I would've never thought that you'd measure HU pre-out on the RCA, and THEN set gains... brilliant. Everyone always says "set your volume to 75-80% to max and then set gains" but I love the idea of matching pre-out voltage. Thank you for this!
@titoham-DCXLs i have a question buddy.... I don't have an amp I just got my speakers running to my head unit, now the thing is how do I know the maximum volume i am allowed to turn it up to without frying any speakers or even the head unit?
nothing against anyone else trying to explain the science behind all this but that's about the best explanation of how thing work I have found that I could understand, thank you for sharing. be safe and God bless!
Really great concept! The only issue is this assumes that the manufacturer has used a linear potentiometer for gain control - ive seen many using logarithmic potentiometers, whereby half-way up the dial is equal to around 28% or 72% of gain depending how its been wired. Wouldn't it be so much easier if all manufacturers actually labelled the voltage on the dial! :P
I knew there were 2 types of pots that work differently as they are being turned up or down.There should be a way to test them in order to distinguish which is which. Let me dig around a bit and I'll get back. This system is great, however not having linear pots is a set up for a costly failure.
When measuring AC volts there is no need to observe polarity. You can put the meter leads on whichever you want, it will read the same. DC is when polarity matters. Hooking up the speakers polarity matters so they receive the same wave and work together. Other than that it for anyone to cheap to buy an oscilloscope it looks like some good advice. I'm a firm believer that distortion kills more speakers than slightly over or under powering them.
The fact that you showed 92BT head unit and old MRV amp together is such an unreal find for me. I wondered why my signal is clipping at volume set 20-21 for about a year. That almost driven me to throw away MRV-F405 from my system. I'll definitely try your setting up scheme tomorrow. Thanks a lot!
Excellent guide. I will be using this technique to set up my amplifier. Head Unit Single RCA output. 1.5v. Multimeter set to AC to find clean output on RCA in relation to HU volume level. Calculate where 1.5v sits on gain dial. Sony Amplifer RCA input voltage 0.3 - 6v. 6v minimum. 0.3v maximum. Lower voltage position (0.3v) is maximum gain. So lower voltage value = higher RCA input compensation (gain). Hopefully, I understand it correctly.
my new CT Sounds amp(s) dont have a line/input dial. in this case, i just turned my head unit up to 75% of the volume, and checked the output at the speaker terminals. my door comp's can handle 80w RMS. they are 4ohm rated. so the quick math to do is multiply the RMS power rating (80w) times the resistance in ohms (4ohm) then get the square root of that.. 80x4=320 squared, is 17.9 with the head unit volume at 75%, i'd check a/c voltage on one of the speaker terminals and turn up the Gain until it outputs 17-18 volts. *to get this done right, set your EQ, all your sub gains or bass boosts on max because once you turn up the gain, you CANNOT then do a 0-12 db bass boost unless you want your voice coils in your passenger seat :)
Not sure if you had any on your outputs before measuring with the scope, but you must have a load on the output before checking for clipping. Whatever the input impedance is for the amp on the line level outs to your scope and whatever the amps output impedance (prob 4ohm) dummy load on the scope leads. Your way will work but you're losing some of the power capabilities because with a load connected the output adjustments would be a bit higher before clipping.
Thanks a ton for this! I must be doing something wrong... my head unit spec reads "Low-Level Output (4 channels): 2.85 Volts." With max volume on both Bluetooth phone and headunit, my multimeter reads .6 Volts AC for a 1000 hertz test tone... and vacillates between .7 and .8 Volts AC for a 100 hertz test tone. The headunit tech support (Retrosound) says I won't see full voltage unless "there is a load" such as connecting to an amp. So I tried adding an RCA Y-Adapter (one side to the amp and then onto a speaker... the other side naked). Readings on the naked Y-Adapter RCA plug are the same (.6-.8 ACV). I then measured with an oscilloscope... I see no clipping (perfectly smooth waves) at max volumes (perhaps Retrosound engineered theirs to have
Looked up one of their decks and heard some janky things. I would be surprised it does 2V, most likely 1V which makes sense if you got .8 or whatever...
