Model Boat Mayhem
Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => The "Black Arts!" ( Electrics & Electronics ) => Topic started by: AndrewB on September 19, 2016, 01:59:36 am
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Hello
Has anyone had the pleasure of hearing one of these yet? Im just wondering of the sound quality of it.
Cheers
Andrew
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Heard 1 at Haydock last month, very good, uses interchangeable sound cards so you can swap it
Into different boats by changing the card . It also has its own built in amplifier so it is easier to
Wire and takes up less room in the boat.
John
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Am about to order a sound module for my Portgarth tug.
Have three alternatives as far as I can judge:
Action new P110: Positive: not too expensive. Negative: can't find a sound test anywhere - strange that the manufacturer does not provide a sound sample
marbour masters: Positive: Very realistic sounds (Diesel, foghorn and ships bell). negative: Rather costly when shipping and import duties are added.
Biele ( or similar: Postive: veryrealstic sounds. negative: Expensive and rather complicated - it seems. Takes five video tutials to get the thing going.
Anyone does have a hands on experience of the Action module??? The Harbour models???
Regards
Claes
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I haven't used the other two but have got this one http://www.beier-electronic.de/modellbau/produkte/usm-rc-2/usm-rc-2.php?sprache=gb (http://www.beier-electronic.de/modellbau/produkte/usm-rc-2/usm-rc-2.php?sprache=gb)
so can only advise on this one but looking forward to see the new noisy thing in action.
It's easy to use if just uploading the defaults sounds templates. but if want it to program it to is full then its a bit tricky.
I got mine programed on my bermpohl to play a sound effect and activate relays/lights at the same time, bit like on this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffsQ-FvNFDY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffsQ-FvNFDY)
Will post a video once the boats rebuilt.
cheers
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Hi there I cannot, at this moment, tell you what the new noisy thing is like cos I haven't got me hands on one yet - not long now. But, I know that it will be built to the same standards and quality as the original one. In my humble opinion that is pretty good - because - it was so simple to set up and so simple to play around with.
As far as sound quality on the new one - I should imagine the sound quality will be just as good, if not better, than the old one. That is because of several factors which is up to yourself. In other words, the quality of speaker you purchase and the position in the vessel you position it - where you download your file cards from and also the quality of those file cards - they will play the overall part and the quality of this item. If you get poor quality of either of these, you cannot expect the machine to make a silk purse from a sows ear so to speak. {-)
John
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The P110 rather neatly sidesteps the limitations of "standard" sounds in that you can take any sound recording you like, copy it onto the SD card with the appropriate file name (in bog-standard audio .WAV format) and then play it back - as easy as that. The Class D amplifier is better than the chip fitted to the old P101 amp but, as John says, the quality of the sound is greatly dependent on the quality of the speaker used and the way it is fitted into the model.
This is one of the reasons why there are no sound samples on the Internet i.e. your laptop earphones or desktop speakers will likely give an unfavourable impression of what the actual effect sounds like when played through a decent amp and speaker.
I'm grateful to Bluebird for his kind comments on the build quality of the P100 because I personally assembled every single one of them O0 !
P110 is a much more complex beast (imagine two x P100 plus one x P101 on a board the same size as P100) and uses Surface Mount Technology i.e. it's made by a machine.
Dave M
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RoboDave?! :o
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Tbh I've been put off getting one because of the lack of demo material. Every other sound card manufacturer puts something up so it seems a shame action don't.
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Tbh I've been put off getting one because of the lack of demo material. Every other sound card manufacturer puts something up so it seems a shame action don't.
I think you need to read what I wrote again, Tom. This device isn't restricted to using 'demo' sounds - you can easily put ANY sound you might have in WAV format onto it. On the other hand if you want to pay more for something else just because you can get a faint hint of what it might sound like over your mobile phone earpiece or little tablet speaker then be my guest. No purchase is compulsory and the lack of samples on the website didn't seem to harm the sales of the old one.
BTW I don't believe that 'every other sound card manufacturer' does put samples out on the web.....but suit yourself.
DM
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you can easily put ANY sound you might have in WAV format onto it.
DM
Can it play 48 kHz 16-bit two-channel WAV audio ?
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Must have ears like Spocks dog to hear 48killers %%
Ned
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I think you need to read what I wrote again, Tom. This device isn't restricted to using 'demo' sounds - you can easily put ANY sound you might have in WAV format onto it. On the other hand if you want to pay more for something else just because you can get a faint hint of what it might sound like over your mobile phone earpiece or little tablet speaker then be my guest. No purchase is compulsory and the lack of samples on the website didn't seem to harm the sales of the old one.
