Every day i would turn my stereo on and it would sound different, the bass one day was good, other days not.... I checked everything... Ground points, oscilloscoped all lines.... Nothing.... Well, it was my subs not bolted down properly, over the year the allen keys had shaken lose... And probably after contruction the mdf had compressed.... Critical and thats why my bass response was missing... The low frequencies were leaking out,....
Okay so how do we set the gains if we cant spare $450 for an osillo scope such as the one you are using ? Id rather buy another amp or sub with that money lol i dont make much money but i love car audio !
By the way you are fucking awesome your builds are an inspiration to 99% of us car audio fiends !
@SDUndisputed as a matter of fact, you can buy a new product we released in July called the SMD Distortion Detector DD-1. Google it or search youtube...its all over the place. $149
@meade916 is there anything you cant do with stereos ? i just checked it out and that seems su much simpler than an o scope and easier on my tight ass wallet lolz , thanks for the reply bro your awesome !!!!!!!
hey what's up Pimp I have a old equalizer audio planet, I would like set it upo with my 1200w Sony Xplod Amp. could you help on setting up the gain level, low boost, filter level, also Eq. thanks
yes, you can do it that way. the most important part is to make sure that you are NOT clipping the amp. if you EQ you music, then set the gains, the end result is the same.
yes, you can do it that way. the most important part is to make sure that you are NOT clipping the amp. if you EQ you music, then set the gains, the end result is the same.
Hey Steve I don't even know if you will get this being such an old video but I have a question. I just installed an Alpine 1000 watt amp with a pair of Kicker CVR 12's. My question is once you've set your amp with the ossilo, do you ever mess with your eq or your bass at the head unit or is it best to leave it at 0db?
Why is it imperative to set amp gains with EQs flat? listening to flat non EQ'd music is horror to my ears. Couldnt i just set my EQs to how i normally listen to music, and then set amp gains from there? If not, please explain...and please use laymans terms...im no electrical or audio engineer.
If always set gains, listening for distortion by ear for years, and have never had an issue with that, blowing speakers, amps, etc.
i have 2 quantum amps 4,000 wtts each and 4 12'' kickers L7 subwoofers. how should i wire 2 subwoofers for each amp? can u try sending me instructions written or in video please. thanks for ur help!!
Can you tell me the voltage and amperage into the sub at 40hz? Need the numbers for a little research. Can you tell me a typical output voltage coming out of a 1000watt sub at a test frequency? Any info would really help thanks bro
great video, I'm glad i found out about this. I'll need to find one of these before i clip my subs to death. Btw I'm in az, if i go to cali this summer I'd be honored if I could get a demo of the new caddy.
Bro, I started to build a system with an alpine cda9886, and full Infinity kappa 4x6 and 6x9, and jl audio subs, with a db drive pushing the subs and a memphis pushing
is there any way you can make it to maine some time soon getting a system for xmas and want some one that knows what they doing to hook it up also good or bad deal ? if you know what they are the Visonik-V212BS its a deal on sonic electronic
ive never understood any of this. like impedance and ohms and all that..??.. its just not in my vocab. i do have a system but i just hook it up and go. i have no idea how to tune it or anything.
im running a 12" kicker cvr off a 760 watt pioneer amp.. and the gain on the amp is set at the little "normal" notch. is that ok for that sub? and wat about impedance? wat does that effect? and is my amp the right impedance for my sub?
Awesome vid man, i know you got your fans and you got your haters. But a facts a fact, you shed a lot of knowledge to the car audio world, and people respect that. Thanks, and keep up the good work!
My question is.. when you are done tuning, and then turn the subwoofer control on the deck back up, it exceeds the target voltage you just reached... I use a DMM, and found the right gain, but am I supposed to leave the sub setting to '0' on the deck afterwards? because if I don't, I will be much higher than the target voltage and may lead to a square wave without audible distortion
I was wondering about setting gains, i know people set them with the head unit on flat, but wouldn't it be better to set amp gains with the head units eq the way you like it since if you set it with the head unit flat and then go and start turning the bass up and eq up on the head unit, wouldnt that cause clipping since you'd be sending more voltage then when you had everything flat? just something i was wondering.
hi, i want to set the gain this way but its an orion 2500d 2500w at 1ohm, and only 1000 at 4, which with no sub connected wont be the same as with my sub connected to 1ohm load, will this way still work for me can you help ?
If you cant afford a oscope, i know this ones pretty expensive. What would you say is the next best way to set gains, with a normal DMM or by eyes & ears?
@CoupeDeville23 If you plan to use the bass boost, set the gain with it up. That way you know if you turn it up or down while playing music there is no chance of clipping.
