QSI Inc. is pleased to announce the imminent release of our next generation of Quantum Sound Decoders incorporating our Emulator Technology along with our special QSI designed integrated circuit (FX) with extended capabilities. Emulator technology will also be available for downloading into our HO, O-Scale and G-Scale Quantum FX decoder boards, such as QSI Solutions after-market Titan products and factory installed Quantum FX Sound Decoders available from preferred model train companies. Downloaders are available from QSI Solutions

What is Emulator Technology and how does it differ from other Sound Decoders?

Most Sound Decoders are simply record players where sound records are played one after the other either singly or in combination with other records. These simple Sound Decorders can be compared, at least in principle, to Eight-Track tape players, where different sound recordings are selected in response to different inputs. Emulation technology also uses sound records but differ from other decoders by integrating these sounds within mathematical algorithms to model the behavior of the locomotive's prime mover at all RPM's and all power loading conditions. This allows the QSI emulated prime-mover to respond to inputs from physical equations that model the behavior of the prototype locomotive in ways that cannot be accomplished with other Sound Decoders. QSI is dedicated to developing realistic Sound Decoders using actual physical equations to produce sounds and operations that truly emulate the prototype locomotive.

QSI Emulator Technology Features

Some the following features are already in our previous products but are mentioned here because they support our efforts to develop sound decoders that are the closest possible to the operation of the prototype locomotives.

Diesel Prime Mover: The large number of (64 stereo) independent sound channels available in our new Integrated Circuit (FX) allows each of our Prime-mover sound sets to be comprised of separate sounds that can respond independently to the demands of model locomotive. For diesels, Mechanical Motor Sounds, Rod Knock, Diesel Exhaust, Labored Exhaust, Notch-to-Notch labored sounds, Traction Motor Loading, Generator, air pumps, and Turbo can respond continuously through all notches and RPM's. In addition, the idle RPM and range is adjustable allowing each model to have a different sound quality.

For Steam Locomotives, independent chuffs are overlapped and combined and can respond to cut-off control (Johnson Bar) just like the prototype for exceptional realistic low speed and high speed steam exhaust over different loading and throttle settings.

Upgradable Features and Downloadable Sound Sets: Because QSI software and sound sets can be downloaded into the locomotive on a program track, we will be able to continually upgrade our products without the cost of replacing the Sound Decoder. This allows the operator to not only add new features but also to add new sound sets or Cut-and-Paste new sounds such as the latest recordings of horns and whistles easily and conveniently without having to disassemble his locomotive. Selling Sound Decoders without the ability to download new sound sets and features is an warranted disservice to the customer who spends his dollars and his time installing the product only to find that his locomotive is obsolete a year later. On the other hand, having a Sound Decoder that can be programmed with new sounds and features is like getting a brand new locomotive every time new software is installed. Downloaders are available from QSI Solutions. insert link here

Stereo Sound: Our new Integrated Circuit (FX) has two separate channels for completely independent sound control to two separate speakers. Speakers can be added to each end of the locomotive to produce sounds appropriate to those locations and the easy to use balance control available for each sound allows sounds to be placed anywhere in between. Diesel Horns and cab sounds can be placed near the front, bells further back, prime-movers in the center area and coupler sounds near the end. For steam locomotives, a second speaker can be placed in the front of the boiler area to produce chuffs near the stack while whistle can be placed near the cab and fuel loading sounds in the tender. Dual channel or Stereo sounds can add considerable depth to the sounds in HO and larger locomotives that need to be heard to be appreciated.
Because of the additional loading from stereo sound, the audio power output on Titan products has been quadrupled from our QSI Revolution products and standard 8 ohm speakers can be used for either stereo channel. The sound volume and clarity is significantly increased from our earlier designs. A simple add-on power regulator will be available for low voltage DC operation.

HiFi Audio Bandwidth: Our Emulator technology includes the added benefit of high frequency sound reproduction which has more than twice the audio bandwidth of our previous sound systems. The HiFi effect is the most noticeable in many high frequency sounds such as air let-offs, steam dynamo, brake squeal, steam chuff, and mechanical sounds. HiFi along with our 16 bit audio volume range in both stereo channels provides the most realistic sound available in model trains.

Dual Motor Sounds and Operation: One of the advantages of the additional independent sound channels in our new ASIC (FX) is the ability to have two or more independent prime-movers for diesels or two or more separate steam engines (articulated or compound) under the same locomotive. Each prime-mover has its own separate sounds for motor, exhaust, labored exhaust, generator, pumps, turbo, generator, etc. which allows modifying the sounds to provide distinctly different sounds for the different diesel motors. In addition, the RPM and range for each prime-mover can be changed to produce that distinctive cadence or throb often heard in dual motor diesels. Dual motor sounds along with the ability to place the location of each prime-mover separately within the body of the locomotive using the independent stereo balance controls gives E-units a sense of depth and power that is not available in signal channel sound decoders.

Independent Control of Low and High RPM Volume: Each of the independent diesel motor sounds volumes at high RPM and low RPM can be controlled separately. This allows the operator to adjust the diesel motor to be at a much higher volume at higher RPM's. Our recordings show that the volume at Notch 8 in an EMD locomotive is about 18 db higher than notch 1. It is amazing to hear the power range of these diesel motors that is not available from other sound decoders.

Regulated Throttle Control: Although this feature has been offered in all QSI products since 2001, it is mentioned here because of its importance to prototype operation. For instance, prototype diesels employ a load regulator to maintain constant power output from the main generator for each notch setting and to ensure that power is equally distributed to the locomotive traction motors. The RTC system in QSI emulators provides a similar function. RTC includes inertial control algorithms which maintain realistic momentum over variable conditions such as changes in DCC voltages at different layout locations, grades, track irregularities, Consist operation, etc. The models with RTC act like they have inertia typical of real locomotives even at very small speeds. RTC is NMRA compatible.
Realistic Train Brakes: This feature has also been available for some time in QSI products and is mentioned here because of its importance to Prototype operation. Our train brakes act like real train brakes by applying increasing brake service the longer the brake button is held down. Once the button is released, the braking stays at the last setting until the train is stopped or the brakes are released. This is a little more tricky to operate than the "automotive" type of brakes offered with competitive Sound Decoders but is a much more prototypical way to slow a train.

Twelve Variable Intensity Light and Accessory Outputs: This feature is already offered in Titan aftermarket products but is constantly being improved to include different types of light such as strobe, beacon, flashing, gryo, firebox flicker for steam locos, etc. The large number of light outputs and the independent intensity and profiling control of each light offers many possibilities to equip your modern loco models just like the prototype.

Please feel free to contact QSI with any questions you may have by clicking the contact button at the top of the screen.