Finally received my oscope and your advice is dead on.I also read all the comments and I can't tell you how much I appreciate people like yourself who take the time to help others out who are doing there best to learn the ropes of their car audio. Thanks 😊
Mad props! Thank you so very much for posting this. Still relevant in 2023 with lots of sellers still selling this 'scope on Amazon. And yeah getting the levels dialed in for the EQ etc before setting the gain is GREAT advice. Good call. Thanks again man. All the best
Watched the video a couple times, ordered the Oscilloscope you linked. Followed your instructions to the letter. And now my stereo sounds amazing. Thanks for taking the time, and explaining in simplicity for us non-audiophiles. Great Job!
Thanks for sharing this!! I just ordered this so that I know my amp is tuned correctly. I never really looked into an O-Scope because I thought all of them were a couple hundred dollars, but I’m so glad there’s one that’s not to expensive
Lol.... a DD1 gives you a little red indicator dot. An oscope gives you full visual of a sine wave for a fraction of the cost. If people want spend 4 times as much for a red led bulb and no visual if the sine wave. Have at it
@@andrewmcallister4151 then you know nothing about car audio lol a dd1 sets gains at a way lower level then youd ever see on a oscope ... your the type of guy who wants to just be lazy and set it and forget it and not get optimal performance from your system .. lol
@@johndoe-mn4mh #RedLEDsMatter just kidding, Oscopes are even cheaper now, I found a full blown multimeter, signal generator, oscilloscope for $85 - I play with electronics and arduinos and all this other stuff, so I'm sure I'll use it every day.
bought the oscope in your info that you used in the video just to check my amp settings out and just so happens i was just slightly below clipping from my ear settings. great info thank you
Honestly one of the best explained and shown videos especially like how you used a common cheap oscilloscope and even showed how to set that up!. Great job!
Just bought an Oscope man I can't get my subs to play like they should. I don't trust my ear, and my installer sadly passed away. On my third headunit and its alot better than the first two. Thank you sir your a life saver was on my way to buy a DD1.
Great video and easy to understand for those who may not fully grasp the concept of clipping and proper gain settings. I'd only add that the test tone tracks are typically offered at different dB overlaps to account for various recording levels of playback. To each their own as to what test tone you decide to use, but I've personally always felt better running the -5dB 40Hz track just to play it safe with the -5dB overlap. I say play it safe, because not all music sources are recorded at the same level. Unless you are playing FLAC files or anything similar one song may sound great while the next song may sound horrible/distorted because it was recorded at a different level.
@@PuresDen unless im misunderstanding your comment you may have missed the point od mine originally. The reason -5db is safer is exactly because it's not as loud. 0db is loud and due to the many different people that master or remaster music you never truly know what levels they're mastered at or how they've staged their gains and plug-ins . Due to those very reasons thats why the -5db overlap is safer. You'll lose some output sure, but unless you have a reliable source for your tracks it's safer to set lower. Setting at 0db definitely increases the chances of have a Rouge track in the mix that causes massive clipping. I pulled this directly from a mastering site for some context as I'm in no way a music recording guru. "Here is a rule of thumb, don't peak on your individual sounds say louder than -18 to -12 db, and your master don't go anywhere near past -6 db. There are no hard and fast rules for this but learn about how analog operates and is gain staged. 24 bit audio has a resolution of 144 db 16 bit audio has a resolution of 96 db. so you can STILL HAVE YOUR AUDIO ALMOST -50 db down from zero and still use the full bandwidth of 16 bit audio resolution."
@@josephstaton6438 false , all mixed and mastered tracks made by actual artists and labels dont go above 0db , if a song you are playing does it was made by johnny in his back yard - Jay
I must say you are the only guy that shows these tricks online... appreciate it. I'm trying to learn at least half you know to teach others to... helping hand always gets helped
Dude thank you for making this video I picked one of these up after watching this video and man I’m happy i did. It picked up distortion way before the clip light kicked on and I feel so much better now knowing it’s set right. Thanks again bro and keep making the rad videos 🤘🏻
Im building a system and will definitely be using this to set the gain and test my radio for clipping. I also really appreciate the video showing this vs an proper oscilloscope to show it works and isnt inaccurate for our use. I have never built a system, all i have is a cheap powered enclosure. I purchased a box designed for my vehicle
Protip: If you want to see just the sine wave without all the freq data taking up space on the screen do this. While in run (should see green "running" on the top left) press and hold the OK button. This will remove the data values from the screen and just show the sine wave in a locked state. Now just briefly press the OK button and you should be back in the running state with a full view of the sine wave!
So is there any instructions than what he showed that needs to be done for the device to work properly. I noticed it had a ground tab on top and when I initially turned it on the screen looked crazy with hundreds of line going up and down the screen. You seem knowledgeable so I'd love your input on what to do step by step to tuning the system once I take it out of the box. If you wouldn't mind, I'd love for you to contact me @ 786-676-1563. Maybe this weekend when I go back to my amps to tune you can help me on video if possible
I can answer any questions you have man. Make sure to check out this video first tho. I explain settings in depth: th-cam.com/video/nKQqcQ5q34I/w-d-xo.html
Gotta say one thing, you worth way more subscribers. You are one of the greatest in this! God bless you brother for all your information. You really helping out newbies out here that trying to become bassheads somehow lmao!
Use the Oscilloscope on the RCA outs from the head unit. Usually a good idea to test the full signal chain if you have multiple devices in the path. For example external EQ or a DSP.
Have the same scope been using it for around a year works like a charm, the display is really good it can show the slightest deform in the wave. My friend has the nano and this lil cheap scope has a better display haha. Nice vid 👍👍
Bro all day i see on FB people asking the same questions and so many people say turn up the gain..WRONG gain is not a volume knob i may if its ok share your video you explained way better than me, thanx for the vids
Great video, I think I’ll pick up one of these. The SMD is a nice tool and it detects distortion that isn’t necessary visible to the eye but it’s a single use tool and a scope can do hundreds of things.
Thanks! Make sure to check out this video I made as well running it up against my expensive bench top scope. Performed 100% accurate. th-cam.com/video/nKQqcQ5q34I/w-d-xo.html
Got my o scope in from Amazon and the unit does not show running at the top like yours I used the exact same setting too.. the Interface is different from yours.
I was looking at getting a cheap scope instead of the SMD tools. i'm gonna set my gains like once or twice ever in my car, I dont need a $250-300 tool lol. Was wondering if the $40 scopes on amazon were good, and now I know! Thanks for the info bro, just ordered. Used your link so hopefully you get a little kick back :)
Awesome man! much appreciated! Unfortunately I don't have any affiliate links set up yet...but sure do appreciate the support of my channel! Glad i could help! I feel the same way about the SMD devices lol
Took my truck the “best” car audio in town. I did the o scope technique and was clipping at half volume. Turned gain down to a perfect signal @ head units max listening volume w/o distortion. Music is much cleaner although less bass, but I won’t have to buy new gear in a couple months. Thank you for the video very easy to understand
Awesome! Most shops turn Gain up high to make it sound like you got more bang for your Buck. Unfortunately, lots of people including shops treat gain like a volume knob. The rule is, if you want to get louder. Get more subs and amps with proper electrical upgrades.
