SoundTraxx SurroundTraxx User Manual
SurroundTraxx
User’s Guide
Software Release 1.00
11/2/11 Rev. A
Notice
The information in this document is subject to change without notice.
SoundTraxx (Throttle Up!) shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein; nor for incidental or consequential
damages resulting from the furnishing, performance or use of this material.
This document contains information protected by copyright. No part of this document may be photocopied or reproduced in any form without the
prior written consent of Throttle Up! Corp.
Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
SoundTraxx, Tsunami, SoundTraxx DCC, Digital Sound Decoder, Dynamic Digital Exhaust, Auto-Exhaust and Hyperlight are
trademarks of Throttle Up! Corp.
Table of Contents
Overview.......................................................................................................i
Section 1: Setup Guide ...........................................................................1:1
Product Orientation.............................................................................1:1
SurroundTraxx Operating Modes .......................................................1:1
Transponder-free Mode ......................................................................1:1
Transponding Mode ........................................................................... 1:1
5-Channel Mode with Subwoofer .......................................................1:2
Multi-System Conguration ................................................................1:4
Multi-System Mode with Subwoofer ...................................................1:4
What’s included ..................................................................................1:6
Product Introduction ...........................................................................1:7
Additional Items Needed for Operation ..............................................1:9
Planning the Installation ................................................................... 1:11
The Track Plan .................................................................................1:12
Drawing a Schematic........................................................................1:13
Verify the Detection Equipment Works .............................................1:18
Installing the SurroundTraxx System ................................................ 1:20
SurroundTraxx Wiring ............................................................1:20
Section 2: Conguration Guide ..............................................................2:1
What's Next ........................................................................................ 2:1
Menu Overview and Navigation..........................................................2:2
System Monitor Mode.........................................................................2:3
The Roundhouse Menu ...................................................................... 2:4
Viewing the Locomotive Roster ...............................................2:4
Adding a Locomotive ...............................................................2:5
Editing a Locomotive ...............................................................2:7
Sound Mixer Parameters ....................................................... 2:11
FX Bus Mixer Parameters ...................................................... 2:12
Conguring the Sound Features ............................................2:13
Function Mapping ..................................................................2:18
Copying Settings from an Existing Locomotive .....................2:23
Erasing a Locomotive ............................................................2:24
The Audio Menu ...............................................................................2:25
Fader Settings .......................................................................2:25
Ambient Effects ...................................................................... 2:26
The Zone ID Menu............................................................................2:28
The System Menu ............................................................................2:28
Diagostic Features............................................................................2:32
Section 3: Operations Guide ..................................................................3:1
Automatic Dispatcher Settings ...........................................................3:1
Dispatching a Locomotive ..................................................................3:3
Operations Mode Programming .........................................................3:5
Section 4: Troubleshooting Guide .........................................................3:1
Appendix A - SurroundTraxx Menu Tree
Appendix B - More Sample Layouts
Appendix C - License Agreement
Overview
All Aboard!
Congratulations on the purchase of your SurroundTraxx system.
SurroundTraxx is a revolutionary sound system for your DCC layout. For the
rst time a stationary sound system can interact and “move” with the train
gaining the same advantages as onboard sound decoders but without the
space limitations that accompany onboard speakers - making it ideal for the
smaller scales!
When operating SurroundTraxx you will be able to control your train just as
you would a DCC sound decoder equipped model by accessing it through
the same address as the locomotive. Sounds are assigned to the locomotive
and sound functions controlled through your DCC Cab. The Quick Start
Guide that accompanies the SurroundTraxx system gives a simple step-bystep process to immediately hear the sounds – right out of the box, and help
familiarize you with basic operations.
Feature Highlights Found in SurroundTraxx
Six Sound channels which allows for up to 6 different ‘sound zones’ on
your layout
Simultaneous sound operations for up to 6 trains at once
Roundhouse memory storage for up to 99 locomotives in the database
An extensive sound library to closely match your prototype locomotive
Adjustable ambient effects such as echo and reverb
How to Make SurroundTraxx Work
While SurroundTraxx is not difcult to use and install, there are a number of
steps that need to happen in order to get your system up and working. We
have structured this manual so that it has ve major sections.
The Setup Guide will explain how SurroundTraxx works, its operating
modes, what is included and what additional items you may need, planning
for your SurroundTraxx installation and the actual wiring and installation of
the SurroundTraxx system.