BTW I don't believe that 'every other sound card manufacturer' does put samples out on the web.....but suit yourself.
DM
Demo as in a demonstration of its sounds. Not canned sounds
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Been there, seen it, fitted it, got the T shirt, happy client! {-) {-) {-)
Works just like it says on the tin!!
Great for twin engines on twin sticks as there are two sound systems in the box so start up engine one and let it tick over, then start engine two and away you go.
As easy as wiring a plug and play esc. :-))
Mike
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I think you need to read what I wrote again, Tom. This device isn't restricted to using 'demo' sounds - you can easily put ANY sound you might have in WAV format onto it. On the other hand if you want to pay more for something else just because you can get a faint hint of what it might sound like over your mobile phone earpiece or little tablet speaker then be my guest. No purchase is compulsory and the lack of samples on the website didn't seem to harm the sales of the old one.
BTW I don't believe that 'every other sound card manufacturer' does put samples out on the web.....but suit yourself.
DM
I can go onto YouTube and get samples of a benedini, bier, ibu boat, etc etc with no difficulty. Sure you lose the some of the bass and don't get the full effect but you can hear how it handles the sound samples, what the transitions between throttle steps are like and get a feel for weather I like it or not. With nothing...well you don't get that. I'll be honest I like my benedinis, the TBS mini is 90 euros and it does way more than just (arguably) the best sound modelling out there. But I was just pointing out for me the lack of a good demo is a real turn off to buying.
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Thanks, Mike.
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Been there, seen it, fitted it, got the T shirt, happy client! {-) {-) {-)
Works just like it says on the tin!!
Great for twin engines on twin sticks as there are two sound systems in the box so start up engine one and let it tick over, then start engine two and away you go.
As easy as wiring a plug and play esc. :-))
Mike
I have one of these units.
Using the twin engine mode, when another sound is played then one of the engines cuts out.
Even on one engine, play a sound and the engine cuts out. depending if sound 1-8 or 9-16 is selected.
TOF
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Concerned to see that there is an issue with your P110, but what I don't understand is why you didn't contact us - we will always help whenever there is a problem.
Please bear in mind that this is a very sophisticated unit & has only recently been launched. Whilst it has been extensively tested in multiple configurations, it is not impossible that some possible configuration or combination of equipment has been missed from our testing & is giving rise to this issue.
Anyway, this is something I will be looking into as a priority & trying to replicate the problem with the intention of producing a fix.
As always, if there is some issue with something we have supplied, just contact us so that we can do our best to put it right. Similarly if there is something that you feel is missing from any unit, its accompanying documentation, or the web site, please tell us so that we can do something about it, as not being psychic I can't rectify a problem I know nothing about.
Iain Lewis.
Component-Shop / Action Electronics
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Concerned to see that there is an issue with your P110, but what I don't understand is why you didn't contact us - we will always help whenever there is a problem.
Please bear in mind that this is a very sophisticated unit & has only recently been launched. Whilst it has been extensively tested in multiple configurations, it is not impossible that some possible configuration or combination of equipment has been missed from our testing & is giving rise to this issue.
Anyway, this is something I will be looking into as a priority & trying to replicate the problem with the intention of producing a fix.
As always, if there is some issue with something we have supplied, just contact us so that we can do our best to put it right. Similarly if there is something that you feel is missing from any unit, its accompanying documentation, or the web site, please tell us so that we can do something about it, as not being psychic I can't rectify a problem I know nothing about.
Iain Lewis.
Component-Shop / Action Electronics
Hi Iain,
Sent message to Component-Shop.
TOF
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Hello
I too purchased a Noisy Thing 2, after hearing one working. I got one with a V8 petrol sound on it, it took me four hours at least to set up the " plug & play"It sounded ok and no more than that, it would speed up with no delay and ticked over nice. After one min it should go into a shut down mode, it didnt. Just a buzzing noise. I rang Component Shop, they said it was faulty and would Email a sound file. All i needed to do was put it on the SD card, errrr ok then and hoping it is that easy. One more phone call the day after and the Email turned up, i put them on the SD card. Now nothing works i did notice the origonal sounds on the SD card were Detriot Diesels anyway. So now some what fed up, i Emailed Component Shop
asking for some help and none came. I have bought loads of stuff and its always been very good, till now.
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Hi All , A mate of mine as bought a P110 and it,s great , no issues at all.
ok2
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Hello
Maybe i was just unlucky but i spoke to club member last Sunday. He has the first version and the new one and also having problems too with p110.
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Just a couple of comments from the developer....
