Back to basics - how to set gains

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  • Опубліковано 17 лис 2024

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  • @speedpros
    @speedpros Місяць тому +21

    Man you are the most thorough car audio teacher ever on the internet, you put the industry to shame with their sell everything but explain nothing to the consumer. Imagine the equipment people would not or would have bought if they understood what it does and how to use it. Every dsp company keeps everything murky but at the same time throw tech data at you like the average consumer helped build it or something. I appreciate this channel more than any mobile class I seen or been too

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому +3

      Thank you very much, that means a lot🥰

    • @whitmorestrains
      @whitmorestrains Місяць тому +2

      It’s true. I’m old now, and this is the first set of videos that put all of this stuff together. It’s not rocket science after all, but this industry runs on rumors and opinions. Thanks for taking the time to explain so many things. Leave these up. I reference them a lot.

    • @davorinmilinovic3164
      @davorinmilinovic3164 Місяць тому +3

      It would be useful if at least official resellers of known brands that also do installment and tunning, would know what they are doing. I bought mosconi gladen combo with official reseller in our country and they suppose to do tunning even for competitions, but what I have got was disaster. I have spent tens of hours of learning and trying to properly tune system. Now system is light years better compared from what I have got from tunning guys. They did correct only time alignment. Everything else was dead wrong.

  • @ariakhosravi
    @ariakhosravi Місяць тому +7

    I love that you’re using the same oscilloscope that they trashed me in your group for using to set my gains 😂 Facebook users are some funny people, Mr. Nerijus. Thank you as always for what you do for the community.

  • @sibusisomasina753
    @sibusisomasina753 Місяць тому +2

    In my opinion this got to be one of the first go to videos when starting a car audio project, nice one and we'll done sir

  • @Bob-pd9ge
    @Bob-pd9ge 7 годин тому

    Best
    Content
    Hands DOWN!!!!

  • @robertappleyard7053
    @robertappleyard7053 Місяць тому +1

    Another excellent tutorial Nerijus, thank you. Edit. I just went and moved all of my gains to 2V (5V source). I will have to redo my eq because I must’ve had distortion but even as is, its nothing short of a magical transformation. I have so much more tone in the bass and the highs are so clean. Fabulous. Even the led “power” meter in my old Alpine eq now tracks in parallel with volume.

  • @D4S-JAKE
    @D4S-JAKE Місяць тому +3

    💯 best teacher ever

  • @coprasfayarx9283
    @coprasfayarx9283 Місяць тому

    Very interesting! I always thought my gain was off, but now I reduced it by 30% since I don’t need the extra power. I definitely prefer a cleaner sound over 100% output.
    Also, it’s important to test if your head unit clips, so you can fully trust your setup.
    Thanks! I really appreciate your work
    you helped me understand how gain works, and it makes so much more sense now. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge

  • @SG-Cichlids
    @SG-Cichlids Місяць тому

    What are breath of fresh air. I've been preaching speaker efficiency/sensitivity and head room forever it seems like. Still people want to buy the hyped up brands they see on UA-cam thinking that's the only way to be loud. In my car I have a 400 watt amp on mids and highs, and a 1500 watt amp on one 12 inch sub. When people get in they're shocked at how loud and clean my stereo is. They ask what it meters and when I tell them. They say that's not possible with that much power and one 12. Terrific video, terrific channel!

  • @stejeranis
    @stejeranis Місяць тому

    Thank you very much for the very detailed explanation.

  • @investinghutler5323
    @investinghutler5323 Місяць тому

    I have learned so muchhh from you 👏🏽 thank you sooooo much!!! You just know how to explain it simply 👍🏽

  • @PedroCampagnoli
    @PedroCampagnoli Місяць тому +4

    Nice video as always, keep up mate!

  • @cnkyy
    @cnkyy Місяць тому +1

    Thanks so much for this! That 10 channel looks awesome

  • @BillLambert
    @BillLambert Місяць тому +4

    Yup. Keep the amplifier gains low, and keep the source/DSP/EQ gains as high as possible. In the pro audio world, we call this "gain staging". You want the loudest, cleanest signal from the source and then apply as little gain as possible later on, because each time you add gain, you are also amplifying the noise floor. High volts from the head unit if possible, and high volts from the DSP, will ensure clean, low-noise signal going into the amp.