@afanofdeftones Everytime I see your name somewhere, its a post about gain settings. Yeah, I actually set it with a DMM last night, and it came out to about 40% on my Rockford P1000 (4 volt Alpine HU). I figured that bass boost is just a bad idea, and that I should keep it off, and turn the subwoofer control on my deck up instead. Whats your opinion on that?
where can i pick the up the same volt o meter you have or somethng close that shows a graph...are you taking a trip up to reno any time soon? I saw an Fi 18 in our pawn shop up here my thought was fuck i wish i had the room in my car for it..
Steve I like that Scope with DMM what is it? And were did you get it? Also as you know music is dynamic and you are only setting it with a 40hz tone @ 0db. It would be good to mention it is still possible to clip as you know depending on the music as well as the tracks played, but still great video to show people even showed me something about how useful a scope can be for car audio other then just engine shit. I badly I want a Scope now. hah thanks.
Steve, at around 0:47 you were gonna say something important after "Since Im Bridging this amp"........... What did you mean to say? Also Steve, what is bridging and how is it done?
@bigtahoe99 the amp doesn't need setting, its how you wired your subwoofers, and the amp puts out the power based on the resistance there is from how you wired your subwoofers.
Just a quick question and it's more of a make sure I'm right kinda thing. I watched both vids and I'm guessing that whenever you change equalizer settings either from the head unit or through an actual equalizer everything on the amps should be rechecked for clipping? I just know sometimes a headunit will have more bass in some settings than others, like "Rock" vs. "Hip Hop". Great video though! Thanks!
Ive been having a problem with my subs (10") its only happened twice only im afraid it'll happpen again since it did it twice in two months It starts out good and all then it hits and its fine but then half way throuh the song it tunes out the music and all i hear is bass any ideas whats goin on ?
Hi steve, what about the bass on the radio? I c u set the punch bass eq but what about the bass volume on the radio? My kenwood excelon 991 head unit have volume for the subs and front and rears.
BTW does having a higher voltage reduce clipping ? say in this video the volts to the amp was 11.9. well if you got in the car it went up to 14.4 or so. would gain need to be turned down due to the amp is being fed more power and now makes more power???
i have the same meter as you, and i did it so my systems not clipping, and i have the correct ohm set, but how do i tell how much power is really going to my subs, i don't want to blow anything, thanks
Now by doing this, you are essentially outputting the amp's max power (Max RMS) correct? If so how would I calculate where I need to be if I have subwoofers that are less max RMS than the amps max RMS.
To be simple; the max setting you would normally listen. More specifically youcan do the same here with the rca outputs and find the max for your headunit also before any clip.
Steve has an ausome write up on this in his forums on his site.
Does it make a difference whether you use a 40Hz, 50Hz or 60Hz tone or will ou get the same result in the end? I did this using a 60Hz tone because its what I had read up on the net to use. But i have also seen other sites say to use a 50Hz tone.
Quik request. You are showing how to do this with an o-scope could you show how to do this with a regular dmm and what to look for as in number wise. Thank you! I have the dmm but can not purchase the o-scope so anything would help.
@meade916 steve, the problem is I cant afford an o-scope, do you have any other way to do it, like I feel like I can turn it up more and its fine, yet I do not know if I will damage my amp for running it over what its rated, I have the kicker zx1500.1 amp, its pushing 2 cvx 15's, which is 2000rms total for them both, any ideas steve? know of any places that have o-scopes to rent?
@3BENSON Ohm's Law simplified is P=I*V and V=I*R. This turns into V=Sqrt(R*P). Your voltage needed is the square root of your speakers resistance (Ohms; R) multiplied by the power or watt rating of your speaker. Turn your head unit to where it does not distort and turn the gain until just a hair under the voltage reading you calculated. For example: 4 Ohm 6.5 inch speaker is 50 Watts RMS. 4*50=V^2. Sqrt(200)=V. V=14.142. So you would read ~14V on your DMM.
the brand of the machine? IDK its called a digital hand held oscilliscope. they can cost as much as 3,200 bucks. theyre laboratory equipment we use in the electrical engineering field for measuring waves, and frequencies, meade is using it to set the gains on his amplifier to prevent clipping, which is very bad for an amplifier. google it theyre not something an everyday joe has in his toolbox but very useful!
the papers that came with them when you bought them if they were new, if not then try online somewhere LOL its not something most sites would have but you can try to find the manual online
Hey this is that vid i was telling you steve idk if you remember but i asked you on your website like 3 days ago i think. but it lookes like its bridge on the input side. please let me know i have already checked the manual and its not there the way you have it wired up as. thanks bro again your the man and know your stuff. (properly)
great tutorial! I'm sick of hearing people with thier "hi fi" sterio's cranked with massive clipping that they don't seem to notice. I hope they will eventually stumble across here sometime..
your subs may be wired wrong man if your running 2 ohms and your amp can only do 4 your amp will shut off sometimes itll blow the fuse to the amp. you have a vid of what you have and how its wired??
steve how do you set your gains if your amp is overkill for your subs? i want to be able to turn my bass knob up all the way without blowing my subs how would you do that?
thanks man made it sound abit better i was not far off but i was off my. and my speakers are not thanking me for it thier still disrespecting my trunk lol
Someone may have allready asked this, but I'm not gunna search through pages of comments to find it: Can you download flat test tones in different frequencies like what you'd find on that disk? If so, Link me bitches.
