Tomix controllers!

[JR 500系]

Sorry if this has been posted before, but after watching these videos I really hope to get one of these!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy7uMkFySoc

Tomix 5521 Sound Controller - The ultimate in train driving simulation! Unfortunately, it's only for those with deep pockets and it is now discontinued...

 

Tomix 5512 - The 2nd more fun controller after the 5521, cost far lesser, and is fun trying hard to stop the train at the station correctly. I'm so going to get one of these!

 

Then there are the wireless controllers Tomix 5514, 5515, 5516 (different colours), which is fun as they are, well, wireless... So you can run your trains without being at the same place all the time, useful if you're building something on the layout and trying to get your train to move without moving your body...

 

Then next are the CL controllers Tomix 5506 N-1001-CL, better than your conventional controller, but comes with Constant Lighting feature which is really cool so your trains get lighted up even if they're stationary, especially good at stations!

 

Lastly are the normal Tomix 5507 N-600 controllers, which are, well, normal. Nothing much but works fine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cteno4]

Do the 5500'series have the co circuit?

 

Jeff

[katoftw]

I'd just like to point out that all models except the N-600 have constant lighting feature.  Not just the N-1001. 

[HantuBlauLOL]

anything with "-CL" suffix is equipped with CL feature.

[JR 500系]

Yes. The CL function is amazing and I love it, hence I use all Tomix tracks and controllers! 

 

The thing is why they had to discontinue that Sound Controller? It would have been so fun driving with that!

[HantuBlauLOL]

Lack of customers perhaps? It's ridiculously expensive for floor runners..

[katoftw]

Lack of customers perhaps? It's ridiculously expensive for floor runners..

Agreed.  While it seems like a awesome unit.  I wonder the quantity they would've sold.  Probably only had 1 run at the factory.

[Kabutoni]

I'm thinking about obtaining a discontinued DU-1 controller when I come across one (I think I saw one in a BookOff nearby). Does anyone have experience with this controller? It's obvious I have to get a converter box for point controls, but it has two power outs for two circuits (that fits my layout perfectly) and a one-handle master control. It has no sound though, but that's not very important.

 

Example of the DU-1 in action on YouTube.

 

EDIT: Nevermind, for the price of a DU-1 (even a 2nd hand without a box), I can buy a new controller with point switches and then some.

Edited March 9, 2015 by Toni Babelony

[JR 500系]

There goes the chance of a sound encoded controller for Tomix? I know the recent sound box from Kato does this, but it seems Tomix is out of options?

 

I cannot understand why the controller was THAT expensive... I mean like at 134,400 yen (default price on Tomix page) it is easily like 5.4 times the price of the 2nd grade controller N-DU202-CL 5512 (24,990yen).... Buying that one can easily buy 5 of the other controllers without sound... And maybe 13 numbers of N-1001-CL Tomix 5506 (10,290yen) and 22 numbers of N-600 Tomix 5507 (6090yen).. That's crazy!

[kvp]

The standard price for a high end sound equipped DCC decoder is around 32000 yen and that's only a small circuit. Considering the Tomix controller has a driving desk and analog instruments, the price could be considered so high because of the limited amount that could be sold and the high cost of the sound samples.

 

On the other hand a simple du-1 like controller could now be created for as little as 7000 yen and imho for double of this amount a du-202 one. The sound controller won't be really that much more expensive (around double again), but it would arrive with an empty sound library. The same is true for church organ simulator softwares. The softwares are very cheap, the hardware to run them (with midi keyboards) is also not too expensive, but the sound sample libraries could cost more than the whole software/hardware and only for a single organ. Getting more than one could easily add up. Afaik the Tomix controller had the sound samples built in and not downloadable through the net or in a heavily copy protected cartridge.

 

My personal idea would be to release a controller for modern consoles, like a modern sony or microsoft console and make the sound samples available online. This would mean the hardware has to contain only the controls and the track driver/sensor circuits. The controller itself would be cheap (around 30000 yen) and then each train sound library could cost as little as 15000-18000 yen as a downloadable content. This model works for railworks and if you want to get everything for that, it would cost around 2100 usd or 254000 yen. This is comparable with the Tomix price.

[HantuBlauLOL]

a PC connectable memory based mp3 player sound controller should be the perfect answer.. video games has tons of train sounds, and of course for personal use only.

[kvp]

Who would make and sell a device that is legal for personal use only in selected countries? Other than that any larger current, low voltage DCC sound decoder wired directly to the tracks would do, especially if connected with a loconet compatible driving stand and an off the shelf DCC center. The whole setup would cost around a 800-1000 usd or 97000-120000 yen. And then you have to personal use the sounds from somewhere.

[miyakoji]

a PC connectable memory based mp3 player sound controller should be the perfect answer.. video games has tons of train sounds, and of course for personal use only.

