How To Set Amplifier Gains & Get MAXIMUM Output w/ NO Clipping | Tuning BASS AMP w/ Oscilloscope
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2024
- Here's a quick video going through the basics of setting up your aftermarket bass amp with a handheld oscilloscope to monitor for clipping. Thumbs Up For MORE Videos & Thanks For Watching Everyone! • FRANKENSTEIN LIVES! 6 ...
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/ exocontralto
/ exoabigdeal
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0db Bass Test Tones (pure sine wave)
www.mediafire.c...
-2.5db Bass Test Tones
www.mediafire.c...
-5dd Bass Test Tones
www.mediafire.c...
-7.5db Bass Test Tones
www.mediafire.c...
-10db Bass Test Tones
www.mediafire.c...
Link Provided By: Autruche from SMD
Tools Used To Find MAX Clean Volume:
TPI Tru RMS Scope & Meter // Oscope Plus 440
Klein MM2000 Digital Multimeter w/ Peak Hold
Klein CL2000 Current Meter w/ Peak Hold
No Distortion & I'm a Happy Camper :)
Test Tone Used: 40hz @ -5db (because I listen to modified songs)
Pioneer Head Unit Voltage: 2.7v
Processor Output Voltage: 5v
Amplifier Output Voltage: 47.0v
Single Cerwin Vega Stroker 1000 Watt Mono Block Amp
Clamp Wattage Results: 42.3V x 10.58A = 477 watts
Do you tune your music by ear? Let me know in the comments!
Also ...Testing My Analog FLUKE on The Stoker Next WEEK!
NEW BASS ENCLOSURE FOR SISTER EXO COMING TOO!
Also... More Clamping with LOWER Coil Impedance!
Music By: Kevin Macleod "Firesong"
www.incomputech.com
EXOcontralto
Bassheads Unite 2014
been searching everywhere for an explanation on the negative db tones, you literally answered every question i had on it lol thank you sir
I swear watching your videos made me forget the time of day my fiance was in labor and before I knew it I was holding my baby girl. Thanks man ! Good stuff here.
the best guide on youtube... all other forgot to specify the tone test explication. well done!
This is a great video. 5 years old and better than anything else I've seen on youtube. I was watching another video where they were just measuring the output of the amp and matching that expected output or the subs rated output... I was like that's not how it works!
There has to be a better way, and here it is. Thanks!
Thank you so much for this video. I just got an O-scope and was about to start setting my gains. Completely forgot about different recording levels. My music collection literally varies from Rock to Heavy Bass, even some Jazz and Classical. The recording levels and quality are all over the place- can even vary on the same exact song on different albums. If I set my gains for the album Woofer Wrecker, then a lot of other music has too little Bass. I guess it's hard to find a happy medium. Anyway, thanks for all your videos.
P. S. As far as loud commercials- yes they are designed to get your attention. Originally though, before DVR when we had to watch LIVE TV, people would get up during commercials to get a drink or use the bathroom, etc. The commercials were louder to make sure you still heard them even while you were out of the room. Sneaky huh?
VERY sneaky :p Thanks for watching the videos!
Crazy to reference this video for my setup and you were on 448w....and now you're over 30k W! Love it
It don't matter how old this vid is it still is a helpful ass video yessah! 🤘🏽🤙🏽
Hey Exo if you ever get the time I'd love to see you bring back the old Q and A vids you used to do, and loving the small builds you've been doing and finally getting back on franky
nice video man, but i want to mention that in volts x amperes is for dc voltage, for AC voltage you have to know the power factor because the voltage usually is slightly out of phase with amperes, so you multiply volts x amperes x power factor= watts. :)
Hey Exo. Just wanted to thank you for this video. While i didn't have access to an adjustable TPI-oscope I did have access to a manual scope that ended up working well. With your helpful knowledge on deck and gain matching i was able to tune my system far better than i ever could have by ear.
Thanks. Keep up the great work.
Hey EXO your head unit only hit 2.74 volts because of the -5db track. If you were using a 0db track, you would have gotten the full voltage your head unit can put out. I used a 0db track to find the maximum clean volume and voltage on my head unit.