    • @AcidDeathRitual
      @AcidDeathRitual Місяць тому

      LOL, I know that feel all too well when I first started DJing and had crappy audio interface and mixer, high end suffered especially with the stage monitors.

    • @raulboomin
      @raulboomin Місяць тому

      What about amplifier input sensitivity? I know you want to send the cleanest signal as possible to your amplifiers. Is there such thing as sending, “too hot” of a signal to the amplifiers? Let’s say the max input sensitivity of an amp is 6v. If you send anything higher than that, would that lead to problems?

    • @justinhogan7248
      @justinhogan7248 Місяць тому

      ​@raulboomin yes that's called clipping the input and it's no good.

  • @Dav.vid1
    @Dav.vid1 Місяць тому +6

    As always, very informative vid. The 1000hz/40hz method doesn’t work for me.

  • @robertoortiz85
    @robertoortiz85 Місяць тому

    This is what i was currently looking for

  • @chrishuyler3580
    @chrishuyler3580 Місяць тому

    Using a 0db source signal is certainly the safest option, but for low power systems, you may find you don't get enough volume out of music that is recorded at lower levels. I usually start with -6db signal to leave headroom for quiet tracks...but with a modern DSP connected to an old school amplifier, you're always going to end up with gains set to minimum.

  • @beoddtodd1726
    @beoddtodd1726 Місяць тому

    I agree with everything said here. BUT there is one thing to remember. Alot of us are constantly tinkering and messing with things. So for those that don't want to constantly readjusting gains every time you eq or change speakers or config. You can make some simple rules on yourself.
    If you set gains at at 0db. Then when u eq. don't boost above 0db(overall boost as you mentioned) Or leave your self some leeway. set gains at +3 or +6db output. then you'll forever have room to boost to those levels without clipping.
    This all also assumes at some point you're gonna play FULL 100% volume. so you're actually reaching the full +6db boost at that point.

  • @woldemortxyz7996
    @woldemortxyz7996 Місяць тому +2

    I still like to set all my gains before I start EQing, with all the levels and EQ set to 0 on the DSP.
    Just because I don't trust the manufacturers. E.g. the helix dsp.3 says it outputs 6V, but I measured 6.7V out from mine with the BT Hec card.
    I'm not complaining, but I had to turn the DSP down 1.5dB so I got 6V, then I had to turn up the gain a little on most of my amps to get the rated voltage, even though their gain was rated to 6V.
    Then again, if you have very insensitive drivers, you can often turn the gain to +3 or +5dB, because most music is mastered to a -5dB level or lower, and you will get "more output", or actually rated.
    In a full SQ car it is pretty irrelevant, but if you e.g. want to play with the doors open some time or something, you can easily blast at full volume and can then cause clipping if the gains are not set.
    Of course when the gains are set with 0dB from the DSP, you'll have to always keep the maximum level at 0dB too, with level and EQ.

    • @TheSteelerKillers
      @TheSteelerKillers 23 дні тому

      What phone do u use Bec i have the same dsp with bt with a iPhone 15pro and only getting 4 volt out

  • @dahack1
    @dahack1 Місяць тому

    This is the one I was asking for.👍 Eager to watch it

    • @dahack1
      @dahack1 Місяць тому

      I have the same oscilloscope model 😅

    • @dahack1
      @dahack1 Місяць тому

      Hitting the like button straight away😊

  • @jcooksey19
    @jcooksey19 Місяць тому

    Wow very informative going to turn mine down now. My HU puts out 4V and my jp84 is 6V

  • @julesbruchez-theartofgrapp9646
    @julesbruchez-theartofgrapp9646 3 години тому

    Wait? What level should the head unit and amps set at to actually set the DSP EQ? That way then I can go back and set the gains for the amps? I normally just set everything with an Oscilloscope. I was lucky I have clipping indicators on my JL Audio 900/5

  • @f.j.z3213
    @f.j.z3213 Місяць тому +2

    70 sek and you are alredy exsplaining it bether then most videos. 👍

  • @shakir43shaq86
    @shakir43shaq86 Місяць тому +3

    Hello lovely people😀

  • @mckinleyhodges4845
    @mckinleyhodges4845 21 день тому

    Your vids are great learning tools! What windows program are you using for the tone generator?

