Tsunami2 Digital Sound Decoder. Diesel Manual - part 11

Basic Programming

Tsunami2 Diesel User’s Guide

Sound Configuration Example

The following example details using sound control CVs to customize diesel sound effects to fit
your operating preferences.

Example: Modifying Diesel Sound Effects

This example shows you how to customize sound effects, such as the prime mover, airhorn,
bell, air compressor, coupler, coach door slams, and poppet valve, with the following sound
control CVs:

CV 112: Sound Configuration 1

CV 123: Prime Mover Select

CV 114: Engine Exhaust Control

CV 124: Air Compressor Select

CV 120: Airhorn Select

CV 125: Poppet Valve Select*

CV 121: Alternate Airhorn Select

CV 126: Coupler Select

CV 122: Bell Select

CV 200: Poppet Valve Release Rate

For this example, we’ll start by enabling the emergency stop idle feature, disabling the
low-oil-pressure alarm bell and turning on the auxiliary HEP generator sound effect.

a. Setting bit 1 in CV 112 (Sound Configuration 1) to 0 disables the low-oil-pressure

alarm bell. Setting bit 2 in CV 112 (Sound Configuration 1) to 1 enables the
auxiliary HEP generator sound effect. Bit 0 contains a value of 1 which sets the
engine to idle upon emergency stop.

b. To determine the value for CV 112, add the value of each bit set to 1:

4 + 0 + 1 = 5

c. Enter a value of 5 into CV 112 to enable the emergency stop idle sequence,

disable the automatic low-oil-pressure alarm bell and enable the auxiliary HEP
generator in place of the steam generator mapped to F20 (default).

2. Next, modify the operation of the prime mover with CV 114 by enabling manual notching,

engine interlock, the half-speed dynamic braking mode, and disabling auto-start and
auto-notching:

a. Start by determining the values for manual notching. When manual notching is

enabled, the decoder will not automatically adjust the engine RPM schedule, and
allows you to regulate the prime mover manually with the RPM+ (F5 by default)
and RPM- (F6 by default) functions. Bits 0-3 contain a value from 0 to 15 and are
used to set the auto-notching rate. Setting the auto-notching rate to 0 will enable
manual notching in place of auto-notching.

b. Now determine the value for enabling engine interlock and disabling auto-start.

When engine interlock is enabled without auto-start, the prime mover will not
start when the decoder receives track power and you will be unable to move the
locomotive until the engine RPM are at idle. You must turn on the RPM+ function
(F5 by default) to start the prime mover before being able to move the locomotive
from a stop. Likewise, engine interlock prevents you from shutting off the prime
mover until the locomotive is stopped. Setting bit 4 to 1 enables engine interlock
and setting bit 5 to 0 enables auto-start. Bit 4 contains a value of 16, which will
be added to the value of CV 114.

c. Lastly for CV 114, determine the value for enabling the half-speed dynamic

braking mode. Turning on the dynamic brake function (F4 by default) when the
half-speed dynamic braking mode is selected will automatically set engine RPM
to notch 4 and override the RPM+ and RPM- functions. Turning off the dynamic
brake function will reset engine RPM and return manual notching control. Bits 6-7

Basic Programming

Tsunami2 Diesel User’s Guide

are used for selecting dynamic braking modes. Setting bit 6 to 0 and bit 7 to 1 will
select the half-speed dynamic braking mode. Bit 7 contains a value of 128, which
will be added to the value of CV 114.

d. To determine the value for CV 114, add the value of each bit set to 1:

16 + 128 = 144

e. Enter a value of 144 into CV 114 to enable manual notching, engine interlock,

and the half-speed dynamic braking mode, and disable auto-start and auto-
notching.

3. After adjusting CVs 112 and 114 to modify the operation of the prime mover, select a

different prime mover with CV 123. Entering a value from 0 up to 12 (varies with decoder
model and software release) into CV 123 will select prime movers 1-12. To select prime
mover 4, enter a value of 3 into CV 123.

4. You can select a different airhorn with CV 120. Entering a value from 0 to 43 (varies with

decoder model and software release) into CV 120 will select airhorns 1-44. To select
airhorn 15, enter a value of 14 into CV 120.

