ADPCM V1.3.0 Available

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Mark DiVecchio

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Dec 14, 2016, 12:41:50 PM12/14/16
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Yet another version, V1.3.0, of ADPCM can be downloaded from my web page.

http://www.silogic.com/trains/ADPCM.html

This new version allows you to add sounds to empty index locations in the sound file. Those of you who have been around for a while know that the Xing Signal (SXS) was added late in the life of PS2. Many earlier engines don't have this sound.

My 20-3163-1 P&LE 2-8-0 H9 (from 2005) was one of these. Since I didn't like the whistle and bell sounds in this engine I replaced those with sounds from a 20-3372-1 4-8-2 L-3a Mohawk (from 2009). The Mohawk had a Xing Signal so I fixed up ADPCM to be
able to add a completely new sound into an empty index. The Xing Signal is in index location 42 so I added the Mohawk's Xing Signal sound into that location.

Since I discovered where the soft keys are stored in the sound file, I turned on the appropriate bit for the SXS soft key. I loaded this sound file into my H9, deleted the engine from the remote and added it back. The SXS soft key was there. All of the
inserted Mohawk whistle and bell sounds were there and the SXS soft key played the Xing Signal.

With my RTC program, you can play any sound from 1-255 with the press of a button. You could insert sounds in any empty index location and play that sound. You would have to use the RTC program, though, as the remote does not have a way to command these
new sounds to play.

--
Mark DiVecchio K3FWT http://www.silogic.com Rainbow, CA 92028
My Genealogy Web Site : http://www.silogic.com/genealogy/genealogy.html
My Model Trains Web Site : http://www.silogic.com/trains/layout.html

Kevin Rice

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Dec 14, 2016, 12:58:56 PM12/14/16
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Wow, just wow.   You have done really done it now!   I've got to get another MTH engine I can "burn"... perhaps this month.


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Paul Reynolds

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Dec 14, 2016, 7:30:48 PM12/14/16
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I second Kevin's "Wow.  Just wow."  You're providing us with great functionality Mark. 

>>> Since I discovered where the soft keys are stored in the sound file, I turned on the appropriate bit for the SXS soft key...  The Xing Signal is in index location 42 so I added the Mohawk's Xing Signal sound into that location.

Do you find that MTH ever uses an index for different sounds in different engines if there is no soft key associated with the index?  Alternatively, are all indices reserved, each for a given sound?  (If so, this would guarantee unused indices by engine type, e.g. steam vs diesel electric).

I have to think MTH management is wondering (would wonder if they don't yet know) if there is any way they could threaten the DMCA here (I really don't think they could succeed in this case).  You're improving use of their system considerably!

Paul


On Wed, Dec 14, 2016 at 12:41 PM, Mark DiVecchio <ma...@silogic.com> wrote:

Kevin Rice

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Dec 16, 2016, 12:34:15 PM12/16/16
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When you download those mth files, i'm not aware of any kind of license associated with them.  I have thought before that the RTC and this now wouldn't upset them -- unless the reason is "just because".   In the case of the RTC you have to have a TIU and at least 1 MTH engine to use it.  The RTC doesn't get around that..   Just to fiddle with the RTC for example, I bought 1 MTH engine and 1 TIU.   They should be happy about that.  (not to mention the panstamp and a few bits from places digikey... so joy all around!)

In the case of ADPCM, certainly anyone can download and play back the clips.  So is it a glass half empty, half full scenario for them or a net positive?  

On the one hand enjoyable listening of files of interest might elicit a purchase of the engine itself.  Then again if you don't like what you hear -- you'll be skipping it.  Still in some cases they publish the sounds as a .mp3 already, so how is the ADPCM that much different?

Editing them is another facet.

 At first one imagines this helps because folks can update what they don't like or simply want to change -- that seems to favor MTH, because that's a cool feature Lionel doesn't have.   So buy an engine, listen to the sounds,  post the vid on ogrforum -- gather complaints about the sound not being prototypical by the peanut gallery, change the sounds,  post a new vid,  everyone is happy again -- so much fun!   Time to buy another!  (& maybe ogrforum members now buy one too -- that's more purchases)

On the other hand, as part of their business model,  new and improved sounds may be viewed as a pull for new purchases.   Editing engine sounds could be viewed negatively because if all you have to do is wait for the new sound files and then update the engines you already have -- maybe that results in less purchases ... and so they'd be negative about it.

I think however the other case is stronger and it's a net positive... but I'm guessing of course.

On Wed, Dec 14, 2016 at 7:30 PM, Paul Reynolds <p...@virginia.edu> wrote:
I second Kevin's "Wow.  Just wow."  You're providing us with great functionality Mark. 

>>> Since I discovered where the soft keys are stored in the sound file, I turned on the appropriate bit for the SXS soft key...  The Xing Signal is in index location 42 so I added the Mohawk's Xing Signal sound into that location.

Do you find that MTH ever uses an index for different sounds in different engines if there is no soft key associated with the index?  Alternatively, are all indices reserved, each for a given sound?  (If so, this would guarantee unused indices by engine type, e.g. steam vs diesel electric).

I have to think MTH management is wondering (would wonder if they don't yet know) if there is any way they could threaten the DMCA here (I really don't think they could succeed in this case).  You're improving use of their system considerably!

Paul

On Wed, Dec 14, 2016 at 12:41 PM, Mark DiVecchio <ma...@silogic.com> wrote:
Yet another version, V1.3.0, of ADPCM can be downloaded from my web page.

http://www.silogic.com/trains/ADPCM.html

This new version allows you to add sounds to empty index locations in the sound file. Those of you who have been around for a while know that the Xing Signal (SXS) was added late in the life of PS2. Many earlier engines don't have this sound.

My 20-3163-1 P&LE 2-8-0 H9 (from 2005) was one of these. Since I didn't like the whistle and bell sounds in this engine I  replaced those with sounds from a 20-3372-1 4-8-2 L-3a Mohawk (from 2009). The Mohawk had a Xing Signal so I fixed up ADPCM to be
able to add a completely new sound into an empty index. The Xing Signal is in index location 42 so I added the Mohawk's Xing Signal sound into that location.

Since I discovered where the soft keys are stored in the sound file, I turned on the appropriate bit for the SXS soft key. I loaded this sound file into my H9, deleted the engine from the remote and added it back. The SXS soft key was there. All of the
inserted Mohawk whistle and bell sounds were there and the SXS soft key played the Xing Signal.

With my RTC program, you can play any sound from 1-255 with the press of a button. You could insert sounds in any empty index location and play that sound. You would have to use the RTC program, though, as the remote does not have a way to command these
new sounds to play.

--
Mark DiVecchio K3FWT http://www.silogic.com Rainbow, CA 92028
My Genealogy Web Site : http://www.silogic.com/genealogy/genealogy.html
My Model Trains Web Site : http://www.silogic.com/trains/layout.html

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