Digitrax SoundFX SFX004 User manual

SFX004 SoundbugTM Decoder
Plug N’ Play Sound module for HO, N, O
Locomotives
Preloaded with selectable Steam and
Diesel Sound Schemes
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nPlug N’ Play sound module for Digitrax DH165 series decoders
nStationary and under-layout sound
nDigitrax SoundFX®Sound System-Your locomotives will sound like the
real thing with SoundFXTM
Customizable 8 Bit Sound
3 simultaneous voices
Downloadable Sound with Digitrax PR2 and SoundLoader software
4 Megabit Sound Memory
Playable F2/Whistle option with DT400 Throttle
1 Watt Sound Output
Cam input-synchronized steam-chuff option for steam locos
nSmart Power Management-no more booster or programmer shutdowns! No
extra equipment needed to program or run
nProgram CVs using any Digitrax Compatible decoder programmer with-
out having to buy any extra equipment
nDirect Mode Programming
nOperations Mode Programming
nDCC Compatible
nRuns on up to 20V track voltage
nDownload sounds using Digitrax PR2 sound programmer
©2007 Digitrax, Inc www.digitrax.com 1
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HO, N, O and Stationary
SFX004: Plug N’ Play SoundFX® Decoder
With 28mm Speaker & 330uF Capacitor

©2007 Digitrax, Inc www.digitrax.com 2
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Pa ar rt ts sL Li is st t
1 SFX004 Decoder with SoundFX®1 Instruction sheet
2 2/56 x 1/4” mounting screws
Attached 28mm 32 Ohm speaker and 330 uF capacitor
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For additional resources see Digitrax Decoder Manuals for test procedures,
installation instructions, programming and other technical information. Digitrax
manuals and instructions are updated periodically. Please visit
www.digitrax.com for the latest versions, technical updates and additional loco-
motive-specific installation instructions.
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1) Identify the correct orientation and mounting side and of the DH165 series
decoder to plug this sound module into. There is text saying “SFX here”
etc,. The SFX004 must only be mounted from the correct side and orienta-
tion, for each of the DH165 host decoders. For convenience, current pho-
tographs of DH165 series decoders and attached SFX sound Bug units
are shown at the following address: www.digitrax.com/soundbuginstall
2) With correct orientation noted from step 1, align the dual row of SFX004
connector pins to the matching holes in the DH165 host PCB. Apply gentle
and firm pressure behind the SFX004 connector to engage the pins until the
black plastic connector base almost touches the DH165 host PCB. (The first
pin insertion may take slightly more force to engage).
3) Screw in the two 2/56 screws from the DH165 host PCB down through the
SFX004 to ensure the module is retained and parallel to the DH165 host.
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330 uF capacitor and
28mm 32 Ohm speaker
SFX004 8pin Host connector, also showing Speaker and 330uF Capacitor
Figure 1: SFX004 Decoder
8 pin Host connector

©2006 Digitrax, Inc www.digitrax.com 3
4) Mount the attached 28mm speaker in an appropriate sound enclosure. Be
sure to inspect the speaker diaphram for magnetic debris or damage, which
will affect sound quality. Other speakers may be subsitituted in combina-
tions as long as the total impedance on the Orange/Gray wires is 8 ohms or
greater.
5) Mount the 330uF/25V electrolytic energy-storage capacitor. It is often easi-
est to use double-sided tape to locate and secure this capacitor. Be sure not
to short the capacitor case or leads to the track leads or locomotive frame,
or damage to the decoder may result.
6) For Steam units with a synchronization cam capability, connect the White
CAM lead to the cam output connection, and program CV133 to 128 for
external CAM operation.
7) Inspect the installation before testing the sounds and replacing the shell.
Take extra care to inspect that the SFX/SoundBug is clear of any moving
parts such as e.g. flywheels in many of the possible locomotive installa-
tions. In most older units tested, using the DH165A0 and SFX004 combina-
tion, there is typically 1 to 2mm of flywheel clearance, if the Soundbug is
correctly mounted flush and parallel to the host DH165 decoder. Space up
or shim the DH165 series decoder to ensure an adequate separation with no
binding.
8) Connect DCC track power from a compatible DCC system and select the
factory default address 03 to enable SFX sounds for testing
9) Be sure F8 is OFF, and then press F1(bell) or F2 (whistle/horn) ON to hear
these associated sounds.
10) Customize sounds by programming Sound CV’s to adjust the desired con-
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SFX004 installation in Atlas
U33 Diesel with
preexisting DH165 Decoder
Figure 2: SFX004 Placement