Steve i like the fact that your using the hx2 for this demo most kids these days wont know that was one of the best ever years ago. Again you the man.
hey man i know you hear it all day everday but wow you have got some great sounding stuff i am have asked you a few time to explain this to me because i know you no after setting the gain setting on the amp what do I do about the bass and hertz level and what about all the setting on the head unit bass trebial hertz all of that i reall would love if you could help me on that
I wish i hade your brain for a week or two :P I just got my drivers licens and a car, so i'm going to start putting some speakers in it ;) And if i hade your brain i know it would be kick ass! :D
for those of you who can't afford an o-scope (such as myself) you can use sparkys audio-calc.xls for a detailed method in setting the gain using a multi-meter set to AC Volts. There is a chart using the ohms/wattage and the exact voltage on your multi meters digital readout on where to stop the gain. I think it is a great method, especially since all it requires is a digital readout. No disrespect steve, the method you posted is probably more accurate because of the actual signal display.
hey man if you need the download link I can message it to you. i dont think it comes up on google.. its a really simple program to use and very detailed. no problem :). like I said an o-scope is a little pricey although more accurate, but the multi meter method is the next best thing.
Can you set the impedance on that? Maybe stupid question but if you put a 2 ohm speaker on your amp it will start clip earlyer than on a 4 ohm speaker or am i wrong?
nice vid i got my amp at thw proper voltage but i was wondering how would i do it wit a epicenter hooked up to it wat should i do
13youngj 1 week ago
Every day i would turn my stereo on and it would sound different, the bass one day was good, other days not.... I checked everything... Ground points, oscilloscoped all lines.... Nothing.... Well, it was my subs not bolted down properly, over the year the allen keys had shaken lose... And probably after contruction the mdf had compressed.... Critical and thats why my bass response was missing... The low frequencies were leaking out,....
mkvy 2 weeks ago
hey man what can i do to get one of your batterys?
ribak1983 2 weeks ago
Such a mean garage set up...
ballerxfoxsho 3 weeks ago
Okay so how do we set the gains if we cant spare $450 for an osillo scope such as the one you are using ? Id rather buy another amp or sub with that money lol i dont make much money but i love car audio !
By the way you are fucking awesome your builds are an inspiration to 99% of us car audio fiends !
SDUndisputed 1 month ago
@SDUndisputed as a matter of fact, you can buy a new product we released in July called the SMD Distortion Detector DD-1. Google it or search youtube...its all over the place. $149
meade916 1 month ago
@meade916 is there anything you cant do with stereos ? i just checked it out and that seems su much simpler than an o scope and easier on my tight ass wallet lolz , thanks for the reply bro your awesome !!!!!!!
SDUndisputed 1 month ago
@meade916 Steave why the hell are you such a badass? stop fucking taking up all the cool points, leave us some to our name, i mean fuck!!!! lol
2Wyteboi 3 days ago
here is my question i have a mono class d. how do i know i am setting my levels at 4 ohm or 2 ohm? I plan on running my subs parallel at 2 ohm.
shaunober 3 months ago
Hey wats that yellow thing he use and where can I get one
manchesunt 3 months ago
hey what's up Pimp I have a old equalizer audio planet, I would like set it upo with my 1200w Sony Xplod Amp. could you help on setting up the gain level, low boost, filter level, also Eq. thanks
rlafontant88 4 months ago
How much u pay for that meter...i heard they exprnsivr but maybe you know where I can get it cheaper
Bigoso310sb 5 months ago
Hell yeah,oldschool vid, less tattoos lol
pokerphase1983 6 months ago
what song and cd is that
yousuck2013 6 months ago
whats the celly cel song playing?
cdogg311 7 months ago
yes, you can do it that way. the most important part is to make sure that you are NOT clipping the amp. if you EQ you music, then set the gains, the end result is the same.
xen100 7 months ago
yes, you can do it that way. the most important part is to make sure that you are NOT clipping the amp. if you EQ you music, then set the gains, the end result is the same.
xen100 7 months ago
sweet homie.... gotta get one when it drop
MrBodean2010 7 months ago
Once I have my gain set with the scope.then do I do the same but by turning up the bass boost until it clips then back off
BIGTAGGART 7 months ago
Hey Steve I don't even know if you will get this being such an old video but I have a question. I just installed an Alpine 1000 watt amp with a pair of Kicker CVR 12's. My question is once you've set your amp with the ossilo, do you ever mess with your eq or your bass at the head unit or is it best to leave it at 0db?
yzf7steve 8 months ago
Why is it imperative to set amp gains with EQs flat? listening to flat non EQ'd music is horror to my ears. Couldnt i just set my EQs to how i normally listen to music, and then set amp gains from there? If not, please explain...and please use laymans terms...im no electrical or audio engineer.
