Sound & Smoke

Soundunits     Audioamplifiers     Speakers     Smokegenerator       Servo

All prices shown below include 19% European VAT.
This means export prices to customers form outside the European Union are off 19%!

1. Sound units

All offered digital sound units are reproducing original engine- and special sounds. The engine range covers starting, engine idle, reeving up the engine, acceleration, speed dependent engine sound, returning to idle state and engine shut down. Available special sounds are horns, flaps,  weapons, radio messages, depending on the kind of sound unit.

Up to two speed signals can be scanned directely at the receiver to determine the moving state of the model. This makes it ideal for tracked vehicles.
It can be used in combination with burshless or common DC motors.

To ensure maximum output power at large scale vehicles, a  external amplifier is used. You can use car HiFi components as well as tiny SMD amplifiers. Different amplifiers are on stock.

Universal digital outputs can start actions depending on the played sound, like muzzle flashing LEDs or motors to move something in the model.

A fully dynamic and sound synchronous working smoke generator  for exhaust simulation is also available.

The following control modes are possible:

A: Encoder
This rotary switch / push button combination must be connected at a spare proportional channel of your transmitter.
For mechanical installatioin already present extension places of your TX can be used usually. (Only two wholes are necessary)
The desired sound is selcted by one of the 12 rotary switch position and triggerd by the push button.
This allows a convenient, quick and direct sound selction.
In principal the encoder is a simple potentiometer with 12 fix positions.

B: Direct control by a spare proportional channel of your radio
A common proportional channel, equipped with a 3-position switch at your TX can be used to control the soundunit.
This switch should have a neutral position and momentary contacts to both sides. Permanent switching is also possible, in case the switch is centered manually.

Control mode “Indirect Soundselection”
The desired sound is selected by flicking the switch x-time up (according to the desired sound number).
The selected sound is triggered by flicking the switch down.
A already selected sound can be triggerd multiple times without a new selection (f.e. MG bursts).
This mode allows triggering all sounds and functions loaded at the unit.

Control mode “Direct Soundselection”
The desired sound is simply selected by flicking the switch up (sound1) or down (sound2)

Control mode “Autostart”
This mode does not need any control channel. Fist acceleration of the motor starts the engine. If it runs 20s idel, it is shut down automatically.
This control mode does NOT offer any special sounds(f.e. horn).

For installing the soundsystem in your model, common RC-modelling solder skills are necessary. The offered componets are parts of a soundsystem, created by the customer.
Please see the manuals for further descriptions.

We have an extraordinary sound collection of different vehicles which is constantly enlarged.
We specialized on modern and historical  tracked vehicles and aircrafts!
A list of all currently available sounds can be found in the Download section.
Please see also the Demo section.

All prices listed below include 19% german VAT. If you are located outside the European Union they are 19% off.

Soundmodule TBS Mini

This soundunit is developed specially for electric powered airplanes or other models having a lot of functions.
It is a further devolpment of the proven TBS Micro.

 In comparison to other competitors, you can use any sound available in the download section for FREE at the TBS Mini or Micro.

Please find a short introduction about adding sound to electric airplanes HERE

Manual TBS Mini (PDF)

Features:

• Fully customer programmabel, free of charge sofware at Downloads
• Large FREE OF CHARGE sound libraries of original recordings (f.e. Corsair, ME109, Spitfire, Cessna, dif. Trucks)
• Soundquality 22KHz
• 16Mbit Soundmemory, enough for 93s of soundrecordings
• Internal 1,2W amplifier at 8 Ohm speakers
• External high power amplifiers available
  (f.e.. 2x40W at 2Ohm and 12V OR 50W at 8 Ohm and 50V supply)
• Up to 6 electronic switching outputs
  - activated by sound (f.e. Muzzle flashing with MG sound) or independant operation
  - permanent, momentary or flashing mode adjustable
  - direction flashing
• Externel smoke generator for exhaust simulation (see below). Not recommended for aircrafts !
• Twodigital inputs for triggering sounds by a external signal
  (f.e. Screaming tires at touch down, triggered by a switch)
• Twoservo signal outputs, f.e. for retractable landing gears
• All connections done by plugs, no solderwork necessary
• Receiver signals are used for speedinformation,  this allows brushless or DC Motor usage
• All connections horizontally -> full isolation and protection by shrinked plastic tube possible
• Fully assembeled in SMD technology (no heavy, vibration sensitive components)
• All wires included
• Very little dimensions and weight
• USB or RS232 programing interface by external adaptor (optional)
• Can be fully configured by free of charge PC software:
  - you can make your own soundcreation or using the original Benedini sounds
  -Firmware update, your unit can be updated by your own with the latest software
• Plays two sounds simultaneously (engine plus a special sound) from TBS Flash Ver. 1.0.1.0 on

