Introducing a Sound System So Advanced its Wired to the Future

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Introducing a Sound System So Advanced its Wired
to the Future!
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Product Benefits

• Multi-Train Sound System for DCC
• No onboard speakers
• Ideal for N-Scale

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How it Works

• Track is divided into blocks, called Sound Zones,
  each connected to a transponding block detector

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How it Works

• Speakers are placed along the right-of-way,
  hidden from view. One Speaker is needed for each
  zone.

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How it Works

• Detector A senses a transponder-equipped train
  entering its sound zone and relays the locomotive
  ID and the zone ID to SurroundTraxx.

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How it Works

• SurroundTraxx then routes the sound effects for
  the locomotive to Speaker A.

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How it Works

• When the train enters Zone B, Detector B relays
  the locomotive ID and the zone ID to
  SurroundTraxx.

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How it Works

• At the same time, Detector A signals to
  SurroundTraxx that the train is no longer there.

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How it Works

• SurroundTraxx turns off Speaker A by fading the
  volume to zero.

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How it Works

• At the same time, SurroundTraxx gradually
  increases the volume of Speaker B.

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How it Works

• A second train appears in Zone D. SurroundTraxx
  generates two locomotive sounds, sending one to
  Speaker B and the second to Speaker D.

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How it Works

• When both trains are in the same block,
  SurroundTraxx sends both locomotive sounds to the
  same speaker.

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Basic Features

• Six Sound Channels
• Simultaneous Sound Reproduction for Six
  Locomotives
• Six Environmental SoundScapes
• Five Terrain or Ambient Effects
• Scale Time Clock

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Transponding

• Block Detection Method which makes SurroundTraxx
  possible
• Patented Digitrax Technology
• SoundTraxx is licensed second source
• Chosen by SoundTraxx because its
• Simple to implement
• Reliable
• Commercially available
• Backwards compatible with NMRA Standards and
  existing products

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TranspondingTransponding gives a locomotive the
means to send data back to the command station
such as

• Loco ID
• CV Settings
• Instrumentation Readings
• Fuel
• Water
• Speed
• Load

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TranspondingHow it works

• Locomotive receives a packet matching its address
• On next packet, locomotive turns headlight on and
  off in between DCC bits at precisely timed
  intervals
• Detector picks up the headlight current pulses
  and decodes the signal

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TranspondingThree Digitrax Components are needed

• BDL-162 Block Detector
• RX-4 Transponding Receiver
• TD-1 Transponder (or a decoder with a built-in
  transponder)

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Transponding

• SurroundTraxx provides a built-in Loconet
  Interface and set-up menus to allow the system to
  be used with non-Digitrax command stations.

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Modes of OperationDetector-less Mode

• Works out-of-the-box
• No Detectors
• No Transponders
• Works with any DCC System
• Ideal for small shelf layouts
• Six locomotives
• One Sound Zone
• Six SoundScapes

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Modes of Operation6 Channels

• Small to Medium Layouts
• Six Locomotives
• Six Sound Zones

• Six SoundScapes
• Bass is only as good as the speakers

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Modes of Operation5 Channels 1 Subwoofer

• Small to Medium Layouts
• Six Locomotives
• Five Sound Zones

• Five SoundScapes
• Speakers can be inexpensive
• Provides lots of deep Bass

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Modes of OperationMulti-System Cascade

• Large Layouts
• N Systems can be linked up
• Master-Slave Controls

• Six Locomotives
• 6 x N Sound Zones
• 6 x N SoundScapes

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Modes of OperationMulti-System Cascade with
Subwoofer

• Large Layouts
• N Systems can be linked up
• Master-Slave Controls
• Only 1 Subwoofer Needed

• Six Locomotives
• 5 x N Sound Zones
• 5 x N SoundScapes

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SoundScape Environmental Sounds

• Stationary sounds for Nature, Industry, etc.
• One SoundScape per speaker
• Multiple Playback Modes
• Continuous
• Random
• Schedule via Scale Time Clock
• Triggered by Train

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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I use the system with Sound Decoders? A.
Yes. You need to add a TD-1. SurroundTraxx will
work best with DSDs with independent volume
controls. Adjust sound level for each effect as
desired. Some sounds like the steam exhaust
chuff, bell and airpump will not be synchronized,
so set either the DSD or SurroundTraxx to make
the sounds but not both.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Will the exhaust chuff be synchronized? A.
No. You will need to use Auto-Exhaust.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I use the system with a conventional
(i.e, non-DCC) layout? A. No.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What can I do to get ready in the
meantime? A. Im glad you asked!
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Layout Planning and Preparation

• Draw a track plan and a schematic
• Determine the number of sound zones needed
• Divide the track into blocks
• Select speaker locations
• Wire in detectors
• Equip locomotives with transponders

