Digital Sound Decoders for the Sound you've only Dreamed of Until Now!

The Digital Sound Decoder (DSD) is a state-of-the-art module providing the benefits of today?s DCC technology with the addition of high quality, digital onboard sound. Each DSD installs inside your locomotive and integrates a full featured digital sound system, sophisticated lighting effects and a DCC decoder into a single, miniature electronic module. SoundTraxx Digital Sound Decoders are available in both Steam and Diesel versions, each featuring a full spectrum of sound effects for each prototype. The superb sound quality will bring your models to life with such realism as you have never dreamed!

Prototypical Operation and Superb Sound!

Imagine, if you will, watching your trains as they travel down the tracks, and hearing them approach . . .the steady chuff getting louder as the engine approaches . . .As you enter the tunnel, the sound muffles, but you instantly know when the engine has emerged . . .the sound is louder now as it rounds the bend. As you approach the station, slow the train, let loose a long blast of the whistle, and pull back on the Johnson Bar! As you creep along slowly into the station, you can hear the airpumps pounding out a steady beat as you apply the braking pressure . . . whump! whump! whump! Ring the bell to clear the tracks! Your ears won?t believe these are just models!

Now you can operate the locomotive, lights and sound in prototypical fashion with a decoder that also offers the best in digital sound technology! Prototypical sound is achieved as easily as pressing the appropriate button on your DCC controller.

SoundTraxx DCC?s unique Polyphonic Sound Processor allows you to activate various sound effects without interrupting or interfering with the other sounds. Some ?sound systems? only allow you to ?play? one sound at a time. Not so with the DSD. Activate one sound or all the sounds - it won?t skip a beat.

And the DSD sound effects aren?t just simple playback loops. Each effect is interactive and will respond to you, the engineer, just like the prototype. The airpumps, for example, will increase speed, building up pressure as the braking effort is applied. The duration of the whistle or airhorn is directly related to how long the key is held, allowing for long or short whistles at will. You won?t believe how incredibly alive your locomotive will become!

Each DSD is specific to a prototype. This means that you get exactly what you expect . . .the real sounds from actual engines.

A Decoder for Everyone!
The DSD is available in several basic models, all compatible with the NMRA DCC Standards and Recommended Practices. The DSD-150 is available in both steam and diesel prototype-specific versions with the maximum bang for your buck! Our new 'Plug and Play' models designed for specific models are also available in steam and diesel versions, and offer an easy to install decoder for everyone! For those in N-scale or smaller locomotives, check out our DSD-090 Micro Digital Sound Decoders! Refer to the Data Sheets for specifications.


SoundTraxx offers the largest variety of Digital Sound Decoders for use with digital command control. They are all compatible with the NMRA baseline standards and recommended practices for DCC. The chart below will help you choose the sound system that best fits your application.