Esu LokProgrammer Instruction Manual Download Page 12

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Subwindow „Decoder“

8.5. Sound settings

This window shows the behaviour of all sounds that are related
to the movement of the locomotive, also characteristics of
Random Sounds and main volume control. However, we are
not talking about the actual sound files (wav-files) but the
parameters that control these sound files.
Of course these settings must match the type of sound files
stored on the decoder. Otherwise some absurd results may
occur when for instance steam sounds are stored on the
decoder but the settings here are for a diesel locomotive.
On the other hand there is no limit to the creative use of the
LokProgrammer for achieving exceptional sound effects. For
instance it is quite easy to insert discussions between engineer
and fireman, station announcements or even music into the
project and to replay them with your LokSound decoder.

8.5.1. T

8.5.1. Type of sounds (CV 57, CV 58)

ype of sounds (CV 57, CV 58)

Selection of locomotive type (also refer to chapter 3.1.):

• Diesel locomotive - hydraulic
• Diesel locomotive with manual transmission
• Diesel-electric locomotive or electric locomotive

Here it is possible to use only one sound file for driving and to
add extra effects with „Interval between Throttle Notches“. It
is necessary to set the „Speed of Driving sound“ to the
appropriate value (also see 8.5.4) in order to make differences
in pitch audible.
„Interval between Throttle Notches“ divides the speed curve
into certain sectors in which the driving noise is played at a
different pitch. If this parameter is set to „1“ the decoder will
play the driving noises without audible throttle notches.

• Steam locomotives without external wheel sensor: the exhaust

chuffs can be synchronized with the revolutions of the drivers.
The time between the exhaust chuffs is determined by
multiplying the value of CV 57 („Interval between Exhaust
Chuffs at Speed Step 1“) by 0.064 seconds.
The value of CV 58 („… and at Speed Step 2“) determines the
degree of reduction of the time between exhaust chuffs with
increasing speed starting at speed step 2.
Since these settings depend on the circumference of the drivers,
the selected maximum speed and the motor characteristics
they have to be determined by trial and error. The
LokProgrammer in conjunction with a test oval provides the
best testing conditions.
More info on synchronizing without external sensor can be
found in chapter 12.2.

• Steam locomotive with external wheel sensor: Steam

locomotives with external wheel sensors are very common in
the large scales such as G and 1 gauge. The parameter „Trig-
ger Pulse“ (CV 58) determines after how many pulses from the
sensor the exhaust chuff will be played. The decoder
differentiates between „On“ and „Off“ pulses. If CV 58 is set
to „1“ then the decoder will play an exhaust cuff for each
„On“ and „Off“ pulse. Value „2“ triggers an exhaust chuff for
each „On“ pulse while value 4 triggers the chuff for every
second „On“ pulse. The default value is „2“. In principle the
value can be increased up to 250.

8.5.2. Minimum time between exhaust chuffs (CV 249)

Normally exhaust chuffs are speed dependant. However, in
case of a somewhat unfortunate configuration of wheel
circumference and maximum speed this could lead to an
undesirable sound at high speeds rather like a machine gun
and not like a steam locomotive.
To counter this effect you can adjust „Minimum Time between
Exhaust Chuffs“. The value represents the minimum time
between two chuffs even when the maximum speed has not
yet been reached.
Of course the chuffs are not synchronized to the drivers any
more at that stage but this is hardly noticeable at high speeds.

8.5.3. Random sounds (CV 61, CV 62)

In this field you can activate the Random Sounds and the time
intervals between them.
The LokSound decoder plays the Random Sounds arbitrarily
within these minimum and maximum intervals. The values
correspond with seconds (also refer to 9.5).

8.5.4. Speed of driving sound (CV 59, 60)

These parameters allow you to simulate the revs of the motor.
The sound files for the driving sound are the basis. The value is
given in %. 100% means original speed of the sound file,
200% twice the speed. The pitch is changed subject to the
speed. One could compare this effect with a cassette player
that is running too slowly. If you set the value of „… at the
highest Speed Step“ to 100% then the driving sound will remain
constant (provided you have only one sound file for driving).

8.5.5. Brake sound threshold (CV 64)

Here you determine when exactly the decoder starts playing
the brake squeal. The higher the value, the sooner the squeal
will start.

8.5.6. Sound

8.5.6. Sound vvvvvolume (CV 63, CV 121, CV 122 and CV 123)

olume (CV 63, CV 121, CV 122 and CV 123)

The sound volume can be adjusted to match the speaker with
the slide controls.
Controls 1, 2 and 3 can be used as group controls. The overall
volume (CV 63) influences controls 1, 2 and 3. Control 1 (CV
121) is intended for horns and whistles, control 2 (CV 122) for
bells and control 3 (CV 123) for additional sounds. This is only a
suggestion. Of course you may use the controls for other sound
groups as well. The advantage of the group control is that you
could link for instance the driving noise of a steam locomotive
to one group in order to be able to adjust the volume of all
exhaust chuffs simultaneously should they be too loud or too
quiet compared to User Sounds or Random Sounds.

8.5.7. Load dependent sound (CV124)

If the decoder registers a load – i.e.: when load compensation
becomes active – the driving noises will be played louder. This
works only if the overall volume is set to a lower value than
maximum. Only then are some „volume reserves“ available.

8.5.8. Sound steam shift (CV250, CV251, CV252)

One can hear that the chuffs of compound steam locomotives
are generated by two drive mechanisms. The LokProgrammer
achieves this effect by adding an additional exhaust chuff
between the regular ones. This extra chuff continuously changes
its timing relative to the regular chuffs.
After activating „Sound Steam Shift“ the following parameters
can be edited:

• Duration of steam shift: here you determine how long the

shifted chuff needs to go from the earliest possible relative
start position to the latest start position and back again. The
value entered here is a relative value and must be determined
by testing.

• Earliest relative start position for steam shift: in order to avoid

that the additional chuff is played at the same time as the
regular one and thus would lead to over-modulation of the
sound it is recommended to slightly delay the steam shift.
This delay is set in this parameter.

• Latest relative start position for steam shift: in order to avoid

that the additional chuff is played at the same time as the
following regular chuff and thus would lead to over-modulation
of the sound it is recommended to bring forward the end of
the steam shift. This can be set with this parameter.