Great explanation!! Wondering if this can be done using a line out converter as well? I will be adding an amp and sub using the factory HU which doesn’t have any RCA pre-outs. Thanks
Set your sub out to 1/2-3/4 then do this.. in my experience you’ll get more clipping from the internal gain/filtering of a head unit not the actual volume.. But you got to pair that with the speaker level outs as well if powering speakers off the head unit.. find the balance of clean out and clean rca.. This is a good starting point for just adding a sub but it doesn’t really give you the full picture.. you want clean power to everything it just the sub.. this is why amps have gain controls so you can tune them up or down accordingly to match the rest of the system. But most times the pre out will over run your line outs on your head unit.. I like to start with the line outs and then work from there unless everything is running off amps Can’t believe this doesn’t have more views.. this is one of the easiest to understand and follow videos for beginners But need to know your head unit sub out.. for example mine is 0-14 with -8bd to +8db.. 0db is setting 7. Therefore when doing this with my head unit I would need to be at setting of 7/14 not at max.. This is more often than not the case for most brands.. alpine is the best at giving really good non clipped output at max settings though for most models.. I’d bet your sub out is plus minus too cause most alpines will go max power in clipped to both the preamps and the line outs
How would you measure the output of a factory head unit to a line output converter? Would it essentially be the same process? On the line output converter I have it has a clip light to set it at the frequency needed if I am correct, please correct me if I am wrong
Hey mate, quick question. What you describe at 2:30 is a better way of just setting your headunit at 75% and assuming that is clean voltage, right? Thanks for your video!
@@PacmanBasshead Thing is I bought a chinese multimedia for my Suzuki, and the manual does not mention that value... Seems good quality, but it lacks specifications.
Thank you very much break down was awesome and really appreciate how you showed everything rather then just telling me I'm much more hands on type person this is so helpful keep it up please and thank you have a great day
Quick few questions. 1. What test tone frequencies are you using (I assume 50 hHZ for a sub, and 1000 hz for other channel speakers)? 2. What should I do if at max volume the output measured on the RCA cable is not even half of the indicated preamp output? I am using an Boss BE10ACP. Which states it supplies outputs: 6-channel preamp outputs (4-volt front, rear, sub). When playing a 50 HZ test tone and testing one of the rca cable of the sub I am not even getting above 1.7 at full max volume. What would cause this?
I don't get this. The less voltage your car stereo will give, the less you turn gain from your amp? So, in my case, my stereo has 4V output level and my amp has 6V input level I would turn gain to about 2/3 of max. And because my subwoofer is 250W RMS, and my amp is 310W RMS, I probably lose some of the potential of my subwoofer? Or should I use 31.62V instead (square root of 4 ohms x 250W)?
Great vid. So what if my HU is stock with all the integration stuff, and I have an amp connected to speaker level inputs. Can I just read the voltage off the speaker wires since my shitty HU has no RCA?
I'm confused on the alpine amp that you said it's 0v to 4v. why does it say 0.5v nowhere near where it should & how the 2v being across from max does make any since if you break it down to % 2v should be straight up where it's says Nom, which I thought was for the most common setting being 2v is pretty common. But I really like this video & how to find the head unit per out put max. Every one else say go 75% of max volume which I never liked.
Can you just set your head unit to max and your input for music such as an iPod or phone to max. From that point adjust the filter your using (in my case hpf) and gain until it isn't clipping on an oscope and be in the clear?
What frequency do you use in this tuning? And does BT never distort at max level from the phone? Can all amplifiers handle max level in without any load, dont you have to put a load at the speaker output, or is it safe to run full gain and max signal in without any risk of breaking the amplifier?
Wait; great advice on measuring the pre-outputs of the radio because I haven’t seen that yet ( I’m a beginner so I’ve been watching TONS) of videos. My question is how do I know what “ Hz “ to set it at? I’m doing a 2 amp setup. 1. Pioneer DX871 powering 2 “12s / 2. Aunex 4ch powering all 4 interior speakers
This is a great video, thanks for making this. My Pioneer HU is 4v, and my Alpine amp is 4v at minimum....so I'm assuming my gain should be on minimum?
Just come across this, I’m using an lc7i as I’m keeping my factory head unit. Do I find my preout based off the lc7i prior to clipping point and I use that value for my amps? Also are you playing a test tone for each amp when setting your gain. Thank you
Just turn the head unit to 100%MAXX and set amp gains to zero distortion!!.. . I am into SQ installs and this is the preferred way for 0 Distortion Max output.. .
Had a question about the tone you okayed and if you had other other speakers hooked up. If I wanna set the gain myself we don’t have audio shops local. Do I need to unplug my door speakers so the Tone don’t play through them since the volume will be up high when testing the rca volts
It's best to disconnect your speaker inputs from your amp because they aren't necessary to get the readings. All you will be doing is playing your speakers very loudly at a test tone. If your trying to set the gain and you turn it all the way up or to a clip point it's just putting unnecessary wear on your speakers and possibly could blow them accidentally. It's no difference speakers wired or not, but security on your investment.
