JMRI: Virtual Sound Decoder

# Virtual Sound Decoder

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The VSDecoder Manager window provides a consolidated window to manage all the VSDecoders running on a system. Each active VSDecoder appears as a "control panel" within the Manager window, and all of the key controls required are at the user's fingertips.

#### Using the VSDecoder Manager

Launch the VSDecoder Manager by selecting Virtual Sound Decoder ⇒ VSDecoder Manager from the Tools menu. A simple window will appear, with a blank panel, a master volume/mute control, and an Add Decoder button.

To create a new VSDecoder, click "Add Decoder". This will open a Configuration Dialog ("Config Dialog") where you can choose a locomotive and a sound profile. Once you close the Config Dialog, a new Control Panel will be added to the VSDecoder Manager window.

Each time you add a VSDecoder, a new Control Panel will be added to the main window. You can remove Control Panels by clicking the "Delete" button.

Once you have added a Control Panel, the VSDecoder will respond to throttle and function button presses from a throttle assigned to the locomotive's address, or to button presses on the Control Panel.

#### Configuration Dialog

The Configuration Dialog allows you to create a new VSDecoder. Choose a locomotive from the Roster or set an Address manually. Then select a Profile from the Profile Select combo box. To load Profiles, click the "Load VSD File" button or choose File ⇒ Load VSD File from the menu bar.

Note: You must have a Locomotive assigned and a Profile selected before the "OK" button is enabled.

You can save a Profile to a Roster Entry so that it is automatically configured when the Roster Entry is selected. To do this:

1. Select the Roster Entry
2. Load a VSD File and choose a Profile
3. Click the "Save to Roster" button

To manually set a locomotive address:

1. Choose the "Manual" tab in the "Select a Loco" section
2. Enter an address and choose a protocol
3. Click the "Set" button

#### Control Panel

Each VSDecoder gets a Control Panel within the VSDecoder Manager window. The Control Panel is divided into three sections:

- The Loco Address and Profile Name
- Sound activation buttons
- Options and Delete buttons

The left section shows the assigned Loco Address and Profile Name. The center section provides buttons for activating sounds and a volume control for these sounds. The right section has buttons for Options or deleting the Control Panel.

Sounds can also be activated by a throttle assigned to the same address as the VSDecoder.

And similar the "Engine Start" button can be activated by a throttle key, if desired.

Note 1: To start the Engine the throttle speed must be 0.
Note 2: Diesel engines normally have a starting-sound. Throttle changes will not be processed until the starting-sound has finished.

##### Volume / Mute control

There is a volume control to the right of the "Engine Start" button for each VSDecoder. The changed volume is saved in the Roster Media when a Roster is used.

At the bottom of the window is a master volume slider and mute button. These control the overall sound level for all VSDecoders within the VSDecoder Manager. The changed master volume is saved in the VSDecoder Preferences.

##### Menu Items

###### File ⇒ Load VSD File

Load the Sound Profiles from a VSD File. Profiles loaded will be available to any currently running or newly launched VSDecoder. This is the same action as the "Load VSD File" button on the Config Dialog.

###### Edit ⇒ VSDecoder Preferences

Set preferences for VSDecoder operation. See VSDecoder Preferences for details.

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