MODEL SOUNDS ShockWave 3 Quick user guide

ShockWave®3 Sound Module
Version 5.0.2 Hardware Reference Manual
Date: July 20, 2019
© Model SoundsTM Inc.

ShockWave®3 5.0.2 Hardware Manual Page 1 of 50 Published: July 20, 2019
© Model SoundsTM Inc.
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ShockWave®3 5.0.2 Hardware Manual Page 2 of 50 Published: July 20, 2019
© Model SoundsTM Inc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 –THE BASICS –GETTING STARTED...................................................................................5
Terminal Block and Connectors H1/H2/H3 Detail ...................................................................................... 5
Mounting the Module................................................................................................................................. 8
Applying Power to the ShockWave 3.......................................................................................................... 8
Removing Power From/To the ShockWave 3............................................................................................. 8
Supply Voltage Considerations ................................................................................................................... 9
Why Do I Have to Wait So Long For The LEDS to Stop Flashing? ............................................................... 9
Correct Switch-On sequence for Transmitter/Receiver/Sound Module.................................................... 9
CHAPTER 2 –THE MICROSD CARD AND .SFX8 FILES ......................................................................... 10
The ShockWave 3 Sound Module’s microSD Card.................................................................................... 10
What is a .sfx8 file? ................................................................................................................................... 10
File Structure On The microSD Card ......................................................................................................... 11
CHAPTER 3 –RADIO COMPATIBILITY ............................................................................................... 11
CHAPTER 4 –WHAT ARE SYSTEM SOUNDS AND THE SYSTEM SOUNDS FILES.................................... 12
Associating System Events with System Sounds ...................................................................................... 12
Switching System Sounds ON and OFF ..................................................................................................... 12
Adjusting the Volume of System Sounds.................................................................................................. 12
CHAPTER 5 –CONNECTING THE SHOCKWAVE 3 MODULE TO YOUR PC ............................................ 13
How to Correctly insert the micro-USB Plug into the micro-USB connector ........................................... 13
Power Up The Transmitter and Receiver First.......................................................................................... 14
Transferring files Between the PC and the ShockWave 3 Sound Module................................................ 15
CHAPTER 6 –HOW TO WIRE THE SHOCKWAVE 3 MODULE .............................................................. 16
Wiring for One Throttle With Receiver Battery........................................................................................ 16
Wiring for One Throttle Without Receiver Battery .................................................................................. 17
Wiring for One Throttle with Auxiliary Battery for Sound Module .......................................................... 17
Wiring For Twin Motors/ESCs With ONE Throttle Channel...................................................................... 19
Wiring For Twin Motors/ESCs With Two Throttle Channels .................................................................... 20
CHAPTER 7 –VOLUME/BALANCE CONTROLS AND EXTERNAL AMPLIFIERS ....................................... 21
Volume Control......................................................................................................................................... 21

ShockWave®3 5.0.2 Hardware Manual Page 3 of 50 Published: July 20, 2019
© Model SoundsTM Inc.
Balance Control......................................................................................................................................... 21
Remote Volume Control –R/C or Wired .................................................................................................. 21
Connecting to An External Amplifier ........................................................................................................ 22
CHAPTER 8 –CALIBRATING THE SHOCKWAVE 3 THROTTLE INPUTS.................................................. 23
Automatic Throttle Setup ......................................................................................................................... 23
Precision Manual Button Throttle Setup .................................................................................................. 23
CHAPTER 9 –HOW TO CONTROL THE SOUNDS ................................................................................ 25
Controlling “Regular” (Non-Engine) Sounds............................................................................................. 25
Using Mechanical Switches or Logic Level Voltage Inputs ....................................................................... 27
Playing Multiple Sounds Simultaneously.................................................................................................. 28
Controlling the Engine Sounds.................................................................................................................. 28
Controlling Engine Sounds with an Analog Input ..................................................................................... 29
Starting Up Jet/Turbofan/Turboprop/Helicopter Sounds ........................................................................ 30
CHAPTER 10 –SPECIAL PROVISONS FOR MODEL TANKS AND HELICOPTERS ..................................... 31
Special Provisions For Model Tanks.......................................................................................................... 31
Special Provisions For Model Helicopters................................................................................................. 32
CHAPTER 11 –SYNCING ENGINE STARTUP/SHUTDOWN SOUNDS TO PROPELLER ROTATION............ 33
E-Z-SyncTM Feature.................................................................................................................................... 33
CHAPTER 12 –HOW TO SYNC MULTIPLE MOTORS TO their STARTUP SOUNDS................................. 36
CHAPTER 13 –WHICH LOUDSPEAKERS TO USE ................................................................................ 37
Loudspeaker Selection.............................................................................................................................. 37
CHAPTER 14 –HOW TO USE THE SWITCHED OUTPUTS..................................................................... 38
DO NOT Switch Inductive Loads ............................................................................................................... 38
Recommended Separate Battery For High Current LEDs or Other Loads ................................................ 39
Switched Outputs for Smoker Fan Control............................................................................................... 40
Use external transistors for INDUCTIVE LOADS OR high currents............................................................ 41
CHAPTER 15 –THE DOPPLERFX FEATURE......................................................................................... 42
Orientation of the 4-Wire Cable Connector ............................................................................................. 42
The Six-Position Mini DIP Switch .............................................................................................................. 42

