Large Scale Central

QSI sound volume control

Electronics Power and Sound
#1

I’m converting an SD-45 over to onboard battery power with QSI decoder/sound board and G-Wire.

Is there a way to control the sound volume using the handheld controller and not the reed switch?

Thanks,
Russ

#2

Which “handheld controler” are you using? You control the sound volumn by changing the correct "CV’

#3

You really have to change the CV’s to change the volume? On Phoenix, it’s F7 & F8

#4

I seem to recall reading someone writing how you could program the QSI to do that, but I wish I remembered where I read that. I’d love to do that, too. I never seem to have a magnet handy when I want to change the volume. You can program the Mute volume to be less than full, but not zero, so you can use the F8 key (when stopped) to toggle between full and mute volume levels.

Later,

K

#5

You can set the mute volume, CV51.1, so you can have full volume, and then use f8 for a lower volume, that’s the easiest way.

The mute works all the time, not just when stopped.

You can program the master volume CV also, but that takes a couple more keystrokes.

Regards, Greg

#6
Greg Elmassian said:
The mute works all the time, not just when stopped.
I don't know quite how you interpreted my statement. I'm not implying the mute resets once the train starts moving again, just that I can only engage or disengage it when the train is stopped. When I press F8 when the train is in motion, I get the grade crossing whistle (which is pretty cool, mind you!) If that's not the default (and it would make sense to have F8 control the mute in all states), then perhaps I changed it somehow when I customized the sounds via the programmer. On the systems I've installed/programmed for others, I just set the CV for the mute level and checked it quickly while stationary just to make sure it sounded okay. I used the magnet to control the overall volume.

Regardless, if Greg doesn’t recall anything about mapping volume up and down to function keys on the QSI, it’s a safe bet it can’t be done. I was hoping my reference would jog his memory, but I may have been thinking about mapping the Phoenix as Bill described.

Later,

K

#7

Yep, did some more research, no “volume up” or down commands in DCC… apparently it’s only in the DC mode (where the functions are controlled by sequences of polarity reversals)…

Would be a nice new feature, will ask the QSI guys to consider this in next firmware release.

Regards, Greg

#8

Although QSI decoders do not include Function Button settings for up / down volume control, it is possible to use F8 as a mute or lower volume button. Setting CV 51.1 to a value other than 0 allows F8 to toggle between the normal volume and the value set in the CV. I usually run at a lower volume (CV 51.1 set to 75 and F8 on) and toggle to the normal (CV 51.0 set to 127 full volume and F8 off) to use as a warning signal to small hands which wonder to near the tracks.

See section 5.4 CV 51.PI QSI System Sound Control of the NMRA DCC Reference Manual for QSI Quantum® Q1a and Q2 Equipped Locomotives for instructions on setting the relevant CV’s.

#9

Yes, see post 5

Greg