There's also lots of examples on YouTube, like zenmen tenbou videos, but just sound with a fixed image on the screen. The guys who makes those recordings are true railway maniacs, I'm a poser compared to them.

[kvp]

 

There's also lots of examples on YouTube, like zenmen tenbou videos, but just sound with a fixed image on the screen. 

The real problem is that you have to edit them, separate the noise sources, make a loop for the motors and other components. Sometimes, you have to record everything separately. For example to make a clean sound of the mechanical traction controller the cycling of the contacts have to be recorded while the train is stationary and in test mode. Then the various speed loops for the traction motors have to be created and transitions calculated, including the rail clicking noise in a separate channel. The editing behind a sound library is very serious and hard work. Hard enough that i can't really do it myself. This is what drives the cost up most of the time and makes it very hard to keep a sound decoder/controller up to date.

[miyakoji]

Yes I'm not saying it's any simple task, but for someone who wants to invest the time, and someone who would be satisfied with say 85% accuracy, it could be an option.

[Kabutoni]

For those interested, there is this Taiwanese company (http://rm.rp.com.tw/) that recently released an awesome controller that imitates inverter sounds over the motor of your trains via PWM control.

 

Extra sounds from a broad range of trains, including sounds and announcements, like horns, departure, arrival. It is NOT cheap at around ¥43,000, but it surely beats the Tomix N-S2-CL! IIRC additional sounds can ported via USB from your computer in a special program to the controller.

 

 

The downside is only that it only simulates VVVF inverter sounds, so it is rather limited in its use for rolling stock. However, the company will provide software updates that will provide new sound types.

 

As for my personal choice in sound, I'm keeping a close eye on Kato's Sound Box and hope they will release other sounds than a US diesel and Japanese steamer soon.

[JR 500系]

Nice find Toni!

 

Saw this before but kinda forgotten about this, thanks for bringing back up again!

 

At 42,900 yen, it really is MUCH cheaper than the Tomix, and also it has upgradable options! Very nice! I think someone can actually make sound module for Shinkansen?

 

I studied the manual, although I saw that both brand (Kato & Tomix) turnouts can be attached to the controller, it did not specifically state which brand is compatible with the system. There is CL function though, and it also states something that can coupe with DCC, so can we assume it is suitable for both?

[cteno4]

Nice, I want two, but my wallet doesn't... Very fun!

 

Jeff

[mrp]

I studied the manual, although I saw that both brand (Kato & Tomix) turnouts can be attached to the controller, it did not specifically state which brand is compatible with the system. There is CL function though, and it also states something that can coupe with DCC, so can we assume it is suitable for both?

 

For turnouts, I think all they’ve done is provided a fixed 12VDC accessory output, then they’ll sell you the connecting wires to plug in Kato Point Switches if you’re using Kato turnouts, or Tomix Point Switches if you’re using Tomix.

 

The wires are shown in the accessory list:

http://rm.rp.com.tw/download/Assy_RMC_M1-JP.pdf

 

Although the Tomix connection looks a bit flaky.

 

Where did you see the reference to DCC?  I can’t find any mention of it in the User’s Guide.

[signalmanson]

Hi everyone.

 

Regarding the Tomix 5512 at the beginning of this thread - I'm keen on the CL feature and somewhat fascinated with the ' cab control ' idea too but I'm wondering about compatibility for use in the U.K. ?

 

I'm using Kato track by the way.

[JR 500系]

You're using Tomix controller with Kato tracks? Hhmmm... i'm not sure if that is feasible.. The feeder cables might be an issue. For Voltage wise, the controller takes 110v, so if in the UK you are also 230v (like here in Sillypore), then you will need a step down transformer for the controller...

[cteno4]

No problem using tomix controllers with kato track (they won't attack each other! ) other than having to splice a tomix control plug end ont a kato feeder end. Just some solder and hear shrink or even just twist and tape! If course like jr said you will need the appropriate drop down transformer to bring the voltage down to 100v. Don't go uber cheap on the drop down transformer as if it has problems it can blow stuff downstream like your controller and also start fires (here in the us in many fire policies there is fine print that a fire they can trace to this kind of voltage converter to use non us voltage standard devices will void the policy).

 

Cheers

 

Jeff

[kvp]

Many tomix controllers are 100-240V. Also extrnal adapters (usually 12V DC) can be replaced with a local one. There are very few older tomix controllers that work only with 100V AC.

[katoftw]

Many "newer" Tomix controllers are 100-240V kvp. 5512 is not.  Pretty sure the transformer is inside the unit and it is 100V only.  It is an old unit.

Edited July 14, 2015 by katoftw

[kvp]

Then you only have to make sure you get a transformer that is set for 240V to 100V (and not for example 220V to 110V) and maybe use a power strip with a switch, an overcurrent fuse and maybe a ground fault fuse too.

 

Maybe getting the Tomix 5513, which is the 220-240V variant would be easier?