Technical Datas:
Supplyrange:             3,5 – 12V (from receiver)
Internal amplifier:    1,2W at 8 Ohm and 5V supply
Switching outputs:     Minus switching, max. 12V/0,5A each
Dimensions:              only 55x25x10mm !
Weight:                    only 6g !

Prices TBS Mini:
Fully programed with standard configuration, ready to run :                          99 Euro

Accessory:

Programming cables:
- USB Programing cable:
   * Plug & Play cable “Black” . No driver installation at Windows PC necessary:  18 Euro
- USB Programing cable for TBS Mini + TBS Micro :                                        22 Euro
     Carries a additional plug for connecting the TBS Micro.
A programming cable is only necessary in case you want to program/configure the soundunit by your own

External amplifiers (details below):
- 1x40W digital audio amplifier, weight 8g:    59 Euro
- 4x40W amplifier, weigth 40g:                   55 Euro
- optional: Audio-Isolator:                         18 Euro

Encoder:                                                   47 Euro
(optional control device to be installed in the transmitter, see above)

Speakers (details below)
- Speaker R10S (100x100x38mm, 160g) :  12 Euro    
- Speaker BF-45 (45x26mm, 32g):              15 Euro
(other application related speakers are on stock)

Miscellaneous:
- Smoke generator for LAND vehicles (NO aircrafts): see below.
- Special servo Y-cable for connecting a second speed channel (1x male 2x female):   4,90 Euro
- Highpower LED for muzzle flashing:                                                                   6,50 Euro    LED.pdf
  LED wiring service according to your model needs:                                              about 5 Euro (due to work)

Soundunit TBS Micro V2.0

*** Smalles soundunit available ***
Dimensions only:
11,5 x 24,5 (16,5) mm  = 0,45 x 1,0 (0,64) inch

The functionality is similar to the TBS Light. A 1W amplifier is already integrated! Due to its size it is ideal for 1/87 scale models or airplanes. External amplifiers can be connected. All electrical connections can be done by plugs or directely with wires at the corners of the PCB. If wires are used, the PCB can be cut down easily to 11,5x16,5mm ( 0,45 x 0,64 inch).

Manual TBS Micro

Prices TBS Micro:
Fully prorgramed (ready to run) without sockets and cables:                        79 Euro
Fully programed (ready to run) including socket and cables:                      89 Euro
USB Programingadaptor for TBS Micro + Mini (two plugs):                          22 Euro
(This adaptor is needed only once in case you want to do custom configurations)

Soundunit TBS 5    Sold out

RC soundunit for simultaneous playing of engine and special sounds. A tone control stage is integrated, to adjust bass and trebble to your personal taste. All inputs are galvanic isolated and connected by plugs. The soundunit can be controlled by a proportional channel or switched signals. Two soundsynchron working outputs are provided for switching functionality. They can be used for muzzle flashing simulation by LEDs.