What if my RCA A/C voltage is within the output voltage range from the head unit, but I am still experiencing clipping at my amp with gain turned up 30% and volume maxed out on head unit?
so what happen when you use audio control amplifier and on the gain there isn’t any numbers on the gain? but it is 8v input? the signal come out head unit is 5v, so turn up half way and a tad more? also what if you use factory head unit and use high speaker input for signal. how do you determine the factory head unit voltage? this is really helpful, thanks
Dude this is relevant aswell to guitar recording in the digital realm, I would need to measure my guitar pickup output to set up my virtual amp simulator input level according to my pickups (meaning, passive and actives have different output etc..) I'm hittin my head against the wall with this thing.
No it shouldnt(however I would do it while running just to be sure) seeing as how the voltage you are adjusting is the signal voltage, rather than the power input voltage, good question tho!
My android HU has a built-in subwoofer gain. Should I set it to max before I will perform your video tuning process? I will also set bass boost to OFF and equalizer FLAT on the HU.
Youll need to find the rms ac voltage of the subwoofer, the manufacturer should be able to say what it is, then find where on the headunit its at that voltage and go from there.
the problem ive seen with every single amp gain setting tutorial - no one talks about how songs played clip at different levels. if you play a song from youtube it might clip before the song on your CD. Or from your buddies ipod playlist. Its never consistent. I gave up trying to "properly set my gains" for this reason. Turn the gain up, use a bass knob, and watch for a clip light. at least thats whats worked for me the past 15 years
Awesome video, the best explanation on this topic!!! On my setup my base sounds good when I have the input level button out in the high mode per the kicker 800.1 label. Pushed in the base is low like non existing. But I have the rca cables from the headset into the amp. Shouldn’t the base sound in the low setting? I had this installed years back and don’t recall but I think the installer used an inline converter from headset speaker wire to rca converter out the amp because I have the factory headset. Is it that when using this LOC converter even though the rca is going out the amp input button should be set to high level input?
QUESTION PLEASE: 1) im using the pac sub pro as my LOC, it's coming off my factory radio. can i use the RCAs that are going from my PAC to my AMP? 2) my real question is, i want to do this but im afraid of turning my system up all the way cuz i want to work on it in my garage and not piss off the neighbors. can i put a silent track on so that its turned way up but cant hear anything???? or does there need to be something coming out? any thoughts on best way to do that quietly? Please answer if u can
So I've I stalled an jvc kwm745 head unit paired with an audison sr5.600. I have looked at the out put of the head unit using an oscilloscope there no cliping at full voltage . Although I have sent the gain to matched the pre out I was thinking is there any reason why I can match it it to the speakers, which are audison rated to 100w rms @ 2ohm. Or set the gain as close to speaker max before oscilloscope shows cliping. What are ur thoughts
This is invaluable. So real quick though, doesn't this also mean you cannot turn your radio up past 23 because of the induced voltage excess causing gain distortion?
I believe this would be okay but let's say u set it to 5v with a 5v system and u turn it down would that be fine. And also with a bass knob. If you have it maxed out at 5v don't bump the bass knob up? I hear ppl call the bass knob gain control and is just very confusing. Than ppl say gain isn't volume but also say the gain is the volume than call the knob gain. What
New to your channel congratulations on the 10000 subs I'm in the same place as you with my channel coming up to the 10 figure I've always been into the car audio seen and watching some of your videos just brought back loads of old memories back so hit the sub I have a setup at the moment running Audison ,focal , jLaudio and alpine
How come when I do this to my RCA wire it always says at 0? I have my RCA cables plugged in the the back of the radio. There are a front and rear red and white and then below that two back RCA connectors that say sub. That's the correct place to connect them right?
So my skar subs are 1ohm at 1000 watts RMS which equals about 31volts on a multimeter. So I played a 50hz test tone at my clean radio volume and turned the gain until I got 30-31 volts on my multimeter . Is this correct please ?? Cause my shit is EATIN!! 😁😁
I had one buddy keep cranking it up when he was drunk and blowing speakers. 3rd time, I said look if you’re not going to learn you’re gonna keep doing it. I had another buddy buy my entire set up. I said add another $500 to calibrate😮and He said no and didn’t buy the head unit or my guarantee. 😂
So you mean that, my alpine 178bt that produce 4v per RCA Chanel should have my gain set to full because my amp is 4v Max capacity. It goes from volume 0-35 and the majority of songs i keept the volume about 24 because to me more than that it clearly dist. Should i turn it all the way up? I feel like the volume would be really sensitive.
4v is a minimum setting, the max would be 0.2v or something. The gain knob is basically a signal booster where your headunit lacks the strength. Test your RCA voltage and set it to that.
