Nice video! You did a great job explaining our LC7i, and your detail on setting the gains was well done, too. Thanks for helping other car audio enthusiasts with your videos!
@@PeterFeltersnatch852 I have 2 different kicker loc's... and I want to use my Kicker Front Row DSP... and 3 amps... 1 bass... 1 mid... 1 tweeters... all kicker... even wires... battery mounts... you name it ... kicker... except cooling... that is 4 fans running off SMD control temperature gage..
I'm an electronics engineer with a small background in analog amplifiers and a life long passion for music and mobile audio. I've been installing audio equipment and setting gains by ear for 25 years. While that has worked pretty well I was blown away by your simple explanation and I'm humbled. Thank you!
That’s what I thought also. I checked multiple sources and it’s the same process. Problem I ran across was that the volume to the sub was WAY off!!! I set the highs and Mids with my ear and it’s perfect. Doesn’t matter what I do the sun is just low. I simply went back to the old school ear method and the sun came alive
Setting the gains like in this video is fine as long as you leave the eq flat and tone levels at minimum. If you set your gains with everything flat and as soon as you start making eq adjustments or bass adjustments now you'll be clipping. Ask me how I know.
@@mattburgess2 you just contradicted yourself. the second half of your statement is correct, as to why you want to set EQ before gain. Everything is set before gain.
I have a lc7i pro mono gain set with multimeter bass sound good but plays really low as in volume when I turn gain up a bit hits really hard but then I get a knocking bass not the low deep bass amp is power fosgate 1bdcp 500x1 ran at 1ohm sub is one T1 d212 2ohm dvc I got a 4 channel amp highs are good just can’t seem to get low deep bass
one question just to make sure: Amplified voltage at a bass frequency, is the square root calculation made by using RMS or max voltage of the sub? you said in the video "max rms".
I’ve watched a LOT of videos on this. Yours was the most clearly explained - with good tips and tricks, especially the raw-wire RCA to voltmeter method. Thank you for posting. Subscribed here, and will be sharing your video to whoever might want it. Have a great day!
Agreed. I have been trying to understand how this all works and I feel more UA-cam creators are more concerned with keeping their secrets a secret or showing off their shop tools that do not make sense for me to buy as a hobbyist. This video was the absolute best quality and most understandable presentation I have seen yet.
This is by far the best video i have seen on how to set gain. Not only do you cover everything, but you've made it so easy to understand... So happy i came accross this video before I tuned my amp.... If i had gone with the knowledge of other videos i would have been missing a few tricks and certainly not maximised the potential of my setup.. Thank you very much, you've earnt a subscriber !
So I have a Question. If i Have 2 4ohm dual voice coil subs that handle 600 wats rms, and i am doing a 1 ohm load. I get the calcualtion and all, jus wondering if my amp is 1200 watts rms at 1 ohm load, when i do the calculation, do I do the square root of 1200 X 1 or the Square root of 600 X 1.
This video is the BEST teaching of how to set gains, that I have found on UA-cam. I've spent days/weeks looking at examples of how to set gains correctly with my LC7i and this video is by far the best! Thank you so much for the clear direction and explanation. One question - what did you use to keep the leads from the RCA cable to your multimeter? I'm going to install my LC7i this weekend and will use your method.
I set my amp gains by a simple multi meter on 2 ohms only my amp can do 1 ohm's but since I am aiming for efficiency up to clipping on my one subwoofer. A person CAN NOT do this with a SMD DD-1 and try to overlap the gain on the amp where the micro processor on ANY CAR AMP can not do :D LOL
Question. What if I'm using a Epicenter in between the Lc7i and Monoblock? Do I send the recommended voltage for only the Epicenter? And would that lower my signal output overall to sub amp instead of sending recommended output voltage to directly to the Monoblock.
Just take note if you set your EQ flat and set your target voltage it will change if you turn the bass EQ up any at same volume and will have to adjust again.
I totally agree! I don't understand why 99% of literature and videos tell a person to zero/flatten their treble and bass settings on their head-unit only to have their set target voltage on their amps go too high because they later turned their treble and bass settings back up on their head-unit afterward??? ...then a person has to go back and lower the gain/voltage on their amps because it went way too high at that same 3/4+ volume.
This helped me tune my system in and definitely made me feel more confident that I’m not going to blow any of my speakers or amps! This is my first time having a set up like this! Thank you 🙏 I used Kicker U for wiring and tone generation!
Excellent video! Very detailed but concise, I’ve always flubbed around with these settings. I’m going to tear into my system this weekend and fine tune everything. Thanks for putting this together!
Man I was thinking the same thing.Is that alpine amp really screwed into the top of that prime 500? Thats about where all the mosfets are mounted inside around the outside edge🤣
This video ABSOLUTELY answered my question to you on your other video where you apply the LC2i (i.e., asked about the sequence of setting Gains). Main takeaway for me was to assemble the proper equipment and information in order to follow the sequence and perform this procedure correctly. Know/have: 1) a Multimeter 2) Know both your Low Level (i.e., RCA) and High (i.e., speaker high-level) input ranges for your devices in play ... here the LC2i, Alpine amp and other Amp (don't recall the name) so you can apply the multimeter with the test tones 3) Know the RMS for your amps and ohm load so you can apply Ohms Law to calculate Gains 3) Speaker frequency ranges so you can set HPF (if relevant) Thanks and Great Channel
Best video out there. I’ve done installs over the years for family and friends and your content is spot on. Very helpful and straight to the point. Thank you for saving me time and money.