Features:

• 22050 Hz samplerate for highest sound quality
• Integrated tone control stage for bass and treble
• Up to two drive motors can be scanned, ideal for tracked vehicles
• Continious speed sound variation, infinitely and direct responding to speed changes
• Controlled by prop.channel OR digital inputs (Multiswitch)
• All wires included
• Optional smoke  generator, for authentic exhaust simulation
• Galvanic Isolation of all input signals
• External amplifier, no limitation in output performance
• Large sound  collection of military and civil vehicles available

Manual TBS5 (PDF)                        

2. Audio Amplifiers

1x40W power amplifier

This digital audio amplifier has the smallest dimensions, nearly no weight and highest efficiency, resulting in very little self heating.
Highly suitable for leight weight foam aircrafts. It can be powered from 3-6S LiPos.
It can be operated with any speaker technology (traditional cone speaker or “Exciter”).
The speaker impedance should be adapted to the supply voltage.

1x40W amplifier manual (PDF)         Price: 59 Euro

4x40W power amplifier (at 14V, 2Ohm speaker, 10% THD)

This high power amplifier can be combined  with all Benedini Soundunits. It has a internal “max volume” indication.
This means the volume can be increased until the LED starts flashing. Of course this requires speakers with a according power rating. The combination with our R10S or SPH-30 speakers is ideal.
The amplifier can be operated with 1-4 speakers:
Speakers Nr.1+2 are connected by the main plug, speakers Nr.3+4 by solder pads at the bottom of the PCB.
Using a 4S LiPo power supply is ideal. 3S supply is possible. The capacity depends of the number of speakers. For  30min flight and two R10S speakers, about 1500 mAh are recommended.

This high power amplifier needs sufficient cooling. It MUST be mounted in a well ventilated area of the plane (airstream) !

Power supply range: 9-18V

4x40W amplifier manual (PDF)         Price: 55 Euro

2x6W digital audio amplifier

Ultra compact 2x6W digital amplifier for vehicles, including volume control on the rear side.
High efficiency and nearly no heating results in astonishing volume.
Ideal in combination with the TBS Mini soundunit.

Supply voltage:  7,4 - 14V (2-3S LiPo or 12V Battery. NOT suitable for 7,2V NC Akkupacks!
Dimension:         ca. 30 x 37 x 7 mm (incl. power plug)
Weight:            ca. 12g

2x6W Manual (PDF)             Price: 29€

2x3W digital audio amplifier

Micro amplifier with 2x3W for vehicles having very limited space, including volume control on the rear.
High efficiency and nearly no heating results in astonishing volume.
NO external power supply necessary! It is simply plugged onto the TBS Mini soundunit.
(Powering through the receiver supply)

Supply voltage:  2,5V to max. 5,5V (receiver supply voltage -> Do NOT use a 6V BEC)
Dimension:         ca. 25 x 30 x 6 mm
Weight:            ca. 4g

2x3W Manual (PDF)             Price: 20€

Audio Isolator

This device ensures a electric / galvanic isolation between the receiver and main battery. It is simply plugged between the soundunit and the external amplifier and separates the two power sources properly.
It is highly recommended if already a ESC with opto isolator input for the speed signal is used.

It prevents any “ground loops” or noise feed into the receiver supply by the ESC for example. This may happen through devices beeing connected to the receiver AND to the main battery (f.e. by sound units having a internal power amplifier or ESCs without a “opto input”).
Such devices connect minus of the receiver to minus of the main battery!
The “ground mess” gets even worse, if multiple external amplifiers are connected to a sound system directly.
If a soundunit is powered by a separate battery, NO Audio-Isolator is necessary.

In addition, the device can allow powering the 1x40W amplifier by a main battery having more than 6S (see manual).

Audio-Isolator manual.                  Price: 18 Euro
 

Speakers

A: Traditional cone speakers:

Standard speaker for airplanes: Visaton R10S.
Good power/weight ratio at highest efficiency and low price

Power:         30W
Dimension:     100 x 100 x 36mm
Weight:        160g Gewicht/St.
Sound pres.:   90dB (1W/1M)
Pice:            12 Euro

Speaker for limited space Monacor SPX-21M
Best power/weight radio, very small at good efficiency

Power:           25W
Dimension:     50 x 50 x 34mm
Weight:          90g Gewicht/St.
Sound pres.:   84dB (1W/1M)
Pice:              29 Euro

Different Visaton or Monacor brand speakers on stock.
We will recommend the most suitable one for your application.

