MODEL SOUNDS ShockWave 3 Quick user guide

ShockWave®3 Sound Module
Version 5.1.1 Hardware Reference Manual
For ShockWave 3 Rev. 08 boards
Date: January 20, 2021
© Model SoundsTM Inc.

ShockWave®3 5.1.1 Rev. 08 Hardware Manual Page 1 of 59 Published: January 20, 2021
© Model SoundsTM Inc.
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ShockWave®3 5.1.1 Rev. 08 Hardware Manual Page 2 of 59 Published: January 20, 2021
© Model SoundsTM Inc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 –THE BASICS –GETTING STARTED .......................................................................................... 6
Terminal Block and Connectors H1/H2 Detail........................................................................................ 6
HEADER 1 Detail –Use Male-Male or Male-Male-Female Servo Leads......................................... 7
Terminal Block TB1 Detail –Use 22AWG solid core wire............................................................... 7
HEADER 2 Detail.............................................................................................................................. 7
Mounting the Module............................................................................................................................. 8
What Battery Capacity Do I Need? ......................................................................................................... 8
Applying Power to the ShockWave 3...................................................................................................... 9
Removing Power From the ShockWave 3 .............................................................................................. 9
Supply Voltage Considerations ............................................................................................................. 10
Basic Hardware Settings ....................................................................................................................... 10
Why Do I Have to Wait So Long For The LEDS to Stop Flashing? ......................................................... 10
Correct Switch-On sequence for Transmitter/Receiver/Sound Module.............................................. 10
CHAPTER 2 –RADIO COMPATIBILITY........................................................................................................ 11
Use RC Industry Standard PWM Receivers........................................................................................... 11
Telemetry And Some Gyro Stabilized Receivers May Cause Problems................................................ 11
You May Have to Adjust the Startup Delay Period............................................................................... 12
Pistol Grip Radios Not Recommended.................................................................................................. 12
CHAPTER 3 –HOW TO WIRE THE SHOCKWAVE 3 MODULE..................................................................... 13
Wiring for One Throttle With Receiver Battery.................................................................................... 13
Wiring for One Throttle Without Receiver Battery .............................................................................. 14
Wiring For Twin Motors/ESCs With ONE Throttle Channel.................................................................. 15
Wiring For Twin Motors/ESCs With Two Throttle Channels ................................................................ 16
CHAPTER 4 –HOW TO SELECT THE SOUND SET FOR YOUR OWN MODEL............................................... 17
The ShockWave 3 Sound Module’s microSD Card................................................................................ 17
What is a Sound Set (.sfx8) File?........................................................................................................... 17

ShockWave®3 5.1.1 Rev. 08 Hardware Manual Page 3 of 59 Published: January 20, 2021
© Model SoundsTM Inc.
Selecting The Sound Set for Your Model .............................................................................................. 18
Selecting a Sound Set by Editing the SELECT_YOUR_SOUNDSET_HERE.txt File .......................... 18
Introducing Scroll Through Mode to Select Your Sound Set ........................................................ 19
How to Use On-Board Button Operated Scroll through Mode .................................................... 20
How to Use RC Remote Scroll Through Mode.............................................................................. 20
CHAPTER 5 –WHAT ARE SYSTEM SOUNDS AND THE SYSTEM SOUNDS FILE........................................... 21
Switching The Initial Voice Announcement ON and OFF...................................................................... 21
CHAPTER 6 –HOW TO CONFIGURE YOUR SOUND MODULE REMOTELY................................................. 22
Initiating Remote Configuration Mode................................................................................................. 22
Remote Scroll Through Mode............................................................................................................... 22
Remote E-Z-Sync................................................................................................................................... 23
CHAPTER 7 –CONNECTING THE SHOCKWAVE 3 MODULE TO YOUR PC.................................................. 24
How to Correctly insert the micro-USB Plug into the micro-USB connector ....................................... 24
Power Up The Transmitter and Receiver First...................................................................................... 25
Transferring files Between the PC and the ShockWave 3 Sound Module............................................ 25
CHAPTER 8 –VOLUME/BALANCE CONTROLS AND EXTERNAL AMPLIFIERS............................................. 26
Volume Control..................................................................................................................................... 26
Balance Control..................................................................................................................................... 26
Remote Volume Control –RC or Wired................................................................................................ 26
Connecting to An External Amplifier .................................................................................................... 27
CHAPTER 9 –CALIBRATING THE SHOCKWAVE 3 THROTTLE INPUTS........................................................ 28
Automatic Throttle Setup ..................................................................................................................... 28
Voice Assisted Precision Manual Button Throttle Setup...................................................................... 28
CHAPTER 10 –HOW TO CONTROL THE SOUNDS...................................................................................... 30
Controlling the Engine Sounds.............................................................................................................. 30
Changing Engine Sound Volume With Throttle Position...................................................................... 32
Controlling Engine Sounds with an Analog Input ................................................................................. 32
Starting Up Jet/Turbofan/Turboprop/Helicopter Sounds .................................................................... 33
Controlling “Regular” (Non-Engine) Sounds......................................................................................... 34