1/. If you need sounds, use the .wav files on the P100 disk - these will work perfectly well on the P110
2/. The P110 has two sound channels: 1 & 2. If you want switched sounds AND a single engine sound - put one on channel 1 and one on channel 2. That way the switched sounds won't override the engine sounds.
3/. The preferred format for sounds is 16bit wave at 22KSPS max if you want to play two sounds or 44KSPS for one. The system supports stereo which are combined for mono on the on-board amplifier.
4/. I have had the problems with playback reported to me and have units showing the fault. I am investigating the root cause of problem and will implement fixes to them. Please be patient - these problems did not manifest during several months of testing.
Wom
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Well hello there my old friend Wom, where you been hiding for the last few months. One question for you my mate, do the new ones have the soundtrack "exterminate" on like my first one has ? %%
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Bloobs
There is a file on the original P100 disc, under Misc Sounds, called "Exterminated.wav". This is your friendly neighbourhood Dalek... You can simply Drag and Drop it onto the P110 SD card using Windows Explorer. That goes for all of the sounds on that disc and any other .wav files you have.
There are some "surprising and amusing" sounds in the Human Noises folder, too!
DM
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Hi Bluebird - well getting back to things after a few dodgy years. Yup the daleks still work OK on the P110 - and you can have two of them.
TOF - yes if you are running two engines one will cut out when you play a sound. However this should be less an issue than with a single engine sound.
With those who are having issues - please be patient, we are working on this at full speed.
Tim
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TOF - yes if you are running two engines one will cut out when you play a sound. However this should be less an issue than with a single engine sound.
Tim
Component Shop P110 product description reads differently unless it's my understanding of the text - it states that additional sounds DO NOT interupt engine sound(s)
For each proportional engine sound it can give:- An Engine Start Sound
- An Engine Run Sound
- An Engine Stop Sound
- Plus eight ‘General’ Sounds e.g Horn, Whistle, Guns, Klaxon etc each of which play once when triggered, also an additional 8 sounds which will loop continuously (Seagulls etc) until stopped by either selecting a different sound, or re-selecting the sound that is already playing. These additional sounds play on top of the engine sound, so that is not interrupted.
Is the text on CShop site incorrect?
C-3PO
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Had another try of the Noisy Thing 2.
Will stick with my Benedini sound units.
P110 for sale in the 'Sales' section.
TOF
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Hello TOF,
I would be interested - what issues did you have with the P110? as I was thinking of getting one to play with but looks like you have given up with it and moving it on which has made me think twice....
C-3PO
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Hello Chaps
I have also given up on the P110 too, right now i dont know where i chucked the thing.
When it turns up i may have another go.
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I bought a P100 and was gutted when the P110 came out , but now Maybe not so gutted after all, {:-{ {:-{ {:-{ {:-{ {:-{
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Hi Everyone,
Just to let you all know, I have just spent a fair amount of time reviewing the P110 'Noisy Thing II' for a magazine article. As part of the exercise I have had many conversations with Iain at Component-Shop (ACTion Electronics) and we did discuss some 'bugs' in the early issues of the product. The firmware in the P110 has now been updated and all known issues fixed.
The product does perform as described and works extremely well. The fact that you can have up to 16 sounds stored in the unit, plus engine start, run and stop sounds and don't forget it also contains a Class 'D' amplifier (up to 25 Watts) makes the product very attractive at the price. You can also trigger a second iteration of the engine sounds (for those people with twin engine models) however when you trigger another sound effect, i.e. Horn, then one of the engine sounds stops for the duration of the Horn blast. Don't be put off by this as you'll hardly notice.
By the way, I have no commercial involvement with Component-Shop (Action) other than being a customer and a very active builder of models with lots of sound effects. I record all my own sounds (in broadcast quality) and some of my sounds are on the CD that you can get from Component-Shop.
Steve Dean.
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Just a quick update ....... the review of the P110 'Noisy Thing II' is scheduled to be in the March issue of Marine Modelling International and it is planned that there will be an on-line link to a composite sound file so as you can hear the unit go through an engine start, run and shutdown sequence. In the demo file, it will play a number of individual sounds simultaneously with the engine sound (normally you would trigger the individual sounds from the transmitter)
Steve.
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Sound file link here of P110 Noisy thing II
http://thehobbyhub.com/2017/02/24/airwaves-p110-noisy-thing-ii/
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Link doesn't work :(( Will the unit produce suitable sounds for a Portgarth tug? Although CS still show no stock
If one could hear suitable sound coupled to this video I'm sure it would sell big time but I doubt this will happen
https://www.facebook.com/Techno100/videos/10155608522752593/ (https://www.facebook.com/Techno100/videos/10155608522752593/)
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If you go to Blackpool Comp shop might have one on the demo board ,I do not have the MK2 model I heard my MK1at a show so bought one for My Fairmount Alpine . It might be a bit late try contacting Ian to see if there will be a working one there.