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Step 1. Draw a Track Plan and a SchematicUse it
to

• Define block boundaries
• Identify trouble spots (reverse loops, wyes,
  etc.)
• Highlight scenic features for ambient effects
  (canyons, trestles, etc.)
• Identify sites for SoundScape Effects

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Rio Grande Southern Track Plan
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Rio Grande Southern Schematic
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Step 2. Assess the Number of Sound Zones
NeededGeneral Guidelines

• Sound Zone defines area serviced by one speaker
• Use a Sound Zone sized proportionally to the
  layout
• Sound Zones beyond 10 in diameter become
  increasingly ineffective
• Sound Zones under 2 are unnecessary (and
  expensive!)

Layout Size Tabletop Layouts (i.e. 4x8) Small
Layouts Medium Layouts Large Layouts
Sound Zone Size 2 3 4 6 8
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Sound Zone Guidelines

• Sound Zones can be round, elliptical, amoeboid,
  square, etc.
• Keep it Simple!

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Sound Zone Guidelines

• The surround sound effect will be more effective
  when speakers are oriented left and right of the
  listeners vantage point rather than front to
  back.

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Sound Zone Guidelines

• Choose sensible block boundaries. Consider if the
  choice would make sense if a signaling system
  were in use.
• Example Divide a siding at one end or the other
  instead of in the middle.

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Sound Zone GuidelinesSound Zones are not the
same as blocks in the conventional sense. A sound
zone may

• Encompass more than one block
• Service multiple mainlines, branches and sidings,
  even layout levels

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Sound Zone GuidelinesHidden trackage and long
tunnels do not need to be assigned to a sound
zone, nor do they need a detector.
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Sound Zone GuidelinesRemember, sound waves will
not respect drawn boundaries unless there is an
acoustic barrier in place. This creates problems
for layouts with Scenic Dividers Multiple
Levels
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Sound Zone GuidelinesScenic DividersUsing one
speaker for both sides of divider may create
illusion of Ghost TrainPossible Solutions

• Live with it
• Create an acoustic barrier by extending scenic
  divider from floor to ceiling
• Mount speakers in fascia panel and rely on
  scenery and drop curtains to dampen sound

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Sound Zone GuidelinesMultiple Level Layouts

• Acoustic isolation usually impractical
• Overlapping decks can share a common sound zone
  if differentiation via ambient effects or
  SoundScapes not needed
• Consider using headphone for one level

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Rio Grande Southern ExampleAssign first zone to
Telluride Yard.
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Rio Grande Southern ExampleAssign second zone to
Telluride branchline.Vance Junction is nearby,
so encompass it, too.
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Rio Grande Southern ExampleAssign the rest of
the Telluride branch to Zone 3.Note that we
pick up part of the main line near Palisades,
too.
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Rio Grande Southern ExampleZone 4 circles the
Ophir Loop.
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Rio Grande Southern ExampleTrack near Lizard
Head becomes Zone 5.Hidden track is left alone.
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Step 3. Divide Track into BlocksReview Zone
boundaries and decide where to partition blocks.

• Take advantage of existing insulating joints
• Does it make sense for signaling
• Keep it Simple

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Rio Grande Southern ExampleFinal Schematic
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Step 4. Select Speaker LocationsLocate at center
of Sound ZoneSuggestions for hiding speakers

• Perforate hillside
• Cover speaker opening with grill cloth, paint and
  cover with ground foam
• Put speaker opening on backside of hill
• Place speaker under a building

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Rio Grande Southern Example
6th sound channel is used as subwoofer
Alternatively, could split Palisades and Silver
Falls track and use another speaker here.
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Step 5. Wire up the BDL-162

• Read the instructions!
• Respect the RX-4 spacing requirements
• Make a template

• Mount the electronics to a plywood base
• Standoffs for BDL-162
• Wire-ties for RX-4
• Use color-coded wire
• Remember to feed wire thru RX-4 from label side
• Use a terminal block to connect to track feeders
• Use wire ties to hold things in place
• Keep wires away from RX-4

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Rio Grande Southern Example

• Wire up the BDL-162 to track feed feeders.
• Use one BDL-162 Zone per Sound Zone

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More BDL-162 NotesEach BDL-162 has 4 block
feeders
Block feeders may be used for signal
detection All feeders from one zone must go to
the same Sound Zone
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More BDL-162 Notes
Multiple BDL-162 zones may be assigned to one
Sound Zone BDL-162 Zone IDs must be consecutive
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Step 6. Install TranspondersTD-1 and DSD-LL080

• Connect red and black wire to track pickups
• Program address

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Install TranspondersOptionally use decoders with
built-in transponders