ShockWave®3 5.1.1 Rev. 08 Hardware Manual Page 4 of 59 Published: January 20, 2021
© Model SoundsTM Inc.
“Switched RC 1xN” Mode: One transmitter ON/OFF channel is used to switch N sounds.......... 34
“Switched RC 1x1” Mode : One transmitter ON/OFF channel is used to switch 1 sound............ 35
“Proportional RC” Mode: One proportional channel is used to switch four sounds on/off” ...... 35
3-Position Switch .......................................................................................................................... 36
Using SOUND1/2/3 Inputs and The Offset # ................................................................................ 36
Using Mechanical Switches or Logic Level Voltage Inputs ................................................................... 36
Playing Multiple Sounds Simultaneously.............................................................................................. 37
CHAPTER 11 –SPECIAL PROVISONS FOR MODEL TANKS AND HELICOPTERS .......................................... 38
Special Provisions For Model Tanks...................................................................................................... 38
Special Provisions For Model Helicopters............................................................................................. 39
CHAPTER 12 –SYNCING ENGINE STARTUP/SHUTDOWN SOUNDS TO PROPELLER ROTATION ............... 40
How to use E-Z-Sync MODE 1 (using throttle stick movement to start-up engine sound).......... 40
How to use E-Z-Sync MODE 2 (using separate switched RC channel to start engine sound) ...... 41
CHAPTER 13 –WHICH LOUDSPEAKERS TO USE........................................................................................ 42
Loudspeaker Selection.......................................................................................................................... 42
CHAPTER 14 –HOW TO USE THE SWITCHED OUTPUTS ........................................................................... 43
DO NOT Switch Inductive Loads ........................................................................................................... 43
Recommended Separate Battery For High Current LEDs or Other Loads ............................................ 44
Switched Outputs for Smoker Fan Control........................................................................................... 45
Use external transistors for INDUCTIVE LOADS OR high currents........................................................ 46
CHAPTER 15 –HOW TO USE AFTERBURNER LED LIGHT SETS WITH THE SHOCKWAVE 3 ....................... 47
Use Header 2 (H2) for Afterburner LED Connections........................................................................... 48
Setting the Throttle Position for Afterburner Sound............................................................................ 48
CHAPTER 16 –HOW TO USE THE TWO PUSH BUTTONS .......................................................................... 49
Button1 Functions......................................................................................................................... 49
Button2 Functions......................................................................................................................... 50

