MX690 now with Diesel sound !

At the recent Intermodellbau in Dortmund (18. - 22 April 2007), the first ZIMO large scale decoder (MX690) with Diesel sound was heard (in the LGB "2095", the model of a Austrian narrow gauge locomotive). Since the 'enhancement board' (was not available, but soon in production) the opportunity to use 10 Watt amplifiers with3, 8 ohm loudspeakers could not be taken. However the locomotive was not lost in the noise of the exhibition hall! and impressed visitors. For the home layout we feel that the MX690S (or V) with the standard 1.1 Watt amplifier will be sufficiently loud!

Starting from 5 May 2007 the large scale sound decoder MX690S and MX690V is available alternatively as a steam edition (as before) or as a Diesel edition, delivered with new software and a sound Collection for diesel locomotives. At the same time a software update will be available, in order to convert decoders already delivered from steam to Diesels.

Like the steam locomotives, a ZIMO Diesel sound decoder contains the sound for several locomotive types; different sounds are easily selected. The current (first) edition uses:

With the help of (new) CV # 165 one selects (CV ASSIGNMENT CHANGED !):

 = 0 (default for steam edition): This for the steam edition (when steam samples are loaded)!

= 1 (default for diesel edition): Universal sound for Diesel-hydraulic locomotives, based on original sound Samples from the Österreichischen Regelspur-Streckenlok locomotive "2043", recorded by Alexander Wulz. The load-sensitivity can be adjusted by a calibration run and/or CV's (similarly to methods for steam locomotives).

= 2: Sound of the V200, based on recordings made available by Guenther Gertges.

= 3: Universal sound for Diesel-hydraulic locomotives, based on original sound Samples of the Austrian narrow gauge locomotive "2091", recorded by Oliver Zoffi. The engine noise is dependent upon driving conditions, thus  changes in speed and load will be heard in no-load operation and 4 additional performance levels. The load-sensitivity can be adjusted by a calibration run and/or CV's (similarly to methods for steam locomotives).

.Apart from these engine noises, also available in the Diesel Collection on the decoder are several suitable horns which are available for selection and allocation onto function keys, plus additional station announcements, Guards  whistle, dead man switches, airbrake, compressor noise, and naturally automatic brake squeal.

Through the use of the current ZIMO sound program ZSP ( extended version, but not yet the developing ZISP version) the user is able to make modifications (e.g. conversion to diesel-electric sound, change only one drive position) and to make function assignments, or to import ones own recordings.

The newly available Diesels edition of the MX690 is however only one step of the full ZIMO Diesel and electric solution, which is being developed together with the new ZIMO sound program ZISP.  Then it will be  possible (amongst other things) to display several flow diagrams next to each other ,(notching of diesel engine and at the same time proportional speed and motion sounds, e.g. "singing" of the electric motors), or call up from the sequence automatic functions, (both noises and mechanical).

Using  ZISP, will facilitate the editing of new sound projects, as well as existing sound collections (in each case for  several locomotives, instead of being universally the same), special sounds for certain locomotives are also to be offered. In addition,  ZISP is the platform for the "building" of  custom sound projects by the users.

ZIMO Exhibition stand Dortmund

MX690V

Adaptor cable for 10-pole DCC interface:

The cable MX69LGBD  is announced, (this style has been factory-installed since 2005 in LGB locomotives  without decoders fitted,) is now available!
See PRODUCT - decoders - MX69, MX690!

Enhancement plates and large scale sound sound decoder with Enhancement (10 Watt amplifiers, among other things.):

As mentioned above, prototypes of this variant of the large scale decoder are already successful in use. Planned to be generally available in June 2007.
See  PRODUCT - decoders - MX69, MX690!

MX69LGBD

MX690VEX