I've been poking through the sound files for the new 3DTS SD70M

[krswen]

and I notice they are using pitch shifting of a single engine sound (x_sd70_r1.wav, they have a second file called x_sd70_r8.wav but never use it that I've found yet) instead of interleaving eight discreet recordings for the eight notches.

What is Variable2 for a diesel? Is it power lever position (notch)?

The reason I'm trying to reason through their file is that I can run a consist of two of their SD70s past a grade crossing without losing the bell sounds, but I cannot with 2 Dash 9s. So far, every engine I've tried in my stable is OK with one loco, but not two. I'm going to continue comparing files, but anybody else had this problem?

krswen

[bnsf4794]

Sorry I didn't see your post sooner...

When I was working on the sounds for the SD70, I originally was going to use at least 2 or 3 engine sounds for the different power levels, but I could never get them to transition smoothly. I decided to just use the one WAV file and it sounded better in the end.

It sounds like (pun intended) you have a memory issue with your computer. The default locomotives all use multiple WAV's for different power settings, and all those files need to be loaded into memory. Since our SD70 only uses one WAV, it uses less memory. That may explain why you don't lose other sounds with our locomotive.

John Greenstone
3DTS Route Editor, Sound guy

[krswen]

Actually I prefer the engine rpm ramp-up that your approach creates! And, I agree, interleaving files and getting the transitions smooth is tough. I've about given up on some steam stuff I've been working on.

BTW, I found my problem was limited to only a couple of locos that I had somehow corrupted.

krswen

[scefhwil]

krswen, you say you are working on some steam sounds? Is that using the sims original .wav's or some new ones? If they are new, are they a set of differing speeds but at the same pitch (unlike the originals)? I ask as I'm in need of a set myself so would appreciate a copy if that would be okay with you.

Stuart

[krswen]

I've put the steam sounds on the back burner for a while. I'm upgrading to XP this weekend (that'll probably crash things for a few days) and getting a broadband connection next weekend (probably more problems 'til it's sorted out).

krswen