Just watched this and remembered I have a oscilloscope from my RC drone building days laying around. Can't wait to set my new Skar amp up tomorrow properly !!!
When I was young which was multiple decades ago I was into that amplifier + speaker phase. I done it by hear and I was darn good at it to the point I could shake dishes and cups in the china cabinet that was very easy 50+ feet away from the car. Been around electronics my entire life been trained at repairing it. Course I'm no longer in to that amplifier + speaker phase anymore could care less about it now I out grew it.
More expensive now, but this is the one: www.amazon.com/STARTO-Handheld-Oscilloscope-BNC-Clip-Assembled/dp/B07QL3SS7S/ref=asc_df_B07QL3SS7S/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459704590302&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=792658384330101374&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033504&hvtargid=pla-945043665765&psc=1
He ever made it? I'm curious as well. I tried doing the same procedure with a higher sound wave but the wave on my Scope shows weird, so I'm unable to calibrate it.
I’ll make this my next video. I’ll also go over settings and contrast it to my bench top oscope. Then show how to tune a 4 channel with it. I can have it out by mid next week
Hello mate I got mine today could I kindly get a reply so basically I know how to do the subwoofer set up but I’m little stuck on the all door speakers nothing runs from head unit front rear speaker wires on head unit all my doors runs off amps only so how would I check and set them up is this the correct way unplug the phono leads turn gain down turn head unit to where it max out before clipping the a just amps that do door speakers ??? I’ve subscribed and love the channel mate I’d appreciate your reply The only other thing I’m stuck on is how do I set head unit to max if I have no speakers to speaker out puts on rear of unit
Yes! Just connect the positive/negative leads to any set of your speaker output wires on the back of your head unit. For example your front left speaker output. Turn the volume down on the head unit. Then play a 1000hz sine wave. Then start adjusting your volume up until you see the signal start to clip. That’s it. Whatever volume that is, that is the max you should go!
Set it for how you plan on keeping it when you listen to your music. Then dial in your gain. If not you will clip once you adjust your head unit. Some people swear on setting it while“flat”. But that is not optimal. Gain is always the LAST thing you want to dial in and adjust when setting up your system
@@NextLevelCarAudio wow didn’t know this. I too have watched so many other set it at flat when dialing in voltage/ setting gain. Thank you for this info bro. Learn something new everyday from you!
@@NextLevelCarAudio hey I noticed during your video you had a 20vac scale set...are you sure it clipped and you didnt just reached the top of scale? Maybe setting the scale to next setting above 20vac will show you it wasnt actually clipping? Would appreciate a reply if you try and you do find a different result....thanks
I’ve pretty much played with every setting to toy around. With the peak of the sine wave completely off the screen and also with it at the bottom. Same result. That is the clipping point of the sine wave. Not screen cut off
Hey man, thanks for great informative video! Can i ask how would i use dd1 or oscilloscope on powered active subwoofer with build in amplifier? Do i really need to disasemble it to get to the actual amplifier? Its currently connected with line inputs but also has high level inputs for factory HU installation if it helps.
All you need to do is remove the subwoofer from the enclosure to access the speaker wires that are connected to it. Tap into the wires from there and your good to go. Same procedure as normal from there
Hell yes. I like your channel. Very helpful informational vids. Love the communication and follow ups too. Very cool! Need more of you on TH-cam. Subscribed!
Thank you for the Video! Helps me a lot I have a question. I want to tune to 0 db. Does it matter where the signal comes from? Sometimes I listen Radio, TH-cam, Bluetooth, CD for example. My thought is, 0 db is the maximum a signal can get, so it does not matter where it comes from?
I bought one of these o-scopes a while back to read PWM timing signals for servo drivers. I would have never thought of using it this way... Thanks. I will go ahead and tinker with it this weekend to see how close my "ear tuning" is.. Probably way off considering that I smell my Skar ZVX-15V2s getting hot every once in a while. LOL
Can you make a video more detailed on the OScope itself? Mine just arrived but I have no clue on how to use it, this video gave me the basics to set my gains though so thanks.
Excellent find!!!! Got mine ordered and arriving on Wednesday. A few questions, for my head-unit, I am using 3 sets of RCA outputs for Subs (Kicker hideaway), front and rear 4 channel Kenwood. I am trying to find the max volume setting of my Pioneer AVH-220EX before it clips. Would I connect the O-scope to RCA (I would use a RCA and strip one end to connect negative and positive) output since that is what powers everything or high-level outputs from the deck? Next, would I use a 40 Hz test to find max for sub output and then 1k Hz for my front and rear and use the lowest volume like front and rear hit max 40 volume without clipping but the sub clips at 38, use 38 as my max? Thank you for your time!!! *edited from reading all comments
You check your decks clipping point not from low level but from high level. So tap in to any one of the speaker wire outputs coming off the back of the head unit and run 1k hz tone. (40hz sub stage and 1k for mids and highs). Levels should always be set from to back to keep continuity. So check clipping point of head unit and note the volume level. That is your max volume before clip. Then dial in your front stage, then rear fill if running amplified rear stage, then tie in your subwoofer to complete your sound stage. Doing all of this with your volume at its max point before clip.
You had the voltage on the o scope at 20v so any output above 20v got clipped on the meter. My amp puts out 70v-85v so wouldn’t you want to do exactly the same thing with the meter voltage above the amp out put voltage then turn the gain up till the signal clips?
You can use 50hz or 40hz, I usually set mine at 50hz. Basically you don’t want anything over 50hz to go to the subwoofer and everything under 50hz to go to the subwoofer. Hence the lower the hertz’s the more bass.
Did mine with a dmm was ment to be 24.5 volts , didn't think it sounded right given the rms power of my amp so i got a o scope for £50 and was shocked how far from clipping i was at 24.5 volts ! With the o scope it went to 28 volts before any sign of clipping, 3.5 volts more than ohm's law ! Well worth th 50£ 👌
im new to this "car" audio stuff, & a new subscriber to ur channel... ive been involved in the music buisness all my life, but car audio... not so much... so ive been tryin to put together a good quality car audio package, & ur videos have been great at explaining things putting them in a language thats easy to digest & understand... well, that & the clip where the little white hatch blowing the rear lid off... hysterical! thanx & god bless dude
Thanks for the feedback and support! If you have any questions on your journey, come back and comment. I’m very attentive here and try to answer everything that comes through. Thanks 😎
Great video man. I do have a question. I have a JBL Basspro 12 (which is a powered subwoofer box with the amp built in) and there’s just “power/ground/remote wire” so where would I put the red and black cables on this?
This is a great find, now if I can find a cheap and easy way to verify my crossover points. I suspect my dodgy pioneer DSP defaults back into full pass rather than hi pass to my mids and highs when the app crashes. For now I'm relying on the built in crossovers on the amps with vague values as a second layer protection.
I just received this oscope and tuned my amp today and it worked amazing my system sounds great!!! I just need to figure out how to use the oscope on the headunit, not sure how to do it but I’ll figure it out.
thank you for such a great video! question, you say to play 40hz to the sub output, to test for gains. do we play the same 40hz to the front/rear channels also powered by an amp, to set their gains as well? again, thank you for the great video.