The Conguration Guide delves into setting up your SurroundTraxx system.
You will learn how to set up all of the system features and sound channels
and how to program the individual locomotives and set up all of the sound
features in the roundhouse.
The Operations Guide explains how to dispatch a locomotive and activate
the sound features and functions.
The Troubleshooting Guide is designed to help you past any difculties you
may have with any of the above sections.
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Page i
Setup Guide
Product Introduction (How It Works)
SurroundTraxx stores a roster of locomotive sound settings in a menu called
the Roundhouse. This menu contains an extensive sound library that you can
set and adjust to closely match your models' prototype or to sound like your
favorite horn, prime mover, exhaust chuff or whistle.
Once you have entered your locomotive roster into the roundhouse your
SurroundTraxx system has an internal “dispatcher” that allows up to 6 trains
to be in operation at one time. SurroundTraxx can be set up to pick the rst 6
locomotives detected or you can assign these slots to the locomotive of your
choice (Perfect to make sure your favorite engine never goes silent!). These
locomotive “slots” used by the dispatcher are called Auto Dispatch Slots (AD
Slots). We’ll learn more about these later.
Roundhouse
1. 03
2. 473
3. 18
4. 4449
5. 3985
6. 1744
99. 1989
Dispatcher
DCC
CAB
Dispatched Trains
1. 473
2. 18
3. 03
4. 4449
5. 1989
6. 1744
Zone Manager
Block
Dectectors
Sound Zones
1. 473
2.
3.
4. 4449
5.
6. 1744
Once the trains have been dispatched the block detector will identify the
trains' location, at what speed they are traveling and at what point they
cross into new blocks. SurroundTraxx uses this information to move the
corresponding sounds to the appropriate sound channel (out of six available)
in the SurroundTraxx system. Additionally, SurroundTraxx uses an intelligent
cross fade algorithm that factors in train speed, direction, and distance
between speakers and reproduces the sound in such a way that it appears
as though the sound is coming directly from the train and not the speakers on
the layout.
The multiple trains running on the layout can all be in the same area or
spread throughout the layout. SurroundTraxx will dispatch and reproduce
their respective sounds in full audio richness. It truly is a complete layout
sound system designed with multiple trains and operating sessions in mind!
SurroundTraxx Operating Modes
While a single SurroundTraxx system can support up to six locomotives and
six sound zones, you are not limited to that specic conguration on your
layout. SurroundTraxx has several different operating modes, the simplest
of which doesn’t require any form of block detection thus making it ideal for a
small shelf layout, or those who just want superior under the table sound.
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:1
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:3
Setup Guide
Transponder-Free Mode (default)
Out of the box, you can use SurroundTraxx in transponder-free mode to start
making sound and running trains before incorporating block detectors into
your layout. This is a great way to add sound to a small shelf layout, or just
test a particular spot on your layout before permanently mounting a speaker.
When used in transponder-free mode, SurroundTraxx will work like a
'giant' sound decoder. It will produce the correct sound for a locomotive
and operate all of the different sound functions; however, sound will not
'travel' with your train in this mode, as there is no block detection used.
SurroundTraxx will also produce sound and volume to all the audio outputs,
so sound will come out of every speaker that is connected to the system.
Speaker
SurroundTraxx
Command
Station
Note: This is the default mode for your SurroundTraxx system. For quick
installation and use of this application please see the SurroundTraxx Quick
Start Guide. This mode still requires use of a LocoNet equipped DCC
command station to operate.
The transponder-free mode:
• Works out-of-the-box, requires no detectors or transponders.
• Is ideal for small shelf layouts.
• Provides one sound zone for the entire layout, with simultaneous support
for up to six locomotives.
• Can use multiple speakers or a single speaker and subwoofer.
Transponding Modes of Operation
The remaining modes of operation require the use of transponding and block
detection. Attempting to operate SurroundTraxx without these items will not
produce any sound in the 6-Channel, 5-Channel with Subwoofer, or
Multi-system modes.
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:2
Setup Guide
6-Channel Mode
The six-channel conguration is best suited to small or medium-sized layouts.
This mode provides six sound zones with a single SurroundTraxx system,
while supporting up to six locomotives simultaneously. Because there is no
subwoofer in this conguration, the bass response is limited to what the six
speakers can produce. Due to lack of a subwoofer it is recommended to
purchase quality, full range speakers that have a frequency range of at least
80-16,000 Hz to give a good spectrum of sound.
