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How to Build a Steam Locomotive Sound System

Advancements in digital audio technology have created many opportunities and possibilities for musicians and nonmusicians alike. Model train enthusiasts have the option to purchase preconfigured sound banks for their train sets. Ambitious hobbyists seeking a greater level of customization can create a specialized sound system using widely available audio technology such as MIDI keyboards and digital audio workstations. By following a few simple steps, you can quickly begin assembling and programming your own steam locomotive sound system.

Things You'll Need

  • Digital audio workstation
  • MIDI keyboard
  • Firewire cable
  • USB cable
  • Audio interface
  • Firewire mixer
  • Speakers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Collect the sounds you will be using to replicate the steam locomotive. Websites such as FreeSound include a variety of sound effects that users can download for no charge. Many of these sounds are available in file formats such as AIFF and WAV that will make them very easy to work with.

    • 2

      Load the sounds into the audio sampler in your digital audio workstation. If you do not own a digital audio workstation, a program such as Logic, Reason or Record will allow you to input and trigger sounds using a MIDI keyboard. In Reason and Record, create an NN-XT sampling device and assign each individual sound to a key on the virtual keyboard using the "Load Sample" button. In Logic, create an EXS24 sampling device and assign your locomotive sounds to each individual keyboard key using the "Edit" features.

    • 3

      Connect your musical instrument digital interface or MIDI keyboard to your computer with a USB cable. If you do not own a MIDI keyboard, companies such as M-Audio manufacture inexpensive MIDI keyboards that are compatible with virtually all digital audio workstations. Open the "Input/Output" settings within your digital audio workstation and select your MIDI keyboard as the desired input device. Once you have loaded your selected sound samples into the sampler, just press the matching keys on your MIDI keyboard to play the audio clips you desire.

    • 4

      Connect your speakers to the computer using the audio output jack on the computer or a firewire mixing board such as Mackie's Onyx 820 I. Mixers are especially useful if you plan on using larger speaker systems that require a stereo cable connection for playback. Connect the mixer to the computer using a firewire cable.

    • 5

      Connect the speakers to the "Master Output" jacks on the mixer using stereo cables. Within your digital audio workstation, select the mixer as the desired output device. Test your sound system by pressing a key on your MIDI keyboard. Audio should now play through the speakers connected to your mixing board.


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