@@carlosemmanuel2009 I found my answer after asking this, play 1000hz for your door speakers. I downloaded an app that plays different tones that worked really well.
@@NextLevelCarAudio I actually found the answer on another one of your videos that I responded to. You’re videos are filled with great information that is very much appreciated 🥰
Howdy NL Audio, why 40hz? Is that for subs only?which hz signal to use if I wanted to set the gain on my highs? Other than that great upload, thanks for informing us 'little' guys.
@@NextLevelCarAudio yah now my gain was set properly for the voltage drop as well. Just because you get a clean signal don't mean it will play clean if your voltage ends up at 10volts clean single so my gain is a bit lower on my strapped half ohms amps.
Awesome stuff ... Thanks 👍. Have one question I have a system for my bike iam trying to tune . Only have four speakers . Which are 6.5 vega ph654 and some 6x9 coxial . Which test tone should I use thanks
@@NextLevelCarAudio yes I used the 40 hz. Ohm's law value for my amp was 22.8 I took about 10* off for error so set my ac volts at 19.8 .which on the gain was almost 3/4 from max. Wow
I'm curious how a low feed signal shows on this. Looking at troubleshooting the system. Took a dyno'd review showing the amp I purchased to be true rated, but may be more to look at. Different things is the subs are from my sub compact into my truck. I hope I may get a baseline of data and grow from there.
Is there anyway to check on the scope where the voltage is at that way? Not only that you can check that you have an unclipped signal but the math is matching up at the same time? Just being picky. I understand that if the sine wave is unclipped, then it’s at max capacity with a clear signal
1) Thanks for sharing your knowledge. 2) Can you set volume to max? Or does it have to be 75%? 3) Does this one setting work even on lets say u have 8000k amp running to 1k rms speakers as well as 5k rms speakers?
Very few head units can max out without clipping. Best to use the methods from this video to check clipping point of your head unit. Usually somewhere between 75-90% of your max volume. Then go from there. As far as the o-scope settings. Should all be the same as long as you are using the 40hz tone
Just saw this video two days ago and I got a new box for my subs installed a few days ago, been trying to tune my amp and been going crazy. I ordered this when I watched the video and it just got here today! Going to go set my gain correctly for the first time probably lol.
@@NextLevelCarAudio so I did this today, got it set perfectly. But I actually have a stock head unit and I'm using a pretty cheap loc. It can be adjusted though also, do I need to do the same thing to my loc first then my amp? Because it doesn't seem like I'm getting the power I should be with the rest of my system.
With an inline loc it’s a little more tricky. You want to match the preamp voltage coming out of the head unit with the gain seeing on the loc first, that way you have the proper input sensitivity coming into your amp. then adjust the gain on your amp.
@@NextLevelCarAudio okay thank you! I actually ordered an Audiocontrol LC2I pro and it'll be here tomorrow. I'm hoping that'll make it a bit easier and give me a better sound (which I'm sure it will compared to my current $10-20 loc) will that be the same way to set up for my amp gains or no?
I just bought this scope to tune with so thanks for the great vid on this. I installed a fosgate sealed enclosure in my Polaris RZR with a fosgate 10”. I use a BT receiver which goes to an active MTX crossover then to the amp. Should I hook the scope to the rca leads coming out of the BT receiver to check for max volume setting on my phone before it sends out a clipped signal, then at the speaker terminals at the amp? I also bought one of the pac Lc-1 remote bass knobs to install, should I check it after that too? Thanks for the very informative tutorials, I’m going to be dialed in after this, and so will all my friends!
Believe it or not, you technically can crank your volume to max and send a clipped signal to your external amp and still come out with a clean signal. So if using RCA’s it’s not a big deal as if they even do clip on your head unit, it is at a higher volume than high level. A lot don’t even clip at max when talking RCA’s. With that said.... I’d still use the max volume that high level clip point gave me. It will be plenty loud, and can adjust gain accordingly at amp. Plus I would cringe seeing my head unit maxed out on volume all the time.
Another great video , I’ve tried this method but didn’t get the same nice smooth wave that you show, is it perhaps because You’re using a 40hz test tone and I’m using a 1000hz test tone?
Wussup nextlevelcsraudio. I started watching your videos a couple weeks ago and love your content and all the helpful info you provide in your videos. Helped me out alot to understand a proper car audio. Im looking for 2 amps 1 for highs and another for lows. What would you recommend? I have 4 8inch massive m8 in the rear and 2 massive 6inch m6 in the front all 8ohm speakers and are about 880 rms. The tweeters are power acoustik nx5 3ohms I believe they were 100 watts rms each and its 4 of them in the rear
Since it looks like you like massive audio, i'll keep it MA. I use to run them in the past too. For your 6" speakers and Tweets, use a 4 channel amp: www.massiveaudio.com/collections/amplifiers/products/px3000-4 Two tweets channel 1 and two tweets channel 2. One of your 6" on channel 3 and other 6" on channel 4. For your 8" speakers, use a 2 channel amp: www.massiveaudio.com/collections/amplifiers/products/px3000-2 Two 8" speakers on channel 1 and the other two on channel 2. Its tough with 8 ohm speakers because they need a bigger amp to perform the same.... the above solution should give you what you are looking for. Adjust filters and gains accordingly and you will be good to go. Thanks for supporting my channel!
Most good 4 channel amps, including the ones I recommended have separate filter settings for channels 1&2 and channels 3&4. So you can run highs on 1&2 and lows on 3&4 for example with no problem. As they are independently adjustable for filter.
@@NextLevelCarAudio hey wussup so my wife got me those 2 amps you recommended me to get for xmas. From my understanding to set up the frequency I would need to look up the specs from w.e speaker being hooked up to that channel and adjust the frequency to the specs of that speaker. So as I'm looking for my tweeters its frequency response is 3000Hz and up but the amps max frequency is 2000Hz. Setting it 1000Hz less than what the specs for the tweeter say should be fine?
I just set my gains by your instructions. And I took my door panels off and checked my head unit with osiliscope. I set the head unit where I wanted it. .... thank you. My system sounds clean . I installed a mechman alternator and xs 3400 under the hood. Voltage is resting at 14.5 ... everything is good I set my amp gains at volume 29 like yours. I turned my head unit up to 35 and I didn't see any clipping but. I had it at 30 before and I didn't want to risk it. It sounds so clean and so controlled now. Clip light on bass nob barely lights up at full tilt. Just slightly. But osiliscope shows clean signal at my max 29 volume.
Hey brother! If you find the time, can you show us how to “calibrate” this cheap oscilloscope? I’m hearing with high power systems, a 10x probe is required for these oscilloscope units, but they need to be calibrated? (Something about the metal tab poking out of the top) Thanks again for your time and all your help!!
Never had to do that.... watch this video, in think it so help: th-cam.com/video/nKQqcQ5q34I/w-d-xo.html and before shooting this video I calibrated nothing
Ok Rockford Fosgate says to check the rca’s with an oscilloscope to find your volume level. They explain that the rca’s are a low level input. Doing so I found that my max volume is 34 not 26. It was 26 using your method that you explained when you checked the radio speaker outputs from the head unit.