A trick I used when tuning my competition stereo back in the day was to put my fingers in my ears or use hearing protection earmuffs. You can make out distortion a lot easier if you do this.
Boost & Shutter i'm watching you make the gain adjustments on the Alpine KTA-450 amp how far do you have the gains turned up on the front and rear gains, it looks like about half way if i'm correct?
up to the maximum where it doesn't produce distortion or until it delivers the right power level to your speakers. sets the gain to the lower of the two. Voltage=√(power×impedance)
I really liked this explanation. It’s probably the best I’ve ever seen. No useless info No stuttering No second guessing the info you already gave No nerdy squeaky voice Good pace Good authenticity in your knowledge. I think, if everybody made videos like this, instead of trying to appear smart and putting on a ridiculous “high energy” persona, the world would be a better educated place. I’m going to sub and hopefully you will make some additional car stereo videos. Suggested video: Setting with oscilloscope. ;)
So I have always had trouble setting gains as I just can't hear distortion and I tried to hook up my system using this method. For whatever reason I got no sound from the speakers once I hooked everything up. I ran 1 set of wires from the head unit for a FL/FR and then ran 2 sets of wires from the amp back to the wires going to the speakers. Not sure if it is the harness (CRUX toyota harness) or what. I wound up having to switch back to using rcas and the sound worked. Otherwise it was a great tutorial and if it would have worked it would be been great lol.
hi i need help my amp says LOW PASS FILTER 50-250 is this a good or bad amp? and can it hit below 50hz? this is a 4000 watt planet audio? some amps says 20hz or 30hz LPF ... please explain detailed, i guess what im really asking is can this amp hit 30hz or 35hz ?
freakin awesome most helpful and explanatory video. thank you! however i am stuck at one major step. So i bought a multimeter just last night since i am worried that my amp or sub getting damage because of the current gain setting. i went ahead and straigh up tried setting the gains
but after hooking up the multimeter to the speaker outputs of the amp to set the gain...there is a 0.00 readind and does not change from there? everything its good as far as the other steps. test tone. hu volume...but no multimeter reading after hooking it up to the amp? help me.out brother. thanks...
I can install wiring, speakers, subs, head units you name it but when it comes to setting gains and all that I really have no clue on what I'm doing. I don't understand frequencies and hertz or any of that. I learned how to set with an oscilloscope but I wonder how well it is cause I feel like the bass just doesn't hit as hard. For bass I used a 40hz test tone but I'm not sure what to use for mids and highs.
Hope you respond! I need help. JD1000.1 pushing 15" Kicker CVX, with LC2i 1000 x 2 = 2000. sqrt2000 = ~44.7 = target voltage So I: -75% volume 50hz test tone -Set LC2i just a hair before 'maximized' light turns on. -Amp gain all the way down still reads about 56, higher than voltage. (ALSO - do I set inputs to low level when running from LC2i? - is this where my issue lies?) BUT, if I set gain to hit the clipping indicator light on the amp itself, the voltage reaches like 75. As of now, it sounds way underpowered. I had a 12" with 400 watts and that was louder. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong and what I'm missing. A little confused why these two numbers would be vastly different - target voltage v. clipping light voltage.
Hope you respond! I need help. JD1000.1 pushing 15" Kicker CVX, with LC2i 1000 x 2 = 2000. sqrt2000 = ~44.7 = target voltage So I: -75% volume 50hz test tone -Set LC2i just a hair before 'maximized' light turns on. -Amp gain all the way down still reads about 56, higher than voltage. (ALSO - do I set inputs to low level when running from LC2i? - is this where my issue lies?) BUT, if I set gain to hit the clipping indicator light on the amp itself, the voltage reaches like 75. As of now, it sounds way underpowered. I had a 12" with 400 watts and that was louder. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong and what I'm missing. A little confused why these two numbers would be vastly different - target voltage v. clipping light voltage.
Hope you respond! I need help. JD1000.1 pushing 15" Kicker CVX, with LC2i 1000 x 2 = 2000. sqrt2000 = ~44.7 = target voltage So I: -75% volume 50hz test tone -Set LC2i just a hair before 'maximized' light turns on. -Amp gain all the way down still reads about 56, higher than voltage. (ALSO - do I set inputs to low level when running from LC2i? - is this where my issue lies?) BUT, if I set gain to hit the clipping indicator light on the amp itself, the voltage reaches like 75. As of now, it sounds way underpowered. I had a 12" with 400 watts and that was louder. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong and what I'm missing. A little confused why these two numbers would be vastly different - target voltage v. clipping light voltage.
I usually set my gains with a 0dB sine tone as I listen to a lot of non-mainstream trap/EDM. Is there something I can use to figure out what the maximum dB is of songs that I listen to, or can you recommend a dB sine tone I should use for my requirements? I know in your video you mentioned -5dB but I'm not sure if this might be too much or too little but I'm really looking to maximize my gains. Thanks so much!