For aircraft applications the following speakers are recommended, in combination with the 1x40W amplifier:
2 pcs R10S (Ideal setup for airplanes)   or 2 pcs SPX-21M (at limited space in the model)

For smaller planes (also foam models) the following speakers are recommended:
2 pcs BF-45 :      8 Watt, 50 x 26mm, 32g weight,  79dB/W
Price/pcs: 15 Euro

A very good alternative for foam models is using an Exciter (-> see below)

Installation examples in customer planes (PDF)

B: Exciter or Transducer “speaker”:
This kind of “speaker” is reduced to the drive/motor of a conventional speaker. It is installed on any surface which acts as the membrane, producing the sound. How it will sound, depends on many factors.
F.e. mechanical siffness of the material, its shape and density.

Please note that the whole structure (f.e. hull of of plane) can vibrate heavily, according to the set volume!
All installed items are exposed to it.
Up to now NO vibration damages are reported.
Exciters were already used also in wood and GFK models sucessfully.

We tried to find out which speaker technology is the best. For this, we did a test series, using different exciters and conventional speakers on different objects.
The result can be found here.

This is the recommended installation guide for a exciter.

 Two examples of exciters

Manufacturer documents, explaining this speaker principal can be found here:
http://www.visaton.de/downloads/pdf/visaton_exciter_principles.pdf
http://www.daytonaudio.com/media/resources/understanding-and-using-dayton-audio-exciters-revised.pdf

US and world wide supplier f.e.:
http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-daex25vt-4-vented-25mm-exciter-20w-4-ohm--295-222

The following exciters are on stock:
DAEX25VT-4   (20W/4Ohm, Ф55 x 21mm, 83g):  23 Euro
DAEX25FHE-4 (24W/4Ohm, Ф58 x 21mm, 110g): 21 Euro

3. Smokegenerators

 Oil smoke II

Redsign of the prooven Oil smoke I
- 4 heating elements
- New high power heaters -> total power about 50W
- Enormous smoke volume generation (see picture above)
- Simpler design (no spearate oil reservoir)
- Two sizes available:
   Standard: 120 x 65 x 52 mm             Large: 150 x 80 x 62 mm
- Adaptable to model space conditions
  (f.e.: One/two smoke outlet, horizontally/vertically outlet, Supply voltage)
- Transparent smoke box for easy inspection of the internals
- Available fully pre built (RtR), as a complete kit or a “base” kit

     Manual Oil smoke II (PDF)
 

   Smoker in operation                                  Scope of delivery
 

This option  realizes an absolute realistic exhaust simulation. Smoke volume and smoke speed depends on the model state. When the engine is shut down , no smoke exits the exhaust. During starting the engine, a large volume of smoke is blown out the exhaust.

Delivery includes2x30cm smoke tube (inner/outer diamter: 10/14mm), refill tube, 225ml Smoke oil and refilling syringe (see picture above).
The smoker is available in two sizes and three variants:

1. Fully pre built (RtR):
Full operational and tested
Price:       Standard size: 169 Euro         Large size: 179 Euro

2. Complete kit:
All necessary items for completing the smoker are include. The electronic controller is included and fully tested.
The mechanical and electrical installation must be done by your own!
Installation description and paper drilling jig is included.
Price:       Standard size: 99 Euro         Large size: 109 Euro

3. “Base” kit:
This kit does NOT contain the electronic controller but all the rest.
Powering of the heaters + fan must be realized individually (f.e. RC switching units)
Price:       Standard size: 59 Euro         Large size: 69 Euro
 

Necessary order informations:
Size (Standard/Larg) + Supply voltage (LiPo cell nr. or 12V/24V Battery)

Accessory Oil smoker:

Smoke oil SR24 (best in various model train tests)

225ccm bottle: 6 Euro                                                  1000cmm bottle: 15 Euro