On my headunit when using the FM radio, normal listening is at about 8-10. The max is 40 on this unit. When I use Bluetooth with the phone on max volume, I have to turn the headunit volume up to 16-20. However, I get crappy sound because the Bluetooth is clipping, so I turn the volume down on the phone so it's the first notch above where the volume bar turns red, then set the headunit to 22-28 for normal listening volume, or 30-34 to more enthusiastic music. With the drastic difference in volume between FM and Bluetooth, what do I have to change on your method?
Its worth testing at both, a bluetooth connection will offer a different level of RCA signal so you would meed different settings for both. Every device has dofferent bluetooth signal strengths too so try to make sure all of your music comes from one source. It sounds as though you have a lower quality headunit, or bluetooth device, maybe consider changing it.
I'd think fm, aux, cd, and Bluetooth would all have different input strengths, assuming the same bitrate. So wouldn't a Bluetooth signal be pre-amped by the phone and then the HU vs the HU preamping the initial signal via a cd? Does a phone at 100% clip a signal via aux or BT?
What if my amps input sensitivity is measured in Millivolts? Input Sensitivity (Level 100%): 230mV would be 0.23V? and my headunit is 2v. what would the math be?
Man, this is a great video, but I have a stock HU in my 2021 Mazda 3 hatchback. And I have no idea what the output voltage is, because there's no manual or nothing.
Hands down the best explanation I have heard to setting the gain on an amplifier
Finally someone who actually understands this stuff explaining it to where anyone can understand it. Huge thanks!
I would've never thought that you'd measure HU pre-out on the RCA, and THEN set gains... brilliant. Everyone always says "set your volume to 75-80% to max and then set gains" but I love the idea of matching pre-out voltage. Thank you for this!
@titoham-DCXLs i have a question buddy.... I don't have an amp I just got my speakers running to my head unit, now the thing is how do I know the maximum volume i am allowed to turn it up to without frying any speakers or even the head unit?
@@sivz87 Stay away from max volume or anything that would make you go deaf and your fine.
@sivz87 measure the volts your head unit outputs (ie 2v) and don't put the volume above that level (ie 23).
nothing against anyone else trying to explain the science behind all this but that's about the best explanation of how thing work I have found that I could understand, thank you for sharing. be safe and God bless!
Really great concept! The only issue is this assumes that the manufacturer has used a linear potentiometer for gain control - ive seen many using logarithmic potentiometers, whereby half-way up the dial is equal to around 28% or 72% of gain depending how its been wired. Wouldn't it be so much easier if all manufacturers actually labelled the voltage on the dial! :P
I knew there were 2 types of pots that work differently as they are being turned up or down.There should be a way to test them in order to distinguish which is which. Let me dig around a bit and I'll get back. This system is great, however not having linear pots is a set up for a costly failure.
When measuring AC volts there is no need to observe polarity. You can put the meter leads on whichever you want, it will read the same. DC is when polarity matters. Hooking up the speakers polarity matters so they receive the same wave and work together. Other than that it for anyone to cheap to buy an oscilloscope it looks like some good advice. I'm a firm believer that distortion kills more speakers than slightly over or under powering them.
The fact that you showed 92BT head unit and old MRV amp together is such an unreal find for me. I wondered why my signal is clipping at volume set 20-21 for about a year. That almost driven me to throw away MRV-F405 from my system. I'll definitely try your setting up scheme tomorrow.
Thanks a lot!
Excellent guide. I will be using this technique to set up my amplifier.
Head Unit Single RCA output. 1.5v.
Multimeter set to AC to find clean output on RCA in relation to HU volume level.
Calculate where 1.5v sits on gain dial.
Sony Amplifer RCA input voltage 0.3 - 6v. 6v minimum. 0.3v maximum.
Lower voltage position (0.3v) is maximum gain. So lower voltage value = higher RCA input compensation (gain).
Hopefully, I understand it correctly.
Bro this is….amazing. For years I’ve used ohms law but that implies the amp actually does rated power. This is insane lol
Thanks haha its not 1000% accurate for for anyine without a scope its good enough!
@@PacmanBasshead
Better than shooting from the hip🤔😂👍
You are a god, this is the easiest explanation for this I've ever heard.
Thoroughly appreciated 👏
Great video. I showed it to me Gran. She called it rubbish and pissed off back to the tele. :)
my new CT Sounds amp(s) dont have a line/input dial. in this case, i just turned my head unit up to 75% of the volume, and checked the output at the speaker terminals. my door comp's can handle 80w RMS. they are 4ohm rated. so the quick math to do is multiply the RMS power rating (80w) times the resistance in ohms (4ohm) then get the square root of that.. 80x4=320 squared, is 17.9
with the head unit volume at 75%, i'd check a/c voltage on one of the speaker terminals and turn up the Gain until it outputs 17-18 volts.