If always set gains, listening for distortion by ear for years, and have never had an issue with that, blowing speakers, amps, etc.
lickmymanballz 8 months ago
So to tell when your deck clips you just have all the gains all the way down and turn the deck up untill you see it clip?
VicLS9898 8 months ago
My way is by EAR hahahaha
83PoWeRrAm 8 months ago
isnt this going to be different when its in the car with a higher voltage from the alternator .
lukecrab3 8 months ago
Hey Steve Nice Car Also nice Video could i get a copy of that cd man so i could tune
Bose 5500 watts amps.
rlafontant88 9 months ago
400 dollars for an O-Scope! Dang does anyone else know how to set am amp?
gabe7773 9 months ago
How do you check when your headunit is clipping?
Macex6699 9 months ago
i like being too high
kia438 10 months ago
i have 2 quantum amps 4,000 wtts each and 4 12'' kickers L7 subwoofers. how should i wire 2 subwoofers for each amp? can u try sending me instructions written or in video please. thanks for ur help!!
mzpurplestar10 10 months ago
now all you need is a car to put that stuff in.
123678123678 10 months ago
Can you tell me the voltage and amperage into the sub at 40hz? Need the numbers for a little research. Can you tell me a typical output voltage coming out of a 1000watt sub at a test frequency? Any info would really help thanks bro
cutty02 11 months ago
how about if i put a 18volts in my 300watts subwoofer instead of 12 volts that is in the manual.... what would be happen?
marcopacol 11 months ago
hey steve, where can i get that disc and that O-scope you used? it would really help my system. thanks!
j35cincy 11 months ago
great video, I'm glad i found out about this. I'll need to find one of these before i clip my subs to death. Btw I'm in az, if i go to cali this summer I'd be honored if I could get a demo of the new caddy.
MechInvent 11 months ago
pushing the infinities do u think that its a good starter system, and what would u do to make sound good?
Rafaelipod 1 year ago
Bro, I started to build a system with an alpine cda9886, and full Infinity kappa 4x6 and 6x9, and jl audio subs, with a db drive pushing the subs and a memphis pushing
Rafaelipod 1 year ago
I love the kit T162s,is very beautiful!!
heberthbruno 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
The song is called "Celly Cel - Keep It Real"
basslover247 1 year ago
The song is called "Celly Cel - Keep It Real"
basslover247 1 year ago
is there any way you can make it to maine some time soon getting a system for xmas and want some one that knows what they doing to hook it up also good or bad deal ? if you know what they are the Visonik-V212BS its a deal on sonic electronic
atvking04032 1 year ago
ive never understood any of this. like impedance and ohms and all that..??.. its just not in my vocab. i do have a system but i just hook it up and go. i have no idea how to tune it or anything.
im running a 12" kicker cvr off a 760 watt pioneer amp.. and the gain on the amp is set at the little "normal" notch. is that ok for that sub? and wat about impedance? wat does that effect? and is my amp the right impedance for my sub?
jeepinit32 1 year ago
i notice that you have the rockfor 3sixty, can you explain what that does, and how to wire it up
badazzbrentIII 1 year ago
@badazzbrentIII its a bluetooth device, he can control a set of amps with his iphone and he can adjust all the settings to.
samwiserich 1 year ago
@badazzbrentIII Its a sound processor, its like a big EQ basically that is controlled by a bluetooth Palm device or a computer with bluetooth
SLAYER1805 1 year ago
Thanks for the video. My electronics teacher has oscope so luckily i don't have to buy one... YAY!
addkid31 1 year ago
Awesome vid man, i know you got your fans and you got your haters. But a facts a fact, you shed a lot of knowledge to the car audio world, and people respect that. Thanks, and keep up the good work!
spike131113 1 year ago
My question is.. when you are done tuning, and then turn the subwoofer control on the deck back up, it exceeds the target voltage you just reached... I use a DMM, and found the right gain, but am I supposed to leave the sub setting to '0' on the deck afterwards? because if I don't, I will be much higher than the target voltage and may lead to a square wave without audible distortion
CoupeDeville23 1 year ago 3
where can i get an oscope?
paullypaully18 1 year ago
what name the name of the song
killer23irapper 1 year ago
I was wondering about setting gains, i know people set them with the head unit on flat, but wouldn't it be better to set amp gains with the head units eq the way you like it since if you set it with the head unit flat and then go and start turning the bass up and eq up on the head unit, wouldnt that cause clipping since you'd be sending more voltage then when you had everything flat? just something i was wondering.
tmorales509 1 year ago
ur garage looks like a circuit city. and when r u turning 40 i see u been 39 for like the past 3 years lol just fuccin wit u bro.