Six channel mode:
• Can produce sound for up to six locomotives simultaneously.
• Up to six sound zones can exist throughout your layout.
• Requires transponding decoders and block detectors.
5-Channel Mode with Subwoofer
The use of a subwoofer provides a new level of realism to your layout. Trains
are big machines with rich sounds across the spectrum, and the extra bass
from a subwoofer really announces the train’s arrival! While this mode offers
ve rather than six sound zones, we recommend it for the quality of the
overall sound experience. Some users feel that it is especially well suited to
diesel locomotives.
This mode works well with a small or medium sized layout. The frequency
response of the ve individual speakers is less important than in the sixchannel mode because the subwoofer (the sixth channel) lls out the audio
spectrum with plenty of deep bass.
Remember that hidden track and tunnels don’t require a sound zone.
Five channel mode:
• Can produce sound for up to six locomotives simultaneously.
• Five sound zones can exist throughout your layout.
• Produces the best bass and richest audio experience.
• Requires transponding decoders and block detectors.
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:3
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:5
Setup Guide
BLOCK 3 BLOCK 4 BLOCK 5BLOCK 1 BLOCK 2
A B C D E
DETECTORS DETECTORS
Command
Station
SurroundTraxx
Subwoofer
Multi-System Conguration
This mode is appropriate for large layouts requiring more than ve or six
sound zones and ambient sounds, and incorporates multiple SurroundTraxx
systems covering different regions of the layout.
This conguration supports:
• Six locomotives per SurroundTraxx system
• 6 x N sound zones, where N is the number of SurroundTraxx systems
• Requires transponding decoders and block detectors.
Multi-System Mode with Subwoofer
When you add a subwoofer to the multi-system conguration, only one
subwoofer is required, with one channel from each SurroundTraxx system
reserved for the subwoofer. However, on very large layouts, you can choose
to use multiple subwoofers as appropriate.
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:4
Setup Guide
This conguration supports:
• Six locomotives per SurroundTraxx system
• 5 x N sound zones, where N is the number of SurroundTraxx systems
• Requires transponding decoders and block detectors.
Note: When using multiple SurroundTraxx systems, all of your locomotives
must exist in each system's roundhouse, or else they may not properly play
back when a locomotive moves into a section of track assigned to a different
SurroundTraxx system.
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:5
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:7
Setup Guide
Customer Registration
SoundTraxx often sends out notices to our customers of new product releases, technical notes,
special events or sales. In order to be included in these announcements, we ask that you fill out and
return this registration form as it helps us to keep our customer list up-to-date.
Please print or type all information.
Name (Mr., Ms.)
Street address
City State ZIP
Daytime phone ( ) Email
Date Purchased Purchased From
What scale do you model? Steam [ ] Diesel [ ]
How many locomotives do you own?
What is the size of your layout (approx. sq. ft.)?
How many Sound Zones do you have on your layout?
What improvements would you like to see in your new SurroundTraxx system?
Which Command Control System are you using?
[ ] Digitrax Chief [ ] Digitrax EB/Genesis/Zephyr [ ] Other
What new products, features or accessories would you like to see?
Would you like to receive information on other SoundTraxx Products?
[ ] SoundTraxx Mobile Decoders [ ] SoundTraxx Lighting Products
[ ] SoundTraxx Digital Sound Decoders [ ] Blackstone Models (a division of SoundTraxx)
120079 1M 0611
TM
SoundTraxx
®
Quick Start Guide
for the SurroundTraxx Digital Sound System
June 2011
What's included
Your SurroundTraxx box includes the following items:
SurroundTraxx sound system
5 Volt Power Supply
Network cable
Speaker harness for 6 sound channel outputs (6’ sections of each)
Quick Start Guide
Owner’s manual CD
Customer Registration card
SurroundTraxx Digital Sound Processor
Network Cable
Speaker Harness
5V Power Supply
Warranty Card
Quick Start Guide
CD Manual
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:6
Setup Guide
Po
Input
Product Orientation
On the front of your SurroundTraxx system you will notice a 10-digit LED
display and a control knob that you can both push in or turn. This control
knob is how you will access the different menu options you will explore in
later sections of this manual. The display shows both what we call System
Monitor Mode (the default mode when SurroundTraxx is powered up and
operating) as well as the different menus and selections.