  • @Dav.vid1
    @Dav.vid1 Місяць тому +4

    So I’ve been doing wrong this whole time by automatically turning all the amp pots all the way up?

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому +3

      Lol how else would you adjust the volume?😂

    • @Dav.vid1
      @Dav.vid1 Місяць тому +1

      @@RAW-CAt 😂😂

  • @asdfasdfasdfae
    @asdfasdfasdfae Місяць тому +1

    Do I need to mess with gain on my DSP/AMP helix combo(m six dsp) if i use optical as input? How does gain work with optical as input? assuming highest EQ is at 0db or no EQ at all?
    Thank you for this.

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому

      Optical automatically will be maxed out. There is no gain stricture with digital signals.

  • @kewlbug
    @kewlbug Місяць тому

    Good morning Mr. Cat

  • @jonesaleroy
    @jonesaleroy Місяць тому +1

    Morning Raw. What about compression and expansion while using an EQ? I've run into this issue myself and try to eq last.

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому

      What compression and expansion are you talking about exactly?

    • @jonesaleroy
      @jonesaleroy Місяць тому

      @@RAW-CAt basically as you know at every frequency there are layers of different sounds. Well when you add to a frequency it pulls the very top layers first causing uneven gain from the top
      Layer to the bottom depending on level. Opposite is true for cutting. It basically smashes the layers together. I know this for a fact. For one I could hear it and afterwards dug into the topic. Real issue studios deal with. My daughter plays live music and is a communications major in college and we've talked about this subject and the audibly of it. I also know this is way outside most people's interests.

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому

      @@jonesaleroy I'm not sure that is an actual issue when having 24bit content and max cut and boosts of +/-10dB.

  • @Inimical_imi
    @Inimical_imi Місяць тому

    So i’m torn for a dsp after your last vid. Was going to go the ez dsp 12 channel. But now i’m debating if i should just get a minidsp and upgrade to drac live later? I’ll probably be gravitating more toward spl in the future rather than sq.

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому

      Choosing a DSP is a difficult thing. The good thing is that you don't have to stick with it for life. If you won't like it, you can try something else.

  • @gabrielsolomon4540
    @gabrielsolomon4540 Місяць тому

    Very useful video. But I have a question. I have a Helix DSP.3S which outputs 6 Volts connected to an Audison APBX 10 AS2 which has a gain of 0.1 ÷ 4. So I put the gain on the Audison sub on 4 but there is no bass. I tried fixing it from the DSP but it didn't work. The Audison sub also has a Bass Boost knob from 0 to 6 db. Should I use the Bass Boost or up the gain on the sub amp to get some bass?

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому

      First figure out why there is no signal. What is feeding the DSP?

    • @gabrielsolomon4540
      @gabrielsolomon4540 Місяць тому

      @@RAW-CAt I meant there is not enough bass. I didn't set the gain on the DSP.3S. It was set at 11v on high level input. I finally set it to 2.7v.

  • @DIYAudioGuy
    @DIYAudioGuy 13 днів тому

    12:00 Yep.

  • @mrpres17
    @mrpres17 Місяць тому

    In your example you set your gain to be optimized at 450hz because it was the loudest frequency in the dsp. Why would it clip at 900hz if the eq was flat at that frequency? Wouldn't everything not clip anymore because it would be quiter than 450hz?

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому

      With that example 450Hz was at -6dB which was the lowest point in the EQ curve and 900Hz was +6dB.

  • @Mark_5150
    @Mark_5150 Місяць тому

    93dB sensitivity with 1 watt, EMMA SQ judging is at 85dB.
    I clamped all the channels on my car at 104dB at the headrest, Mids and tweets less than 1W, midbass was 1W, front sub was 7W trunk baffle sub was 180W.
    I have all my gains all the way down except for the subs, so I don't bother with them either.
    I have a question though, if you adjust your gains after then doesn't that messes up your levels in your tune? So it's better to match DSP to amp at the beginning and just have headroom, like you said.
    i think there are so many "adjusting gains" videos because people treat it as a volume knob.