Very nice wire management. Excellent explanation. I have not been using the -5db test and setting up at full volume to see an end result of low RMS output, incorrect tuning. Thanks for the video. Will try this method as it is more real world tuning at listening volume of 75% and the source db levels. Appreciated.
would you do the same things but with only the 40hz range if it was just a subwoofer amp? I just installed a r2-d2 Dual 10" sealed sub from rockford fosgate using this amp. First time ever doing any type of audio setup so im unsure how to tune it. I thought i had done it by the instructions of the book okay but im having second thoughts now about what my deck is when flat as well as if i tuned this properly. So far the way that it is i have to crank it to get any real noticeable bass and its just not giving the sorta punch that i was looking for. Also, if im just using the built in CLEAN IN and OUT LED in the amp itself, is using the 40hz @-5db tone still a reliable way to tune it? Note. I also looked it up and my head unit output is 2.4v, how much could that be taking away from the sound quality in the subs?
*WHY, WHY, WHY... ...does 99% of all literature and videos tell a person to zero/flatten their treble and bass settings on their head-unit only to have their set target voltage on their amps go way too high because they later turned their treble and bass settings back up on their head-unit afterward??? ...then a person has to go back and lower the gain/voltage on their amps because it went way too high at that same 3/4+ volume. I don't fuckin get it!*
Thanks for the how to, I just had a follow up question that maybe you can answer or someone else. If I play the -5db 40hz tone to set the sub amp gain will that damage my factory speakers, currently I have no way of disabling unless I take off all my door panels. Or is there another way to set the gain. Thanks
Wow you are an incredible teacher. Seriously...you wanna come over and teach me everything you know and ill make burgers and ribs? 😂 Seriously bro thank you. You dont happen to have a broken fancy LOC that you wouldnt mind sending and ill try to fix it to use, do ya? Haha. I got a cheapo and now im jealous
See I think it works the opposite you think. TLDR, yes use a 0dB tone, if it was possible we should actually use louder test tones to keep some safety distance from the clipping point. First of all, older mixes had a lower loudness for sure, but they also weren't as compressed, meaning they very obviously had peaks that could reach 0dBfs (once converted to digital, mastering engineers usually normalize the highest peaks close to 0, no point leaving extra dynamic range and getting the signal closer to the noise floor) so by not setting the gain with a 0dBFs tone, rather with a -5dBfs you'll clip the top 5dB of those peaks which can be terrible, especially where it happens, usually the drums. Also you stated that you needed to crank the volume louder to get a decent volume out of those old tunes when calibrating for 0dB, which is normal, and should actually be 5dB louder than calibrated to -5dBfs obviously. But you also say that this can provoke distorsion, but see that's not possible unless you've actually set your gain wrong. If there's no distorsion with a 0dBFs test tone, then there cannot be any with a sound that supposedly is quieter, just set with a louder output volume. The output volume of digital head units is rarely an actual active opamp, it can be a passive attenuator or a digital trim before the DAC, meaning that the distorsion profile should not change unless the manufacturer screwed something up. Even an opamp should actually be calibrated as to not distort with a full scale signal from the DAC. To make it simple, if the 0dBFs test tone doesn't distort the amp/speakers with the output volume at max on the unit, then nothing will distort, unless the source song already has distorsion.
Remember that a speaker operates as a motor when playing a sinosoidal wave. when the signal is clipped, the speaker voicecoil is now a heating element. So not only does the amp sound distorted when clipped, it is also trying to burn up the voicecoil windings.
Great video. I’ve seen comments saying that if your LOC and sub amp both have a remote knob (which they all do know a day) that it’s better to use the sub control remote knob from the LOC, not the amp. From my understanding the sub amp will only attenuate -20db where the LOC will completely mute it. Thoughts?
I have a pretty good Head Unit. It puts out to the RCAs 6.2volts at full volume with ZERO clipping using an OSCILLOSCOPE. I have a question, when setting the gains on my amplifier connected the OSCILLOSCOPE to the speaker wire of the amps, and on my head unit I set volume all the way up since it doesn't clip, and adjusted the gain on the amps until just before clipping. What befit would I gain if anything having thr volume set at 75% .. I always thought you set the HU volume to just before where it clips at the RCAs.... so it your hu goes to 36 on the volume, and it clips at 33 but not 32, then that is where you set the volume for tuning. But mine does not clip. So what would thr point of setting the volume at 75%?
Just wondering why does my sub coils smell when I have the gain up? The sub and amp can handle it easily there is no distortion but I know something not right with either my line output converter gain or maybe I have the volume too high on the head unit. Head unit level max is 60 I have tuned it to 50 all my eq is flat and no bass boost on amps
Best directional I've gotten to fit my scenerio thank you for taking the time and doing a amazing job and describing each process. It's all clear and easy to me now. Great work
Quick side question - You mentioned in first calibration to put everything to flat .. if however one likes a bigger bass curve or brighter highs, shouldn’t we set the system “the way [we] like it” beforehand, so that if you DID boost frequencies, they wouldn’t overload or distort the LOC or other devices? Or is the 75 percent suggestion enough of a swing to compensate for any overdriving? Thank ya 🙏
Good video but I must disagree on some points you made. I install car audio equipment for a living and even tho your method does work pretty well, a multimeter is not the proper tool to use to set gains. Also you did not find out your max volume level on the radio for distortion . That's the first place you should check for distortion since it's the first piece of equipment in the system that's sending the signal to either the factory amp or the speakers . Although a multimeter can be used in a pinch but in no way shape or form is it 100 percent accurate . Either a distortion detector or O scope would be the proper tools to be used .