LED Display
®
Control Knob
On the back of your SurroundTraxx system you will see the different outputs
for wiring everything needed to make it work. Starting from left to right is
the input for the power supply. Next, is the network cable input to connect
the SurroundTraxx system to the layout LocoNet system that is tied to your
command station, block detectors, and cab.
INPUT:
5VDC, 3A
wer
POWER
DIG ITAL SOUN D P ROCE SSOR
1/2 3/4
NETWORK
LINE LEVEL OUT
®
5/6
SOU NDT RAXX
Dur ango , CO 813 01
USA
SPEAKERS
Network
Audio Out
Speaker
Harness
Adjacent to the LocoNet input are three line level output jacks that
correspond to the six different sound channels found on SurroundTraxx.
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:7
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:9
Setup Guide
These can be used to hook your SurroundTraxx system up to an external
amplier if you wish. The output labeled 5/6 can also be used to connect
to the subwoofer if you plan to use one. On the far right is the terminal for
the six speaker outputs - the 6’ long speaker harness that came with the
SurroundTraxx system plugs in here.
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:8
Setup Guide
Additional Items Needed for Operation
Depending on the operating mode you have chosen, you will need to
purchase the following items to complete your installation:
Up to six 8-ohm speakers
Optional Subwoofer
Appropriate DCC mobile decoders equipped with transponding or a
TL-1 transponder
Digitrax DCC Command Station, cabs and power boosters
Additional Speaker wire
Digitrax BDL-168 (or older BDL-162) Block Detector*
Two Digitrax RX-4s*
*Because each BDL-168 and RX-4 can only support up to eight blocks, larger
layouts may require additional detectors.
Speakers and Subwoofer
SurroundTraxx can accommodate up to 6 speakers per system. The size and
quality of these speakers are largely up to you and should be based on your
layout design and the needs you identify in the planning process. However,
we have a few helpful guidelines and some requirements to help you get the
best audio experience.
First, the speakers you choose must be passive 8-ohm speakers rated
between 5 and 25 Watts. We recommend choosing speakers with a
frequency response of at least 80 to 16,000 Hz. If you plan to use a
subwoofer, you may use smaller speakers with a frequency response of 150
to 16,000 Hz, as the subwoofer will provide the bass.
Mobile Decoders and Transponders
SurroundTraxx is a sound system designed to operate on DCC layouts.
In order to operate SurroundTraxx in transponding mode (multiple trains
in multiple sound zones) you must have DCC mobile decoders with
transponding installed in your locomotives. Alternatively, you may add
separate transponders to any DCC mobile decoder that you may already
have installed. To emphasize this point, when utilizing SurroundTraxx to
its full capabilities, you must either use decoders that come equipped
with Digitrax transponding or purchase a TL-1 transponder to add to the
locomotive. Sound decoders can also be installed in the locomotive but are
not required. Locomotives that aren’t equipped with transponders will still
run on the layout but will not be able to be dispatched or produce any sound
through your SurroundTraxx system.
DCC Command Station, Cabs and Boosters
SurroundTraxx requires a Digitrax LocoNet-equipped command station
in order to operate in any of its different modes of operation. At this time
SurroundTraxx cannot be used with a non-LocoNet command station and
cab.
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:9
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:11
Setup Guide
Additional Speaker Wire
SurroundTraxx comes with a wire harness that includes 6’ sections of
speaker wire for each sound channel output. If your layout requires more
wire you can add additional wire to the end of the harness.
BDL-168 Block Detectors
To achieve the effect of sound traveling with your train as it traverses your
layout, you must use Digitrax BDL-162 or BDL-168 block detectors. One
BDL-168 will provide detection for eight blocks. Therefore, if your layout
has more than eight blocks, you will need more than one BDL-168. When
setting up your BDL-168(s) for use with SurroundTraxx, the blocks should
be arranged in sequence such as 0,2,4,6,8,10,12 per the Digitrax BDL-168
instructions. If you only plan on using single channel mode the BDL-168 is
not required.
Digitrax RX-4s
Digitrax RX-4s are required in conjunction with BDL-168s. Each RX-4
supplies four blocks on your layout. If you have eight blocks you will need
two RX-4s for your layout.
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:10
Setup Guide
Planning the Installation
Installation Overview
With a little careful planning, SurroundTraxx will add a spectacular audio
experience to your layout. This manual will guide you through the process,
from the initial planning stages to nal system conguration. Installation
involves these major steps:
Plan your layout
Dene your track plan
Create a schematic
Divide and wire your layout into blocks
Dene your sound zones
Identify speaker locations
Verify the detection is working
Plan Your Layout
By the time you begin planning for sound, you’ve probably already given a
lot of thought to the other elements of your layout. In this section and those
that follow, we’ll present some of the considerations involved in preparing for
SurroundTraxx sound.