8320884 1 year ago 9
hi, i want to set the gain this way but its an orion 2500d 2500w at 1ohm, and only 1000 at 4, which with no sub connected wont be the same as with my sub connected to 1ohm load, will this way still work for me can you help ?
icemikexc90 1 year ago
How would you dial in a bass amp with an o scope I gave the same scope just different settings.
0698jc 1 year ago
PS. Is that a Punch Hx2 Or a Power HX2?
Zakkwilder1982 1 year ago
I gotta Quit watching these vids.... I dont know how I missed this series... Gotta get one of those O-Scopes...... CITI CARD UP!!!!!!!!!!!
Zakkwilder1982 1 year ago
If you cant afford a oscope, i know this ones pretty expensive. What would you say is the next best way to set gains, with a normal DMM or by eyes & ears?
tmorales509 1 year ago
@tmorales509 the scope he is using only runs about $400 u.s.
so it well worth it.
72bsnow 1 year ago
@72bsnow i found a website there only $269:95 + 34.99shipping no taxes
ferndogg21 1 year ago
I had two of those punch HX2's back in the day, some of the best woofers I ever owned. Great video Steve.
afanofdeftones 1 year ago
do you suggest leaving bass boost off completely? Just removed my bass knob in fear that I will clip the amp without hearing it audibly
CoupeDeville23 1 year ago
@CoupeDeville23 If you plan to use the bass boost, set the gain with it up. That way you know if you turn it up or down while playing music there is no chance of clipping.
afanofdeftones 1 year ago
@afanofdeftones Everytime I see your name somewhere, its a post about gain settings. Yeah, I actually set it with a DMM last night, and it came out to about 40% on my Rockford P1000 (4 volt Alpine HU). I figured that bass boost is just a bad idea, and that I should keep it off, and turn the subwoofer control on my deck up instead. Whats your opinion on that?
CoupeDeville23 1 year ago
how do you make sure you're bass knob doesn't clip?
EG310SG 1 year ago
holy shit dude i have that amp!!
monkeybob69696969 1 year ago
whats the name of that song you play at the end?
mrcastellanos1 1 year ago
fuck that sucks almost 400 bucks
SRHBassHead69 1 year ago
I recognize that sub.... Rockford Punch HX-2... great sub... nice video too, if only we could afford an O-scope
CoupeDeville23 1 year ago
o-scopes are damn fucking expensive
OnemanSkit 1 year ago
What size/channel amp is the RF you're using in the video?
ctdv55 1 year ago
where can i pick the up the same volt o meter you have or somethng close that shows a graph...are you taking a trip up to reno any time soon? I saw an Fi 18 in our pawn shop up here my thought was fuck i wish i had the room in my car for it..
duran5150 1 year ago
Steve I like that Scope with DMM what is it? And were did you get it? Also as you know music is dynamic and you are only setting it with a 40hz tone @ 0db. It would be good to mention it is still possible to clip as you know depending on the music as well as the tracks played, but still great video to show people even showed me something about how useful a scope can be for car audio other then just engine shit. I badly I want a Scope now. hah thanks.
DARQMX 1 year ago
Steve, at around 0:47 you were gonna say something important after "Since Im Bridging this amp"........... What did you mean to say? Also Steve, what is bridging and how is it done?
pcpaterson 1 year ago
there is no such thing as too much bass =)
cool3be 1 year ago
you're such a great help steve! thanks bro!
crazybmxer876 1 year ago
i need to know what my gain should be set at
i have a 5500 wmax mono amp
subs are wired 2 ohms to each channel
or what should aim for on a DMM?
tigolbity200 1 year ago
@tigolbity200 start by ignoring that 5500watts max and look up the RMS wattage
CoupeDeville23 1 year ago
whats the name of the song at the end?
family4life987 1 year ago
Steve, quick qustion, where can I buy an O-scope just like the one you used in this video?
