498.1 "Albatros" - 8bit universal project

Project version 205.1.2
498.1 Albatros

Sound sample

Project Information

  • Universal sound project suitable for custom modifications, especially for individual light settings.
  • The sound project is designed for MX series 8-bit sound decoders.
  • The recommended minimum software version for the decoder is 40.22.
  • The decoder has a default address of 3.
  • Reset can be performed by setting CV8 = 8.

Function Assignment

Function mapping and CV settings can be modified.

  • F0 Position white lights
    Ovplyvnený funkčný výstup: FA0v, FA0r
    • direction dependent
    • turbo generator sound
  • F1 Reserve for lights
    Ovplyvnený funkčný výstup: FA1
  • F2 Reserve for lights
    Ovplyvnený funkčný výstup: FA2
  • F3 Shunting mode
    • speed range reduced to ½
    • reduces acceleration / braking times to ¼ of CV3 and CV4
    • short horn at start
  • F4 Short horn
  • F5 Long horn
  • F6 Horn - release brakes
  • F7 Drain valves
  • F8 Sound on/off
    Engine on/off
  • F9 Manual coal loading
  • F10 Unassigned
  • F11 Unassigned
  • F12 Uncoupling screw
  • F13 Coupling screw
  • F14 Sanding
  • F15 Dispatcher's whistle - new
    Call to readiness
  • F16 Dispatcher's whistle - old
    Call to readiness, departure
  • F17 Compressor
  • F18 Unassigned
  • F19 Wheel squealing in curves
  • F20 Station announcement
    R Balt Orient Express to Berlin
  • F21 Station announcement
    R Balt Orient Express to Bucharest
  • F22 Station announcement
    R direction Bratislava
  • F23 Station announcement
    R direction Kosice
  • F24 Station announcement
    R direction Žilina
  • F25 Unassigned
  • F26 Sound muting
  • F27 Decreasing volume
  • F28 Increasing volume

Setting Maximum Speed

We recommend setting the maximum speed via CV57, not CV5. Setting maximum speed via CV5 may cause a change in the sound range. The acceleration time settings CV3 and deceleration time CV4 are not affected by setting the maximum speed via CV57.

Shunting Mode

In the universal project, position lights are turned off in shunting mode. In models, it is common to have position lights illuminating simultaneously with reflectors. If this functionality is required, it can be enabled by setting CV37 = 3.

The mode reduces acceleration and braking times to ¼ of the settings in CV3 and CV4; if this functionality is not required, it can be disabled by setting CV124 = 16. Complete deactivation of acceleration and braking times is possible by setting CV124 = 19.

If the shunting mode functionality is not required, it can be disabled by setting CV124 = 0.

The standard setting for shunting mode in the project is CV124 = 18.

In shunting mode, a short horn sounds at each start-up. This functionality is implemented by script.

For the short horn to sound, three conditions must be met:

  1. The function itself must be enabled via F3.
  2. The engine sound must be enabled via F8.
  3. The model must start from zero speed.

Setting CV837 = 16 disables this functionality; the standard setting is CV837 = 0.

Compressor

The project implements two versions of compressor activation, both controlled by script:

  1. Random compressor activation, which is conditional on enabling the engine sound via F8. This is disabled by turning on the compressor via F17.
  2. Compressor activation via F17. This is conditional on F8 being enabled and zero speed.

Setting CV837 = 1 disables the ability to activate the compressor via F17.

Setting CV837 = 2 disables random compressor activation.

Setting CV837 = 3 disables both options; the standard setting is CV837 = 0.

Wheel Squealing in Curves

Wheel squealing in curves is implemented by script; several conditions must be met for activation:

  1. The function itself must be enabled via F19, and the engine sound must be enabled via F8.
  2. The sound will not activate at very slow speeds; the set speed must be more than 14 (from the speed range 0 – 126).
  3. The sound will not activate at high speeds; the set speed must be less than 100 (from the speed range 0 – 126).

Setting CV837 = 4 disables wheel squealing in curves; the standard setting is CV837 = 0.

User Function Mapping

User-defined function mapping is possible via CV400 – CV428. The project does not use this for its needs.

Decoder Reset

It can happen that when setting up the decoder, you make a mistake that you cannot fix, or you get lost in the settings. In this case, we recommend performing a decoder reset. To reset the decoder, program CV8 = 8. This programming will reset to the sound project settings.

Basic CV Settings in Project

  • CV3 = 16
  • CV4 = 14
  • CV5 = 1
  • CV6 = 1
  • CV33 = 1
  • CV34 = 2
  • CV35 = 4
  • CV36 = 8
  • CV37 = 0
  • CV38 = 0
  • CV39 = 0
  • CV40 = 0
  • CV41 = 0
  • CV42 = 0
  • CV43 = 0
  • CV44 = 0
  • CV45 = 0
  • CV46 = 0
  • CV57 = 125
  • CV105 = 145
  • CV106 = 5
  • CV124 = 18
  • CV125 = 88
  • CV126 = 88
  • CV127 = 88
  • CV128 = 88
  • CV190 = 3
  • CV191 = 2
  • CV254 = 205
  • CV255 = 1
  • CV256 = 2
  • CV266 = 65
  • CV273 = 15
  • CV395 = 130
  • CV396 = 27
  • CV397 = 28
  • CV837 = 0

Sound Sample Numbers

38 F1 CV570 Turbo Generator
42 F4 CV522 Short Horn
41 F5 CV534 Long Horn
35 F7 CV583 Drain Valves
13 F9 CV537 Manual Coal Loading
15 F12 CV546 Screw Coupler Down
16 F13 CV549 Screw Coupler Up
17 F14 CV552 Sanding
18 F15 CV555 New Dispatcher Whistle
19 F16 CV558 Old Dispatcher Whistle
21 F20 CV673 Balt Orient Express to Berlin
22 F21 CV676 Balt Orient Express to Bucharest
23 F22 CV679 Express Train to Bratislava
24 F23 CV682 Express Train to Košice
25 F24 CV685 Express Train to Žilina
37 script Compressor
20 script Wheel Squealing in Curves

"Script" means that the corresponding sound is used in the script, outside of normal use within CV. The sound number is listed here for possible standalone use of the sound when the script is disabled.

Steam Beat Frequency

The frequency of steam beats is determined by CV267 – simulated axle detector. The set value "70" indicates approximately 4, 6, or 8 steam beats per wheel revolution depending on the selected set of steam beats (4 – two-cylinder steam locomotive, 6 – three-cylinder steam locomotive, 8 – four-cylinder steam locomotive, internal setting according to the type of steam locomotive).

Because there is a strong dependence on the motor and gearing, individual adjustment must usually be made to achieve the corresponding number of steam beats.

Reducing the value of CV267 causes a higher frequency of beats and vice versa. The adjustment should be made at a lower speed, approximately at speed step 10.