A true electronic Martinshorn?

[Solvarex]

Hundreds of sirens have emulated the hi-lo tone of European sirens with varying degrees of success. Frankly I think most North American renditions are poor imitations at best. Since 1932 the Martin company has been producing the first real (and to this day, true) hi-low horn-based siren which we all colloquially refer to as the "Martinshorn".


Watching Youtube videos I stumbled across this curious response to the Bosch plant in Stuttgart. Various hi-lo sirens abound including many Martinshorns. But my ears perked up at 6:09. Link will take you directly to that timeframe.


GROSSALARM BOSCH [9 Minuten Alarmfahrten am Stück] - YouTube


The siren is coming from the lead vehicle, a minivan. It does not have a Martinshorn on the roof but the tone coming from it is nearly IDENTICAL to a true Martinshorn in pitch AND the characteristic tremolo effect. The note transitions are also too immediate to be a horn/compressor based system, so it obviously is electronic.


I've never heard a worthwhile electronic substitute for the Martinshorn until now. Someone please tell me what this is.

 

[Firefly Berlin]

The bar is a Hänsch DBS 3000 with dual speakers and a Type 620 siren amp.


But there is a better system existing called Pintsch Bamag MS 300.

 

[chief1562]

That thrid vehicle that turned wwith the lead it's siren tone sounded more like something you'd find in a toy.


But I did like the leads tone though. :thumbsup:

 

[Solvarex]

Many thanks! I imagine the amp system is a lot cheaper than a 2297 GM.

 

[nerdly_dood]

A part of what I like about the Martinshorn is that it's got the briefest pause between high and low tones, that electronic counterfeit in the video doesn't so straightaway it sounds artificial. It's a better fake than the EQ2B, though.

 

[unlisted]

Great. Another siren I need to purchase....

 

[Firefly Berlin]

Many thanks! I imagine the amp system is a lot cheaper than a 2297 GM.

Not as much as you'd think.


I can get a refurbed 2297 for $900, the amp with speakers and wire harness costs about $780 used...