RCA’s don’t hardly ever send a clipped signal. You need to check it the way I explained if you are running any speakers off your head unit directly. If you are running EVERYTHING amplified and not using high level inputs then yes, you can check low level. But most people are not running 100% externally amplified.
I’ve subscribed mate can you reply so you tune this to the rear speakers wires of head unit to set the volume ok but I have mine set to all amps I don’t use stock head unit speaker wires so how can I do this
Is there a max amp wattage this meter will handle without frying? i.e. If amp is 500 watts @ 2ohms, volts will be 31.6...ok to use meter on? Thx for this vid!
Not true!!! That is NOT what the 20v setting means on this scope! Calculating Gain with math does NOT translate to the voltage selection setting on this scope. Before you give bad advice, watch this video where I run it side by side with my professional bench top scope. It is spot on and accurate. th-cam.com/video/nKQqcQ5q34I/w-d-xo.html
Good video really helped before I adjusted my radio I left everything flat even crossovers played 40hz 0dB radio started clipping at 28 out of 40 then I set my front and rear crossovers at 80hz -24db then played the same 40 hz test tone again and radio didn’t clip at all even at max volume
Happy new year thanks for your help your uploads tutrial in car audio installation is one of the most clear helpfull sight in youtube down to earth no bullshit tutorial keep doing what you are doing you're alot of help specially to new diyer s
Great content man. This guy helped me out alot yall! He's a good ass dude! I got my XP3000 hooked up, and it's working great. I appreciate you answering all my stupid questions! I was nervous, but it was honestly super easy, and works great so far! You da man and I appreciate ya!
Thanks for the comment! There are many reasons why people say to do things different ways. The reason why I like getting everything dialed in before you set your gain is that you are tuning your amp in a state of how you are actually going to be listening to it. I always have been taught the very last thing you should touch on your amp is the gain. Then call it a day
Or volts = √watts x ohm load, with a multimeter. But always best to use an oscilloscope. Cause you can't find the clipping point of the head unit with multimeter.
Finally received my oscope and your advice is dead on.I also read all the comments and I can't tell you how much I appreciate people like yourself who take the time to help others out who are doing there best to learn the ropes of their car audio. Thanks 😊
Sure thing man!
Did you tune your mids and high or this only works on the lows?
@@NextLevelCarAudio if you had a 500watt rms sub driver, and the amp puts out 2000watts, would you set the gain the same exact way?
key point not having to buy DD-1 ! so happy to have discovered your channel.
Thanks man, much appreciated ;)
Same. I agree
Yeah specially feeding that tard of steve meade
@@probmxjona tard? Nah, that's not the right term, more like self centered arrogant fool that thinks only he has things. He's full of himself.
@@iiSup3rior yes very much full of him self he thinks he is the shit and he is not.
Mad props! Thank you so very much for posting this. Still relevant in 2023 with lots of sellers still selling this 'scope on Amazon. And yeah getting the levels dialed in for the EQ etc before setting the gain is GREAT advice. Good call. Thanks again man. All the best
Watched the video a couple times, ordered the Oscilloscope you linked. Followed your instructions to the letter.
And now my stereo sounds amazing. Thanks for taking the time, and explaining in simplicity for us non-audiophiles.
Great Job!
Awesome. Thanks for the feedback!
Rumor has it Steve Meade made 40+ accounts and disliked this video 😂
Lol, now that’s funny 😆
Lol that's funny as hell lol
Lmao
I gain mine to never go past 14. Usually never go past 13.
for me, your channel is the best for learning car audio, your install is top notch !!
Much appreciated man. Thanks for the support
Agreed!
Thanks for sharing this!! I just ordered this so that I know my amp is tuned correctly. I never really looked into an
O-Scope because I thought all of them were a couple hundred dollars, but I’m so glad there’s one that’s not to expensive
Heck yeah! Glad this video Helped! You going to love it. Really cool to actually see the sine wave so there is no guesswork involved
An oscope is trash for audio... you can set gain but that's it... just get a dd1 and be done...
Lol.... a DD1 gives you a little red indicator dot. An oscope gives you full visual of a sine wave for a fraction of the cost. If people want spend 4 times as much for a red led bulb and no visual if the sine wave. Have at it
@@andrewmcallister4151 then you know nothing about car audio lol a dd1 sets gains at a way lower level then youd ever see on a oscope ... your the type of guy who wants to just be lazy and set it and forget it and not get optimal performance from your system .. lol
@@johndoe-mn4mh #RedLEDsMatter just kidding, Oscopes are even cheaper now, I found a full blown multimeter, signal generator, oscilloscope for $85 - I play with electronics and arduinos and all this other stuff, so I'm sure I'll use it every day.
bought the oscope in your info that you used in the video just to check my amp settings out and just so happens i was just slightly below clipping from my ear settings. great info thank you
Honestly one of the best explained and shown videos especially like how you used a common cheap oscilloscope and even showed how to set that up!. Great job!
Thanks man. Appreciate it :)
Just bought an Oscope man I can't get my subs to play like they should. I don't trust my ear, and my installer sadly passed away. On my third headunit and its alot better than the first two. Thank you sir your a life saver was on my way to buy a DD1.
Great video and easy to understand for those who may not fully grasp the concept of clipping and proper gain settings. I'd only add that the test tone tracks are typically offered at different dB overlaps to account for various recording levels of playback. To each their own as to what test tone you decide to use, but I've personally always felt better running the -5dB 40Hz track just to play it safe with the -5dB overlap. I say play it safe, because not all music sources are recorded at the same level. Unless you are playing FLAC files or anything similar one song may sound great while the next song may sound horrible/distorted because it was recorded at a different level.
I've seen this also on five-star audio I thinks the channel
Playing it safe would be using the 0db track because that actually is a louder volume than -5db 👍
@@PuresDen unless im misunderstanding your comment you may have missed the point od mine originally. The reason -5db is safer is exactly because it's not as loud. 0db is loud and due to the many different people that master or remaster music you never truly know what levels they're mastered at or how they've staged their gains and plug-ins . Due to those very reasons thats why the -5db overlap is safer. You'll lose some output sure, but unless you have a reliable source for your tracks it's safer to set lower. Setting at 0db definitely increases the chances of have a Rouge track in the mix that causes massive clipping. I pulled this directly from a mastering site for some context as I'm in no way a music recording guru.
"Here is a rule of thumb, don't peak on your individual sounds say louder than -18 to -12 db, and your master don't go anywhere near past -6 db. There are no hard and fast rules for this but learn about how analog operates and is gain staged.
24 bit audio has a resolution of 144 db
16 bit audio has a resolution of 96 db.
so you can STILL HAVE YOUR AUDIO ALMOST -50 db down from zero and still use the full bandwidth of 16 bit audio resolution."
@@josephstaton6438 false , all mixed and mastered tracks made by actual artists and labels dont go above 0db , if a song you are playing does it was made by johnny in his back yard - Jay
I must say you are the only guy that shows these tricks online... appreciate it.