Back when 1000watts was considered a decent amount of power
Still is
I have 800 - 1000 watts now on my sub and 150 -260 watts on my 4 - 6-1/2 + 2 midrange and 4 super tweeters in all 4 corners of my Jeep. 👍 hits pretty hard and sounds loud and clean as can be. So I'm satisfied. As long as I can play it loud as I want and my music sounds the best it can I'm happy. 🤷♂️👍
THANK YOU EXO, i swear like the vast majority of people, especially the people that follow SMD hard, think that setting their gain will always prevent clipping, even steve replied to one of my comments a while back saying clipping indicators were worthless, COME ON NOW, and one thing i can tell you is that the DD1 is not worth $150 i can go put a small opamp notch filter together (filters out 40hz with a very sharp attenuation and allows the harmonic distortion frequencies to pass right through), and it will do the same thing that the DD1 does... for around $10-20 lol
The sound he made at the end killed me. Thumbs up for that alone 😂
Excellent video as always exo, i wish i had an o scope. Hey maybe you can come out to Salem next weekend for Oktober fest? heh? well if not maybe i could just drive up to maine and check out franky up there. Talk to you soon brother.
That would be awesome! im from Boston - Party at EXO's?! :D
he moved to Macon co. TN
wtf are you talking about?
^me?
LOVE Your videos. A few things I noticed from a Pro Audio Perspective:
Behringer is junk. I get this is car audio vs pro audio, but in the end.. it's junk when compared to other units such as Ashley.
I'm guessing you have a DC to AC converter for the Behringer? Almost every unit runs on 12V. Open it up, chase the leads from the IEC in and you'll find the AC to DC converter built into the unit.
Once you find the output to the board, confirm it's 12V and bypass it.
Alas- less energy being wasted!
I know this video was from a while ago Bruce, but the reason why your rca pre out voltage on the scope was less than you thought it should have been at 2:58 was because you were using the -5db tone.
When I check for my max undistorted head unit volume I always use the 0db track (=
Ahh yes! Thanks, Braxton!
EXO did explain that he was setting the gains for dynamic range.
You always check for clipping level on the head unit with a 0 db tone.
Then set sub amp gains with the appropriate tone based on music preferences.
Nowadays most bass music ends up between -3 and -7 db
@@SigmaBallistics well you'll be further below clipping then you might want then. If you're using non boosted music I'd do -5 if you're using all boosted maybe -3 to 0 really depends. Saying "always" set it to 0 is kinda silly.
First video I’ve watched on this channel. Once I heard that noise at the end I was like okay. I’ll subscribe...
I have a kicker Comp R and kicker 800.1 mono block amp, 4 alpine 6-1/2 front and rear, 4 tweeters placed up high front and back. 2 Memphis 3.25 midrange in front doors and a 150 watt x4 channel amp with low and high pass filters. JVC double din head unit and kicker bass knob on my dash in my Jeep Cherokee Sport. It's all set up perfectly no clipping and no distortion. Every kind of music sounds perfect no matter if I'm listening to Metallica, Notorious BIG, or whatever music. I have setting presets so all I have to do is play a song, find what preset sounds the best and crank it up. No problem. 👍 as long as you have the right sounds and tones playing through the right speakers you'll get clean sound from just about any decent system. 🤷♂️👍
I finally found something that explains the db overlaps!! Thank you EXO!!!
Good video EXO. Certainly helps to understand the testing process.
One note however is that the system should be set with the equalizers set at the normal listening position. If you run the head unit eq flat, that is fine but many don't. The problem is that once they boost any signal in the eq, they will clip the signal at full volume if they follow your instructions to a T.
Another note it that modern EDM music and many other genres are hard limited at 0dB so it would be much safer to use the 0dB test signal than the ones noted.
Wish I can afford those tools !! I been adjusting my amp by ear but I can't ever get it the way I like. I don't care for how loud it can get I just want that chest pounding feeling. I have a Skar zvx 15 wired 1ohm to skar skv2 1500 amp.
me too bro i have it on a 2000 sundown SAE at 2 ohms giving it like 1300
Real shit I kno the feeling 🤕🤦🏽♂️
You can you can pick a oscilloscope for under a 100
Thank you sir. You provide excellent information, clearly. I'm an electrical engineer. I will investigate how my amplifier behaves under load though...as someone suggested.
Dude I love you! Awesome video and great attitude. Keep the videos coming. My daughter said are you watching big city greens? I was like no it’s a TH-cam, she said you sound like cricket green, lol. Thought that was funny coming from a 4ur old. Keep up the vids! Thanks for the help!
love this video! I'm doing an install soon and wanted to know how to properly tune my system. great information thanks!
