TCS WOWSound CV 201 Operating instructions

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Steam
Programming Guide
For Version 4
6-13-2016
This manual covers the setup and configuration of the Sound Components of the Version 4
WOWSound Steam decoder. All NMRA, Lighting and Motor Control programming are covered
in the TCS Comprehensive Programming Guide available for download at:
www.tcsdcc.com

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Table of Contents
Version Number............................................................................................................................................ 5
Audio AssistTM ................................................................................................................. 5
4 CV Programming Overview ........................................................................................................................ 6
4 CV Write Operation.................................................................................................................................... 7
4 CV Read Operation..................................................................................................................................... 7
Prototype Mode vs. Traditional Mode.......................................................................................................... 8
Calibrated Prototype Mode ...................................................................................................................... 8
Calibrating Prototype Mode using Audio Assist ....................................................................................... 8
Manually Adjusting the Calibration for Prototype Mode ......................................................................... 9
BEMF Change Time ....................................................................................................................................... 9
BEMF Low Calibration................................................................................................................................... 9
BEMF High Calibration ................................................................................................................................ 10
Cylinder Cocks Shut Off Speed Step............................................................................................................10
Random Sound 1 Frequency .......................................................................................................................10
Random Sound 2 Frequency .......................................................................................................................11
Random Sound 3 Frequency .......................................................................................................................11
Random Sound 4 Frequency .......................................................................................................................11
Random Sound Overall Timer ..................................................................................................................... 11
Random Sound Cutout Speed..................................................................................................................... 12
Whistle Set ...................................................................................................................... 12
Proto-Chuff Start Speed Step...................................................................................................................... 12
Global Volume ................................................................................................................ 13
Steam Locomotive Type .................................................................................................. 13
Automatic Sounds.......................................................................................................................................14
Brake Grinding Sound Start Speed..............................................................................................................14
Dual Mode Functions (Light & Sound Mode).............................................................................................. 15
Chuff Rate Adjustment ................................................................................................... 15

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Chuff Timing –Individual Speed Step ......................................................................................................... 16
Rod Clank Set .............................................................................................................................................. 16
Cylinder Cocks Auto Turn On Time ............................................................................................................. 16
User Options ...............................................................................................................................................17
Articulated Chuff Slip Rate..........................................................................................................................17
Audio Auto Shutoff Time ............................................................................................................................ 18
Minimum Chuff Volume.............................................................................................................................. 18
Rotate Bell Pointer......................................................................................................................................18
Active Whistle Quill..................................................................................................................................... 19
Cylinder Cocks Set ............................................................................................................. 19
Active Idling Sound ........................................................................................................... 19
Chuff Volume Velocity Adjustment.............................................................................................................20
Chuff Volume Forward Trim .......................................................................................................................20
Chuff Volume Reverse Trim ........................................................................................................................ 20
Rod Clank Volume Adjustments from BEMF ..............................................................................................21
Rod Clank Volume Adjustments from Velocity........................................................................................... 21
Rod Clank Cutout Speed ............................................................................................................................. 21
Throttle Mode.............................................................................................................................................22
Switching Momentum Acceleration ...........................................................................................................22
Switching Momentum Deceleration........................................................................................................... 22
Mainline Momentum Acceleration.............................................................................................................23
Mainline Momentum Deceleration ............................................................................................................ 23
Sound Type Volume ........................................................................................................ 23
Re-Map Sounds to Function Buttons ..........................................................................................................24
Individual Sound Volumes .............................................................................................. 24
Resets and Presets ...................................................................................................................................... 25
WOWSound Brake Operation.................................................................................................................25
Using a CAM (Optional)........................................................................................................................... 26

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If the logo appears after a title, that function is adjustable using Audio
AssistTM. It is recommended and easier to adjust these features using .
NOTE: Please view our instructional video about on our website.

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Version Number
The WOWSound Version Number can be found by reading the value in CV 248. This is necessary when
looking up information in the TCS WOWSound section of our website.
Audio AssistTM
is an auditory feedback, main line configuration tool that allows for quick and easy
set-up of nearly all the sound functionality.
To enter , stop your locomotive on an operational track and press function button 8 in
rapid succession 4 times. The decoder will start talking to you giving you a menu similar to a
telephone answering machine. Just follow the verbal instructions to adjust or remap many of
the sound options. When you have made a selection press 8 to save each selection and then
press 0 to get “Goodbye” and exit.
NOTE: Please view our instructional video about on our website.