Please answer my question…… I’m getting ZERO volts from my LC7i…. Could it be a bad RCA plug? I put the probes in each jack still not showing A/C volts! My system is playing music prior to unplugging all RCA’s…. Thank you!
Thank you so much for this video! I have a question for you! I have an Android aftermarket head unit. It's on putting out .8 volts AC from the RCA outputs. Can I spliced into my high level speaker outputs with RCA cables to make it work with this unit?
Are you, or anyone here, familiar with the 2013-16 mazda cx-5 with the bose amp? I want to add a small 5ch amp to run a sub and 4 doors, bypassing the bose amp but keeping the OEM head unit. I keep hearing that it's a pipe dream. HELP!!😥😥
Hi my amp is 1000w rms and my 2 subs are 300w rms each they are 4ohm subs and are wired down at amp to 2 ohm so if I did your math correct √1000x4 would be 126.4 or should I do √1000x2 which would be 63.2 in just doing my amp to subs
Love how easy U made that but I have a kicker comp cxa 800.1 amp and it has two additional knobs!! Do I repeat the process of the gain knob or is their a different method???
I have a question: I had an epicenter and amplifier installed by best buy and I believe they did it incorrectly. I have a 2021 GMC terrain,stock radio. They ran a remote wire to my ignition wire. Doesn't the epicenter micro work without using a remote wire? How do I complete this action myself?
You explained everything perfectly and easily understandable.. I haven't come across another tutorial that strictly sticks to the task of what most people came here for. 👍
I have a 2018 Crosstrek with no factory amplifier. Do you know if the dash speakers are tied into the front channels? I will be putting in a aftermarket amp soon
Hi I have 4 midrange speaker and want to adjust gain to make it louder . Right now it's at 25 but still not loud. Do I adjust where it says gain in a 4 channel Amp. Do I adjust with eq flat
to dumb things down, should my equalizer settings on my radio be set to normal (neutral) before i tune my amp? i dont have all this fancy stuff, just a stock radio on a does f150 and a basic amp for my subs. and if i do need to set the settings to normal before i tune my sub, i can turn them back up once the amp is tuned, correct?
Hey Dude, Great Job. It's obvious that you know Sound Equipment. You do a really good explaining the process so everyday people can understand. It's not easy to translate professional knowledge so people like me can get a good understanding. I wish you much success. Thanks
I totally agree with AudioControl couldn't have said it any better. Are you close by in Cerritos, California. Would you know someone I can go to and pay for a tuning serviced like yours ?
Why not measure voltage on the speaker amp before you splice into the wiring harness? You'll have to put in a splicing harness anyway to have the amp driving the speakers instead of the factory headunit.
Nice video! You did a great job explaining our LC7i, and your detail on setting the gains was well done, too. Thanks for helping other car audio enthusiasts with your videos!
People look at me crazy when I break out my 'Special RCA Cable' for testing line out voltage. Great video!
So if I have this LOC... I don't need a DSP?
@@unklemalyes you do
@@PeterFeltersnatch852 I have 2 different kicker loc's... and I want to use my Kicker Front Row DSP... and 3 amps... 1 bass... 1 mid... 1 tweeters... all kicker... even wires... battery mounts... you name it ... kicker... except cooling... that is 4 fans running off SMD control temperature gage..
I'm an electronics engineer with a small background in analog amplifiers and a life long passion for music and mobile audio. I've been installing audio equipment and setting gains by ear for 25 years. While that has worked pretty well I was blown away by your simple explanation and I'm humbled. Thank you!
I totally agree with you.
That’s what I thought also. I checked multiple sources and it’s the same process. Problem I ran across was that the volume to the sub was WAY off!!! I set the highs and Mids with my ear and it’s perfect. Doesn’t matter what I do the sun is just low. I simply went back to the old school ear method and the sun came alive
If you set anything by ear it's off.
Setting the gains like in this video is fine as long as you leave the eq flat and tone levels at minimum. If you set your gains with everything flat and as soon as you start making eq adjustments or bass adjustments now you'll be clipping. Ask me how I know.
@@mattburgess2 you just contradicted yourself. the second half of your statement is correct, as to why you want to set EQ before gain. Everything is set before gain.
This video is a jem for people just starting out in car audio gain setting.
I have a lc7i pro mono gain set with multimeter bass sound good but plays really low as in volume when I turn gain up a bit hits really hard but then I get a knocking bass not the low deep bass amp is power fosgate 1bdcp 500x1 ran at 1ohm sub is one T1 d212 2ohm dvc I got a 4 channel amp highs are good just can’t seem to get low deep bass
Aun que conecte solo en las 4 entradas(bocinas), los pares del canal de sub osea las salidas RCA me quedan funcional?
Why not use 0db pink noise which should give you a very flat wide frequency spectrum
What test tone app(if any) do you recommend?
How did you figure out you needed 4v? What spec are you trying to match
@@akqjtn thanks for the quick reply! Exactly what I was looking for thanks
How did you figure to set 4 volts coming off the lc7i to the sub amp?
he must have looked at the specs on the amp.
he really did do it right!!
most helpful video I have ever seen about LOCs and bass amplifiers combined.
one question just to make sure: Amplified voltage at a bass frequency, is the square root calculation made by using RMS or max voltage of the sub? you said in the video "max rms".
I agree
@@JohnKut yes he meant max rms of the sub sir.
