DCCSound.com

This site is dedicated to the creation of sound files for the DCC sound modelling community and was created to celebrate the sounds of Victorian Railways motive power.

All sounds are recorded in 16 bit, 44 kbps wav format (CD quality) using professional digital sound recording equipment. Sound files are then constructed using professional sound editing software.

The benefits of using DCCSound files include:

1) Sound files are recorded from actual motive power of the Victorian Railways

Recordings are taken from motive power, engineered for and operated by the Victorian Railways from the early 1950s through to privatisation in the late 1990s. Our recording of the Clyde-EMD G6B is unique as the Y class was the only locomotive in the world fitted with a 6 cylinder version of the famous 645 series EMD prime mover.

2) Strong exhaust presence

Sound is taken from on board loaded locomotives. When safe to do so, recordings are taken with the microphones at exhaust height. This provides the most praticable aural replication possible.

3) Locomotive operation is more typical

DCCSound files include the audible response of the locomotive as it accelerates and decelerates, as the generator loads up and unloads etc. Our files in combination with LokSound decoders make it happen. The unique DERM sound files also include manual transitioning for switching of the electrical circuits in the GE traction motors - 1920's technology from EMC. No one else, even in the USA, has a recording of these.

Our sound files include the acceleration schedule, which enables prototypical use of the DCC cab control. With an acceleration schedule enabled in your decoder and when a large speed step change is dialed in, the prime mover will ramp up and the locomotive will accelerate accordingly. When the set speed is reached, the engne load will back off into a coast condition. Most other sound decoders respond with one notch increase at a time, even with a large speed step increase. So the engine noise response is proportional to the loco road speed, and not the load, which most will appreciate does not reflect the prototype.

Of course the outcome of these efforts is always dependent upon the sound reproduction once the waveform leaves the decoder for the speakers! I.e. speaker choice and enclosure design are paramount.

We hope you can use this website as a resource to enrich your enjoyment of sound equipped model trains. Please visit the 'Files' page to appreciate the many features of our sound files.

Feel free to sign up to DCCSound for updates or simply submit an enquiry via the 'Contact us' page.

 Current flyer (Jan 2010):