Naturally, the extent of planning required varies by the complexity of
the layout and its stage of completion when you begin installation of
SurroundTraxx. We encourage you to enjoy the planning stages, taking time
to consider the multiple factors in play.
If you are adding SurroundTraxx to a layout that is otherwise complete,
you may nd it helpful to take a test drive in transponder-free mode before
nalizing the sound zones. See the SurroundTraxx Quick Start Guide for
information on testing transponder-free mode.
When deciding how to wire your layout the rst factor is choosing which
operating mode you would like to implement on your layout. This may
change the set up and wiring of your layout. For instance if you wish to use
SurroundTraxx in Transponder-free mode then you will wire the layout just
as you would for any basic DCC layout. In other words, you wouldn’t need
to divide the layout into blocks or add any of the transponding equipment
offered by Digitrax. If, on the other hand you wish to use either 6-channel
or 5-channel with a subwoofer mode, you will need to take into account two
factors in the general wiring of your layout. The rst of these factors is how
many block detectors you need, and the second is how many sound zones
you plan on having.
The table on the following page lists some general size guidelines for a
sound zone on your layout. As a reminder a sound zone and a block are not
the same thing as a sound zone can encompass multiple blocks within one
sound zone. If you intend to use single channel mode you can disregard this
table, as the entire layout would be one sound zone.
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:11
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:13
Setup Guide
SurroundTraxx Sound Zone Sizes
Layout Size
Tabletop Layouts (4’x8’)
Small Layouts
Medium Layouts
Large Layouts
Sound Zone Size
2’ to 3’ between speakers
4’ between speakers
6’ between speakers
8’ between speakers
Now we'll examine these points in greater detail and apply them to the
example layout shown below – the Rio Grande Southern Railroad.
Used by permission, Kalmbach Publishing Co.
The Track Plan
If you are adding SurroundTraxx to an existing layout, you likely already
have a track plan in one form or another. Otherwise, the track plan is your
rst opportunity to begin planning for sound. The track plan is a scale
drawing of your layout, reecting its geographical realities: each curve, loop,
straightaway, etc. It is a helpful tool in identifying challenges and potential
tricky spots such as reverse loops and wyes.
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:12
Lizard
Head
Summit
Ames
Ophir Loop
Palisade
Silver Falls
Telluride
Vance Jct.
Lizard Head
Summit
Ophir Loop
Telluride
Palisade
Silver Falls
Vance Jct.
Setup Guide
The example track plan above denes a layout for the Rio Grande Southern
Railroad. We chose this layout because it showcases an 11' x 14' area which
would be a common bedroom or basement-style layout.
You may wish to indicate on the track plan any elements of your layout
that you’d like to complement with ambient sound effects. Ambient sound
effects would include adding echo and/or reverb to tunnels, canyons or other
features that may benet from these special effects. See page 2:26 for more
information about ambient sound effects.
You’ll want to revisit your track plan after creating a schematic and
determining the block boundaries, as these resources together are a great
help in dening the sound zones.
Drawing the Schematic
Unlike a track plan, the schematic omits the geographical proportions of the
layout, symbolically representing track elements such as sidings, wyes, and
roundhouses.
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:13
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:15
Setup Guide
For the purpose of the SurroundTraxx setup, a detailed electrical schematic
is not required, but a basic schematic is an important step in separating the
layout into blocks, which is a prerequisite to dening your sound zones. The
example schematic refers to the same layout as the Rio Grande Southern
track plan presented on the previous pages. Notice that this is a much
simplied view, disregarding the curves and loops indicated on the track plan.
The schematic helps you assess the factors that affect the block divisions.
For example, you wouldn’t want to place a block boundary in the middle of
a siding. Instead, the boundary should occur at one end of the siding or the
other. Likewise, a wye or yard should usually be conned to a single block.
Even if you’re not using block detection with signaling devices, it’s helpful to
plan your blocks as if signaling were part of the picture. This example shows
the same schematic separated into blocks and wired to the block detectors.
Palisade
Silver Falls
Block 8
BDL 168
Vance Jct.