The hero we all needed
i have aftermarket head unit i don’t understand what to do the LOC is confusing tf out of me i don’t think i need one pls someone help
Don't set gains by ear. You're hard clipping the amp long before you can hear any distortion. An oscilloscope or DD-1/DD-1+ will easily verify this.
You are an excellent instructor. If you don't teach in a classroom, you should.. It doesn't matter the subject. Much talent.. much respect 🙌
I’ve watched a LOT of videos on this. Yours was the most clearly explained - with good tips and tricks, especially the raw-wire RCA to voltmeter method. Thank you for posting. Subscribed here, and will be sharing your video to whoever might want it. Have a great day!
Agreed. I have been trying to understand how this all works and I feel more UA-cam creators are more concerned with keeping their secrets a secret or showing off their shop tools that do not make sense for me to buy as a hobbyist. This video was the absolute best quality and most understandable presentation I have seen yet.
This is by far the best video i have seen on how to set gain. Not only do you cover everything, but you've made it so easy to understand... So happy i came accross this video before I tuned my amp.... If i had gone with the knowledge of other videos i would have been missing a few tricks and certainly not maximised the potential of my setup.. Thank you very much, you've earnt a subscriber !
So I have a Question. If i Have 2 4ohm dual voice coil subs that handle 600 wats rms, and i am doing a 1 ohm load. I get the calcualtion and all, jus wondering if my amp is 1200 watts rms at 1 ohm load, when i do the calculation, do I do the square root of 1200 X 1 or the Square root of 600 X 1.
That's perfect. I've never had it explained so easily. I've been setting my gains wrong for so long. Thanks!
same.
@@NYAJoeJr b 6&bugging
This video is the BEST teaching of how to set gains, that I have found on UA-cam. I've spent days/weeks looking at examples of how to set gains correctly with my LC7i and this video is by far the best! Thank you so much for the clear direction and explanation. One question - what did you use to keep the leads from the RCA cable to your multimeter? I'm going to install my LC7i this weekend and will use your method.
How did u attach leads to multi meter
You Sir, knocked it out the park with this. Excellent video! Simple and easily understood while still fully explaining and demonstrating the steps.
Thank you! Glad you liked it 👍
I set my amp gains by a simple multi meter on 2 ohms only my amp can do 1 ohm's but since I am aiming for efficiency up to clipping on my one subwoofer. A person CAN NOT do this with a SMD DD-1 and try to overlap the gain on the amp where the micro processor on ANY CAR AMP can not do :D LOL
Where did you get your 4V info from? How do you find out how many volts your amp maxes out at? I can’t find that out anywhere on my Kicker 44KXA800.1.
Question. What if I'm using a Epicenter in between the Lc7i and Monoblock? Do I send the recommended voltage for only the Epicenter? And would that lower my signal output overall to sub amp instead of sending recommended output voltage to directly to the Monoblock.
Just take note if you set your EQ flat and set your target voltage it will change if you turn the bass EQ up any at same volume and will have to adjust again.
I totally agree! I don't understand why 99% of literature and videos tell a person to zero/flatten their treble and bass settings on their head-unit only to have their set target voltage on their amps go too high because they later turned their treble and bass settings back up on their head-unit afterward??? ...then a person has to go back and lower the gain/voltage on their amps because it went way too high at that same 3/4+ volume.
this is the video.... well spoken, good angles, information is easily digested and absorbed... thank you sir!
Hat off to you bro . my amps kept clipping though it was my lc2i not working. Thank you so much for the info .Gracias carnal.
This is probably the best video explaining how to set gains. I wish you would’ve mentioned setting the max clean volume on the head unit as well
This helped me tune my system in and definitely made me feel more confident that I’m not going to blow any of my speakers or amps! This is my first time having a set up like this! Thank you 🙏
I used Kicker U for wiring and tone generation!
Excellent video! Very detailed but concise, I’ve always flubbed around with these settings. I’m going to tear into my system this weekend and fine tune everything. Thanks for putting this together!
I wished you lived near me.
Bro, W O W! Not very many channels I consider “top notch”! Your knowledge, TOP NOTCH!
Awesome and professional YT channel btw!! Def one of my new fav car audio channels! (LC7i Qs brought me here)
So professionals screw amps INTO other amps??
No room? Screw your amps together 😜
I was thinking Velcro was better
Man I was thinking the same thing.Is that alpine amp really screwed into the top of that prime 500? Thats about where all the mosfets are mounted inside around the outside edge🤣
This video ABSOLUTELY answered my question to you on your other video where you apply the LC2i (i.e., asked about the sequence of setting Gains). Main takeaway for me was to assemble the proper equipment and information in order to follow the sequence and perform this procedure correctly. Know/have:
1) a Multimeter
2) Know both your Low Level (i.e., RCA) and High (i.e., speaker high-level) input ranges for your devices in play ... here the LC2i, Alpine amp and other Amp (don't recall the name) so you can apply the multimeter with the test tones
3) Know the RMS for your amps and ohm load so you can apply Ohms Law to calculate Gains
3) Speaker frequency ranges so you can set HPF (if relevant)
Thanks and Great Channel
This was very helpful. My amplifiers are on point 😁
The cleanest tutorial for setting gains!!!
Very good explanations and very helpful for those looking to get the most out of their audio, thanks so much.