Glenn - Norway
gl1n86 1 year ago
@gl1n86 go on ebay Velleman HPS10 PERSONAL SCOPE it shipps world wide
FxOxC 1 year ago
@FxOxC Thank you :D
gl1n86 1 year ago
So Steve, after you set the gains on the amps by doing the O-scope method, Can you still tune the EQ's on your deck/equalizer/processors?
eastsidaz1994 1 year ago
@eastsidaz1994 yup pretty much the same way. Go down the chain of equipment and make sure none of them clip and you will be good to go.
meade916 1 year ago
@meade916 Cool, thanks alot man. I have a couple installs comming up for some people, gonna have to try this out.
-Dave
eastsidaz1994 1 year ago
Comment removed
bigtahoe99 1 year ago
@bigtahoe99 hook it up LOL
meade916 1 year ago
@bigtahoe99 the amp doesn't need setting, its how you wired your subwoofers, and the amp puts out the power based on the resistance there is from how you wired your subwoofers.
RevoJer829 1 year ago
Just a quick question and it's more of a make sure I'm right kinda thing. I watched both vids and I'm guessing that whenever you change equalizer settings either from the head unit or through an actual equalizer everything on the amps should be rechecked for clipping? I just know sometimes a headunit will have more bass in some settings than others, like "Rock" vs. "Hip Hop". Great video though! Thanks!
blackdragon2875 1 year ago
so the gain = LPF? i need to tune my amp. and i dont have money for an Oscope. and im pretty new to the car audio hobby.
45123 1 year ago
Ive been having a problem with my subs (10") its only happened twice only im afraid it'll happpen again since it did it twice in two months It starts out good and all then it hits and its fine but then half way throuh the song it tunes out the music and all i hear is bass any ideas whats goin on ?
sseettll 1 year ago
Steve, Quick quick question. Do you recomend using this system with our without the woofers attached. I bought this same meter.
billiambarnett 1 year ago
Hi steve, what about the bass on the radio? I c u set the punch bass eq but what about the bass volume on the radio? My kenwood excelon 991 head unit have volume for the subs and front and rears.
bigjv2005 1 year ago
would the punch eq be like the bass boost for most other amps?how do you set bass boost?
Rockford91Fosgate 1 year ago
BTW does having a higher voltage reduce clipping ? say in this video the volts to the amp was 11.9. well if you got in the car it went up to 14.4 or so. would gain need to be turned down due to the amp is being fed more power and now makes more power???
TylerTron21 1 year ago
yes, why do you use a 0 DB tone? do you HAVE to only use 0db would using -3 or +3 help at all ? hope you have ten seconds to answer steve :P
TylerTron21 1 year ago
@TylerTron21 you get more answers in the smd forum! =D
FxOxC 1 year ago
i have the same meter as you, and i did it so my systems not clipping, and i have the correct ohm set, but how do i tell how much power is really going to my subs, i don't want to blow anything, thanks
PSPHaCkErAOD 1 year ago
Now by doing this, you are essentially outputting the amp's max power (Max RMS) correct? If so how would I calculate where I need to be if I have subwoofers that are less max RMS than the amps max RMS.
djbass101 1 year ago
thanks hansfase
IslandGrower 1 year ago
best amp tuning vid i have seen. thanks bro. i will be buying an o-scope. lol
jrowe6 1 year ago
what volume should my headunit be at while setting gains with this oscope
IslandGrower 2 years ago
To be simple; the max setting you would normally listen. More specifically youcan do the same here with the rca outputs and find the max for your headunit also before any clip.
Steve has an ausome write up on this in his forums on his site.
hansfase 1 year ago
Does it make a difference whether you use a 40Hz, 50Hz or 60Hz tone or will ou get the same result in the end? I did this using a 60Hz tone because its what I had read up on the net to use. But i have also seen other sites say to use a 50Hz tone.
haritoma 2 years ago
whats clipping do
darthnater22 2 years ago
clipping eliminates part of the audible sound wave and makes your speakers do impossible things like stop mid swing.
Not good at all, that flat spot in the swing making the speaker "stop" can RIP speakers apart...
hansfase 1 year ago
hey steve dont most bass knob has a light that comes on when your clipping
Crazycaraudio 2 years ago
steve....where do i get a o-scope like that?
RiottStarr 2 years ago
the scope is calld tpi scope 440
GEARSHEAD455 2 years ago
Quik request. You are showing how to do this with an o-scope could you show how to do this with a regular dmm and what to look for as in number wise. Thank you! I have the dmm but can not purchase the o-scope so anything would help.
3BENSON 2 years ago
@3BENSON dmm's dont show you clipping - you need an oscope to do it properly.
meade916 2 years ago
I live in Sacramento, Ca. Where could I have my amp settings done at properly? Thank you for the info!