*to get this done right, set your EQ, all your sub gains or bass boosts on max because once you turn up the gain, you CANNOT then do a 0-12 db bass boost unless you want your voice coils in your passenger seat :)
Thank you for sharing the video. Now the sound produced by my amplifier is perfect.
Not sure if you had any on your outputs before measuring with the scope, but you must have a load on the output before checking for clipping. Whatever the input impedance is for the amp on the line level outs to your scope and whatever the amps output impedance (prob 4ohm) dummy load on the scope leads. Your way will work but you're losing some of the power capabilities because with a load connected the output adjustments would be a bit higher before clipping.
When you say load you mean a song playing right
Thanks a ton for this! I must be doing something wrong... my head unit spec reads "Low-Level Output (4 channels): 2.85 Volts." With max volume on both Bluetooth phone and headunit, my multimeter reads .6 Volts AC for a 1000 hertz test tone... and vacillates between .7 and .8 Volts AC for a 100 hertz test tone. The headunit tech support (Retrosound) says I won't see full voltage unless "there is a load" such as connecting to an amp. So I tried adding an RCA Y-Adapter (one side to the amp and then onto a speaker... the other side naked). Readings on the naked Y-Adapter RCA plug are the same (.6-.8 ACV). I then measured with an oscilloscope... I see no clipping (perfectly smooth waves) at max volumes (perhaps Retrosound engineered theirs to have
Looked up one of their decks and heard some janky things. I would be surprised it does 2V, most likely 1V which makes sense if you got .8 or whatever...
Dude you're awesome thanks for this explanation. Just when you think youve got it figured out. BAM! LOVE IT ❤️
Great explanation!! Wondering if this can be done using a line out converter as well? I will be adding an amp and sub using the factory HU which doesn’t have any RCA pre-outs. Thanks
Best instruction video I've seen! Been hunting for tons of information and this video shows everything I needed to know. Awesome video
Set your sub out to 1/2-3/4 then do this.. in my experience you’ll get more clipping from the internal gain/filtering of a head unit not the actual volume..
But you got to pair that with the speaker level outs as well if powering speakers off the head unit.. find the balance of clean out and clean rca..
This is a good starting point for just adding a sub but it doesn’t really give you the full picture.. you want clean power to everything it just the sub.. this is why amps have gain controls so you can tune them up or down accordingly to match the rest of the system.
But most times the pre out will over run your line outs on your head unit.. I like to start with the line outs and then work from there unless everything is running off amps
Can’t believe this doesn’t have more views.. this is one of the easiest to understand and follow videos for beginners
But need to know your head unit sub out.. for example mine is 0-14 with -8bd to +8db.. 0db is setting 7. Therefore when doing this with my head unit I would need to be at setting of 7/14 not at max..
This is more often than not the case for most brands.. alpine is the best at giving really good non clipped output at max settings though for most models.. I’d bet your sub out is plus minus too cause most alpines will go max power in clipped to both the preamps and the line outs
How would you measure the output of a factory head unit to a line output converter? Would it essentially be the same process? On the line output converter I have it has a clip light to set it at the frequency needed if I am correct, please correct me if I am wrong
Hey mate, quick question. What you describe at 2:30 is a better way of just setting your headunit at 75% and assuming that is clean voltage, right? Thanks for your video!
Heya, Use the specs in the manual for the voltage and test with multimeter. Ive not had any that arent clean at the rms voltage
@@PacmanBasshead Thing is I bought a chinese multimedia for my Suzuki, and the manual does not mention that value... Seems good quality, but it lacks specifications.
Thank you very much break down was awesome and really appreciate how you showed everything rather then just telling me I'm much more hands on type person this is so helpful keep it up please and thank you have a great day
Man iv heard al this is so many times but God dam it I finally understand thank you sir😂
Quick few questions.
1. What test tone frequencies are you using (I assume 50 hHZ for a sub, and 1000 hz for other channel speakers)?
2. What should I do if at max volume the output measured on the RCA cable is not even half of the indicated preamp output? I am using an Boss BE10ACP. Which states it supplies outputs: 6-channel preamp outputs (4-volt front, rear, sub). When playing a 50 HZ test tone and testing one of the rca cable of the sub I am not even getting above 1.7 at full max volume. What would cause this?
I think it's 4v divided into 6 ch or 0.66v per ch, 1.7v is clipping
I think your sublevel isnt on full, how many volts have the front and rear rca´s ?