Best video out there. I’ve done installs over the years for family and friends and your content is spot on. Very helpful and straight to the point. Thank you for saving me time and money.
If I can't find someone...I just have to watch this over and over again. Thanks man so far the best video I've seen
Glad it was useful to you. Let me know if you run into issues.
This stuff has never made more sense
you will never know how much your amp max power is to the equations on the volts. Some amps over perform and some under perform
A trick I used when tuning my competition stereo back in the day was to put my fingers in my ears or use hearing protection earmuffs. You can make out distortion a lot easier if you do this.
Really ?
Boost & Shutter i'm watching you make the gain adjustments on the Alpine KTA-450 amp how far do you have the gains turned up on the front and rear gains, it looks like about half way if i'm correct?
up to the maximum where it doesn't produce distortion or until it delivers the right power level to your speakers. sets the gain to the lower of the two.
Voltage=√(power×impedance)
Great Video, so much information. I have a question though, why do quite a few people put there volume at 75%?
75% gives you overlap and for modern head units it should be well before you start introducing distortion.
I really liked this explanation.
It’s probably the best I’ve ever seen.
No useless info
No stuttering
No second guessing the info you already gave
No nerdy squeaky voice
Good pace
Good authenticity in your knowledge.
I think, if everybody made videos like this, instead of trying to appear smart and putting on a ridiculous “high energy” persona, the world would be a better educated place.
I’m going to sub and hopefully you will make some additional car stereo videos.
Suggested video:
Setting with oscilloscope. ;)
So I have always had trouble setting gains as I just can't hear distortion and I tried to hook up my system using this method.
For whatever reason I got no sound from the speakers once I hooked everything up.
I ran 1 set of wires from the head unit for a FL/FR and then ran 2 sets of wires from the amp back to the wires going to the speakers.
Not sure if it is the harness (CRUX toyota harness) or what. I wound up having to switch back to using rcas and the sound worked.
Otherwise it was a great tutorial and if it would have worked it would be been great lol.
hi i need help my amp says LOW PASS FILTER 50-250 is this a good or bad amp? and can it hit below 50hz? this is a 4000 watt planet audio? some amps says 20hz or 30hz LPF ... please explain detailed, i guess what im really asking is can this amp hit 30hz or 35hz ?
This was perfect. Nice one. Now, is there an equally easy way to know you've set your crossover points correctly?
freakin awesome most helpful and explanatory video. thank you! however i am stuck at one major step. So i bought a multimeter just last night since i am worried that my amp or sub getting damage because of the current gain setting. i went ahead and straigh up tried setting the gains
but after hooking up the multimeter to the speaker outputs of the amp to set the gain...there is a 0.00 readind and does not change from there? everything its good as far as the other steps. test tone. hu volume...but no multimeter reading after hooking it up to the amp? help me.out brother. thanks...
I can install wiring, speakers, subs, head units you name it but when it comes to setting gains and all that I really have no clue on what I'm doing. I don't understand frequencies and hertz or any of that.
I learned how to set with an oscilloscope but I wonder how well it is cause I feel like the bass just doesn't hit as hard. For bass I used a 40hz test tone but I'm not sure what to use for mids and highs.
Hope you respond! I need help.
JD1000.1 pushing 15" Kicker CVX, with LC2i
1000 x 2 = 2000.
sqrt2000 = ~44.7 = target voltage
So I:
-75% volume 50hz test tone
-Set LC2i just a hair before 'maximized' light turns on.
-Amp gain all the way down still reads about 56, higher than voltage.
(ALSO - do I set inputs to low level when running from LC2i? - is this where my issue lies?)
BUT, if I set gain to hit the clipping indicator light on the amp itself, the voltage reaches like 75.
As of now, it sounds way underpowered. I had a 12" with 400 watts and that was louder. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong and what I'm missing.
A little confused why these two numbers would be vastly different - target voltage v. clipping light voltage.
Hope you respond! I need help.
JD1000.1 pushing 15" Kicker CVX, with LC2i
1000 x 2 = 2000.
sqrt2000 = ~44.7 = target voltage
So I:
-75% volume 50hz test tone
-Set LC2i just a hair before 'maximized' light turns on.
-Amp gain all the way down still reads about 56, higher than voltage.
(ALSO - do I set inputs to low level when running from LC2i? - is this where my issue lies?)
BUT, if I set gain to hit the clipping indicator light on the amp itself, the voltage reaches like 75.
As of now, it sounds way underpowered. I had a 12" with 400 watts and that was louder. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong and what I'm missing.
A little confused why these two numbers would be vastly different - target voltage v. clipping light voltage.
Hope you respond! I need help.
JD1000.1 pushing 15" Kicker CVX, with LC2i
1000 x 2 = 2000.
sqrt2000 = ~44.7 = target voltage
So I:
-75% volume 50hz test tone
-Set LC2i just a hair before 'maximized' light turns on.
-Amp gain all the way down still reads about 56, higher than voltage.
(ALSO - do I set inputs to low level when running from LC2i? - is this where my issue lies?)
BUT, if I set gain to hit the clipping indicator light on the amp itself, the voltage reaches like 75.
As of now, it sounds way underpowered. I had a 12" with 400 watts and that was louder. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong and what I'm missing.
A little confused why these two numbers would be vastly different - target voltage v. clipping light voltage.