I love how you go in depth on things 👍
How the hell did you hook that Behringer up to your car stereo system?
Whoah whoa buddy slow it down but guaranteed ExO is comin threw knockin pictures off the wall 💪🏾
So I have to find the oscilator immediately! Thank for the video guide!
Can u meter your amperage coming out of the amplifier speaker outputs without the speakers hooked up?
I am pretty sure you should have an load of a given ohms to be sure the amplifier will actually put out a clean wave form for that given amplitude/voltage range. The load resistance will change your readings. Just saying.
As soon as i seen you put the first Frankenstein video i was like WOOOO!!! ahahah good job EXO keep it up thanks for the info also!
Hey Exo nice vid!! I love it. Super helpful!! Can you do another video on how to tune mids and highs? I assume it's very similar but I'd still like to know every step and how to properly do it! Thanks!!!
And here i am still setting my gains by ear. Sure my H/U only clips at 40/40 but i can't seem to get things set up sounding as good as 32-36 volume. Some tracks are just louder than other, while some are not as loud. I guess this is why i don't want to go all the way to 39/40. Because there are times where i HAVE to go to 39/40. Like when listening to Pandora over blutooth. I keep the volume on my phone one notch from max volume.
Excellent video footage two thumbs up in the air for you Exo as always a well done good job .
When adjusting the gain on the amp do I have the knob on the lc-1 completely turned up or in the middle? That’s where I get confused. I have loc converter tapped into a rear speaker and have the lc-1 going from the loc to the amp? Would appreciate the help. Btw keep up the great content. I’ve learned a lot watching your videos.
ALL THE WAY UP!!!
Hey! Big fan of your videos and just keep it all up! Your the reason i want a huge system when i get the money XD
RIGHT?!?! lol he just knows wuts up
Oscilloscopes are crazy expensive. Makes perfect sense to have one if you run a car audio shop or you participate in competition and spend a lot of time swapping out equipment. However, for us average guys there's no way we would spend cash on something like this that you would only use once every blue moon if that. Instead we would likely use that money to buy better gear. This would be one of those things where it would be cool if you knew a friend that had one you could borrow.
buck seventy five and free shipping, not crazy expensive at all: www.parallax.com/product/32220
+Wesley Jackson
thats still expensive , for a 40hz sine wave you only need a hand held nano or even one from sainsmart would work... they run about 70 - 100 bucks orso..
They have them at my library rent them for free lol they are like the $1000 ones too lol
I cant thank you enough for the media fire hz link!!!!!!!!....i started downloading them off youtube but i know the ones you posted are safe
hey one thing I always wondered is do you normalize your music etc, because i listen to modified music and normal music and have no clipping indicator on my bass knob yet so i set my gains with a -5db test tone and a lot of the music today varies some the bass is as high as -1.5db and sometimes -3db, and sometimes -8db, so i adjust my bass knob on the fly to compensate but ive also heard that the music will effect the voltage on rca differently? i just feel like im always readjusting man, id love to pick your brain about it.
You need to test distortion at load. Oscilloscopes have a high impedance input so there's no load on the outputs. The behavior at load will be very different.
How do you do that?
If you tune -5db and play a 0db track would it clip?
Yes
Man, you know your audio electronics!! Awesome.
If you have your head unit on 80 hz do you set your amplifier the same 80hz subwoofer
Set 80hz either on head unit or amp.
Mine LPF on amp is turned all the way up, and on HUD I set LPF on 70hz with
-24db slope
I'm concerned about the fact that the meter read 2.74 volts on the head-unit, but on Pioneer's website it say's that your head-unit, the AVH-P3200DVD is suppose to have 4 volt outputs. I need to know what that's about because I'm head-unit shopping and I want to know the truth about it all. Thank you or anyone in advance.
Cool video.I liked the explanation of -db’s , but I wanted to see how to connect probes to rca’s
It would have been a lot more helpful if you showed where to touch the oscope to RCAs
the outer "collar" is the Negative (black lead), the center piece is the positive (red lead)
Can I set the head unit up to my preferences say powerful eq and loudness on mid then set it up from there?