ShockWave®3 5.0.2 Hardware Manual Page 4 of 50 Published: July 20, 2019
© Model SoundsTM Inc.
CHAPTER 16 –MISCELLANEOUS ...................................................................................................... 44
Updating the Firmware in the ShockWave 3 Module .............................................................................. 44
Setting Low Battery Voltage Alarm Sounds.............................................................................................. 44
What Are The Two Buttons Used For? ..................................................................................................... 44
What Do The LEDs Mean? ........................................................................................................................ 45
Where Are Hardware Settings Stored?..................................................................................................... 46
CHAPTER 17 –TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ..................................................................................... 47
TABLE OF FIGURES
Figure 1: ShockWave 3 Sound Module Layout ........................................................................................... 5
Figure 2: Wiring for Single Throttle with Separate Receiver Battery ....................................................... 16
Figure 3: Wiring for Single Throttle Using ESC BEC................................................................................... 17
Figure 4: Wiring for Separate Receiver Battery and Separate Sound Module Battery............................ 18
Figure 5: Wiring for Twin Motors/ESCs With One Throttle Channel........................................................ 19
Figure 6: Wiring for Twin Motors/ESCs With Two Throttle Channels ...................................................... 20
Figure 7: Example Wiring for Switched Outputs....................................................................................... 39
Figure 8: External P-Channel MOSFET Transistor For Switching Inductive Loads Or High Currents........ 41
Figure 9: Diagram of six-position mini DIP Switch.................................................................................... 43
MAKE A BACKUP OF THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THE MICROSD CARD USING THE INCLUDED MICROSD
TO STANDARD SD ADAPTOR, OR A USB MICROSD CARD READER ON YOUR COMPUTER BEFORE YOU
DO ANYTHING!
MAKING A BACKUP SIMPLY MEANS COPYING ALL THE FILES AND FOLDERS ON THE MICROSD CARD
TO PREFERRABLY TWO STORAGE DEVICES. REMEMBER WHERE YOU PUT THE BACKUPS!

ShockWave®3 5.0.2 Hardware Manual Page 5 of 50 Published: July 20, 2019
© Model SoundsTM Inc.
CHAPTER 1 –THE BASICS –GETTING STARTED
Figure 1: ShockWave 3 Sound Module Layout
Power supply input and loudspeaker connections are made through the blue terminal block TB1. All
R/C receiver inputs for throttles and sound select are at Header 1. Optional throttle outputs, Switched
Outputs and audio line outputs are at Header 2. In order to hear sound from the loudspeaker, 4.5 –26
Volts 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/H3 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
Throttle
Outputs 3 and 4
6-Position
Switch for
DopplerFX Control
and other options

