One of the other reasons I dislike using other sounds is that you create the wrong sense of historical accuracy. Just as the FRIENDS wouldn't paint the water tanks Blue, why should someone use sounds from a New York Central Hudson on a film about Mexico!!!
This was brought home on at least one occassion when I noted some of my South African pacing of a 4-8-4 in someones vintage steam from the fifties in the U.S.
What is really bad is that some unknowing customer buys a vintage tape, and thinks he is hearing the ACTUAL sound of that engine type, when in reality it is probably NOT the right sound for that engine. It has a way of altering history, which is not right in my mind. Sadly though customers have gotten used to dubbed train sounds, and therefore expect it, and won't buy some tapes unless they have train sounds. While I am not a fan of music over good train sounds, especially good steam action where sound is on the tape you are shooting, music and narration can fill the void. It is those videos that have REAL audio that really spoil us, and we should appreciate how rare they are, and not come to expect it every time. Its just nice that someone had the ability to shoot this stuff in the first place so we can enjoy it in the post-steam era.
Anyone know where we can get some nice orchestration music royalty free for cheap!!!!
Greg