ShockWave®3 5.1.1 Rev. 08 Hardware Manual Page 5 of 59 Published: January 20, 2021
© Model SoundsTM Inc.
CHAPTER 17 –THE DOPPLERFX FEATURE................................................................................................. 51
Orientation of the 4-Wire Cable Connector On ShockWave 3 Board .................................................. 51
The DopplerFXSettings.txt File On The MicroSD Card.......................................................................... 52
DopplerFXSettings.txt File Default Contents ................................................................................ 52
CHAPTER 18 –HARDWARE SETTINGS....................................................................................................... 53
BasicHardwareSettings.txt file default contents .................................................................................. 54
CHAPTER 19 –MISCELLANEOUS............................................................................................................... 55
Updating the Firmware in the ShockWave 3 Module .......................................................................... 55
Setting Low Battery Voltage Alarm Sounds.......................................................................................... 55
What Do The LEDs Mean? .................................................................................................................... 56
CHAPTER 20 –TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................................. 57
MAKE A BACKUP OF THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THE MICROSD CARD USING THE INCLUDED
USB MICROSD CARD READER ON YOUR COMPUTER, BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING ELSE!
MAKING A BACKUP SIMPLY MEANS COPYING ALL THE FILES AND FOLDERS ON THE MICROSD CARD
TO PREFERRABLY TWO STORAGE DEVICES, EITHER INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL.
REMEMBER WHERE YOU PUT THE BACKUPS!

ShockWave®3 5.1.1 Rev. 08 Hardware Manual Page 6 of 59 Published: January 20, 2021
© Model SoundsTM Inc.
CHAPTER 1 –THE BASICS –GETTING STARTED
Figure 1: ShockWave 3 Rev. 08 Sound Module Layout
Power supply input and loudspeaker connections are made through the blue terminal block TB1.
All RC receiver inputs for throttles and sound select are at Header 1. Switched Outputs, and audio line
outputs are at Header 2. In order to hear sound from the loudspeaker, 4.5 –26Volts power must be on
the main terminal block terminals 1 and 4.
Recommended gauge for loudspeaker and battery wire is 22AWG solid core.
TERMINAL BLOCK AND CONNECTORS H1/H2 DETAIL
Header 1 (Inputs)
Header 2 (Outputs)
LEDS
Terminal Block
For Power and
Loudspeaker
Volume Control
MicroSD Card Slot
Micro-USB Port
Balance Control
BUTTON 1
BUTTON 2
Accessory
Socket SCKT3
These Pins
are Unused
6-Position
Switch.
Unused in
This Release

ShockWave®3 5.1.1 Rev. 08 Hardware Manual Page 7 of 59 Published: January 20, 2021
© Model SoundsTM Inc.
HEADER 1 Detail –Use Male-Male or Male-Male-Female Servo Leads
Pin
Numbers
Board
Legend
Function
Notes
1, 2, 3
SOUND3
Sound Select3 signal in from receiver. Pin 1 is GND,
2 is receiver power, 3 is Sound Select3 signal.
Receiver power is on pin 2
4, 5, 6
SOUND2
Sound Select2 signal in from receiver. Pin 4 is GND,
5 is receiver power, 6 is Sound Select2 signal.
Receiver power is on pin 5
7, 8, 9
SOUND1
Sound Select1 signal in from receiver. Pin 7 is GND,
8 is receiver power, 9 is Sound Select1 signal.
Receiver power is on pin 8
10, 11, 12
THTTL2
Throttle2 signal input from receiver. Pin 10 is GND,
11 is receiver power, 12 is Throttle2 signal.
Receiver power is on pin 11
13, 14, 15
THTTL1
Throttle1 signal input from receiver. Pin 13 is GND,
14 is receiver power, 15 is Throttle1 signal.
Receiver power is on pin 14
Terminal Block TB1 Detail –Use 22AWG solid core wire
HEADER 2 Detail
Pin
Numbers
Board
Legend
Function
Notes
1
--VE
Main Battery negative 4.5Volts –26Volts
Do NOT reverse Battery
leads!!
2,3
SPKR
Loudspeaker - Do NOT use less than 8 Ohms
on voltages above 14.4Volts. 4 Ohms is OK
on 4.5 - 14.4Volts.
Loudspeaker leads are
reversible.
4
++VE
Main Battery positive 4.5Volts –26Volts
Do NOT reverse Battery
leads!!
Pin
Numbers
Board
Legend
Function
Notes
1, 2, 3
SW 3/4
LED Switched Outputs 3/4. Pin 1 is SWITCH4,
2 is RECEIVER POWER, 3 is SWITCH3.
Receiver power is on pin 2.
4, 5, 6
SW 1/2
LED Switched Outputs 1/2. Pin 4 is SWITCH2,
5 is RECEIVER POWER, 6 is SWITCH1.
Receiver power is on pin 5.
7, 8, 9
THT2_O
Unused –reserved for future use.
DO NOT CONNECT.
Receiver power is on pin 8.
For Future Use.
10, 11, 12
THT1_O
Auxiliary Output Signal. Pin 10 is GND,
Pin 11 is receiver power, Pin 12 is AUXOP.
Throttle Output for an
afterburner LED controller.
Receiver power is on pin 11.
13, 14, 15
AUDIO
Line level Audio Out signals –1.0V RMS.
13 is GND, 14, is Left Signal, 15 is Right Signal.
Used to feed external
amplifier(s).

