Obtaining the full sounds from the Sound card.

Hi Guys - I have upgraded from Hornby Select DCC controllers to the NCE PowerCab & ProCab DCC controllers.  I cannot for the life of me work out how to get up F13 and beyond for sounds on a diesel that I have installed a sound card in. All the other sound files on all my other engines do not exceed F10 so its as easy as pressing the desired button to obtain the required sound but this one MRC sound card goes up to F18 from memory and I can't dial it up on the NCE's.  Anyone know how to do it ? The shop I got it from does not know and the manual does not touch on the subject. Maybe its limited to F12 ?  Regards Budslots .

Power cab  & Power Pro  manuals - Programming and Extended Function Control refers to using the Shift button to change function of buttons.

[user=1653]Budslots[/user] wrote:

Hi Guys - I have upgraded from Hornby Select DCC controllers to the NCE PowerCab & ProCab DCC controllers.  I cannot for the life of me work out how to get up F13 and beyond for sounds on a diesel that I have installed a sound card in. All the other sound files on all my other engines do not exceed F10 so its as easy as pressing the desired button to obtain the required sound but this one MRC sound card goes up to F18 from memory and I can't dial it up on the NCE's.  Anyone know how to do it ? The shop I got it from does not know and the manual does not touch on the subject. Maybe its limited to F12 ?  Regards Budslots .

For this purpose, ignore the printed shift key, that only works up to 13 as you have discovered.

You can access all 28 F keys with your gear.

It can be done 'as is' but requires a lot of keystokes and is not very convenient. I don[t use it and can't remember how, but it is the manual.

By far the most convenient way is to reassign the shift function to the 'Option' button. When you have done this, one press will give you F keys 10 to 19 two presses will give F20 to 28. You only have to press Option then the second digit of the required F key number.

Reassigning keys is covered in the NCE manual.

Kind regards,

Paul

Hi Budslots,

From the manual (page 18 of mine, Rev. 1.28):

"EXTENDED FUNCTION CONTROL (F10 - F28)

Control of functions F13 through F28 has been added. To access these function numbers program the OPTION key to a value of 122 (see CAB SET UP below). Pressing OPTION will display "F10 through F19 on the bottom line of the cab. Pressing a digit will toggle that number plus ten…..

Pressing OPTION a second time will display "F21 through F28" on the cab.  Pressing a digit with this display will toggle that number plus twenty.

Pressing OPTION a third time will return to the F10 through F19 display."

Pressing option again should return things to normal.


From the NCE website:

"EXTENDED FUNCTION CONTROL (F10 - F28)
 To access function F13 through F28  hold down the SHIFT key then press the HEADLIGHT (or the 0) KEY once or twice.
 Pressing HEADLIGHT will display “F10 through F19 on the bottom line  of the cab. Releasing the SHIFT key and pressing a digit will toggle  that number plus ten. For example: Pressing 6 will toggle F16, with the  display returning to normal.
 Pressing HEADLIGHT a second time will display “F21 through F28” on  the cab. Pressing a digit with this display will toggle that number plus  twenty.
 Pressing HEADLIGHT a third time will return to the F10 through F19 display.
 Pressing  Prog/Esc at any time will abort the operation.
 If you find holding down the SHIFT key and then pressing HEADLIGHT  inconvenient, program the OPTION key to a value of 122  and use the  OPTION key instead of  SHIFT+HEADLIGHT."


More than one way apparently.


I used the first for a QSI decoder in a gas turbine engine with lots of functions - Mars lights, ditch lights, headlights, cab lights, Christmas tree lights……

These days I stick to 10 functions.

Nigel

Nigel,

Thanks for that.

The second way you describe is so inconvenient if you have sounds in the F20-F28 range. No wonder I couldn't remember how to do it. Lol.

The first way is considerably easier. Good job really as many of my sound projects use all 28 F keys.

Kind regards,

Paul

Hi Budslots,

Some additional thoughts. One obvious solution would be to remap those sounds you want (or functions) to the lower keys. This usually needs additional programming resources, except apparently for Lenz systems. Alternatively, get the decoder supplier (not manufacturer) to program it to what you want.

I've never done it, but NCE remapping of F0 through F12 can be done through the hand-held (see page 52), and more than one function can be assigned to one key. Above that and it probably means messing about with the decoder innards settings (which for an ESU V4 is around 5000 settings apparently).

I suspect that a macro sequence could be used to have multiple things happen which would save accessing the higher fx "keys" - for example engine startup followed by a sequence of lights coming on. Reverse the sequence for shutdown. Two obvious ones would be the slam doors/departure whistle.

Plenty of info on the RM site on remapping fx keys/functions, or check out the various Yahoo groups. Most of which is way, way  beyond me. Too much techno talk that assumes 100% knowledge from the getgo.

Nigel

If you have JMRI Decoder Pro (a freebie to download and use) and a system that can 'talk' to a computer, then that makes function remapping much, much easier, as you don't have to know the CVs at all, just tick or untick checkboxes.

As for the NCE higher function access, I always reprogram the Option button as once it's done, I can toggle through the higher ranges easily. One press on Option, select the number (+10), Two presses of the Option key, select a number (+20).

Good point Jeff, I think NCE have a USB cable for this sort of thing.

Nigel

It's an interface board, needs a USB cable, computer, and the software. Part 05240223. Goes for about $40 US over here. Works with JMRI Decoder Pro.

Nigel

Hi Fellow RailRoaders  - WOW thanks for the replies . Looks like I had better reread the manual and check out some of the short cuts listed above . Also book myself in for an eye check.  Thanks again to everyone who replied.   Regards Neil