I don't get this. The less voltage your car stereo will give, the less you turn gain from your amp? So, in my case, my stereo has 4V output level and my amp has 6V input level I would turn gain to about 2/3 of max. And because my subwoofer is 250W RMS, and my amp is 310W RMS, I probably lose some of the potential of my subwoofer? Or should I use 31.62V instead (square root of 4 ohms x 250W)?
I have this question as well
He said a 250w RMS subwoofer@titoham-DCXLs
could you make a video with a oem head unit without rca and using a Hi-Lo impedance adapter please
Fantastic formula that didn't bore me to death with guesses
This guy needs an award for the year
Why thankyou 😊
Great video! What equipment are you using to set up your bench to power.the head unit and amps? Thanks
Great vid. So what if my HU is stock with all the integration stuff, and I have an amp connected to speaker level inputs. Can I just read the voltage off the speaker wires since my shitty HU has no RCA?
hey, that's the same head unit i used to have. I loved it, wish i had pulled it from my truck before i sold it.
also can confirm that particular head unit sounded best set for a max volume of 23 lol
wait I see where you checked the gain on the receiver, but how did you check the clipping one the amp w/o the scope?
It's 4 am and I came across this, now I've gotta try this before I sleep and forget this video ever existed
I'm getting no reading from my rcas
Yet when plugged in they work, like what???? I have my multimeter set to act at 200
Acv**
Yo Adam was great until you only hooked up the oscilloscope to the amps not the multimeter. How do I use a Multimeter on an amp?
I'm confused on the alpine amp that you said it's 0v to 4v. why does it say 0.5v nowhere near where it should & how the 2v being across from max does make any since if you break it down to % 2v should be straight up where it's says Nom, which I thought was for the most common setting being 2v is pretty common. But I really like this video & how to find the head unit per out put max. Every one else say go 75% of max volume which I never liked.
that is really interesting, I can't understand that as well, @Adam Francis could you reply? :)
Awesome. Thank you sir. Cheers from Florida.
You are welcome from england ❤️
Crazy helpful...
Thanks
Most useful information I have received from TH-cam thanks mate.
Thanks for watching buddy, I appreciate it 😊
Can you just set your head unit to max and your input for music such as an iPod or phone to max. From that point adjust the filter your using (in my case hpf) and gain until it isn't clipping on an oscope and be in the clear?
What frequency do you use in this tuning?
And does BT never distort at max level from the phone?
Can all amplifiers handle max level in without any load, dont you have to put a load at the speaker output, or is it safe to run full gain and max signal in without any risk of breaking the amplifier?
Amps have a input sensitivity rating, which indicates the maximum voltage for RCA signal in that the amp can handle without clipping.
Great video! Quick question, what test tones did you use? 40hz?
Probably or just pink noise
Wait; great advice on measuring the pre-outputs of the radio because I haven’t seen that yet ( I’m a beginner so I’ve been watching TONS) of videos.
My question is how do I know what “ Hz “ to set it at? I’m doing a 2 amp setup. 1.
Pioneer DX871 powering 2 “12s / 2. Aunex 4ch powering all 4 interior speakers
What test tone u used?
This is a great video, thanks for making this. My Pioneer HU is 4v, and my Alpine amp is 4v at minimum....so I'm assuming my gain should be on minimum?
Good question , use the ohms x watts then square root that number to get target voltage for speakers on amp
Just come across this, I’m using an lc7i as I’m keeping my factory head unit. Do I find my preout based off the lc7i prior to clipping point and I use that value for my amps? Also are you playing a test tone for each amp when setting your gain. Thank you
what test tone do you use to find the headunit clipping?
Are we always measuring with AC on volt meter or just the head unit?
Just turn the head unit to 100%MAXX and set amp gains to zero distortion!!.. . I am into SQ installs and this is the preferred way for 0 Distortion Max output.. .
Had a question about the tone you okayed and if you had other other speakers hooked up. If I wanna set the gain myself we don’t have audio shops local. Do I need to unplug my door speakers so the Tone don’t play through them since the volume will be up high when testing the rca volts
It's best to disconnect your speaker inputs from your amp because they aren't necessary to get the readings. All you will be doing is playing your speakers very loudly at a test tone. If your trying to set the gain and you turn it all the way up or to a clip point it's just putting unnecessary wear on your speakers and possibly could blow them accidentally. It's no difference speakers wired or not, but security on your investment.
