Codar synthesizer-a blast from the past

[martyn]

As part of clearing out the loft, I rediscovered my Codar Steamsound synthesizer.

I must have bought this about 1980, and it was state of the art hi-tec at the time. It gives synthesized sound for exhaust beat, Westinghouse pump, whistle, 'background hiss', and a couple of other things. Main settings can be adjusted for tone, and also volume.

It still works, despite having been unused for probably nearly thirty years; I have to say that some of the sounds generated are better than others (whistle is very poor). One drawback is that is purely for sound, and not loco control; the operator has to adjust loco speed with a normal controller, and then adjust the Codar to match the speed.

And now, having tested it, I suppose it will go back into the box again.

Martyn

[honestjudge]

umm, 1980....  I was into the Jam, but starting to get into the New Romantic bands around that time.

Didn't really get into the synthesizer scene unfortunately 

[martyn]

@honestjudge

You can hear it tomorrow....I'll bring it with me.

Martyn

[martyn]

In case anyone has never heard of this, this is an advert from 1978;

https://reader.exacteditions.com/issues/95492/page/18

It was quite expensive in its day-£61, quite a lot when my annual salary was ~£2400

Underneath is an advert for Hadley Hobbies-a place I usually went to when I did a trip to London, handily placed close to Liverpool St station.

Martyn

[Bealman]

Thanks for posting this! I never knew this unit existed. I'm aware of Codar stuff from adverts in RM probably around 1967 for inertia controllers. Used to drool over them as a kid, but way out of my financial reach.

If it's still working, why not it it to use today?

[Simon D.]

Love to hear what this sounds like!  Can you do a video?

[martyn]

Thanks for posting this! I never knew this unit existed. I'm aware of Codar stuff from adverts in RM probably around 1967 for inertia controllers. Used to drool over them as a kid, but way out of my financial reach.

If it's still working, why not it it to use today?

My wife, who is normally very supportive of my modelling, thinks that sounds on a model railway are naff.....(to put it politely)

Another problem is that you need about three  hands to get the best effect; one to do noise speed and match the wheel revolutions to get the 'chuff' right, one to change tone as loco changes speed, and a third to actually control the loco speed via a separate controller.

@Simon D.

Not sure, I may try later.

Martyn

[Bealman]

Fair enough. I'm with your wife there. I'm not too keen on sound on locomotives either.

But I do like ambient sounds that can be switched off.

Maybe background sounds every now and again?

[martyn]

I think that's more or less how I used it, George.

The Westinghouse pump doing its thing, and a low level 'background hiss'.

You can't control individual sound volumes, they are either on or off, but you can change the sound of the exhaust and whistle, plus there is a safety valve lifting sound. The whistle, as I've intimated, various between poor and awful for its pitch. You can control total volume, and it full its LOUD.

Martyn

[JanW]

Another problem is that you need about three  hands to get the best effect; one to do noise speed and match the wheel revolutions to get the 'chuff' right, one to change tone as loco changes speed, and a third to actually control the loco speed via a separate controller.

Martyn

You need a driver and a soundman

[honestjudge]

After seeing the Codar in the metal, I must say it looked impressive. A definite throwback to early high tech design.

And it is Loud!



 

[Immanuel]

Very cool find

[zwilnik]

One drawback is that is purely for sound, and not loco control; the operator has to adjust loco speed with a normal controller, and then adjust the Codar to match the speed.

And now, having tested it, I suppose it will go back into the box again.

Martyn

Sounds like a perfect project to rewire to an Ardunio/Rasp Pi etc. to replace its dials with a digital potentiometer controlled directly from either your DC power control or feedback. (not volunteering! )

[zwilnik]

Alternately, keep it for shows or when you have to entertain kids and let them control the sound while you control the loco. They can have a blast making noises without any risk of crashing anything