H0 Sound Decoder MX640 Page 27
6.
ZIMO SOUND
– Selection and Programming
Shipping decoders with a
ZIMO “sound collection”
installed is the preferred way of delivery
and a specialty of the ZIMO sound concept, which is possible due to the large data storage capacity
of the decoders: sound samples and CV parameters for several engines are stored in each decoder.
The preferred sound for a given locomotive can be selected with the cab (no need to load a different
sound sample from the computer).
At the same time, the user is free to change acoustics of a locomotive to his/her own taste by select-
ing for example a chuff sound from 5 different chuff samples and a whistle from 10 available whistles
(or several whistles on different function keys); furthermore a selection of bells, compressors, steam
shovel, oil burner or break squeal etc.
The “sound collection” itself is a special form of the “sound Projects” (see below) and is also listed at
www.zimo.at (under “UPDATE” and “decoder”), ready for download and installation in case the de-
coder wasn’t ordered with the desired sound files.
ZIMO “ready-to-use” sound projects
are available from www.zimo.at (follow “UPDATE”, “De-
coder”). On the same pages, information about the prototype with some videos and mp3 sound
samples are available as well as the project specific function assignments and CV settings. More
sound projects will be added continuously, also with the assistance of ZIMO partners through their
home pages or web shops.
The desired sound project is first downloaded and stored in the computer; then sent to the decoder
with the help of the software “ZSP” (ZIMO Sound Program) and the decoder update module
MXDECUP (or the system cab MX31ZL). As is the case with decoder firmware updates, the decoder
remains in the locomotive and is set as is on the “update” track.
If needed the original ZIMO sound project can be edited with the ZIMO sound program (ZSP) before
sending it to the decoder – to change function assignments, random generators and other settings,
for example. Once the editing is done, the sound project can be sent to the decoder as described
above.
It is possible to change function assignments, sound and other parameters during normal operations
via the cab and if desired to upload the relevant data to the computer (again on the update track with
the help of ZSP). In this way a new custom sound project can be put together, saved and used in
other engines.
Still more comfortable is the use of an USB stick on the system cab MX31ZL for installing sound pro-
jects into decoders – without a computer that requires a connection to the layout, program installa-
tion etc.
ZIMO sound decoders can also be special ordered with the favorite sound project installed.
“Homemade” ZIMO sound projects
using private sound files can also be put together with the
help of the ZIMO sound program (ZSP). Sound samples from all available sources, including your
own recordings, can be used.
In the course of 2008, ZSP will be further developed and later integrated into a new comprehensive
program (ZISP or ZIRC). The development will be carried out side by side with the extension of the
decoder software, in order to find new possibilities in sound composition:
Shipping decoders with many samples (“Sound collections”) “on board” is also a
trend-setting
concept
because advancing chip technology in the coming years will offer more and more storage
capacities (at the same foot print and negligible increase in cost – ZIMO decoders will “grow” in this
respect with every year).
The sound is
adjustable
and
fine-tunable
with the help of
“incremental programming”
by
gradually increasing or decreasing values, without awareness of the different CV values.
- sound to be heard on level track and no load (as per personal desire from “almost nothing” to
full volume);
- how the sound should react to inclines, declines and acceleration events. This allows
for a fast adaptation to changing operating situations (single engine or engine on heavy
goods train);
- when the water drainage sound should be played at start up or the break squeal when
stopping the train;
- how the steam chuffs should overlap each other at high speed (changing to a constant
hiss or still accentuated chuffs);
- and much more.
Loco type selection with CV #265 – current layout for the MX640, SW-Version 1:
(Software and organization of sound will undergo changes over time; CV #265 is not yet final)
CV
Designation
Range
Default Description
#265
Loco type selection
1
2
…
101
102
…
1 or 101
(1 for
steam,
101 for
diesel)
= 0, 100, 200: Reserved for future applications
= 1, 2 … 32: Select among various steam sounds stored
in the decoder, i.e. for loco BR01, BR28,
BR50, etc... Chuff sounds as well as other
sounds (whistle, compressor, bell…) will
be matched.
= 101, 102 … 132: Select among various diesel types.
Operating the sound decoder for the first time (Sound collection “Euro-steam”):
As delivered, the MX640 comes with typical engine sound activated and function-sounds allocated
to function keys:
Function F8
– turns engine sounds on/off,
sounds activated by function keys remain active regardless
(an on/off key can be assigned for these as
well with CV #311, which could also be F8)
.
The sound in case of the MX640 with
“European steam collection”
is of a 2-cylinder engine (the
chuff rate can only be approximate without further tuning) with automated water drainage and brake
squeal as well as some randomly played stationary sound.
The following function sounds are allocated to these
function keys:
F2 – short whistle F9 – compressor
F4 – water drain (blow off…) F10 – generator (also comes on with F0)
F5 – long whistle (playable) F11 – injector
F6 – bell
F7 – coal shoveling or oil burner
F0, F1 and F3 are not allocated for sound by default since they are usually required for other tasks.
The following stationary sounds are allocated to the
random sound generator:
Z1 – compressor Z2 – coal shoveling Z3 – injector
The switch inputs are allocated to the following by default:
S1 – long whistle S2 – nothing S3 – cam sensor