ShockWave®3 5.1.1 Rev. 08 Hardware Manual Page 8 of 59 Published: January 20, 2021
© Model SoundsTM Inc.
NOTES :
1. LEDs for guns, afterburner lights or other switched loads can be connected between their Switch
1/2 terminals 4, 6 or Switch 3/4 terminals 1, 3 and any external positive power supply up to a
maximum of 30 Volts. DO NOT exceed 1A on each output or 4 Amps total for all switched outputs.
2. The supplied male –male –female Y servo leads for Throttle and male –male Sound Select inputs
are Futaba style colours (black, red, white), but with JR style male plugs for maximum flexibility.
The black wire is always the GND, 0V or –VE connection and should always be inserted towards
the outside of the receiver case and towards the board of the sound module.
3. The SPKR terminals MUST NOT be connected to anything other than the appropriate loudspeaker
for the supply voltage used.
4. The ShockWave 3 sound module receives its power from the receiver battery through the THTTL1/2
or SOUND1/2/3 servo leads. The ESC(s) should be connected to the receiver throttle output(s) using
the supplied male-male-female Y servo lead.
MOUNTING THE MODULE
Mount the module using screws through the three mounting holes and the attached spacers on the
underside of the board. Do not screw down the board if any of the three spacers are missing.
There are parts underneath the boards and the board may crack if you apply screw pressure without
the spacers present.
Mount the module where good air circulation can take place, especially when operating it above
18Volts. The module will get warm on 12Volts / 3S and quite hot on 24Volts / 6S if operated
continuously when playing sounds. Do not be overly concerned. The output amplifier is thermally
protected and will shut down if it gets too hot.
WHAT BATTERY CAPACITY DO I NEED?
The sound module will draw 1-2 Amps (2000mA) of current. Therefore, if using a separate sound
system battery, a capacity of 1000mAH will suffice for at least a 30-60 minute run time.
If using the same battery as your motor(s) then use a slightly larger capacity battery to maintain the
same run time.

ShockWave®3 5.1.1 Rev. 08 Hardware Manual Page 9 of 59 Published: January 20, 2021
© Model SoundsTM Inc.
APPLYING POWER TO THE SHOCKWAVE 3
The ShockWave 3 module’s low-level circuitry can be powered using two methods.
1. From the RC receiver through the THTTL1/2 or SOUND1/2/3 cables.
2. From the USB port when connected to a PC.
In addition, the audio power amplifier is powered from the Blue terminal block on the module.
Either of the first two methods will power the low-level circuitry and make the sound module
functional. Audio line output signals are available through the line output pins on Header 2.
However, if you want to hear sound from the sound module’s internal power amplifier you must have
power applied to the Blue terminal block as well as low-level power from methods 1 or 2.
If USB power is not connected, you must have receiver power applied through the THTTL1/2 or
SOUND1/2/3 cables, in addition to power supplied to the Blue terminal block.
REMOVING POWER FROM THE SHOCKWAVE 3
Because of large storage capacitors on-board the ShockWave 3 sound module, when power is
removed from the blue terminal block it may take as long as 20 seconds for the voltage at the
terminals to discharge to close to zero. Be careful not to short the power leads when they are
disconnected from the battery.