3BENSON 2 years ago
would a extech miltimeter work? im new to this way of setting gains.lol. and what setting would i have to put it on?
thanks
missmyirocz 1 year ago
@meade916 well, some amps have the clipping indicator. my aq 2200 has it on the bass knob
thehondaballer88 1 year ago
@meade916 steve, the problem is I cant afford an o-scope, do you have any other way to do it, like I feel like I can turn it up more and its fine, yet I do not know if I will damage my amp for running it over what its rated, I have the kicker zx1500.1 amp, its pushing 2 cvx 15's, which is 2000rms total for them both, any ideas steve? know of any places that have o-scopes to rent?
dereileak 1 year ago
@3BENSON Ohm's Law simplified is P=I*V and V=I*R. This turns into V=Sqrt(R*P). Your voltage needed is the square root of your speakers resistance (Ohms; R) multiplied by the power or watt rating of your speaker. Turn your head unit to where it does not distort and turn the gain until just a hair under the voltage reading you calculated. For example: 4 Ohm 6.5 inch speaker is 50 Watts RMS. 4*50=V^2. Sqrt(200)=V. V=14.142. So you would read ~14V on your DMM.
Spoodily 10 months ago
So the first question that comes to mind is what load is the amp seeing when connected to the oscope?
thazwhatshesaid 2 years ago
I want that nifty little toy. Looks hella expensive.
320bit 2 years ago 6
what should i put my sub settin at on the deck? 0 ?or does it matter what its at on the deck
speedin88 2 years ago
whats this meter thing called?
speedin88 2 years ago
the brand of the machine? IDK its called a digital hand held oscilliscope. they can cost as much as 3,200 bucks. theyre laboratory equipment we use in the electrical engineering field for measuring waves, and frequencies, meade is using it to set the gains on his amplifier to prevent clipping, which is very bad for an amplifier. google it theyre not something an everyday joe has in his toolbox but very useful!
diverseent 2 years ago
emphazise where u said "impediance" how do u find out tha impediance of ur sub and ur amp?
Jvilleman31 2 years ago
the papers that came with them when you bought them if they were new, if not then try online somewhere LOL its not something most sites would have but you can try to find the manual online
diverseent 2 years ago
Hey this is that vid i was telling you steve idk if you remember but i asked you on your website like 3 days ago i think. but it lookes like its bridge on the input side. please let me know i have already checked the manual and its not there the way you have it wired up as. thanks bro again your the man and know your stuff. (properly)
3scaladeo3 2 years ago
man i wish i had money and could do some of the shit you do...
Rockford P8002 2400W amp- 1 hifonics hf12s4- 1 b12d2- 1 hfi12d4 wired down to 3.2ohms bridged in a custom built (by me) tuned down to 34hz
whitlingyz 2 years ago
is that amp 40rms? whats its rated at by rockford
master9716 2 years ago
What Punch amplifier was that, was it a Punch P400-4 by any chance???
pcpaterson 2 years ago
@pcpaterson i believe in an earlier vid he said it was a 2002
goofster1983 2 years ago
Very helpful thanks again steve
RidinClean2010 2 years ago
What kind of O-scope/Multimeter is that?
ydarg1 2 years ago
same ? here steve
kxkawi250 2 years ago
I have that same issue of volume sitting next to me as we speak! Nice interview in there Steve! Haha
Cashdollar2009 2 years ago
great tutorial! I'm sick of hearing people with thier "hi fi" sterio's cranked with massive clipping that they don't seem to notice. I hope they will eventually stumble across here sometime..
NickBlackDIN 2 years ago
can you do i video using a monoblock amp?
darren509 2 years ago
i really wanna tune my woofers right, but i dont want to spend so much on an instrument ill rarerly ever use, is there a cheaper alternative?
SS4769 2 years ago
hey steve how come my btl turns off when i turn up the volume on the head unit? is it because the amp gain is too high? its 800 watts
silentkiller23s 2 years ago
its because your amp is only 800 watts and the btl can handle 2000-4000RMS u do the math
whitemike0110 2 years ago
so u mean i need a more powerful amp like about 2000 watts so it can keep the sub bangin at high volume?
silentkiller23s 2 years ago
yea but make sure its not 2000watts max. It should be about 2000watts RMS.. Save up for the ROCKFORD FOSGATE T4000. It will be a HUGE difference.