I'm trying to learn at least half you know to teach others to... helping hand always gets helped
Thanks for the feedback man. Much appreciated.
🗣️💨 February 8, 2024 @ 10:18pm CST......I Did Your Method and Mannnnnn.......I Can't Thank You Enough.......Even Though I'm Years Later💯💯🔥🔥🔥
Thank you so much for this vid I ordered same oscope can't wait for it to arrive to get my amp tuned perfectly
Dude thank you for making this video I picked one of these up after watching this video and man I’m happy i did. It picked up distortion way before the clip light kicked on and I feel so much better now knowing it’s set right. Thanks again bro and keep making the rad videos 🤘🏻
Awesome! Thanks for the feedback!
Im building a system and will definitely be using this to set the gain and test my radio for clipping. I also really appreciate the video showing this vs an proper oscilloscope to show it works and isnt inaccurate for our use.
I have never built a system, all i have is a cheap powered enclosure. I purchased a box designed for my vehicle
dam thanks a bunch ordering one now lol, i have to watch your other vids because im not sure what to set my lpf at
Protip: If you want to see just the sine wave without all the freq data taking up space on the screen do this. While in run (should see green "running" on the top left) press and hold the OK button. This will remove the data values from the screen and just show the sine wave in a locked state. Now just briefly press the OK button and you should be back in the running state with a full view of the sine wave!
So is there any instructions than what he showed that needs to be done for the device to work properly. I noticed it had a ground tab on top and when I initially turned it on the screen looked crazy with hundreds of line going up and down the screen.
You seem knowledgeable so I'd love your input on what to do step by step to tuning the system once I take it out of the box.
If you wouldn't mind, I'd love for you to contact me @ 786-676-1563. Maybe this weekend when I go back to my amps to tune you can help me on video if possible
I can answer any questions you have man. Make sure to check out this video first tho. I explain settings in depth:
th-cam.com/video/nKQqcQ5q34I/w-d-xo.html
Used this video to set up mine, found the clipping point of my stock head unit, then tuned my amp. Perfect! A+ guide
Thanks for the input!
And I would really like to see you set the gains on the four Channel Symphony amp
I’ll keep that in mind! Thanks for watching
Yea 4 channel do one cant find shit on it I'm on team high voltage out of Knox tn
Gotta say one thing, you worth way more subscribers. You are one of the greatest in this! God bless you brother for all your information. You really helping out newbies out here that trying to become bassheads somehow lmao!
Can you show how to test the clipping volume for the actual head unit and wat happens if your using a clarion eq? Is it the same procedure?
I’ll try to put that in my next lineup, thanks for the recommendation
Use the Oscilloscope on the RCA outs from the head unit. Usually a good idea to test the full signal chain if you have multiple devices in the path. For example external EQ or a DSP.
@@SpudicusMaximus only if he uses the rca. It's not good otherwise
Just bought one and im impressed... saved me a nice chunk of cash vs buying a dd1 from smd 👏👏👏
Have the same scope been using it for around a year works like a charm, the display is really good it can show the slightest deform in the wave. My friend has the nano and this lil cheap scope has a better display haha. Nice vid 👍👍
Awesome! Thanks for the feedback
Bro all day i see on FB people asking the same questions and so many people say turn up the gain..WRONG gain is not a volume knob i may if its ok share your video you explained way better than me, thanx for the vids
Great video, I think I’ll pick up one of these. The SMD is a nice tool and it detects distortion that isn’t necessary visible to the eye but it’s a single use tool and a scope can do hundreds of things.
Yes sir
The best explanation I've ever seen just ordered mine today to fix my gain thank you so much. You earned a new subscriber
Thanks! Make sure to check out this video I made as well running it up against my expensive bench top scope. Performed 100% accurate.
th-cam.com/video/nKQqcQ5q34I/w-d-xo.html
Got my o scope in from Amazon and the unit does not show running at the top like yours I used the exact same setting too.. the Interface is different from yours.
Does it say waiting prior to signal going in
Yes it does
Sounds like it is not getting triggered then by the input signal. If turning up the Gain does not trigger the o-scope, then it must be faulty. Sucks
I was looking at getting a cheap scope instead of the SMD tools. i'm gonna set my gains like once or twice ever in my car, I dont need a $250-300 tool lol. Was wondering if the $40 scopes on amazon were good, and now I know! Thanks for the info bro, just ordered. Used your link so hopefully you get a little kick back :)
Awesome man! much appreciated! Unfortunately I don't have any affiliate links set up yet...but sure do appreciate the support of my channel! Glad i could help! I feel the same way about the SMD devices lol
Took my truck the “best” car audio in town. I did the o scope technique and was clipping at half volume. Turned gain down to a perfect signal @ head units max listening volume w/o distortion. Music is much cleaner although less bass, but I won’t have to buy new gear in a couple months. Thank you for the video very easy to understand
Awesome! Most shops turn Gain up high to make it sound like you got more bang for your Buck. Unfortunately, lots of people including shops treat gain like a volume knob. The rule is, if you want to get louder. Get more subs and amps with proper electrical upgrades.
Thanks for the tip.. I just ordered one for myself after watching your video😁👍🏼👊🏼
Cool man. Sweet! They are handy to have around :)
Just watched this and remembered I have a oscilloscope from my RC drone building days laying around. Can't wait to set my new Skar amp up tomorrow properly !!!
Nice!
Thanks for this tutorial. Straight and to the point.
When I was young which was multiple decades ago I was into that amplifier + speaker phase. I done it by hear and I was darn good at it to the point I could shake dishes and cups in the china cabinet that was very easy 50+ feet away from the car. Been around electronics my entire life been trained at repairing it. Course I'm no longer in to that amplifier + speaker phase anymore could care less about it now I out grew it.
Got the 40 dollar it’s on point now thanks for the knowledge it’s sounds nice and crisp you can see when it clips
Awesome! Thanks for the feedback!
Anybody can tell me please brand and model? Wanna order it right away 🥂 thanks
More expensive now, but this is the one:
www.amazon.com/STARTO-Handheld-Oscilloscope-BNC-Clip-Assembled/dp/B07QL3SS7S/ref=asc_df_B07QL3SS7S/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459704590302&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=792658384330101374&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033504&hvtargid=pla-945043665765&psc=1
Thank you for your video. It's the best how to I've seen. I just liked and subscribed.
Can you make a video for mids and highs on a 4 channel amp using this oscilloscope because this tutorial did wonders for my sub
I’ll see if I can squeeze that in the lineup somewhere
Use a 1 khz track.
He ever made it? I'm curious as well. I tried doing the same procedure with a higher sound wave but the wave on my Scope shows weird, so I'm unable to calibrate it.
I'm also using a 4-Channel Amp, MRV-F300 to be specific.
I’ll make this my next video. I’ll also go over settings and contrast it to my bench top oscope. Then show how to tune a 4 channel with it. I can have it out by mid next week
Hello mate I got mine today could I kindly get a reply so basically I know how to do the subwoofer set up but I’m little stuck on the all door speakers nothing runs from head unit front rear speaker wires on head unit all my doors runs off amps only so how would I check and set them up is this the correct way unplug the phono leads turn gain down turn head unit to where it max out before clipping the a just amps that do door speakers ???