How do you do you answer all these questions??? Thank you and please never stop making these amazing tutorials or lose your obvious passion.
It gets to be VERY difficult, been replying for about 6 hours today so far :x
Very helpful, thanks EXO!
Nice video Exo. Explained very well.
Appreciate this upload. It helped me alot.
My head unit is set to 0db ,front and back amps -10db that's because at -5db it didn't get load enough. Sub amp-5db just to get a better balance. Love to hear from car audio junkies like me (cheers from Australia 🇦🇺 👍).
Ty on the video EXO. Just need those two instruments to get it right
hi EXO i watched all of your videos and i really like them. but can you make a video show how to connect two or more amps to bass knob,head unit. i dont know for a pre amplifier. thanks
Glad you provided a technical approach to adjusting gain by using an oscilloscope. I can work with that!
No prob, glad you enjoyed!
thanks dude i have been hunting high and low for a decent set of test signals. no pun intended XD.
Exo, my question is, how do I do this with my stock radio? I have a epicenter micro as my line output converter and then rca to amp. Can you provide any guidance please?
You have to read the voltage output of your HU at the highest volume before clipping/distortion. That will be the best clean signal to your LOC. BTW go to Steve Meade and D'amore's YT channel and watch their videos on LOCs. Audio Control, Wavetech, and Kicker were the ones I remembered that actually worked. I would think Epicenter is one of the best top shelf as well.
My audio control LOC shows my max output from my HU before distortion. I just adjusted the HU by my LOC.
Thanks for the videos
Nice job man!! Very helpful video
So COOL ! I want those exact same kinda tools. To bad there probally outta my price range. I c in my fav video of u'rs U have a Kubota hat too, Cool Man.
thanks for the videos. when tuning the audio, you set all eq flat and no boost. wouldn't the system clip sooner when you change your eq in head unit?
HOLEY SMOKES! MAN it is 25 through here! 😄
I get that same voltage with a negative 5 db tone as well most of them give you that same voltage. I use and active equaliser and boost to 4 volts and set my gain to suit.
Great vid EXO. the LC-1 has to be maxed out when setting the amp gain, correct?
Thank you for posting this video. Where would I get that ociliscope?
hey @EXOcontralto i have steve meads distortion meter what do u think about that & have u used it before?
Radio = UnModified? I'd have thought they compress the shit out of everything :)
Maybe have a look at the audio signal processing dept. at any broadcast station..
salat Radio has always been more quiet than bluetooth or aux to me
Love your videos ! Upload more how to videos :D
Good job EXO !
One of my faves very informative
Nice editing exo
all the institutions i do with amps and head units are all balaced out by ear and it is really easy you just have to have a good ear for the diffrent frequency and the ohms u run at
I have 4 channels Sony amp 1200w, 2 speakers 120w rms (each) and 1 sub 380w rms..
How to tune the right voltage with multimeter please!
Depends if your going for max output from your amp
If going for max output get oscilloscope
@@HOHOHOMOFOS
i'm in Yemen.. we can't get that because we're in war 😔.. can I do it with multimeter?
So I'm guessing it doesn't matter the ohm load ? I mean if u set the gain is it going to be the same "clean signal" whether 4 ohm or 1 ohm?? Sorry kinda new using a tool and not eats to set amps
Nice instruction! I have a pioneer DEH-S6010BS and Orion XTR2500.1Dz. I simply need to send a flat signal to the RCA jacks and then measure from the amp output right? I have no signal processor between. I'll be using an auto ranging multimeter and Rigol DS2702A oscilloscope to check.
By "flat signal" you mean not distorted, correct? If so then yes, you're on the right track :)
EXOcontralto by flat I mean the crossover is straight across.
awesome videos man keep it up
Awesome vid Ex......I'm really starting to understand how input voltage and gain setting works and also how important it is to tuning a full sound system.
So after you got the processor to pump out 5v unclipped you still turned the gain on the amp up slightly.If an amps input sensitivity range is 5v max wouldn't that be grounds to not turn the dial at all if your giving it 5v? In other words,how are you able to give it 5v and still crank the gain a little without clipping?
Some amps can handle 8v+ input voltage. This case was likely that
what type enclosure do you recommend for 2 american bass xfl 1244
That's a great funny great informational video.
I normally tune with a digital multi meter. Is there anyway you can show the best way to tune using that method
I really enjoy your videos Thank You I hope this is not one of those repeated questions you’ve answered before if so sorry.