5. You can use CV 121 to enable the alternate airhorn. Entering a value from 1 to 44

(varies with decoder model and software release) into CV 121 will select airhorns 1-44
for the alternate airhorn. When an alternate airhorn is selected in CV 121, turning on the
short airhorn function (F3 by default), and then turning on the airhorn function (F2 by
default) will issue the alternate airhorn selection. To select airhorn 1 for the alternate
airhorn, enter a value of 1 into CV 121.

6. You can select different bells and bell ring rates, and enable the grade-crossing bell with

CV 122. Most bell selections (The Graham White Electronic Bell only has one ring rate)
have four ring rate options: slow, medium-slow, medium-fast, and fast. Entering values
from 0 to 49 into CV 122 will select each ring rate for bells 1-13 Adding a value of 128 to
CV 122 will enable the bell selection to ring during the crossing hold countdown, after
Grade-Crossing Logic is activated.

Refer to “Configuring Lighting Outputs” for more

information about Grade-Crossing Logic.

a. A value of 31 will select bell 8 with a fast ring rate for the bell function (F1 by

default), and a value of 128 will trigger the bell when the airhorn is blown for a
grade-crossing. To determine the value of CV 122, add the values together:

31 + 128 = 159

b. To select bell 8 with a fast ring rate for the bell function and enable the grade-

crossing bell feature, enter a value of 159 into CV 122.

7. You can select a different air compressor with CV 124. Entering a value from 0 to 3 into

CV 124 will select air compressors 1-4. To select air compressor 4, enter a value of 3
into CV 124.

8. You can choose a different poppet valve effect with CV 127

. Entering a value of 1 into

CV 127 will select the electronic air dryer option. You will notice a change in the release
rate and sound of the poppet valve effect to replicate that of a more modern air dryer
system.

9. You can adjust the rate of the poppet valve release with CV 200 to simulate more arid or

humid operating environments. Entering a value from 1 to 255 into CV 200 will set the
poppet valve release from the fastest rate to the slowest rate. Enter a value of 150 into
CV 200 to simulate an arid environment.

Not included in software releases prior to version 1.2.

Advanced Programming

Tsunami2 Diesel User’s Guide

Advanced Programming

Configuring Audio Control

Tsunami2 features a high-pass filter and 7-band
equalizer, allowing you to adjust frequency
responses according to your installation. You can
use audio control CVs to fine-tune sound
responses by setting the high-pass filter cutoff
frequency, selecting preset equalizer frequency
responses for a range of speaker sizes,
customizing the cut/boost settings of the
equalizer’s frequency levels, and setting up reverb.
Audio control CVs can also be used to make two
identical installations sound a little different using
prime mover pitch shift*, lending you a bit more
realism.

Prime Mover Pitch Shift*

CV 223 is used to alter the tone and pitch of the prime
mover sound effect. This feature allows you to create
unique sounding locomotives in a consist, all while using
the same prime mover sound selection. This change in
tone and pitch is measured in cents, which describes
the ratio between two very close frequencies. Changing
the value in CV 223 can replicate this effect and give
each of your locomotives their own unique sound.

Entering a value from 1 to 127 into CV 223 will lower the
pitch of the prime mover sound effect. Entering values
between 129 and 255 will increase the pitch of the prime mover effect. A value of 128 has no
effect on the tone or pitch of the prime mover sound.

A great example for how to configure this feature is a consist of 3 EMD F-units. Each locomotive
will be using the “EMD 567 Non-Turbo” sound selection to replicate the chug and whine of these
iconic locomotives. If you were to program CV 223 to a value of 168

in the lead “A” unit, 128

(default)

in the trailing “B” unit and 88 in the rear facing “A” unit, each prime mover exhaust

sound effect will play back at slightly different. This will allow for slight variations in the tone and
pitch between multiple locomotives using the same prime mover selection running together in a
consist.

You can also use CV 223 to adjust the tone of the prime mover to reflect a recently serviced
locomotive or one that has seen thousands of miles of service on your railroad.

