By Max Brisben, TTE Tech Support

In 2019, ESU Loksound, LLC released the fifth version of their popular DCC decoder line. This new line of decoders was built on the success of the V4.0 and Select and offers numerous improvements and upgrades. These include more sound channels, better sound resolution, and more ability for customization.

The addition of more sound channels vastly improves the level of realism that can be achieved with Loksound 5. This is done through the use of ten different sound channels, which means that 10 different sounds can be played at the same time. For example, you can simultaneously listen to the prime mover, bell, horn, air compressor, radiator fan, and five additional sounds of your choice. In order to achieve this, Loksound 5 decoders are equipped with a more powerful 32 bit processor and have a sound resolution of 16 Bit and a sampling frequency of 31,250 Hz. This means clean, crisp, prototypical sounds across all 10 channels.

Another important improvement over Loksound 5’s predecessors is the significant increase in function outputs. Depending on the DCC control interface you are using, there are up to 32 unique, programmable functions (F0 – F32). The standardized 30mm x 15.5mm Loksound 5 decoder offers up to 12 logical function outputs, depending on the type of interface. That’s more than enough to accommodate additional, individually controlled lighting functions such as ditch lights, strobes, number boards, cab lights, fireboxes, and step lights.

Loksound 5 also offers many improvements to the large scale market. The new L and XL decoders are optimized for use with large scale locomotives, offering up to 15 function outputs as well as RC servo connections. This means that you have the ability to actually animate and detail your models beyond lights, sounds, and track movement.

From an end user programming standpoint, the new Loksound 5 interface vastly improves the ability for customization. This makes the ownership and use of a LokProgrammer essential to ensure that you are getting the most out of your Loksound 5 decoders. With the Select and V4 decoders, the customization ability was relatively limited. You now have the ability to load dozens of different horns, bells, air dryers, and much more onto Loksound 5 decoders using template packs available for download on ESU’s website. Links to these can be found below. These customizable sounds are loaded onto the decoder and placed into the appropriate sound slot when writing sound files to the decoder. Once the custom sounds have been loaded onto the decoder, then CV163 can be used to change the horn to one of your choice. The same goes for CV164 for the bell, CV165 for the brake squeal, and CV166 for the air dryer. This also applies to using V4 sound files in Loksound 5 decoders, of which there is a separate template pack available for this applications.

Hopefully this quick introduction to Loksound 5 helps with any questions or concerns you may have. For more comprehensive and detailed information, the full Loksound 5 manual is available for download on ESU’s website. We recommend familiarizing yourself with this manual before delving into all of the wonderful things that are now possible with Loksound 5.

 

Loksound 5 Full Manual: http://www.esu.eu/en/downloads/instruction-manuals/digital-decoders/

Sound Template Video Resources: http://www.esu.eu/en/videos/loksound/

LokProgrammer Video Resources: http://www.esu.eu/en/videos/lokprogrammer/

ESU Loksound 5 Template Pack: (Available by 05/10/2019)

ESU Loksound V4.0 Template Pack for Loksound 5 Decoders: (Available by 05/10/2019)