KB576 CV 58 Master Volume Control

The master volume control CV is CV58, its values range from 0 to 15.  The factory default value for this is 09.Digitrax SFX decoders have a factory default value of 09 set for CV58.  This works well for 32 ohm speakers.The decoder will reset to this value whenever you do a decoder reset of CV8=8. Digitrax SFX decoders built for use with 8 ohm speakers should have this value changed to 4 or 5 for best operation value of 4 or 5, since the decoder may not supply enough current at high volume/drive levels.Your results may also depend upon track voltage present. Kato USA says ...

KB353 Sound Decoders and the white cam lead

I don't understand what the white cam lead gets hooked up to. Some model steam locomotives are equipped with, or can be equipped with, a cam arrangement which coordinates the sound to the rotation of the drivers creating chuffing. As the wheels turn, a switch opens and closes, operating the chuff sound produced by the sound decoder. The white wire goes from the decoder to a microswitch which is operated by a cam that is mounted on the axle of one of the drivers. In operation, when the white wire senses the DCC track signal, it operates the chuff sound ...

KB741 DT402 & DT400 Series Numeric Keypad

There is a numeric keypad on the DT402/DT400 throttle.  The numeric keys on the keypad are primarily related to the throttle mode shown in the LCD’s mode indicator area, but can be used for numeric entry and function control in other modes. For example, when the command station is in the Function Mode Fn, the numeric keys are used for function control. When the command station is in the Locomotive Mode,Lo, the numeric keys are used to enter loco addresses. When the command station is in the Switch Mode is Sw, the numeric keys are used to enter switch addresses.In ...

KB577 DT400 - Playable whistle on F2 button

  Q:  I have read in some of the model magazines that the F2 button on the DT400 is a pressure sensitive playable whistle button. I have not noticed any difference in sound with the F2 button on my DT400. Is there some way to determine if this feature is present on my throttle? A:  Most Digitrax DT400 and all DT402 series throttles have the capability of implementing the playable whistle feature when used with Digitrax sound decoders.Prior to the release of Digitrax sound decoders this feature was considered as an experimental throttle feature and was not fully documented. Once Digitrax released ...

KB395 Turn Off Grade Crossing Horn Sequence in Locomotive

Q:  How do I turn off the grade crossing horn sequence when powering up or changing programming? A:  Turn F7 to "off"; it has accidentally been toggled to "on".

KB718 Sound Scheme Descriptions

I have loaded a new scheme but the CVs and Functions are not working as I expected. Load the sound project you programmed into Sound Loader.Select the "view>project description" from the menu.The text file that describes how the project you have loaded will appear on the screen.Read the text file to be sure the sound project is suitable for your needs.If not, load a different sound project and see if it works better for your application.  

KB719 Changing Between Pre-Installed Sound Schemes

Many Digitrax SoundFX decoders come with two different sound schemes pre-installed.  Check the decoder instruction sheet for which sound schemes are installed in the decoder you are using.  Instruction sheets are available on this website on the product pages for each decoder.The decoders come from the factory with CV60 programmed to a value of 01 to play the default scheme.  If you want to play the other pre-installed sound scheme, simply program CV60 to a value of 00.  You can switch back and forth between the two schemes.  Changing CV60 does not erase either pre-installed schemes.If you want to download ...

KB721 Sound From Sound FX Decoder Shuts Down on Non-Digitrax System

The sound in your decoder shuts down after you stop it and you are not using a Digitrax system for control. On some DCC systems decoders are not addressed by DCC packets after the locomotive is set to 0 speed. In this case after the CV11 timeout elapses (6 second factory default setting for SoundFX decoders), sound will shut down. To remove the timeout and prevent sound shutdown, set CV11=00.  This would leave the sound in the locomotive on until you remove power from the loco.Digitrax command stations continue to refresh locomotives by periodically sending packets to them as long ...

KB722 Distorted Sound from Sound FX Decoder

If the sound output from your SoundFX decoder is distorted, try the following:1. Check the speaker cone for magnetic debris that may have collected there. Debris on the speaker will cause a loss of sound quality and must be removed.  This is a common problem in speaker installed facing down toward the track.  Remember, speakers are magnetic and will vacuum up magnetic debris along the track.2. Be sure that the CV58 volume is not set at a level that is too high for the speaker. For impedances below 32ohms (e.g. 8 to 30 ohms) set the volume setting lower to ...

KB723 Sound Decoder Not Making Sounds

If the sound does not start when you run the locomotive with a sound decoder installed try the follwoing:1. Make sure you have selected the locomotive on a throttle. The sound will not run unless the locomotive is addressed in the system.2.  Make sure the sound is not muted.  Try toggling F8 which is the Digitrax standard function for muting the sound decoder.3.  Made sure the volume in your decoder has not been turned down to a very low level.4. Check your installation to make sure the decoder is installed properly.

KB724 Digitrax SoundFX Decodders on Conventional DC Power

Digitrax SoundFX decoders will automatically operate on smooth DC power unless analog mode conversion has been disabled. The sound will not start until approximately 5 volts is applied to the track.  Due to this characteristic of analog operation with a DCC decoder installed, the start up sound will not play.

KB725 Functions Used for Sound Control

These are the Function buttons for sound control:

KB311 Diesel Notches

  Could you please explain what the notch rate does- is there a range for this? Is there somewhere with more detailed explanations of the various CV's- such what what the air drier or compressor rate might be? Diesel locomotives are operated by "notches", which are the rate at which the locomotive's diesel power is being applied. Traditionally, these are called "Run 1" to "Run 8". At Run 1, the locomotive generator becomes active but the locomotive prime mover (the diesel engine) does not increase in speed. With Run 2 to Run 8, the locomotive's engine speed (and thus the ...

KB730 DT400 Series Throttles - Make F2 Latching or Non-latching

DT400 Series Throttles - Make F2 Latching or Non-latching The F2 button on the DT400 is meant to control locomotive whistles and horns, so it is configured to be "momentary" or non-latching.  This means that the key will activate the horn or other function for as long as you hold the key down and stop when it is released. This was done to facilitate the use of a playable whistle in sound decoders. If you are not using F2 for this purpose on your layout, you can change the way the F2 key on the throttle works so that it latches on and ...

KB222 Sound in tunnels

Is there a way to automatically decrease the sound on my sound equipped locomotives when they go into a tunnel? No, but you can use F8 to mute the sound when you enter the tunnel and F8 again to turn it back on when you exit the tunnel.Some clubs have "no chuffing" zones, where many trains are present at the same time. Operators who do not know about F8 are quickly apprised by others when they enter a busy yard.   F8 Mute (CV135) may be changed to a non-zero value, such as CV135=16 to lower the sound volume.  This ...