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому

      It does mess up with the level matching indeed. It would be a back and forth game checking and adjusting. The only time I had to adjust the gains on an amplifier was after cutting midbass with EQ (to get rid of the cancellations) and then bringing the level up🤷

  • @chiernguy5457
    @chiernguy5457 Місяць тому

    After I've tuned my dsp and match my levels, will setting the gains on the amp to match the dsp change the levels I've previously set?

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому +1

      Yes, it will. The only time I personally needed to increase the gains is on a few midbass drivers after cutting a lot with EQ. Never had to do that on tweeters or midranges.

  • @ssjdavid
    @ssjdavid Місяць тому

    Do you prefer to tune with your phone or laptop? Waiting on my first official dsp to arrive (d4s ezdsp)

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому

      I always tune with a laptop. I use the phone to test some things, like different crossovers or muting drivers.

  • @dsk-xx
    @dsk-xx Місяць тому

    Some give target voltage formula. √P*R .
    Most of times it lands amp in clipping zone

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому

      Target voltage is valid only if the amplifier is true to the power ratings and you have a specific voltage on the power terminals.

  • @thatguykai479
    @thatguykai479 Місяць тому

    Thoughts on setting gain with a sweep over a singular sine wave let’s say a sweep 25-150 you make a smooth response with an O scope from let’s say your box is great from 32-60 hz so I make a smooth response as much output as possible without clipping from 30-80 with the sweep instead of just let’s say a singular sine wave 30 hz and a 40 hz because that would mean my music plays well from 30 through 80 with no clipping compared to just music that plays at 30 and 40hz. Been tuning all my subwoofers like this when it comes to gain it always sounds great compared to using independent tones just wanted your opinion.

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому +1

      In my opinion, there is no need to reinvent the wheel🤷 It does not matter what your subs or box is playing , for setting the gains all that matters is the electrical signal. And if using a DSP, that signal is clearly seen in the individual EQ window.

  • @dsk-xx
    @dsk-xx Місяць тому

    What if say my left mid bass eq is cut at 300hz and boost at 400hz . While right mid bass is boosted at 300 but cut at 400.
    As per my response scenario and eq requirements.
    But amplifier gain setting knob is common for these 2 channels.
    What to do in that case?

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому +3

      You choose the "weakest link". See which OVERALL boost is higher, the 300 on R or 400 on L. As well take into account the channel gain. For example if your l side has +2dB overall boost at 400Hz and -3dB channel gain, you are -1dB in total for the l channel. And if your right side has +1dB overall boost at 300Hz and 0dB channel gain, then your R channel is higher in level, so you should choose 300Hz tone. Hope that makes sense. Just some maths😉

  • @mugsybonze968
    @mugsybonze968 Місяць тому

    Just to make sure I have stetsom stx dsp 2848 voltage is 5.6 with amp voltage is 8 to 16 volt do I need volt more or not ?

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому

      That 8 to 16V will be your power input voltage, not input sensitivity.

  • @bennyblanco14
    @bennyblanco14 Місяць тому

    What do i do when i am using optical and not rca into my DSP?

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому

      Exactly the same. A DSP 4V will output 4V no matter the connection to it.

  • @felixmedrano8208
    @felixmedrano8208 Місяць тому

    So my DSP outputs 6v and my amp sensitivity is 2v-8v, what do I do there?

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому +1

      Increase the gain if you are missing volume.

    • @felixmedrano8208
      @felixmedrano8208 28 днів тому

      @@RAW-CAt just want to say thank you! You are absolutely right! I turned them all down, just had to raise the midbass and mid-range channels a smidge to bring them up to the tweets level, as they played the loudest. After I was done with the EQing/tuning, I had plenty of output. Prior to this no matter what I did I was never satisfied with the output and was doing all sorts of cutting back on channel levels, especially the tweets.