Block 0
Block 2
Block 4
Block 6
To Command
Station
Lizard Head
Summit
To SurroundTraxx
Ophir Loop
Telluride
Block 12
Block 14
Block 10
Transponding Blocks
If you nd later on that your dened block boundaries aren’t perfect, it’s
usually fairly simple to adjust them. As shown above, we separated the
schematic into blocks, the colors corresponding to the speaker wire output
color and sound zone based on the SurroundTraxx default values for each
sound zone and transponding blocks which are shown on the table below.
SurroundTraxx Sound Zones (default setting)
Sound Zone Speaker Wire Color Transponding Block(s)
1 Red 0
2 Yellow 2
3 Orange 4
4 Blue 6
5 Purple 8
6 Green 10
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:14
Lizard
Head
Summit
Ames
Ophir Loop
Palisade
Silver Falls
Zone 1
Telluride
Vance Jct.
Setup Guide
The next step is to determine the best speaker location within each of the
zones.
The rst sound zone on the layout would be the Telluride yard. This zone is
shown in red on the track plan above. To determine the best speaker location
measure the halfway point between the end of the Telluride Yard and the
block divider. This location will help make the sound noticeable regardless of
the activity in and about the yard.
The second sound zone will cover Vance Junction. When installing the block
detector for this section you may want to have the block start just inside the
hidden staging loop so that the sound dispatches as the locomotive exits the
hidden staging area shown in yellow. The speaker would sound best, in this
case, right around the siding at Vance Junction.
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:15
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:17
Lizard
Head
Summit
Ames
Ophir Loop
Palisade
Silver Falls
Zone 1
Telluride
Zone 2
Vance Jct.
Lizard
Head
Summit
Ames
Ophir Loop
Zone 3
Palisade
Silver Falls
Zone 1
Telluride
Zone 2
Vance Jct.
Setup Guide
Next, we’ll assign the rest of the Telluride branch and Silver Falls to Zone 3
(shown in orange), picking up part of the main line near Palisade.
The next best location for the speaker would be somewhere between
Palisade (blue) and Silver Falls towards the far left switches on the siding.
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:16
Lizard
Head
Summit
Zone 4
Ames
Ophir Loop
Zone 3
Palisade
Silver Falls
Zone 1
Telluride
Zone 2
Vance Jct.
Lizard
Head
Summit
Zone 5
Zone 4
Ames
Ophir Loop
Zone 3
Palisade
Silver Falls
Zone 1
Telluride
Zone 2
Vance Jct.
Setup Guide
Zone 4 then circles the Ophir Loop. The speaker would t nicely between the
upper and lower parts of the Ophir loop.
Finally, Zone 5, shown in purple, takes in the Lizard Head Summit area. We
will place the speaker right in the center of the pass behind the wye.
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:17
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:19
Setup Guide
Again, we might want to set the block boundary slightly in the hidden track so
that the sound fades away as the locomotive disappears.
When installing speakers you can conceal them in the benchwork, inside
larger buildings or building facades, or behind greenery. You could also
mount them in your ceiling or wall. If your layout incorporates mountainous
terrain, you can also build speaker compartments into hillsides. Because
some speakers are easier to conceal than others, this should also be a
consideration as you shop for speakers.
Wherever you decide to conceal the speakers, plan for easy access later in
case of a loose speaker wire, failed speaker, or another maintenance issue.
Ideally, the subwoofer should be mounted on the oor. This provides optimal
low-frequency response without causing vibration within the benchwork and
scenery.
Note: It is also important to remember that sound doesn’t care about scenic
dividers. Keep in mind that if you are using a divider between sections of
your layout it must also be an acoustic barrier if you wish to avoid the sound
being heard in the other section. Not doing so can result in undesirable
effects such as a “ghost train.”
Hopefully, you now have an idea of how to determine the number of sound
zones you need and their general locations. This will now help you to
determine which operating mode best suits your needs.
Verify that the Detection Equipment Works
With the planning process complete, you can begin installation of the block
detectors and transponders. You will need to refer to the manuals provided
with your Digitrax equipment for information on wiring these items. For
SurroundTraxx to operate properly in transponding mode, transponding
must be fully operational. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you rst
verify that transponding is working before you attempt to install and use
SurroundTraxx in transponding mode.