I’ve subscribed and love the channel mate I’d appreciate your reply
The only other thing I’m stuck on is how do I set head unit to max if I have no speakers to speaker out puts on rear of unit
Can you use it to tell where your deck distorts? I'm getting it anyway that's awesome thanks for the info
Yes! Just connect the positive/negative leads to any set of your speaker output wires on the back of your head unit. For example your front left speaker output. Turn the volume down on the head unit. Then play a 1000hz sine wave. Then start adjusting your volume up until you see the signal start to clip. That’s it. Whatever volume that is, that is the max you should go!
@@NextLevelCarAudio awesome bro, thx!
When testing HU does it matter what eq, bass boost,etc.. is set at?
Set it for how you plan on keeping it when you listen to your music. Then dial in your gain. If not you will clip once you adjust your head unit. Some people swear on setting it while“flat”. But that is not optimal. Gain is always the LAST thing you want to dial in and adjust when setting up your system
@@NextLevelCarAudio wow didn’t know this. I too have watched so many other set it at flat when dialing in voltage/ setting gain. Thank you for this info bro. Learn something new everyday from you!
I have always done it by ear, but I'm going up in power and I really appreciate this tip thanks 👍
Heck yeah!
Can’t believe i just used the DSO today and this video popped up in my recommendations 2 hours today
Lol, that’s crazy. I think TH-cam Keeps tabs on us all lol
@@NextLevelCarAudio hey I noticed during your video you had a 20vac scale set...are you sure it clipped and you didnt just reached the top of scale?
Maybe setting the scale to next setting above 20vac will show you it wasnt actually clipping?
Would appreciate a reply if you try and you do find a different result....thanks
I’ve pretty much played with every setting to toy around. With the peak of the sine wave completely off the screen and also with it at the bottom. Same result. That is the clipping point of the sine wave. Not screen cut off
@@NextLevelCarAudio alright thanks! Great vids!
Thanks!
Just bought the other one recommended in your description. It was 48 with tax. Excited to be able to fine tune my amp. Thank you
Awesome. It will definitely add value to your setup!
Hey man, thanks for great informative video! Can i ask how would i use dd1 or oscilloscope on powered active subwoofer with build in amplifier? Do i really need to disasemble it to get to the actual amplifier? Its currently connected with line inputs but also has high level inputs for factory HU installation if it helps.
All you need to do is remove the subwoofer from the enclosure to access the speaker wires that are connected to it. Tap into the wires from there and your good to go. Same procedure as normal from there
Did you figure it out? I have kicker 8" hideaway as well and was wondering the same.
Will 50hz do the trick or would you recommend 40hz?
@NextLevelCarAudio i got that same scope meter two weeks ago to set my amp gains. it works well and good investment
Awesome! Thanks for the feedback!
Hell yes. I like your channel. Very helpful informational vids. Love the communication and follow ups too. Very cool! Need more of you on TH-cam. Subscribed!
Thanks for the support
Steve M @ SMD is gonna be Pissed! Lmao.. U the man👍👍👍👍💯🍭
Lol.... probably, he will be fine tho. Lmfao, us guys that don’t have unlimited funds for audio gear need to do what we need to do to make it work
@@NextLevelCarAudio 100% ... car audio #basshead/your channel is my church 🤪🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌
Thanks bro!
@@NextLevelCarAudio I myself would rather spend my hard earned cash to pay for my stereo and not over priced tuning equipment
Yes sir
Thank you for the Video! Helps me a lot
I have a question. I want to tune to 0 db. Does it matter where the signal comes from? Sometimes I listen Radio, TH-cam, Bluetooth, CD for example. My thought is, 0 db is the maximum a signal can get, so it does not matter where it comes from?
I did by ear at 12 and my ear have grown since then yes I have big ears 😂 👂
Lol...
Hey, did you disconnect your speakers when playing the test tone?
$33 for cyber monday!
Awesome!
I bought one of these o-scopes a while back to read PWM timing signals for servo drivers. I would have never thought of using it this way... Thanks. I will go ahead and tinker with it this weekend to see how close my "ear tuning" is.. Probably way off considering that I smell my Skar ZVX-15V2s getting hot every once in a while. LOL
Lol... probably. Let me know how it works for ya!
Can you make a video more detailed on the OScope itself?
Mine just arrived but I have no clue on how to use it, this video gave me the basics to set my gains though so thanks.
I’ll see what I can do after the holidays man.
Nice! . I see do you keep your SW level is at 10? & is that safe for the Subwoofer ??
Excellent find!!!! Got mine ordered and arriving on Wednesday. A few questions, for my head-unit, I am using 3 sets of RCA outputs for Subs (Kicker hideaway), front and rear 4 channel Kenwood. I am trying to find the max volume setting of my Pioneer AVH-220EX before it clips. Would I connect the O-scope to RCA (I would use a RCA and strip one end to connect negative and positive) output since that is what powers everything or high-level outputs from the deck? Next, would I use a 40 Hz test to find max for sub output and then 1k Hz for my front and rear and use the lowest volume like front and rear hit max 40 volume without clipping but the sub clips at 38, use 38 as my max? Thank you for your time!!! *edited from reading all comments
You check your decks clipping point not from low level but from high level. So tap in to any one of the speaker wire outputs coming off the back of the head unit and run 1k hz tone. (40hz sub stage and 1k for mids and highs). Levels should always be set from to back to keep continuity. So check clipping point of head unit and note the volume level. That is your max volume before clip. Then dial in your front stage, then rear fill if running amplified rear stage, then tie in your subwoofer to complete your sound stage. Doing all of this with your volume at its max point before clip.
You had the voltage on the o scope at 20v so any output above 20v got clipped on the meter. My amp puts out 70v-85v so wouldn’t you want to do exactly the same thing with the meter voltage above the amp out put voltage then turn the gain up till the signal clips?
I just ordered one from ya link. Ty bro!!! Is there a vid to tune or set the device up for optimum settings?
I appreciate you and this video unlike some who want profit off there knowledge. Will be purchasing a oscilloscope today.
Awesome man. It’s a Great tool to have! And thank you for the feedback!
Damn i miss this channel but you are on to bigger and better things. ❤💪
Just ordered an oscillispoe today.Thanks so much for the easy procedure.Now i can set my gain on my Crescendo bass cleff 4k.
You bet. Check out this video to get more details on tuning it and comparing it to my bench top scope
th-cam.com/video/nKQqcQ5q34I/w-d-xo.html
@@NextLevelCarAudio Will do.Thanks again.
Your channel is very helpful bro. About to buy one of these cheap oscilloscopes
Nice! Check out my newer video comparing it to my bench top scope! 100% accurate!
Why 40hz tone? People use 50hz and 60hz but no one says for which reason. Thanks!
You can use 50hz or 40hz, I usually set mine at 50hz. Basically you don’t want anything over 50hz to go to the subwoofer and everything under 50hz to go to the subwoofer. Hence the lower the hertz’s the more bass.
Great video, really informative. I wanted to ask
Can I use this method to set up front speaks .
