Transcript Training - Mr. DCC's University | Bruce Petrarca

Mr. DCC’s University
Getting the most out of your Tsunami
Presented by Bruce Petrarca
Copyright 2010 © Bruce Petrarca, All Rights Reserved
Litchfield Station
Founded by Bruce in 2001
 Sold in the spring of 2010
 At that time, it was:

– The largest volume SoundTraxx dealer in the world
– The second largest SoundTraxx and Blackstone dealer
in the world, behind Caboose Hobbies
– Second to Walthers in Digitrax volume worldwide
– The largest direct-ordering NCE dealer in the world
Mr. DCC continues…
Bruce still holds the tradename
 The technical data is on a new web site:
www.MrDCCU.com
 Bruce doesn’t make anything off Litchfield
Station sales, but is available for:

– DCC & layout consulting
– Specialized installations
– Clinics and talks
Tsunami

The SoundTraxx Tsunami decoder has set
the standard for DCC sound.

While it is optimized to run on DCC,
it will also function on DC.

Here are some things to bring it to life:
Customizing your loco

With many sound decoders every loco of a
specific style sounds the same.

Tsunamis have so many user adjustable
features that you can have several locos
with the same sound set in them and they
all sound different.
Two basic versions of Tsunami
Steam sound set
 Diesel sound set

Within these two groups there are many different
packages, for example:
• TSU-1000
• TSU-AT1000
Use DecoderPro!
Hundreds of CVs set the personality
 Many have individual bits to set items
 Manual setting requires

– Remembering which CV does what
– Tedious calculations
Slow Speed Tuning

One of the main complaints about Tsunami motor
performance is on the low end:
– Jerky starts
– Running too fast at the first speed steps



Fine tuning the motor control CVs will usually
fix these issues
It is an iterative process,
but it is well worth the time
Step-by-step in FAQs on my web site
CLICK HERE for details
Momentum

Tsunami uses the BEMF of the motor to
decide on sounds

Most sounds work better with momentum
– Steam CV 3 & 4 = 20 to 40 or MORE
– Diesel CV 3 & 4 = 10 to 20
– Try CV 3 twice CV4,
still sounds good and stops quicker
Speed Matching to other locos

Theoretically DCC allows you to speed match
locos with different decoders, but
– Sound decoders have varying start delays
– Manufacturers have varying constants
– Makes matching to other decoders tough

SoundTraxx has just released motor decoders in
the $25 range that have the same operational
characteristics as the sound Tsunamis – IDEAL
for locos to consist with Tsunami equipped locos
Mixing Board

The Tsunami decoder contains a
full “mixing board” –
just like a recording studio

The user can adjust the level of every one
of the up to 22 sounds individually

Here is where DecoderPro helps
Event Probability

Adjust how often an event happens - steam

“Static” events only occur when speed = 0

You can also set automatic sounds - both

Again DecoderPro to the rescue
Custom Bell Sounds

The Tsunami has one bell sound – selected
to represent the most common sound
associated with the prime mover

You can adjust volume – DOWN

You can adjust ring rate – SLOWER
Whistle & Horn

Some steamers (#4449) have both whistle
and air-horn

The Heavy Steam Tsunami does this

When set up, F3 switches between the two
Selecting the Whistle or Horn

Tsunami decoders have up to 16 choices

Selected to be appropriate for basic sound

Easy to do in DecoderPro
Steam Chuff

The Tsunami comes in “Auto Chuff” mode

Synchronize the chuff rate when the
wheels are turning 1 RPS using CV 116

Cam input allows EXACT chuff rate –
difficult to do on many locos
Articulated Steam

The Tsunami does an amazing job

Set the chuff rate in the single mode

Then activate “Articulated” and adjust the
slip rate
Motor Recovery Speed

With the diesel Tsunami, you can choose
whether the loco sound starts over after a
power interruption or continues as it was.
–
–
–
–

CV 118 = 0 – start over – same as steam
CV 118 = 1 to 127 start at speed step
CV 118 = 128 to 255 start at % of speed
CV 118 default 204
Can affect the momentum reaction
Braking – F11

F11 on = brakes applied

Adjust braking time with CV 61
– CV 61 = 0 to 127 adds to braking time
– CV 61 = 128 to 255 subtracts

I like to use 129 – see DecoderPro page
Dynamic Brakes

Different prime movers react to Dynamic
Brakes differently:
– Drops to Run 1 – mostly EMD
– Drops to Run 4 – many SP
– Goes to Run 8 – ALCO

The Tsunami allows you to select which
reaction you want
Manual Operation

You can let the diesel Tsunami set the
sounds as it likes, or you can do it
yourself:
–
–
–
–
–
Prime mover only starts when you throttle up
Manual control of air compressor
Manual control of radiator fan
Manual control of dynamic brake fans
Manual Notching of prime mover
Graphic Equalizer

A 7 band graphic equalizer to help match
the output to the speaker used

Presets for most standard speaker sizes

Try one on each side of the speaker you
use – carefully! Check horn for distortion.
Reverb

User adjustable reverb is available

Shipped disabled

I like to at least add
“additional reverb for whistle”
Multiple Prime Movers



Some diesels have multiple prime movers:
EMD E-units & DD40AX; ALCO DL
Tsunami can sound like two prime movers
Use reverb CVs to create this effect:
–
–
–
–
–
CV 161 = 7 (user adjustable)
CV 162 = 255 (reverb output level)
CV 163 = 255 (reverb delay)
CV164 = 0 (reverb gain)
CV 171 = 255 (engine exhaust reverb level)
Other topics

DDE
how your loco labors up a grade

DC operation
a different set of optimizations
Sources of Information

Manufacturer’s web site
http://www.soundtraxx.com/

FAQs on my web site:
http://www.mrdccu.com/curriculum/soundtraxx/tsunami.htm

Manuals
– available on CD from SoundTraxx dealers
– http://www.soundtraxx.com/manuals.php
Mr. DCC’s University
Questions and comments
Mr. DCC is available for
DCC installations and consultation
623-640-4060
More information on the web site:
www.MrDCCU.com