Product Support for: Computer Control -> SoundFX Serial Port Decoder Programmer (PR2)

  Q:  On my PR2, I have been getting the red light and message saying COM Port Paused a lot when trying to read CV’s. A:  This operation is normal. Whenever you bring up any of the auxiliary menus such as Soundtest or CV editing, the main Soundloader screen pauses its communication with the PR2 so the auxiliary menu operation can take place. When in the normal main screen, the program is constantly talking to the PR2 so it must be paused to allow these other activities to take place. Unless you are not able to read/write CV's, this should ...

This application note shows how you can use your Digitrax PR2 Programmer with the USB Port on your computer. The PR2 has been replaced by PR3 Programmer and Computer Interface.  PR3 offers USB connectivity.The PR2 Programmer is a serial device that connects to a computer via a 25pin serial port. Serial ports are not available on most computers in current production. USB ports are more widely used today. The Digitrax PR2 Programmer can be connected to a USB port by using a USB to Serial RS-232 DB-25 Adapter Cable. Caution: Not all cables on the market will work. One that ...

Q. I tried to program an SFX0416 with my PR2 and the sounds did not "Take". I clicked the big green "Program" button and after the initial buzzing for about 15 seconds, nothing further happened and now the unit makes no sounds. I am using a Compaq XP-home 1.5GHz laptop with SoundLoader version 1.16. How can I fix this? A. The most likely issue is that you are using the earlier SoundLoader version 1.16, which was not configured for full support of 16M bit flash sound memories, such as those used in the recently released SFX0416. SoundLoader was updated in ...

The Mode Switch: The Mode Switch next to the Green LED is used to toggle back and forth between MS-100 mode and PR2 Programmer Mode. The Green LED will wink once per second if in the MS-100 Mode or toggle every second when in the PR2 sound programming mode. The Loconet Termination Switch: The switch next to the error LED is used only in MS-100 mode to activate the Loconet current source termination feature. This switch is active ONLY when a command station is NOT connected to the Loconet and the red LED is solid on indicating there is no ...

My son & I have PROTO 1000 Diesel EMD F3A-B Sets. The powered locos are equipped with an eight-pin plug for easy decoder installation. Our problem is that we've been looking through books & have no idea what sound card & speakers we are going to need that corresponds with these type of locomotives. I was told that they would need sound cards that are from the "Early Diesel" era. If this is true, please tell me what sound cards,speakers & wires do we need to make this happen? We are fond of F-units, and the Proto 1000 F-units are ...

The sound project loaded into this decoder can be operated independently of any other DCC motor or function decoder. If another non-Sound FX compatible DCC decoder is connected to the track leads then CV readback of SFX064D Sound CV's and PR2/PR3 SoundTest modes may not be possible. Note that it is always possible to Write CV values using Operations mode or a Service Mode programming track, even if CV Read is inoperative.If the connected function loads are insufficient for CV readback or an incompatible DCC decoder is also connected, it is still possible to download a complete sound project by ...

What are the different operational modes available in the PR3? The PR3 is the combination of two previous Digitrax devices: the PR2 decoder programmer and the MS100 LocoNet to computer interface. The PR3 can be configured through manual (control panel buttons) or automatically (software) means to perform any one of the following three operations: a) The PR3 can be configured to function as a stand alone decoder programmer. In this mode the PR3 can program the configuration variables of most DCC decoders and the sound effects of the Digitrax Sound FX sound decoders. b) The PR3 can be configured to ...

To get the most out of your SoundFX decoders you'll need an internet connection in order to get to the Sound Depot website (digitrax.com/sounddepot). For the casual user, access to the Sound Depot site will let you download new Project files that other users have customized. So if you want to change your loco's factory default GP38-2 sound project, and another user has previously uploaded a GP38-2 sound project file with something special, perhaps a different horn configuration, you can do it. It's easy: Just go to the Sound Depot and download the desired new sound project file or use ...

1) Connect the Red and Black track wires from the 9 pin Track and Function harness to the locomotive track power connections.2) Connect the function leads that are to be used from the 9pin Track and Function harness. Note that to be able to readback Sound FX CV's a combination of function lead loads of at least 60mA at 12volts should be connected to these function leads. Insulate the unused function leads so they cannot short to the locomotive frame or track power.3) Mount the 28mm speaker attached to the 10pin sound feature harness in an appropriate sound enclosure. Be ...

Fred Miller has been an invaluable resource for information about Digitrax sound. Here are some of his thoughts about the sound project files, from the Yahoo Digitrax Sound discussion group: There seems to be confusion over what is a SPJ.  Yahoo closed down all Groups in 2019.  The information is still relevant.   Fred Miller has also written a program called SPJHelper which easily lets you create/modifiy Sound Projects. There are additional Sound Projects on Groups.io - Look for AnPRR owned by John McMasters.  He creates many SPJ Sound Projects.   It is not surprising since it is a very ...