Str8Bmxin 2 years ago
dummy the t4000 is 4000 rms watts
mysubsbang 2 years ago
at 1 ohm
sickshoes 2 years ago
itll still make some nise with some power. and not all btls are 2000 -40000 rms watts depends on which ones you get.
mysubsbang 2 years ago
your subs may be wired wrong man if your running 2 ohms and your amp can only do 4 your amp will shut off sometimes itll blow the fuse to the amp. you have a vid of what you have and how its wired??
mysubsbang 2 years ago
that tester is very very pricey steve i am sure there has got to be a cheaper way to do this
mybassislouderthanu 2 years ago 2
just wondering when you start you say turn all settings to flat bass,treble,etc.what about the subwoofer setting
jdmferio13 2 years ago
how can you do the clipping with out an instrument like that
yosoyprobmx 2 years ago
if we dont have oscillo scope multimeter , what can we do , it have have multimeter without it
normal DMM
omairgeforce 2 years ago
What Do You Mean By Clippin I dont get it. is it nesesary to Do it. I Have A 12 " inch Pioneer Champion Serios Sub In A 2001 KIA Spectra
yosoyprobmx 2 years ago
clipping=bad sound and shorty subwoofer life
krazor8 2 years ago
what´s the brand on the measureinstrument you are using.....lmao i really need to buy one of those professional ones
chrilla1980 2 years ago
thx ,, 4 this ,,
my JL sub and Focal amp loving it..
delsolly 2 years ago
where can you get an o scope from
lukechammen 2 years ago
amazon has 'em I know that. But as far as physical stores go...no idea.
bullet4mv93 2 years ago
steve how do you set your gains if your amp is overkill for your subs? i want to be able to turn my bass knob up all the way without blowing my subs how would you do that?
jsteezy99 2 years ago
thanks man made it sound abit better i was not far off but i was off my. and my speakers are not thanking me for it thier still disrespecting my trunk lol
abelnycro 2 years ago
Someone may have allready asked this, but I'm not gunna search through pages of comments to find it: Can you download flat test tones in different frequencies like what you'd find on that disk? If so, Link me bitches.
ovd33 2 years ago
you can download a program called audcity. you can generate tones on there.
just look it up on google (its free)
joshemerson 2 years ago
Audacity
joshemerson 2 years ago
Thanks a bunch
ovd33 2 years ago
Nice little shot of Ekstensive's blue chevy in that mag
lowrthnu92 2 years ago
I would love to go on a shopping spree in your shop. lol
insaneaudio 2 years ago
Steve i like the fact that your using the hx2 for this demo most kids these days wont know that was one of the best ever years ago. Again you the man.
Jville140db 2 years ago
hey man i know you hear it all day everday but wow you have got some great sounding stuff i am have asked you a few time to explain this to me because i know you no after setting the gain setting on the amp what do I do about the bass and hertz level and what about all the setting on the head unit bass trebial hertz all of that i reall would love if you could help me on that
oarthree11 2 years ago
they are like 400 dollars...
lilsmiley380 2 years ago
Tank you so much for this video steve!!! ow I just need to get my hands on a O-scope!!!
HUMBOLDTG35DRIVER 2 years ago
hey steve , can you do a video on tuning a mono amp just to a sub ?
tyson484 2 years ago
do it the same way as the amp shown
geraldwp 2 years ago
did u go to school for doing system? and if u did what class did u taken..
lpayne341 2 years ago
I wish i hade your brain for a week or two :P I just got my drivers licens and a car, so i'm going to start putting some speakers in it ;) And if i hade your brain i know it would be kick ass! :D
Toffisall 2 years ago 2
for those of you who can't afford an o-scope (such as myself) you can use sparkys audio-calc.xls for a detailed method in setting the gain using a multi-meter set to AC Volts. There is a chart using the ohms/wattage and the exact voltage on your multi meters digital readout on where to stop the gain. I think it is a great method, especially since all it requires is a digital readout. No disrespect steve, the method you posted is probably more accurate because of the actual signal display.
jaes610 2 years ago 2
just trying to help out those of us who don't have an o-scope handy and don't have much money :). Most of us should have a multi-meter lying around.
jaes610 2 years ago
i shall try it someday. tnx for the tip :)
Apexyy 2 years ago
hey man if you need the download link I can message it to you. i dont think it comes up on google.. its a really simple program to use and very detailed. no problem :). like I said an o-scope is a little pricey although more accurate, but the multi meter method is the next best thing.
jaes610 2 years ago
scratch that it comes up first link on google search for "sparkys audio-calc.xls"
jaes610 2 years ago
yeah sure.
Apexyy 2 years ago
what would the gain be labeled as on different amps. like on a maxxsonics Crunch 1500.1 amp??? please help
bigdana79 2 years ago
called the level
jsteezy99 2 years ago
Can you set the impedance on that? Maybe stupid question but if you put a 2 ohm speaker on your amp it will start clip earlyer than on a 4 ohm speaker or am i wrong?
signum1524 2 years ago
Where can i get that test cd at????
fastodie 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
on my channel
icantellfakefromreal 2 years ago
these videos are badass =]
mm34rider 2 years ago
STEVE MEADE FOREVER! don't stop doing what you do best man.
Alex050796 2 years ago
show us how to make amazing ported boxes steve please! haha fo real though would you?
Sweenzz 2 years ago