David
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We will have a P110 (Noisy Thing MkII) demo up & running at Blackpool, as well as some stock at the show.
There will be more stock added to the web site very soon, I have been hampered of late by being ill & also getting a bad batch of filament for the 3D printer which is how the cases are made, but I have ordered more filament from a more reliable supplier so will be printing again very soon.
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Hi, I am having trouble with this "Nosy Thing II" unit, apparently like a few other members. I decided I would like to have a sound unit on board my 1/24th scale Fairmile "D" MTB. My model is powered by 4 off brushless motors and their corresponding ESC's. I have made my own *.wav sound files of "start, run and stop" of 4 off Packard V-12 engines and a separate file of M/C guns. Installing the unit and speaker enclosure presented no real problem. It was then that my troubles started.1. I found the unit would not run when all four motors were in circuit. The red & green led's just flashed but I was able to control the motors. Therefore I am quite happy that the "signal" is getting to the unit. Receiver channel 2 (throttle) connected to P2. I had hoped to switch in the single file "guns" from toggle switch (channel 5) to socket P3.
2. When 3 of the motors were taken out of circuit, the unit then started to play the recorded "start ---- " files, but not the individual guns file.3. I then connected the lead from the original channel 2 ( throttle) on the receiver into channel 3 which was spare. Thus channel 3 was connected to P3 socket on NT. Success! But still no single "guns" file. I am able to programme the set up and can get the sound to speed up etc. by moving the channel 3 stick forward and back. Control of the motors is as before all this started. A bit of a nuiscance but I was glad to get something happening. Obviously there is some sort of reaction when all four motors are in circuit with the input line to P3 on NT. Anybody got any ideas?I have tried many options to get the single file which I named sound1.wav and copied it a number of times ie sound2 etc. etc. but no luck so far. Again any ideas? I have contacted The Component Shop by phone and e-mail and sent them my sd cards which they say they will reprogamme. Fine, but I am stuck in the meantime and getting more and more agitated. I am hoping somebody out there might shed some light.
Regards as always, Robin Searle.
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Hi Robin,I will send you a PM (Personal Mail) via the Forum with my contact details. I can probably explain why you're having a problem. It is rather long winded to explain on the Forum.
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Well having read through this duplicated thread I am surprised at some of the comments .
I have most if not all of Action products spread over several models and have found them to be both efficient and value for money ....and before you start on me ...I am no relation to either of the companies involved .
On the very rare occasions that a defect manifested itself DM at ACTion offered an excellent service ...often not charging .......when Iain took over I was delighted to see that Daves work ethics where transferred also.
I had the original Nosiy thing which was sunk during a collision at a local very deep lake , so bought another which turned out to be the Mk11 and apart from a couple of minor irritations works perfectly well and saved the fitting of the 15watt amp I had on the earlier one .
The irritations I occasionally get are after start up and engine run it ocassionly starts making a sound like all sounds playing at once .....but by turning the sound on and then off it works as normal and keeps the lakeside amused as she carries out her allotted duties
There will always be members in every club set up who demand something for nothing or bought whatever you are talking about cheaper and quicker than you as they feel that they impress you [ when in fact their drivel just makes you wish to be elsewhere ] , what being said constructive criticism is always welcome in the pursuit of perfection ,
Speaking personally I have found Kyje at Component-shop very helpful and kind hearted.....I speak as I find O0
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mmmmmmmm I started with a few bits & pieces from actionkit@aol.com with the original Craig Talbot in 2003, then our DM assisted with more, then lastly via Component ....so over the years, all wonderful people to deal with
All of the items are brand new, unused [just looked at %) by me]........as many know my build rate is relatively slowish, however I am blessed with 9 Grandchilden so I have absolute faith that they will all be used in the future......... [it is so good to see that each board has a code ....so that will help them]
Just the other day, I was just wondering if the original Manufacturers Warranty still applies after 18 years {-)
Derek
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ACTion electronics components pricing?...interesting results!
P40 in 2003 = 26 UK Pounds [see my e-mail from 2003 as below]
P40 in 2019 = 28 UK Pounds [Component Shop cost 2019 as below]
UK inflation calculator from 2003 to 2018
26 UK Pounds on 2003 = 40.05 UK Pounds in 2018 [as per the Official UK inflation cost index calculator]
So ....just an observation that the current manufacturer and distributor rather amazingly offers a product approx ~~40% lower than the National UK inflation costs over the time period shown
:-)) Well done.............. Derek