Yes you can. Just use 1000hz test
Tone instead of 40hz
Great video. I do believe you’ve done a different amp gain tutorial with flat eq any reason why not this time as everyone recommends?
Did mine with a dmm was ment to be 24.5 volts , didn't think it sounded right given the rms power of my amp so i got a o scope for £50 and was shocked how far from clipping i was at 24.5 volts ! With the o scope it went to 28 volts before any sign of clipping, 3.5 volts more than ohm's law ! Well worth th 50£ 👌
Wow, that’s awesome! Every volt counts!
im new to this "car" audio stuff, & a new subscriber to ur channel... ive been involved in the music buisness all my life, but car audio... not so much... so ive been tryin to put together a good quality car audio package, & ur videos have been great at explaining things putting them in a language thats easy to digest & understand... well, that & the clip where the little white hatch blowing the rear lid off... hysterical! thanx & god bless dude
Thanks for the feedback and support! If you have any questions on your journey, come back and comment. I’m very attentive here and try to answer everything that comes through. Thanks 😎
@@NextLevelCarAudio thanx man!
Thanks for the info. I was able to pick one of these up and got my gain setup correctly.
Awesome man. Good to hear
Great video man. I do have a question. I have a JBL Basspro 12 (which is a powered subwoofer box with the amp built in) and there’s just “power/ground/remote wire” so where would I put the red and black cables on this?
Pull the subwoofer, and connect it to the speaker wires there. Good to go
Awesome video! Set my factory head unit up so it doesn't clip. Then I set the gains on my amp so it doesn't clip. Thanks for the vid and the savings!
Awesome
This is a great find, now if I can find a cheap and easy way to verify my crossover points. I suspect my dodgy pioneer DSP defaults back into full pass rather than hi pass to my mids and highs when the app crashes. For now I'm relying on the built in crossovers on the amps with vague values as a second layer protection.
Smd makes a device, but pricey.
I just received this oscope and tuned my amp today and it worked amazing my system sounds great!!! I just need to figure out how to use the oscope on the headunit, not sure how to do it but I’ll figure it out.
IIRC you connect the oscope leads to the RCA cables to check the headunit, and play the test tone while turning up the volume knob
@@zykonot I did that and the oscope will not work right anymore. I just bought another one and it did the exact same thing
Always pain dealing with smd......they also make you run everything flat before tuning, i like this method better
thank you for such a great video! question, you say to play 40hz to the sub output, to test for gains. do we play the same 40hz to the front/rear channels also powered by an amp, to set their gains as well? again, thank you for the great video.
I have the same question 🙋🏻♂️?????
@@carlosemmanuel2009 I found my answer after asking this, play 1000hz for your door speakers. I downloaded an app that plays different tones that worked really well.
Yep. Sorry guys for not replying… 40hz sub stage. 1000hz front stage :) thanks for helping Kerry
@@NextLevelCarAudio I actually found the answer on another one of your videos that I responded to. You’re videos are filled with great information that is very much appreciated 🥰
Awesome! Thanks
Yo brotha, I'm new to this. What's the reason for having your subwoofer level at +10? Does it send a stronger signal to the amplifier?
Howdy NL Audio, why 40hz? Is that for subs only?which hz signal to use if I wanted to set the gain on my highs? Other than that great upload, thanks for informing us 'little' guys.
For highs it's 1,000 hz. For subs 40 hz
@@KentuckyBrothersGaming thanks for informing me KBG
Should you do this while the vehicle is running so your system would be receiving the same volage as it does when driving? Or does that matter?
That’s it! It’s that easy? Wow this was very helpful. Thanks man!
I once tryied 10-100hz test tone sweep for 5min full tilt can't believe my setup still WORKS!!!
Lol, that’s awesome!
@@NextLevelCarAudio yah now my gain was set properly for the voltage drop as well. Just because you get a clean signal don't mean it will play clean if your voltage ends up at 10volts clean single so my gain is a bit lower on my strapped half ohms amps.
Awesome stuff ... Thanks 👍. Have one question I have a system for my bike iam trying to tune . Only have four speakers . Which are 6.5 vega ph654 and some 6x9 coxial . Which test tone should I use thanks
If using oscope 1000hz. If using “Tweeter method” use same 40hz
@@NextLevelCarAudio yes I used the 40 hz. Ohm's law value for my amp was 22.8 I took about 10* off for error so set my ac volts at 19.8 .which on the gain was almost 3/4 from max. Wow
Good video mate. I have been setting my eq on flat...does that mean when i tune my amp i cannot turn up eq becuses it will distort ??
Great video question how I do the gain for the front and rears can I do it with the same device and is it the same settings? Thanks
I'm curious how a low feed signal shows on this. Looking at troubleshooting the system. Took a dyno'd review showing the amp I purchased to be true rated, but may be more to look at. Different things is the subs are from my sub compact into my truck. I hope I may get a baseline of data and grow from there.
Is there anyway to check on the scope where the voltage is at that way? Not only that you can check that you have an unclipped signal but the math is matching up at the same time? Just being picky. I understand that if the sine wave is unclipped, then it’s at max capacity with a clear signal
1) Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
2) Can you set volume to max? Or does it have to be 75%?
3) Does this one setting work even on lets say u have 8000k amp running to 1k rms speakers as well as 5k rms speakers?
Very few head units can max out without clipping. Best to use the methods from this video to check clipping point of your head unit. Usually somewhere between 75-90% of your max volume. Then go from there. As far as the o-scope settings. Should all be the same as long as you are using the 40hz tone
@@NextLevelCarAudio what should the setting be when using 1k tone?
I’d do the same
Just saw this video two days ago and I got a new box for my subs installed a few days ago, been trying to tune my amp and been going crazy. I ordered this when I watched the video and it just got here today! Going to go set my gain correctly for the first time probably lol.
Nice. Let me know if you need any help
@@NextLevelCarAudio so I did this today, got it set perfectly. But I actually have a stock head unit and I'm using a pretty cheap loc. It can be adjusted though also, do I need to do the same thing to my loc first then my amp? Because it doesn't seem like I'm getting the power I should be with the rest of my system.
With an inline loc it’s a little more tricky. You want to match the preamp voltage coming out of the head unit with the gain seeing on the loc first, that way you have the proper input sensitivity coming into your amp. then adjust the gain on your amp.
@@NextLevelCarAudio okay thank you! I actually ordered an Audiocontrol LC2I pro and it'll be here tomorrow. I'm hoping that'll make it a bit easier and give me a better sound (which I'm sure it will compared to my current $10-20 loc) will that be the same way to set up for my amp gains or no?
That’s a great unit! And yes. Same! 😎
I just bought this scope to tune with so thanks for the great vid on this.
I installed a fosgate sealed enclosure in my Polaris RZR with a fosgate 10”. I use a BT receiver which goes to an active MTX crossover then to the amp.
Should I hook the scope to the rca leads coming out of the BT receiver to check for max volume setting on my phone before it sends out a clipped signal, then at the speaker terminals at the amp?
I also bought one of the pac Lc-1 remote bass knobs to install, should I check it after that too? Thanks for the very informative tutorials, I’m going to be dialed in after this, and so will all my friends!
