SoundTraxx DSD-150/DSX Owners Manual - Manual (Page 32)

32 Digital Sound Decoder Owner's Manual
OPERATING THE SOUNDTRAXX DSD
Whew! Now that we’ve installed the DSD and have all the CVs set up, it’s time to run trains! This section is intended
to give you a general feel for how the DSD is used in operation. We had to make a few assumptions on how the DSD
is set up and for the most part, will assume you’ve left most CVs at their default settings, particularly the function key
assignments. If you’ve made a lot of CV changes then your DSD may respond somewhat differently.
At the Roundhouse
Press the F1 and F5 keys on your controller to turn on the firebox flicker. When the engine is first fired up, you’ll hear
the boiler gently simmering away and the airpumps pounding out a steady cadence as the airline builds up pressure.
Once pressure has been built, the pumps will slow down and eventually come to a stop.
Press the F6 key on your controller to turn on the dynamo. What a racket! But unfortunately it’s needed to power the
loco’s lights. Speaking of which, press the F0 key to turn the headlight on.
Our engine’s been sitting around awhile and there’s bound to be some condensation buildup in the cylinders. Press
the F4 key to open up the cylinder cocks and blow out the moisture. Press the F4 key again to close the cocks.
It’s time to couple up the train. Press the F2 key and let off three short blasts of the whistle to let everyone know
you’re backin’ up. What? You don’t remember your whistle signals? Get out of the cab and don’t come back until
you’ve memorized Table F by heart. As the locomotive’s coupler hooks into the train, press the F7 button to activate
the coupler sound. The airpumps are pounding away again as the train line fills with air.
After a few minutes, we’re ready to head out onto the mainline. Now it’s time to try out the DSD’s Dynamic Digital
Exhaust (DDE) processor. If your DCC system uses operations mode program, this is a good time to set in a little
inertia. Set CV 3 and 4 to something around 20-30.
On the Mainline
Press the F2 key and let off two short whistle blasts. Push the throttle forward. As the locomotive grunts out a couple
long exhaust chuffs, train begins to move forward. Push the throttle forward some more (what the heck, turn it all the
way up!) and notice that the train inertia keeps the engine from taking off but the exhaust chuff becomes louder and
more drawn out as the engine struggles with the train weight. As the train builds up speed, back the throttle down to
the desired setting and you’ll notice the exhaust chuff quiets down a bit as the train has stopped accelerating. Back
the throttle down to zero and the exhaust chuff will really get quiet now that the train is just coasting along.
This is the DDE processor in action! The DDE senses the difference between the actual locomotive speed and the
throttle setting, using the information to adjust the volume, cutoff and timbre of the exhaust chuff. If you slowly
accelerate or brake the train the exhaust chuff will remain relatively constant. If you turn the throttle substantially up
or down, you will hear a dramatic change in the exhaust sound until the train speed has reached the new throttle
setting. The DDE works best when there is a reasonable amount of inertia programmed into CVs 3 and 4. With
substantial amounts of inertia, you can even use the throttle as an exhaust volume control. Note also that a rapid
decrease in the throttle will be processed as a hard brake application and the airpumps will pickup again to restore
‘pressure’ in the airline.
Into the Station
We’ve had some fun on the mainline but now we’re nearing the station. Let off a few long and loud whistle blasts to
let everyone know we’re here. As the train slows, press the F3 key to ring the bell and clear the tracks. Bring the train
to a stop and press the F3 again to stop the bell.
After a moment, Fireman Fred will open the firebox doors and shovel a few scoops of coal onto the flames to keep the
boiler ready for the next trip out. Clink! The doors close and it’s time for Fred to take a nap. But he knows better than
to snooze for too long and if you hang around long enough, you’ll hear him get up and grease the valve gear and draft
the firebox. If he lets the boiler get too hot, you’ll even the pop-valves go off. What a noise!
Hey! What’s that other noise? Your spouse is yelling that they’re trying to take a nap too? Uh-oh, press the F8 key to
mute the sound until they’re better rested...