I want to buy an oscilloscope and I was wondering which one would be the most updated and best version. I was looking at the TPI 440 or is there an equivalent with more channels which one would you recommend if needed I’m willing to pay a little more if for a good reason.
If anyone has an opinion I’d greatly appreciate it thank you in advance
looking good EXO.
Bigger Wire gives more power, les heat on amp ???????
less heat in the wire, trying to pull to much current through to small a wire will make it overheat and melt.
Exo what do you recommend for editing videos?
Nice job. Thanks a bunch!
Question about wires. I'm running 4 Rockford fosgate p2d2-12's on 2 5000 watt pyramid amps. Do I need to have 1/0g wire or is it ok to just stick with 2g wire?
Hey EXO let me ask you this you had your subwoofer RCA's turned on on the headunit!! But my question is on mine you have from 0 to 15 when you turn it on to set it to, so what did you have yours set at??????
you can have your subwoofer level on the headunit at any number so long as the target voltage is set correctly on the amplifier afterwards.
The reason I'm asking this question is I'm using an Alpine head unit that has an IC chip and it lets you said your RCA levels from 0 to 15 on all three sets of RCA's front rear and subwoofer??
When trying to set this particular Alpine head unit up with DD.1 SMD tool. I am getting feedback on the tool saying I've got distortion add as little of a volume as 7 on my head unit??? Any ideas?? Anybody else out there any ideas??
JD DD are you talking about head unit speaker outputs or rca cables? Are you testing with no speaker connected? Are all cables you’re using tested and working properly, ie no damage or shorts. Distorted head unit volume at 7 suggests either testing error, or cable damage.
“Holy smokes, man it’s 25 through here”. As he breaks the law with his subs every day! Lmao
Subwoofers don't break the law everyday LMAO ;P
Subwoofers don't kill animals and children.
EXOcontralto actually they do, most cities have a noise ordinance, been busted for my subs bumping myself. Luckily the cop didn’t give me a ticket, he just told me to turn it down. Then again you did say “they don’t do it every day”. Mine do though! Lmao
EXOcontralto by the way, I’ll admit I break the law in my car everyday. It doesn’t have subs but it does have 500+HP! The subs are in my truck. lol
Lol you still live in your mom's basement. Shutup
Why did you aim the sound processor to 5V? What's the significance of 5V?
Can you do a tutorial with the DM? Digital MultiMeter on your second chanel please.
I have a single 10 getting 600w rms, amp is tuned at -5db and it just hits weak, would -10 or-15db be better? Also have a bx-10x processor for the songs with little to no bass, I use pandora more than anything.
Pandora songs are usually at -15 or -20, this is just guessing but I remember years ago I compared regular songs I downloaded and put thru audacity and they were all -20 even rap songs with heavy bass. I always set my gains to -5 or -7.5 and bass knob 3/4 of the way up, that way when I wanna switch to regular music that’s recorded at -30 I still have 1/4 I can turn up on the bass knob making up for any difference
When I set all the settings of the main unit and amplifier as zero, lowest and video, when I set the speed from the amplifier and the main unit, the volt rises. How to do?
you the best
I don't know the RMS on those subs but judging by the size I'm sure they are well over 1000 RMS. So does this mean your actually only able to hit 448W clean meaning 500W of more potential wattage cannot be obtained?
King 2027 i think it means that amp can only put out 448 watts before it becomes distorted
Whats up EXO I just come across this vid and I have basically the same headunit just the 7'' version AVH-P4300 and was curious as to what your sub output was set @? I usually run mine @ -5 but don't have the equipment to test with. and also would that raise output voltage if it's set higher?
Some of the stuff about mastering and what the -#db is is a little off. For instance, Shabba by A$AP Ferg is -6db, and most stuff off of Childish Gambino's ROYALTY mixtape is 0db. Not necessarily just "bass songs" are 8 - 0. Also, Beyonce's "Partition" is -6db
Nice BFG All terrain t/a KO's. I'm sure those babies set you back a little. I sell them a lot at my job so I know they did lol.
When setting the gain on my amp, do I set the separate bass level knob remote all the way up or all the way down?
Bass knob all the way up then adjust the radio to max volume ,without distortion, then adjust amp gains.👍
thank you for this video