I usually set my gains with a 0dB sine tone as I listen to a lot of non-mainstream trap/EDM. Is there something I can use to figure out what the maximum dB is of songs that I listen to, or can you recommend a dB sine tone I should use for my requirements? I know in your video you mentioned -5dB but I'm not sure if this might be too much or too little but I'm really looking to maximize my gains. Thanks so much!
Very nice wire management. Excellent explanation. I have not been using the -5db test and setting up at full volume to see an end result of low RMS output, incorrect tuning. Thanks for the video. Will try this method as it is more real world tuning at listening volume of 75% and the source db levels. Appreciated.
BEST VIDEO On UA-cam, You da Man, now come do my mine 😂. My new Alpine S-A60 keeps going into protection mode and gain is only 1/4 turn on
would you do the same things but with only the 40hz range if it was just a subwoofer amp? I just installed a r2-d2 Dual 10" sealed sub from rockford fosgate using this amp. First time ever doing any type of audio setup so im unsure how to tune it. I thought i had done it by the instructions of the book okay but im having second thoughts now about what my deck is when flat as well as if i tuned this properly. So far the way that it is i have to crank it to get any real noticeable bass and its just not giving the sorta punch that i was looking for.
Also, if im just using the built in CLEAN IN and OUT LED in the amp itself, is using the 40hz @-5db tone still a reliable way to tune it?
Note. I also looked it up and my head unit output is 2.4v, how much could that be taking away from the sound quality in the subs?
*WHY, WHY, WHY... ...does 99% of all literature and videos tell a person to zero/flatten their treble and bass settings on their head-unit only to have their set target voltage on their amps go way too high because they later turned their treble and bass settings back up on their head-unit afterward??? ...then a person has to go back and lower the gain/voltage on their amps because it went way too high at that same 3/4+ volume. I don't fuckin get it!*
Thanks for the how to, I just had a follow up question that maybe you can answer or someone else. If I play the -5db 40hz tone to set the sub amp gain will that damage my factory speakers, currently I have no way of disabling unless I take off all my door panels. Or is there another way to set the gain. Thanks
Wow you are an incredible teacher. Seriously...you wanna come over and teach me everything you know and ill make burgers and ribs? 😂
Seriously bro thank you.
You dont happen to have a broken fancy LOC that you wouldnt mind sending and ill try to fix it to use, do ya? Haha. I got a cheapo and now im jealous
See I think it works the opposite you think. TLDR, yes use a 0dB tone, if it was possible we should actually use louder test tones to keep some safety distance from the clipping point.
First of all, older mixes had a lower loudness for sure, but they also weren't as compressed, meaning they very obviously had peaks that could reach 0dBfs (once converted to digital, mastering engineers usually normalize the highest peaks close to 0, no point leaving extra dynamic range and getting the signal closer to the noise floor) so by not setting the gain with a 0dBFs tone, rather with a -5dBfs you'll clip the top 5dB of those peaks which can be terrible, especially where it happens, usually the drums.
Also you stated that you needed to crank the volume louder to get a decent volume out of those old tunes when calibrating for 0dB, which is normal, and should actually be 5dB louder than calibrated to -5dBfs obviously. But you also say that this can provoke distorsion, but see that's not possible unless you've actually set your gain wrong. If there's no distorsion with a 0dBFs test tone, then there cannot be any with a sound that supposedly is quieter, just set with a louder output volume.
The output volume of digital head units is rarely an actual active opamp, it can be a passive attenuator or a digital trim before the DAC, meaning that the distorsion profile should not change unless the manufacturer screwed something up. Even an opamp should actually be calibrated as to not distort with a full scale signal from the DAC. To make it simple, if the 0dBFs test tone doesn't distort the amp/speakers with the output volume at max on the unit, then nothing will distort, unless the source song already has distorsion.
Remember that a speaker operates as a motor when playing a sinosoidal wave. when the signal is clipped, the speaker voicecoil is now a heating element. So not only does the amp sound distorted when clipped, it is also trying to burn up the voicecoil windings.
Great video. I’ve seen comments saying that if your LOC and sub amp both have a remote knob (which they all do know a day) that it’s better to use the sub control remote knob from the LOC, not the amp. From my understanding the sub amp will only attenuate -20db where the LOC will completely mute it. Thoughts?
I have a pretty good Head Unit. It puts out to the RCAs 6.2volts at full volume with ZERO clipping using an OSCILLOSCOPE.
I have a question, when setting the gains on my amplifier connected the OSCILLOSCOPE to the speaker wire of the amps, and on my head unit I set volume all the way up since it doesn't clip, and adjusted the gain on the amps until just before clipping. What befit would I gain if anything having thr volume set at 75% .. I always thought you set the HU volume to just before where it clips at the RCAs.... so it your hu goes to 36 on the volume, and it clips at 33 but not 32, then that is where you set the volume for tuning. But mine does not clip. So what would thr point of setting the volume at 75%?
If Im sending 2 channels from Lc7i to 4chan and the 4chan is recommended 5v for RCA Input. Do I split the voltage to 2.5v or do I set both at 5v?
Just wondering why does my sub coils smell when I have the gain up? The sub and amp can handle it easily there is no distortion but I know something not right with either my line output converter gain or maybe I have the volume too high on the head unit. Head unit level max is 60 I have tuned it to 50 all my eq is flat and no bass boost on amps
Hi this is Kaay from the house walk through
Hey girl, nice meeting you! Good luck with you guy's move-in. Stay in touch!