Note: Changes to this CV are recommended to be made in increments or decrements of 30-40
as smaller changes can be hard to notice.

Not included in software releases prior to version 1.2.

Audio Control CVs
CVs 161-192: Reverb Mixer
CV 223: Prime Mover Pitch Shift

CV 224: High-Pass Filter Cutoff Frequency
CV 225: Equalizer Control Register
CV 226: 62Hz Cut/Boost
CV 227: 125Hz Cut/Boost
CV 228: 250Hz Cut/Boost
CV 229: 500Hz Cut/Boost
CV 230: 1kHz Cut/Boost
CV 231: 2kHz Cut/Boost
CV 232: 4kHz Cut/Boost
CV 233: Reverb Control Register
CV 234: Reverb Output Level
CV 235: Reverb Delay Time
CV 236: Reverb Feedback Level

CV 223: Prime Mover Pitch Shift

0 = Disabled
1 = -100 cents

↓

127 = -1 cent
128 = No change (default)
129 = +1 cent

↓

255 = +100 cents

Advanced Programming

Tsunami2 Diesel User’s Guide

Adjusting the High-Pass Filter

CV 224 (High-Pass Filter Cutoff Frequency) is used to set the
cutoff frequency of the high-pass output filter.

The audio output of the decoder includes many low (or bass)
frequencies that may not be able to be reproduced by the
speaker(s) in many installations. However, power is still applied
to the speaker, regardless of whether or not the sound can be
heard.

This power has a significant impact on the ‘hold-up’ time of the decoder when it

encounters track power glitches (such as turn-outs and dirty track). You can improve the hold-
up by setting this CV to increasingly higher values. Start with a low value, increasing it until a
change in the audio signal is observed, and then decreasing it by a small percentage (i.e. 10%).

Adjusting the high-

pass filter doesn’t require any modification to the volume settings. Entering a

value from 1 to 255 into CV 224 will adjust the high-pass filter cutoff frequency from 20Hz to
1kHz. A value of 0 will disable the high-pass filter.

About the 7-Band Equalizer

An equalizer, also called an

“EQ,” is similar to what you might use on a home stereo system to

“boost” and “cut” sound levels. Equalizers are typically used to adjust the amplitude of audio
signals at specific frequencies, which can correct the sound response of a device.

If you aren’t

familiar with “dB,” it stands for “decibel,” a logarithmic unit used to measure power or intensity.
In this case, dB is used to measure sound pressure and pertains to frequency response. A
speaker is limited to the lowest frequency that can be reproduced. This is determined primarily
by the size of the speaker. For example, reproducing a low frequency sound at a high volume
requires moving more air, and hence, a larger speaker diaphragm.

Also keep in mind that the electromagnet underneath the speaker-cone will react to even the
deepest bass. This means that a small speaker will still technically respond to low frequency
signals, but you might not be able to hear the sound very well because not enough air is able to
move through the speaker. In this case, though you may be able to hear it better, turning up the
volume isn’t likely to improve the low frequency sound quality, and could cause clipping if the
speaker-cone is being pushed beyond its physical capabilities. Removing the inaudible, low
frequency sound, or “cutting” frequency levels, will allow the speaker to operate within the
limitations of its audio range.

Setting EQ Frequency Levels

CV 225 (Equalizer Control Register) is used primarily for setting the frequency levels of the
equalizer to accommodate a range of speaker sizes. Enter a value from 1 to 4 into CV 225 to
select preset cut/boost levels to match the diameter of your speaker diaphragm

(smaller than 1”

to larg

er than 4”). When CV 225 is set to a value of 7, you can enter values from 0 to 255 into

CVs 226-232 (Cut/Boost Controls)

to adjust the cut/boost of each band’s frequency level from

+12dB to -12dB. CVs 226-232 are set to values of 128 by default, which indicates a flat
response (0dB).

Refer to Table L on the next page to configure EQ Frequency Level CVs 225-232.

Cutoff Frequency Values

0 = Disabled
1 = 20Hz

↓

20 = Default value (100Hz)

↓

255 = 1kHz

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