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4 CV Programming Overview
All NMRA, Light and motor control CV are the same as in the TCS Standard line of decoders and can be
found in the TCS Comprehensive Programming Guide downloadable from the TCS website. TCS uses 4
indexed CV’s to program the sound features found in the WOWSound decoder line.
By using CV 201, CV202, CV203 and CV204 to adjust sound features, TCS is able to include thousands of
different possibilities with the WOWSound decoders. What each of the 4 CV’s represents in described in
the following Table 1.
Table 1
Action
CV 201
CV 202
CV 203
CV 204
Assign Sounds to
Buttons
1
Button #
Sound # High *
Sound # Low *
Individual Volume
Change
2
Volume Level ***
Sound # High *
Sound # Low *
Chuff Timing
3
Speed Step
Course
Adjustment
Fine Adjustment
Sound CV Change
4
CV#
CV Value High *
CV Value Low *
Factory Reset
5
None
None
Type of Reset
(2-10)**
Sound Type
Volume
6
Volume Level ***
Type # High *
Type # Low *
* Found in “List of Sounds” in the WOWSound section on our website
** Found in Factory Resets (see Table 2 below)
*** Found in “Sound Types” in the WOWSound section on our website
NOTE: Visit the WOWSound section of the TCS website for instructional videos, calculators and a list
of sound CV’s.
Table 2 ** Factory Resets
Value
Reset Actions
2
All Decoder Settings (Motor, Light Sound)
3
Sound Button Mappings
4
Individual Volumes
5
Chuff Timing
6
Sound CV’s
7
Sound Type Volumes
8
Loads Preset #1 (ver 3+ only)
9
Loads Preset #2 (ver 3+ only)
10
Loads Preset #3 (ver 3+ only)
NOTE: CV’s 201, 202, 203 must be set before CV 204 is written. The Full programming operation takes
place ONLY when CV 204 has been programmed.

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4 CV Write Operation
1. Determine the type of programming action you wish to perform and enter the corresponding value
from Table 1 in CV 201.
(Example: Assigning a sound to a button enter a value of 1 into CV 201)
2. If you are looking to perform any operation besides a factory reset enter the value of the specific field
you are operating on into CV 202.
(Example: when mapping a sound to function button 12 enter a value of 12 into CV 202)
3. Enter the “High” or “Coarse” value (found in the appropriate table on our website) into CV 203
(Example: To assign “Strasburg #475 Air powered bell” enter a value of 1 into CV 203)
4. Enter the “Low” or “Fine” value (found in the appropriate table on our website) into CV 204
(Example: To assign “Strasburg #475 Air powered bell” enter a value of 1 into CV 204)
The full programming operation takes place ONLY when CV 204 has been programmed.
4 CV Read Operation
1. Simply add 100 to whatever value you would program into CV 201 to perform a write operation.
(Example: Using our example above add 100 to 1 for a value of 101. Program a value of 101 to CV 201)
2. Now enter the value of the specific field you want to read into CV 202. If you are reading Sound Type
Volumes or Individual Sound Volumes, then you don’t enter into CV202, but utilize CV203 instead.
(Example: Write a value of 12 into CV 202)
3. Now write ANY value to CV 204. (to trigger the read)
(Example: Write a value of 10 (it can be anything) into CV 204
4. Now you can Read the values of CV’s 202, 203, and 204 on your programming track using CV read
back.

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Prototype Mode vs. Traditional Mode
The WOWSound Steam sound decoder comes from the factory set to “Prototype Mode”. This uses
BEMF to set the Chuff Volume along with the snifter valves and Rod Clank depending on how hard the
locomotive is working. This can be calibrated to the locomotive in . Acceleration CV 3 is set to a
default value of 32 and Deceleration CV 4 is set to a default value of 96. This simulates the Prototype
characteristics of a real locomotive meaning it will accelerate slowly with the prototypical loaded
sounds. The locomotive will also take a very long time to come to a stop without the use of the “Brake”
defaults to button 7 and “Brake Release” defaults to button 6. When you close the throttle the loco will
coast while you hear Rod Clank and/or the Snifter Valves.
In “Traditional Throttle Mode” operation the chuff volume will remain constant and at
the level it is set at in the "Chuff Sound type volume" CV or in . When the throttle
is closed, the chuff will decrease the snifters will come on (if enabled) snifter valve sounds are can
be enabled in the "Automatic sounds" CV.
Calibrated Prototype Mode
Prototype Steam locomotives only “Chuff” when they are working hard. When they are moving around
without a train or going downhill, they may not chuff at all. You would just hear the rods clanking or the
snifter valves.
TCS Calibrated Prototype Mode uses BEMF (Back Electro Motive Force) to make your Steam
locomotive’s chuff sound vary in volume and intensity based on how hard your locomotive is working at
the time just like the prototype. When your locomotive is pulling a heavy train and/or going uphill the
chuff will be at or near the full volume (user adjustable). When the locomotive is going downhill, the
chuff volume decreases and may even go away until the locomotive hits level track and starts working
again at which time the chuff volume will increase again.
Calibrating Prototype Mode using Audio Assist
Since no two locomotives run the same, Calibrated Prototype Mode can be calibrated to your
locomotives unique operating characteristics by using a simple procedure in Audio Assist. This
calibration is a two-step process that lets you set the “BEMF Low Calibration Point” and also set the
“BEMF High Calibration Point”.
To calibrate your loco for Prototype Operation (Prototype Mode) using Audio Assist do the following:
1. Run the locomotive for 3 to 5 minutes to get everything warmed up.
2. Press Button 8, 4 times rapidly to enter Audio Assist
3. Press Button 3 for motor Control Programming Options
4. Press Button 2 to start the calibration process.