ShockWave®3 5.0.2 Hardware Manual Page 6 of 50 Published: July 20, 2019
© 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 4.5 Volts –26 Volts
Do NOT reverse Battery
leads!!
2,3
SPKR
Loudspeaker - Do NOT use less than 8 Ohms
on voltages above 14.4 Volts. 4 Ohms is OK
on 4.5 - 14.4 Volts.
Loudspeaker leads are
reversible.
4
++VE
Main Battery positive 4.5 Volts –26 Volts
Do NOT reverse Battery
leads!!
Pin
Numbers
Board
Legend
Function
Notes
1, 2, 3
SW 3/4
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
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
Throttle2 signal output. Pin 7 is GND, 8 is
receiver power, 9 is THT2_O signal.
Receiver power is on pin 8.
Used for Multi-Sync feature.
10, 11, 12
THT1_O
Throttle1 signal output. Pin 10 is GND, 11 is
receiver power, 12 is THT1_O signal.
Receiver power is on pin 11.
Used for Multi-Sync feature.
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 5.0.2 Hardware Manual Page 7 of 50 Published: July 20, 2019
© Model SoundsTM Inc.
HEADER 3 Detail
THT4-O THT3-O
NOTES :
1. LEDs for guns or other switched loads can be connected between their Switch 1/2 terminals 4, 6 or
Switch 3/4 terminals 1, 3 and any secondary positive power supply up to a maximum of 30 Volts.
DO NOT connect the external LED battery +VE supply to any pin on the sound module.
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.
The H2 THT1_O/THT2_O and H3 THT3_O/THT4_O pins are outputs and can optionally be used for
the Multi-Engine Sync. feature. These outputs are internally generated and are processed for
special effects, in particular, synchronizing these throttle outputs with engine startup and
shutdown sounds.
Pin
Numbers
Board
Legend
Function
Notes
1, 3, 5
THT4-O
Throttle Output 4. Pin 5 is GND,
3 is receiver power, 1 is THT4-O Output.
Receiver power is on pin 3.
Used for Multi-Sync feature.
2, 4, 6
THT3-O
Throttle Output 3. Pin 6 is GND,
4 is receiver power, 2 is THT3-O Output.
Receiver power is on pin 4.
Used for Multi-Sync feature.

ShockWave®3 5.0.2 Hardware Manual Page 8 of 50 Published: July 20, 2019
© Model SoundsTM Inc.
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
18 Volts. The module will get warm on 12 Volts and quite hot on 24 Volts 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.
APPLYING POWER TO THE SHOCKWAVE 3
The ShockWave 3 module’s low-level circuitry can be powered using two methods.
1. From the R/C 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/TO 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.

ShockWave®3 5.0.2 Hardware Manual Page 9 of 50 Published: July 20, 2019
© Model SoundsTM Inc.
SUPPLY VOLTAGE CONSIDERATIONS
The minimum supply voltage for the power amplifier is 4.5 Volts. The 26 Volts maximum must not be
exceeded. A 6S LiPo flight pack will give out a nominal voltage of 6 x 3.7V = 22.2 Volts, but close to
26 Volts when fully charged. Be aware that output power changes with the square of the supply
voltage, so 1/2 the supply voltage results in 1/4 the output power for any given loudspeaker
impedance. At lower supply voltages the volume control should be turned down to avoid distortion
due to overdriving the audio amplifier.
The single channel audio amplifier to drive the loudspeaker is powered from the main terminal block
terminals 1 and 4. It will play a mix of the left and right audio channels.
WHY DO I HAVE TO WAIT SO LONG FOR THE LEDS TO STOP FLASHING?
During the initialization period when the red/green LEDS are flashing rapidly alternately, the sound
module is waiting for the receiver to stabilize and produce valid output signals. The default wait period
is 6 seconds but can be set to between 3 and 20 seconds using the ShockWave 3 PC Control Panel-
>Hardware Tab or the new HardwareSettings.txt file. This is because some receivers can take a long
time to stabilize. If your receiver stabilizes much faster, you can reduce this wait time down to as short
as 3 seconds. Also, the wait period is to allow the accessory GNSS receiver supporting the DopplerFX
feature, if used, to power up and start outputting valid signals.
CORRECT SWITCH-ON SEQUENCE FOR TRANSMITTER/RECEIVER/SOUND MODULE
The radio transmitter should ALWAYS be switched on before the receiver. Some receivers give out
invalid signals when the transmitter is not switched on. If the sound module is connected to the
receiver and is switched on before the transmitter, some sounds may start playing.
In this case, switch off the receiver and sound module, switch on the transmitter FIRST and THEN
power up the receiver and sound module.