Before proceeding, review the following checklist and verify that:
1. When you turn on the command station the layout has track power
2. When you select a locomotive you are able to run it throughout your
entire layout
3. When track power is supplied to the locomotive, the headlight should
icker dimly, indicating the decoder is in transponding mode
4. When operating the locomotive in transponding mode hitting the “Find”
command button on your cab reads back the correct block in which your
locomotive is traveling
5. If the Find command button is left on and it crosses into a different block
a new Zone ID is given
If any of these conditions are not met please double check your layout
wiring and the appropriate Digitrax manuals before proceeding to install
your SurroundTraxx sound system.
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:18
Setup Guide
This process should be repeated for all your transponder-equipped
locomotives. If, at any point, the display shows a blank zone number, or the
zone number is incorrect, then transponding is not working properly.
Once transponding is working, SurroundTraxx will be ready to use
transponding mode.
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:19
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:21
Setup Guide
Install the SurroundTraxx System
Install SurroundTraxx
By the time you’re ready to install SurroundTraxx, you’ve invested a great
deal of time and effort in your layout. You have constructed the benchwork,
laid out track, and integrated the block detection equipment – not to
mention scenery. Having successfully completed these steps, you’ll nd the
SurroundTraxx installation straightforward.
SurroundTraxx Wiring
The back panel of SurroundTraxx provides connections for the 5 Volt power
supply, a network connection to the block detector and DCC system, external
audio devices (i.e. a subwoofer and/or external amplier), and the speakers
for each sound zone.
Wiring Guidelines
Because improper wiring may damage the system, please observe these
important guidelines:
Always power off SurroundTraxx before connecting or disconnecting
wires and cables.
Do not connect SurroundTraxx to any power supply other than the one
supplied. Doing so will damage the unit.
If you need to extend the wire length for an audio channel by splicing in
new speaker wire, be sure to insulate each splice with heat-shrink tubing
before powering on the system.
Be sure to insulate the end of each wire of any unused color pair in the
wiring harness.
Do not connect a speaker wire to any wire of a different color.
Do not exceed a 4-ohm load with each output.
Only one speaker is recommended for each output.
Wiring SurroundTraxx
The network cable supplied with SurroundTraxx connects the NETWORK
input on the SurroundTraxx system to the block detector’s LocoNet output.
(The network cable, sometimes referred to as 'LocoNet cable' resembles a
telephone cord.) DO NOT plug this cable into non-LocoNet equipped DCC
systems! Plug one end into the receptacle marked NETWORK and the
other end into the receptacle on the command station. This will be marked
"LOCONET" (It does not matter whether you connect to the 'A' or the 'B'
receptacle).
If you plan to use a subwoofer, connect the 5/6 line out jack to the subwoofer
as shown below, using a Y cable that adapts a stereo mini plug to two male
RCA plugs (Not Included). SurroundTraxx mixes the low frequencies of
channels 1–5 to channel 6 when one of the subwoofer modes is selected
(page 1:3).
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:20
Setup Guide
INPUT:
5VDC, 3A
DIGITA L S OUND PRO CESS OR
®
SOUN DTRA XX
1/2 3/4
Subwoofer
Right
Left
POWER NETWORK SPEAKERSLINE LEVEL OUT
2. Insert Right (RED)
RCA plug into
subwoofer right input.
In
1/8” mini-plug to RCA
In
3. Leave Left
(WHITE) RCA plug
unconnected.
Wrap in electrical
tape to prevent
short circuits.
Y-Adapter (not included)
Connect the 6-channel wiring harness to the SPEAKERS output, then wire
each pair of like-colored wires to a 4 or 8-ohm speaker. The end of any
unused wire should be insulated.
Duran go, CO 8 130 1
USA
5/6
1. Insert mini-plug
into Jack “5/6”.
Speaker (+)
Speaker (-)
VIOLET
GREEN
Channel 1
RED
Channel 2
Channel 3
YELLOW
Channel 4
ORANGE
Channel 5
BLUE
Channel 6
Depending on the length of the wire that runs between SurroundTraxx
and your speakers, the wiring harness may need to be extended; splice
additional speaker wire to individual channels as needed. To avoid confusion
in maintenance, use 26 gauge wire that matches the color of the pair you are
extending. Be sure to insulate the spliced area with heat-shrink tubing.
When truly enormous sound is in order, you can connect the LINE LEVEL
OUT jacks to a more powerful external amplier. The wiring for each of these
jacks is similar to the subwoofer diagram below, adapting a stereo mini plug
to separate channels as appropriate for the amplier.
SurroundTraxx User’s Guide Setup Guide Page 1:21
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