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Once you have accessed the Calibration Menu you will be asked to run your loco at about speed step 20
on level track and Press Button 1. Audio Assist will start saying “Calibrating Please Wait” while the
decoder calculates the “BEMF Low Calibration Point”. This is the point that the chuff volume will be low
or gone because the loco is not working hard. You may want to try this with a light engine or a short
train for best results.
Now Audio Assist will ask you to run the loco in a condition where it would be working hard. This is done
by pulling a heaving train (uphill if you can) at speed step 20 and then press the 2 button. Audio Assist
will start saying “Calibrating Please Wait” while the decoder calculates the “BEMF High Calibration
Point”. This is the point where the chuff volume should be its loudest.
When you are done just press Button 0 to exit Audio Assist and you are done.
Manually Adjusting the Calibration for Prototype Mode
There are some locomotives that may need a little extra adjustment to get the best results from
Prototype Mode. There are several adjustments that can be made using the WOWSound 4CV indexed
CV’s. (See 4CV Programming Overview on Page 6 of this Manual) There are 3 of these that may be the
most useful to you. They are: BEMF Change Time, BEMF Low Calibration, and BEMF High Calibration.
BEMF Change Time
Functionality
CV 201
Value
CV 202
Value
CV 203
Value
CV 204
Value
CV 203
Default
Value
CV 204
Default
Value
Controls BEMF Change Time
4
29
0-127
0-255
17
148
This Controls how fast the chuff volume can go from 0 to full volume based on changes in load when in
Prototype Mode. You may want to adjust this if the chuff volume is jumping from high to low and back
again. Make your adjustments using CV203. The higher the value the slower the volume will change.
BEMF Low Calibration
Functionality
CV 201
Value
CV 202
Value
CV 203
Value
CV 204
Value
CV 203
Default
Value
CV 204
Default
Value
Set Low Point for BEMF
Calibration
4
30
0
0-255
0
10
This is the Low BEMF Calibration point when calibrating for prototype load based chuff volume. If the
loco is still chuffing when it is going downhill, increase the value in CV204 by 5 until it stops chuffing,
then decrease it by 1 until it starts chuffing again. Now lower it by 1 and that should dial it in pretty
close.

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BEMF High Calibration
Functionality
CV 201
Value
CV 202
Value
CV 203
Value
CV 204
Value
CV 203
Default
Value
CV 204
Default
Value
Set High Point for BEMF
Calibration
4
31
0
0-255
0
40
This is the High BEMF Calibration point when calibrating for prototype load based chuff volume. The
higher the value in CV204, the harder the loco has to be working before the chuff goes to full volume.
Cylinder Cocks Shut Off Speed Step
Functionality
CV 201
Value
CV 202
Value
CV 203
Value
CV 204
Value
CV 203
Default
Value
CV 204
Default
Value
Cylinder Cocks Shut Off Speed
Step
4
1
0
0-126
0
16
This sets when the Cylinder Cocks shut off after the locomotive starts. The higher the value in CV 204 the
higher the Cylinder Cock Shut Off Speed Step.
Random Sound 1 Frequency
Functionality
CV 201
Value
CV 202
Value
CV 203
Value
CV 204
Value
CV 203
Default
Value
CV 204
Default
Value
Random Sound 1 Frequency
4
2
0
0-255
0
215
This sets how often Random Sound 1 plays. (Default Air Pump) The higher the value in CV 204 the more
frequent the sound plays.