCS sound quality seems to me better than Tsunami, and at least as good as latest Loksound. I can't comment on sound quality vs QSI latest as I only have the early Atlas built-in QSI and that sounds pretty lame now, just like the DSX, alongside the latest offerings. 

I really hope the AudioAssist will help get people into DCC as you say. Once I got my head around the concept (I've been frying decoders the hard way since 1994), I found it pretty easy and the nice lady is very helpful, if a little predictable after a while...  

 

Pete

  

I agree Pete. That is a great feature on the diesel decoders. On the Steam engines I really like that you actually use the brake to stop. Cutting the throttle just changes to a drifting sound, but it keeps on rolling. QSI Titan emulator has a similar feature for diesels. It will actually change the volume as well as the labored sound and notching.

 

Current decoders like WowSound, Titan, and LokSound v4 are all 3rd gen decoders. They all have great motor control and really good sounds when you compare them to earlier decoders. Once you have heard the whistles and horns from a modern decoder you'll be hooked. I will not be buying anymore Tsunami's unless they do a major upgrade. They just aren't good enough anymore IMHO.

Interesting, I am  looking for a sound decoder with 5plus lighting outputs for a unpowered Atlas F3. I was leaning towards an ESU loksound xl but it would be expensive and way underused.  Where do you guys buy them from? What is the item number for the diesel one? And, can you use incandescent bulbs with them? Thanks.

Johanathan/johnnyspeed.  FWIW I agree with all of your points above.  Simple to install, modify and operate is good.  Great support is good, too. Thanks, Bill 

Santiagop23; yes a Loksound XL seems like expensive overkill for a Dummy loco.
TCS Wowsound has 6 functions. Product code is TCS-1533 for the diesel version (only EMD at the moment). Any decent DCC/TCS supplier should have them, I would have thought.

The QSI Titan has 12 light ports for those who like lots of lights.  And two separate speaker ports.  I ran out of ports on a non QSI installation and regretted my choice of a non-QSI decoder for that engine.   As I said above -- simplicity is good --- but I'll add -- it's good as long as the decoder has the features you really want.  Just sayin'

 

For one of my QSI Q3 Titan equipped O scale steam engines:

 

Engine

1.  Separate headlight

2.  Separate class lights

3.  Separate number boards

4.  Separate working lights over the drivers

5.  Separate cab light . 

6. Separate MARS Light up front

 

Tender

7.  Separate back-up light

8.  Separate markers

 

9. Could have added work light under cab

10.  Could have added separate backup light on Aux Water Tender but slaved it off of tender backup light.

 

Could have added a smoke unit but only like smoke with my 3 rail engines.

 

And one speaker in the boiler on one audio channel and 2 speakers in the tender on the second audio channel.  Balanced and equalized. 

 

O scale TCS WOW decoders are great news for the O Scale community for sure.  I plan to try one in an engine which needs fewer features.  Simple is good. 

 

For the QSI Titan I admit I had to plow through a thick manual and spend a lot of time up front figuring it out.  But, with the QSI CV Manager and QSI Quantum Programmer and the new Q3 Emulator Technology my latest installation went pretty fast and the engine performance was excellent out of the box. And fiddling with the lights and sounds is a joy.   It may not be for everybody or all engines but the QSI Titan rules the roost IMO.

 

 

 

The Diesel WOW sound is the same as that in "Prototype" (auto) throttle mode. The load and volume of the sound drop away as the notches drop down at "cruise". It'll keep coasting with a very slight speed reduction (depending on CV4 value).

 

Then you can choose between 2 brake functions to stop the engine. Out of the box, F6 is the engine (or maybe you could say "train line") brake. Each time you hit F6 the amount of braking increases up to the 5th press which is emergency. F6 overrides the throttle setting if you forget to close the throttle as you brake. There are two kinds of brake squeal sound that kick in at adjustable stages and volumes as you increase braking. Out of the box it's a mild squeal transitioning into a heavier "squeal/shudder" as the speed drops to stop. Plus if you stopped with F7 braking, next time you pull away in either direction there's an automatic air brake release sound before the engine moves which made me grin.  

 

There's a similar "dynamic brake" function on F7 out of the box. Again 5 stages of retardation, but dynamics will never fully stop the train. There are several options for the throttle notch that the engine drops to when you start the dynamic brakes. Then as you add more F7 presses, the throttle can be set to notch back up and the dynamic brake sounds increase "fan speed" and volume accordingly.

 

I am still very low on the learning curve with all of this so I hope I got it right!

 

But I want to stress that right out of the box with default settings on everything it all worked very nicely. The only thing I did was to calibrate the "prototype" throttle settings. This can be done in AudioAssist on the main in about 1 minute. Motor control-wise, my Atlas SW9 crawls very smoothly from a very soft start - better than my Loksounds or Tsunamis on default settings. However, both brands can be tuned to match the TCS performance with a fair amount of CV tweaking. I find Loksound easier/quicker to get there compared to Tsunami.

 

We seem to be experiencing a bit of a revolution with these 3rd generation sound decoders from several manufacturers and I'm loving it!   

 

Pete

     

 

   

Hi Santiago,

 

One thing to bear in mind about the TCS WOWsound is that the "prototype" (auto) throttle feature mentioned here relies on the decoder being able to measure the back EMF from the motor. So in an unpowered unit you'd lose that effect which would be a shame. Maybe you could use a lighting decoder with plenty of outputs and effects to get what you need, and then perhaps "MU" a second speaker off a WOWsound decoder in a coupled powered unit? 

 

I'm not sure of the Loksound or latest QSI also need to see back EMF to create their engine sound effects, but if not, a regular HO sound decoder from them might be a better bet to just drive lights and speakers. Some of their decoders have a ton of function outputs with effects as I recall.

 

The TCS decoders need a resistor for LEDs but they have a 5-level setting for how much each LED output will dim when dimmed if that's an effect you need. As far as I know all brands will drive 12V incandescent lamps out of the box, then a resistor will be needed for 1.5V lamps or LEDs. Some have settings for driving LEDs (still requiring a resistor) so that they will dim or flash as realistically as incandescent lamps.

 

I seem to think I saw an ad for an HO decoder with resistors for LEDs built in recently. Might have been a Loksound? Worth a Google anyway!      

 

HTH

 

Pete