Computer generated sound

[tankist]

basically a software synthesizer/sequencer/sampler geared to ward our hobby.
spent some time searching for this and didn't come up with anything solid, just bunch of software distribution sites that make it look as if they have the request but in essence lure you in to show you their ads.

what i envision is a software driving micro speakers spread across layout , playing area specific ambient sounds (forest, street, harbor etc), random or perhaps triggered sound events (cars driving by, ) aiding in layout animation. reason i'm asking is that last night i finally installed a JMRI dedicated PC (more on that wheni have pics). even thugh this PC is years old and can be found free/junked it already has 6 channel sound system. i guess i could simply play a prerecorded ambient MP3 in a loop, but i was wondering if anyone came across something more elaborate

 

[fast_ian]

Hi,

I can't remember where I saw it (MRR mag probably?) but someone was doing one a while back. IIRC, you could put sensors around the layout as triggers for various sounds and obviously also drive a *big* bass speaker - "to get the bass rumble that's impossible with 1" speakers".....

A quick Google didn't turn anything up for me either however.

Cheers,
Ian

 

[fast_ian]

Here's one: http://www.brinstonsound.com/

It doesn't mention sensors/triggers and appears to have been updated last in 2009, but it does allow a 30 day trial download. [$45 for the full license]

Cheers,
Ian

 

[Motley]

I just found this solution, it looks interesting.

http://ittproducts.com/hqpage_2008.htm

 

[tankist]

thanks Ian, that software is indeed very close to what i was imagining. actually it is 99.9% it! and it even can use multiple cards, now i suddenly have a use for that cheapo adon sound card. it seems thoguh they are doing very good job staying in the dark. even searching for "airhorn software" lands no results.

triggering is the easy part - can be done through either 5-10$ usb keyboard cannibalized for its controller, triggering a macro software like auto-hotkey for programmability (ie "switch to scheme 5, trigger sound #6, repeat 2 times) .


Motley, while interesting this is not really it. they sell hardware pre-programmed to play certain sound

 

[tankist]

with that it seems their download section is dead...
anyone happen to have an installer saved?

 

[fast_ian]

thanks Ian, that software is indeed very close to what i was imagining. actually it is 99.9% it!

Cool!

I also bet you could use JMRI to trigger different sounds - From a JMRI throttle (which already has all the functions available) you could tell it to also trigger, eg, a prime mover starting up when it's in the yard - Under which is a big bass driver!....

Let us know how it goes!

Cheers,
Ian

 

[fast_ian]

with that it seems their download section is dead...

It worked for me - I hit the download link on this page:

http://www.brinstonsound.com/AirHorn/tabid/99/Default.aspx

[I stopped the download as I'm on a Mac, but if you can't get it I'll let it finish and forward if necessary.]

Cheers,
Ian

 

[tankist]

NVM that , it suddnely started after i forgot about it (kept the tab open). took it more then ten minutes, lol.

can't wait to get home

 

[fast_ian]

....can't wait to get home

And?......

 

[tankist]

downloaded and installed, but so far i can not seem to start it. at least on main PC (win7) even in compatibility mode. with last update over a year ago i suspect there might be possibility of me not being able to acquire the licence
so don't want to start the trial on the JMRI machine yet.

so far i'm gathering library of sounds to use.
if you guys have or know of any, let me know