I've read through the CD documentation and am unable to find answers to the following questions. I hope someone has enough experience to help out. I have other sound decoders but this is my first Lok Sound.
1. Are resistors still required for F0 headlight and backup light?
2. Is there a mute setting that does not allow the sound to operate until the loco is addressed? Mine seems to start up and then gradually go mute when I select the loco from the stack with the F8 function previously latched on.
3. Mine came programmed for a GE 44-tonner. Is there a way to select another horn through one of the CVs? Mine has a really puny "blat" and I'd like something else, even if it isn't prototypical.
4. Is there a way to reduce the number of speed steps needed for the loco to transition to the next run level? I have my loco set to top out at 50% voltage and I'd like the transitions to occur lower in the speed table.
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Hi Scott:This is from the Lok Sound v3.5 manual: In many models,LEDs or 1.5 Volt lamps are used, but not without some preparation: use a 100 ohm/0.5 watt resistor in series with each LED or 1.5 v lamp. You also have to reduce the output volatage to 1.5v by setting the appropriate CV as per Chapter 5.2.3. As to your other questions, they can probably be changed with Decoder Pro.
Hi Scott
Horns have always been week in the Loksound decoders. To change sounds in the Loksound you will need the Lokprogramer. Another way is to have a hobby shop that specializes with DCC to change sounds for you for a small fee. I think Tonys does it for $15. The lights or LEDs will need resistors.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
You can set the set the sound to be off, and to turn on with F8, by changing some CV numbers.
Set CV 130, 133, 136, 139, 148, and 151 to a value of 0.
Set CV 190 and 193 to a value of 1
You also get the short engine start sequence when you press F8.
This info came from Matt on the Yahoo Loksound group.
BTW the horns are 'weak' because they come programmed with the horn volume lower then the engine sounds. At least, my PCM Reading T-1 was like that. A simple adjustment of the relative volumes gave me plenty of whistle sound. I didn't fidn it weak at all, after adjusting the settings Much like the BLI locos with QSI sound coming out of the box with the volume on max - WAY too loud, and prone to distortion. Turn them down to a normal level and they sound WAY better. I prefer the sound to be realistic - if I can hear the loco all the way on the other side of the basement, then it totally ruins the illusion of distance. On lower volume levels you actually hear the train coming and then it fades away as it goes. If I want loud I'll put some music on the stereo. Or get some 3-rail and some MTH sound locos.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thanks to all who replied. I appreciate the help. What I have found out since posting the original query is that some of the default settings in DecoderPro AND in the CD manual are incorrect.
I've been trading email with the tech support person at Lok Sound in Minnesota (Dennis) and he has been very helpful. He sent me the correct CV values for my particular sound package.
I also learned that it is possible to lose some of the programmed sounds if you use CV 8 to reset to the so-called factory values.
I would think long and hard about buying a second one of these decoders. Don't get me wrong - the sound and motor controls are very good. Just that spending the better part of three days getting the decoder to operate as advertised is unconsionable.
Sound decoders up the ante considerably. THere's at a minimum twice and more like 3-4 times th number of CVs that a standard motor decoder has. If you have a DCC system that supports a computer interface, invest in one - and download the free JMRI software. It will make things a LOT easier when it comes to programming myriads of CVs to adjust the sounds just right. For example, thje PCM Readint T-1's with Loksound came with two whistle sounds built in. The standard one was on the usual F2 whistle function - however for that one they had a 5 chime type more likely seen on passenger service - ie, the units used in Rail Rambles. The 'alternate' one was closer to the Reading single note whistle used on freight locos. By downloading and studying the Loksound manual I was able to figure out how to swap the functions around so F2 sounded the freight whistle - sincemy model was of an in-service loco, not the excursion ones. I liek to think I have at least soem clue when it comes to DCC, and it wasn't terribly straightfowarded. I managed to figure it out in a realtively short time, but it wasn't plainly stated as "put value x in CV y to map this function"
Would I buy another? Sure. I'd probably use JMRI to program it though. Once I got the functions sorted out and also fixed the sound levels (out of the box the loco chuffs were on max and the whistle about half - the bell and chuffs drowned out the whistle. I reset the sound levels to make the whistle more audible.), it sounded great. I haven't bothered with any sound programming, for one thing, it's not that easy with ANY brand that allows programming (Loksound, QSI, Digitrax...sorry Tsunami and MRC), and I have no sources for quality audio of any of the locos I'd want sound in anyway. I WA tempted to ge tthe Loksound programmer, but only because another modeler built up a set of sounds for the T-1 recorded off the actual 2101 while it was on American Freedom Train duty. Of cours,e given that it's a 20+ year old recoring, it might end up not being up to snuff, but when played back on the PC it sounded pretty clean. This is where it pays to have friends in the hobby, if you all have various sound decoders, one can buy each of the different programmers and then all Loksound decoders go to Modeler A, all QSI decoder to Modeler B, and all Digitrax to Modeler C. It's hard to justify the money for the sound loaders if you only have 1 decoder of that brand.