What if my RCA A/C voltage is within the output voltage range from the head unit, but I am still experiencing clipping at my amp with gain turned up 30% and volume maxed out on head unit?
so what happen when you use audio control amplifier and on the gain there isn’t any numbers on the gain? but it is 8v input? the signal come out head unit is 5v, so turn up half way and a tad more? also what if you use factory head unit and use high speaker input for signal. how do you determine the factory head unit voltage? this is really helpful, thanks
Can i still do it like this, if i use the pre out of the amp too ?
What test tone are you using ???
Dude this is relevant aswell to guitar recording in the digital realm, I would need to measure my guitar pickup output to set up my virtual amp simulator input level according to my pickups (meaning, passive and actives have different output etc..) I'm hittin my head against the wall with this thing.
Should be the same man!
And is your phone at full volume as well?
What if my preout voltage is less than what is specified? Spec is 2.5v but when measured, I only get 1.6v at full volume.
Does it matter if I set the gains with the car off (12 Volts) or with the car running (14.4 Volts)?
No it shouldnt(however I would do it while running just to be sure) seeing as how the voltage you are adjusting is the signal voltage, rather than the power input voltage, good question tho!
Do the same rules apply with a crossover/line driver
Cool stuff, waiting for an update on the van. Cheers!
VAN UPDATE VIDEO AROUND 7PM
@@PacmanBasshead Awesome!
What if your 7sing stock head unit? With hi level input directly on the amp, or using a high level input adapter to rca.
My android HU has a built-in subwoofer gain. Should I set it to max before I will perform your video tuning process? I will also set bass boost to OFF and equalizer FLAT on the HU.
Youll need to find the rms ac voltage of the subwoofer, the manufacturer should be able to say what it is, then find where on the headunit its at that voltage and go from there.
Well done. Love it!
Soooo at what point are you just going to use the multimeter?
You really earned me with this video. New subscriber here !!!
the problem ive seen with every single amp gain setting tutorial - no one talks about how songs played clip at different levels. if you play a song from youtube it might clip before the song on your CD. Or from your buddies ipod playlist. Its never consistent. I gave up trying to "properly set my gains" for this reason. Turn the gain up, use a bass knob, and watch for a clip light. at least thats whats worked for me the past 15 years
Awesome video, the best explanation on this topic!!! On my setup my base sounds good when I have the input level button out in the high mode per the kicker 800.1 label. Pushed in the base is low like non existing. But I have the rca cables from the headset into the amp. Shouldn’t the base sound in the low setting? I had this installed years back and don’t recall but I think the installer used an inline converter from headset speaker wire to rca converter out the amp because I have the factory headset. Is it that when using this LOC converter even though the rca is going out the amp input button should be set to high level input?
QUESTION PLEASE:
1) im using the pac sub pro as my LOC, it's coming off my factory radio. can i use the RCAs that are going from my PAC to my AMP?
2) my real question is, i want to do this but im afraid of turning my system up all the way cuz i want to work on it in my garage and not piss off the neighbors. can i put a silent track on so that its turned way up but cant hear anything???? or does there need to be something coming out? any thoughts on best way to do that quietly? Please answer if u can
If you can adjust the fader/balancem send it all to one speaker and test at that output or disconnect it and then test the rcas
If my pre out is 4v and my amp is 5v-200mv do I set the amp to 5v since that’s the lowest on the dial
So I've I stalled an jvc kwm745 head unit paired with an audison sr5.600. I have looked at the out put of the head unit using an oscilloscope there no cliping at full voltage . Although I have sent the gain to matched the pre out
I was thinking is there any reason why I can match it it to the speakers, which are audison rated to 100w rms @ 2ohm. Or set the gain as close to speaker max before oscilloscope shows cliping.
What are ur thoughts
What frequency were you using for finding your ac voltage?
I used 40hz, but use where your sub has the heaviest load on the cone
what is the best Gain setting
With rockfoord Punch P3D4-12 600 RMS @2ohm
He's not lying about setting your car on fire.
This is invaluable. So real quick though, doesn't this also mean you cannot turn your radio up past 23 because of the induced voltage excess causing gain distortion?
Essentially, yes. A bit of clip never hurt though.
I believe this would be okay but let's say u set it to 5v with a 5v system and u turn it down would that be fine. And also with a bass knob. If you have it maxed out at 5v don't bump the bass knob up? I hear ppl call the bass knob gain control and is just very confusing. Than ppl say gain isn't volume but also say the gain is the volume than call the knob gain. What
New to your channel congratulations on the 10000 subs I'm in the same place as you with my channel coming up to the 10 figure
I've always been into the car audio seen and watching some of your videos just brought back loads of old memories back so hit the sub
I have a setup at the moment running Audison ,focal , jLaudio and alpine
Man congrats yourself! Glad to have you, good to see you're still into it! I love when you get it right and literally all music sounds amazing.