Best directional I've gotten to fit my scenerio thank you for taking the time and doing a amazing job and describing each process. It's all clear and easy to me now. Great work
Quick side question - You mentioned in first calibration to put everything to flat .. if however one likes a bigger bass curve or brighter highs, shouldn’t we set the system “the way [we] like it” beforehand, so that if you DID boost frequencies, they wouldn’t overload or distort the LOC or other devices? Or is the 75 percent suggestion enough of a swing to compensate for any overdriving? Thank ya 🙏
Good video but I must disagree on some points you made. I install car audio equipment for a living and even tho your method does work pretty well, a multimeter is not the proper tool to use to set gains. Also you did not find out your max volume level on the radio for distortion . That's the first place you should check for distortion since it's the first piece of equipment in the system that's sending the signal to either the factory amp or the speakers .
Although a multimeter can be used in a pinch but in no way shape or form is it 100 percent accurate . Either a distortion detector or O scope would be the proper tools to be used .
Please answer my question…… I’m getting ZERO volts from my LC7i…. Could it be a bad RCA plug? I put the probes in each jack still not showing A/C volts! My system is playing music prior to unplugging all RCA’s…. Thank you!
Thank you so much for this video! I have a question for you! I have an Android aftermarket head unit. It's on putting out .8 volts AC from the RCA outputs. Can I spliced into my high level speaker outputs with RCA cables to make it work with this unit?
How do I find out what voltage my amplifier needs, I have an inPhase IPA8701D?
Are you, or anyone here, familiar with the 2013-16 mazda cx-5 with the bose amp? I want to add a small 5ch amp to run a sub and 4 doors, bypassing the bose amp but keeping the OEM head unit. I keep hearing that it's a pipe dream. HELP!!😥😥
Hi my amp is 1000w rms and my 2 subs are 300w rms each they are 4ohm subs and are wired down at amp to 2 ohm so if I did your math correct √1000x4 would be 126.4 or should I do √1000x2 which would be 63.2 in just doing my amp to subs
Love how easy U made that but I have a kicker comp cxa 800.1 amp and it has two additional knobs!! Do I repeat the process of the gain knob or is their a different method???
I have a question: I had an epicenter and amplifier installed by best buy and I believe they did it incorrectly. I have a 2021 GMC terrain,stock radio. They ran a remote wire to my ignition wire. Doesn't the epicenter micro work without using a remote wire? How do I complete this action myself?
when doing the gain setting, do you do the square root of the birthsheet or what the amp claims? for example, 800 watts, or birthsheet 922?
You explained everything perfectly and easily understandable.. I haven't come across another tutorial that strictly sticks to the task of what most people came here for. 👍
I have a 2018 Crosstrek with no factory amplifier. Do you know if the dash speakers are tied into the front channels? I will be putting in a aftermarket amp soon
Nice and clean video bro, i'm working on my new system this week and I'm a complete noob, so...nice vide to learn from.
What a great, simple to understand video. Thank you!
What’s the difference between that audio control LC7 and the regular epicenter?
Hi I have 4 midrange speaker and want to adjust gain to make it louder . Right now it's at 25 but still not loud. Do I adjust where it says gain in a 4 channel Amp. Do I adjust with eq flat
to dumb things down, should my equalizer settings on my radio be set to normal (neutral) before i tune my amp? i dont have all this fancy stuff, just a stock radio on a does f150 and a basic amp for my subs. and if i do need to set the settings to normal before i tune my sub, i can turn them back up once the amp is tuned, correct?
Thank you for this video. Absolutely awesome explanation and made simple to understand
If i don't have multi meter, where should i set settings on the amplifier on adjust knob on all the settings.
Are those Alpine power packs dependable? I want to amplify four tweeters, but dont want to add any more amplifiers in the back.
Hey Dude, Great Job. It's obvious that you know Sound Equipment. You do a really good explaining the process so everyday people can understand. It's not easy to translate professional knowledge so people like me can get a good understanding. I wish you much success. Thanks
How do u find the input sensitivity for the amps? I’m seeing 14.4v but that can’t be right? Thx
I have a 500 watt amp, and 2 woofers with 8 ohm impedance. What would that number be? I have them wired in series for a total of 4 ohms.
I totally agree with AudioControl couldn't have said it any better. Are you close by in Cerritos, California. Would you know someone I can go to and pay for a tuning serviced like yours ?
Sorry, not even close to California
I’ve learned more with you than with other much fancier channels
What am I not fancy? 🤣 JK I appreciate that. Thanks for sticking around.
Sorry, not watching. You are not setting amplifier gain. You are setting input signal attenuation. The gain of a power amplifier is fixed.
How do I find the sensitivity input on my amp? The info I find shows 280kv seems very low.
Why not measure voltage on the speaker amp before you splice into the wiring harness? You'll have to put in a splicing harness anyway to have the amp driving the speakers instead of the factory headunit.
What If you have a subwoofer with built in amp and don't have access to the wire leads going from amp to subwoofer
Good stuff where are you located
Currently IL
Excellent video, I learned a lot. Thanks for posting!
Are frequency on amps off when playing test tone or should they be set to a certain number
I just got my my sub installed with the lc2i pro do I have to wait for it to break in then tune or to now?
I have a oscilloscope and voltmeter which one is better to use I watch different videos saying different things how to set gains.