©2007 Digitrax, Inc www.digitrax.com 4
figurations, as shown in the following tables of Sound FX CVs. Sound
schemes other than the default Steam (CV60=0) or Diesel (CV60=1)
schemes may be loaded by using a Digitrax PR2 Sound FX Programmer.
Note: For standalone operation without a DH165 series host decoder, DCC
track power may be connected to the two gold ringed pads (see page 10)
with holes that the two 2/56 screws engage on the Soundbug. Do not short
or connect to any other of the 8 pin connector pins.
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The sound project loaded into this decoder may be operated independently of
any other DCC motor or function decoder. If another non-Sound FX com-
patible DCC decoder is connected to the track leads then CV readback of
SFX004 Sound CV’s and PR2 SoundTest modes may not be possible. Note
that it is always possible to Write CV values using Operations mode or a
Service Mode programming track, even if CV Read is inoperative.
If the connected function loads are insufficient for CV readback with a PR2 or
an incompatible DCC decoder is also connected, it is still possible to down-
load a complete sound project by using the large green “program project”
icon. in the SoundLoader program.
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The sound performance of any attached speaker(s) is greatly affected by the
mounting system and required baffle or rear enclosure.
The baffle is used to isolate to speaker diaphragm front sound waves from the
out of phase rear sound waves. This minimises sound cancellation, particularly
at lower frequencies. For most efficient sound generation, the volume of the
baffle should be as large as practically possible, and the baffle walls should be
acoustically rigid so not to allow acoustic interference.
Practical baffle materials are plastic, cardboard and even sheetmetal. Common
items such as cardboard tubes or 35mm film canisters may be modified and
trimmed to create reasonable baffles. Commercial baffles are also available in
many sizes to match many types of speakers, such as a “TDS Enclosure 1.10”
diameter” from Tony’s Train Exchange [1-800-978-3472] unit that will match
the 28mm factory speaker of the SFX004
Most HO or O scale or similar locomotives have limited internal volume within
the shell, so the choice of speaker mounting requires some ingenuity for good
sound performance and volume. An example of a commercial molded baffle in
a ready-to-run locomotive is the Kato HO F40-PH, where the 28mm speaker
clips into an enclosure at the upper rear of the locomotive shell.
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©2007 Digitrax, Inc www.digitrax.com 5
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Your Digitrax SFX004 SoundbugTM is ready to run and will operate and gener-
ate sound using address 03 with no additional programming. On your Digitrax
system, simply select the locomotive’s address and the sound will start. On
some DCC systems, it is necessary to select the locomotive address AND send
a command to start the sounds.
When used in conjunction with a separate DCC motor decoder in a single loco-
motive it is most practical to program both decoders to the same address and
operating modes.
For a more prototypical railroading experience, your decoder can be cus-
tomized for your specific locomotive by programming some of the
Configuration Variables, or CVs, available. Digitrax Sound decoders can be
programmed using either the direct method on a programming track or with the
operations mode using the main line. See the Digitrax Decoder Manual or the
Digitrax web site for more information.
Intial Test and Programming: This decoder is preprogrammed and tested
with a Steam locomotive sound scheme, and is ready to operate on factory
default address 03. Before customizing the decoder it is useful to run it on
the factory default address 03 to check the installation. The following sec-
tions show how to change the locomotive address and customize the
decoder
For more information on decoder installation and programming techniques and
examples visit the www.digitrax.com
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The first CV most people change is the decoders address. This lets you inde-
pendently control each loco with its own unique address. Digitrax decoders are
shipped with CV01 (AD2), the two digit address, set to 03. Following is a brief
description of how to change the decoder address with a Digitrax DT series
throttle. See your Starter Set Manual for complete programming instructions.
1. Place the loco on the programming track or on the main line.
2. Enter the programming mode using your DCC system/throttle. On DT400
press PROG until you see “Pd” if using a programming track or “Po” if
using the main line.
3. Use your throttle to choose the address you want to set up for the decoder.
On the DT400 use the left knob to dial AD2 for two digit programming, use
the right knob to dial up the address, click the right knob to change to AD4
for programming 4 digit addresses.
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