@@PacmanBasshead yes definitely I have it set up for sound quality more than flexing the hole car 😁
@@PacmanBasshead I think I will do the cardboard youtube plaque aswell 🤣🤣😀👍
Damn it man you aced this, thank you!
??? So could we still use the multimeter at the RcA outs of the amplifier to find where it clips?
How come when I do this to my RCA wire it always says at 0? I have my RCA cables plugged in the the back of the radio. There are a front and rear red and white and then below that two back RCA connectors that say sub. That's the correct place to connect them right?
What if you use a line driver with higher voltage ratings
Lmao the video recommended right after this: “DON’T SET AMP GAIN with a DIGITAL MULTIMETER” 🤣 TH-cam keeping us confused.
Out of all of the other videos I’ve watched not one of them mentioned anything about measuring the source output voltage volume.
Thats because everyone else sucks
Is there a way to do this with an amp with built in speaker level inputs, or just have to hope the manual provides the right info to figure it out?
what tone are you playing
thanks a bunch for the perfect tutorial!
Question what are you playing through the heaunit..a test tone?
100 hz for full range
Does any step change if you are using a Full Bridge MonoBlock Amp ?
something like the Sundown Audio SIA 2500
Nope, all the same 🙂
what kind of song needs to be playing ? or just hook up the bt?
So my skar subs are 1ohm at 1000 watts RMS which equals about 31volts on a multimeter. So I played a 50hz test tone at my clean radio volume and turned the gain until I got 30-31 volts on my multimeter . Is this correct please ?? Cause my shit is EATIN!! 😁😁
nice Video .I looked at my radio but I can't find the Volt preouts settings there. It is a Sony dsx 410bt.
its 2v
So, at only 66% of the Alpine's pre-out signal, it begins clipping? Can't forget that when you wanna "crank it."
Clipping is actually fine as long as you monitor it. Its just that itll cause heat. The heat damages the coil, not clipping itself.
I had one buddy keep cranking it up when he was drunk and blowing speakers. 3rd time, I said look if you’re not going to learn you’re gonna keep doing it.
I had another buddy buy my entire set up. I said add another $500 to calibrate😮and He said no and didn’t buy the head unit or my guarantee. 😂
So you mean that, my alpine 178bt that produce 4v per RCA Chanel should have my gain set to full because my amp is 4v Max capacity. It goes from volume 0-35 and the majority of songs i keept the volume about 24 because to me more than that it clearly dist. Should i turn it all the way up? I feel like the volume would be really sensitive.
4v is a minimum setting, the max would be 0.2v or something. The gain knob is basically a signal booster where your headunit lacks the strength. Test your RCA voltage and set it to that.
But were are u putting the tester once plugged in 2 the amp 2 know were 2 set the gain on the amp on the speaker outputs ?
Very well explained
On my headunit when using the FM radio, normal listening is at about 8-10. The max is 40 on this unit. When I use Bluetooth with the phone on max volume, I have to turn the headunit volume up to 16-20. However, I get crappy sound because the Bluetooth is clipping, so I turn the volume down on the phone so it's the first notch above where the volume bar turns red, then set the headunit to 22-28 for normal listening volume, or 30-34 to more enthusiastic music. With the drastic difference in volume between FM and Bluetooth, what do I have to change on your method?
Its worth testing at both, a bluetooth connection will offer a different level of RCA signal so you would meed different settings for both. Every device has dofferent bluetooth signal strengths too so try to make sure all of your music comes from one source.
It sounds as though you have a lower quality headunit, or bluetooth device, maybe consider changing it.
I'd think fm, aux, cd, and Bluetooth would all have different input strengths, assuming the same bitrate. So wouldn't a Bluetooth signal be pre-amped by the phone and then the HU vs the HU preamping the initial signal via a cd? Does a phone at 100% clip a signal via aux or BT?
How do I find the correct voltage for my skar rp1500
What if my amps input sensitivity is measured in Millivolts? Input Sensitivity (Level 100%): 230mV would be 0.23V? and my headunit is 2v. what would the math be?
What is the head units equalizers set to
Man, this is a great video, but I have a stock HU in my 2021 Mazda 3 hatchback. And I have no idea what the output voltage is, because there's no manual or nothing.
That's why you set it to 70% volume rule and measure to amp out
@@axetroll I understood all of that except measure to amp out. Lol.
Using a multimeter , I get NO reading playing a test tone unless my speakers are also wired up so I can hear the tone , what's that all about ??
How do you account for the dynamics of different music