Believe it or not, you technically can crank your volume to max and send a clipped signal to your external amp and still come out with a clean signal. So if using RCA’s it’s not a big deal as if they even do clip on your head unit, it is at a higher volume than high level. A lot don’t even clip at max when talking RCA’s. With that said.... I’d still use the max volume that high level clip point gave me. It will be plenty loud, and can adjust gain accordingly at amp. Plus I would cringe seeing my head unit maxed out on volume all the time.
@@NextLevelCarAudio excellent point!
Another great video , I’ve tried this method but didn’t get the same nice smooth wave that you show, is it perhaps because You’re using a 40hz test tone and I’m using a 1000hz test tone?
Did you try tweaking the knobs around? Check this video, I go over it a bit more
Wussup nextlevelcsraudio. I started watching your videos a couple weeks ago and love your content and all the helpful info you provide in your videos. Helped me out alot to understand a proper car audio. Im looking for 2 amps 1 for highs and another for lows. What would you recommend? I have 4 8inch massive m8 in the rear and 2 massive 6inch m6 in the front all 8ohm speakers and are about 880 rms. The tweeters are power acoustik nx5 3ohms I believe they were 100 watts rms each and its 4 of them in the rear
Since it looks like you like massive audio, i'll keep it MA. I use to run them in the past too.
For your 6" speakers and Tweets, use a 4 channel amp:
www.massiveaudio.com/collections/amplifiers/products/px3000-4
Two tweets channel 1 and two tweets channel 2.
One of your 6" on channel 3 and other 6" on channel 4.
For your 8" speakers, use a 2 channel amp:
www.massiveaudio.com/collections/amplifiers/products/px3000-2
Two 8" speakers on channel 1 and the other two on channel 2.
Its tough with 8 ohm speakers because they need a bigger amp to perform the same.... the above solution should give you what you are looking for. Adjust filters and gains accordingly and you will be good to go.
Thanks for supporting my channel!
@@NextLevelCarAudio i was told I shouldn't put highs and mids on the same amp because they're different frequencies.
@@NextLevelCarAudio thanks for the advice though and np I always support those with good content 💯
Most good 4 channel amps, including the ones I recommended have separate filter settings for channels 1&2 and channels 3&4. So you can run highs on 1&2 and lows on 3&4 for example with no problem. As they are independently adjustable for filter.
@@NextLevelCarAudio hey wussup so my wife got me those 2 amps you recommended me to get for xmas. From my understanding to set up the frequency I would need to look up the specs from w.e speaker being hooked up to that channel and adjust the frequency to the specs of that speaker. So as I'm looking for my tweeters its frequency response is 3000Hz and up but the amps max frequency is 2000Hz. Setting it 1000Hz less than what the specs for the tweeter say should be fine?
I just set my gains by your instructions. And I took my door panels off and checked my head unit with osiliscope. I set the head unit where I wanted it. .... thank you. My system sounds clean . I installed a mechman alternator and xs 3400 under the hood. Voltage is resting at 14.5 ... everything is good I set my amp gains at volume 29 like yours. I turned my head unit up to 35 and I didn't see any clipping but. I had it at 30 before and I didn't want to risk it. It sounds so clean and so controlled now. Clip light on bass nob barely lights up at full tilt. Just slightly. But osiliscope shows clean signal at my max 29 volume.
Hell yeah man! That’s how it’s done! Great example!
@@NextLevelCarAudio... thanks to you buddy. Your videos were perfectly awesome. Thank you so much
Hey brother! If you find the time, can you show us how to “calibrate” this cheap oscilloscope? I’m hearing with high power systems, a 10x probe is required for these oscilloscope units, but they need to be calibrated? (Something about the metal tab poking out of the top)
Thanks again for your time and all your help!!
Never had to do that.... watch this video, in think it so help: th-cam.com/video/nKQqcQ5q34I/w-d-xo.html and before shooting this video I calibrated nothing
Ok Rockford Fosgate says to check the rca’s with an oscilloscope to find your volume level. They explain that the rca’s are a low level input.
Doing so I found that my max volume is 34 not 26. It was 26 using your method that you explained when you checked the radio speaker outputs from the head unit.
RCA’s don’t hardly ever send a clipped signal. You need to check it the way I explained if you are running any speakers off your head unit directly. If you are running EVERYTHING amplified and not using high level inputs then yes, you can check low level. But most people are not running 100% externally amplified.
I’ve subscribed mate can you reply so you tune this to the rear speakers wires of head unit to set the volume ok but I have mine set to all amps I don’t use stock head unit speaker wires so how can I do this
Do you have a video on how to check head unit for clipping? Where would I connect an oscilloscope to the head unit?
Use One of the speaker wires coming off the back of your head unit. Test using 1000hz, not 40hz like you would for sub
Nice!!! Would this work the same for mid range speakers also? What tone frequency would you use?
1000 hz
@@NextLevelCarAudio Awesome, Thank you. Same frequency for an 8" mid woofer also?
That will work. Yes.
@@NextLevelCarAudio great thank you!!!
Is there a max amp wattage this meter will handle without frying? i.e. If amp is 500 watts @ 2ohms, volts will be 31.6...ok to use meter on? Thx for this vid!
I don’t think so. I mean, I used this on my 12,000 watt monoblock amp with no problems. I have not had any issues
Not true!!! That is NOT what the 20v setting means on this scope! Calculating Gain with math does NOT translate to the voltage selection setting on this scope. Before you give bad advice, watch this video where I run it side by side with my professional bench top scope. It is spot on and accurate. th-cam.com/video/nKQqcQ5q34I/w-d-xo.html
What test tone do you recommend for mids? Even though some door speakers play as low as 60hz.
Good video really helped before I adjusted my radio I left everything flat even crossovers played 40hz 0dB radio started clipping at 28 out of 40 then I set my front and rear crossovers at 80hz -24db then played the same 40 hz test tone again and radio didn’t clip at all even at max volume
Happy new year thanks for your help your uploads tutrial in car audio installation is one of the most clear helpfull sight in youtube down to earth no bullshit tutorial keep doing what you are doing you're alot of help specially to new diyer s
Thanks! Much appreciated
Great content man. This guy helped me out alot yall! He's a good ass dude! I got my XP3000 hooked up, and it's working great. I appreciate you answering all my stupid questions! I was nervous, but it was honestly super easy, and works great so far! You da man and I appreciate ya!
Thanks for the support Scott. Glad to hear these videos and my advice are helping people on here!
@@NextLevelCarAudio you 1000% helped me out. I put a video on what I did on my channel, just if ur curious to see what you helped me do lol.
Done!
Set lpf and hpf before measuring?
Other tutorials says turn lpf and hpf off.
Amazing Video. My scope arrived today 🤙😬 greetings from germany.
Thanks for the comment! There are many reasons why people say to do things different ways. The reason why I like getting everything dialed in before you set your gain is that you are tuning your amp in a state of how you are actually going to be listening to it. I always have been taught the very last thing you should touch on your amp is the gain. Then call it a day
Or volts = √watts x ohm load, with a multimeter. But always best to use an oscilloscope. Cause you can't find the clipping point of the head unit with multimeter.