  • @dahack1
    @dahack1 Місяць тому

    Quick question. Isn't it the case that in order to use an oscilloscope and get correct readings from it (as well as from multimeter) you need to disconnect speakers from amps?

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому +1

      You can have the subs connected, but mids and tweets you will blow. I never recommend setting gains for mids and tweets, but since people keep asking, I made the video🤷

    • @dahack1
      @dahack1 Місяць тому

      @@RAW-CAt yeah, thought the same. I just heard in the video that the speakers were playing

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому +1

      @@dahack1 no, they were not. It was the amplifier complaining when clipping 😉

    • @dahack1
      @dahack1 Місяць тому

      @@RAW-CAt 🤨🤨 okay-ish 🙂

    • @whitmorestrains
      @whitmorestrains Місяць тому

      @@RAW-CAtThat’s scary you can hear that!

  • @djsunthe1
    @djsunthe1 Місяць тому

    Ive always just sent my gain at -10 DB and then make sure to not boost anything more than 10 db. Is this NOT a good way to do it?

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому

      10dB overlap +boosts will give you even higher overlap.

  • @baijoyantarocks
    @baijoyantarocks Місяць тому

    Well good. But what about the calculation people does it while doing gaining amp that ( √ohms×rms) and match the voltage of AC voltage by using multimeter. And can we measure the volt comming in RC by using multimeter.?

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому

      The calculated voltage is a very rough ball park as it takes into account a lot of assumptions. For example it is an assumption that at your voltage the amplifier is making rated power. As well it is an assumption that the ohms value matches the speaker impedance. I would not recommend to use that method.

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому

      You should not have to change the EQ, all should be fine. You might want to double check the individual speaker levels though just to make sure the system is perfectly level matched.

  • @SM-yx5mp
    @SM-yx5mp Місяць тому

    I’ve noticed that my Helix DSP3.s will only put out its max(6 volts) with the channel gains at (+ 5). My amps accept 6 volt input. Should I just leave the channel gains at “0” and amp gains down and adjust the DSP channel outputs if I need more volume ?

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому

      What signal.are you feeding into the DSP? What is your source? You should have 6V out with 0dB everywhere.

    • @TheSteelerKillers
      @TheSteelerKillers Місяць тому

      yea i have had the same issue like you with same dsp only getting 4 volt with channel gain at 0 i am using a bt card to it

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому

      @@TheSteelerKillers in my experience via BT the output will depend on the phone. On some you get full voltage out, on some a bit less 🤷

    • @TheSteelerKillers
      @TheSteelerKillers Місяць тому

      @@RAW-CAt i have a iPhone 15 PRO idk maybe have to ask helix what they think

    • @SM-yx5mp
      @SM-yx5mp Місяць тому

      Pioneer HU. Analog to DSP. 4 volt HU output.

  • @gladboy7722
    @gladboy7722 Місяць тому

    💯💯💯🙏🙏🙏...🍻👊

  • @20smgreen
    @20smgreen Місяць тому

    Knowing what I know today about tweeters and power, the output wattage of the amp really is irrelevant. They're only going to use 5 watts at their peak. A good 25wpch amp is prefect.

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому +1

      The problem is that no one makes these small power super clean amps anymore. All low power amps these days are garbage chip amps...

    • @justinhogan7248
      @justinhogan7248 Місяць тому

      ​@RAW-CAt that's not true I have a Class A 35 watt Celestra, excellent tweeter amp

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому

      @@justinhogan7248 where can we buy it and how much does it cost?

  • @dediervan8477
    @dediervan8477 Місяць тому

    if you difficult with set gain, just use DSP amp (DSP including Amplifier) no need external amplifier 😁

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому

      The problem with DSP amplifiers is exactly that - there is no gain. So if you are not careful with EQ, you might end up cutting too much and will not be able to bring the level back up. You need to be more considerate.

  • @krotaskrotux9290
    @krotaskrotux9290 Місяць тому

    Sveikas tavo manymu kokį filtrą ir dazni parinkt štai šiam daigtui priešbosis Helix Match MW 8BMW-D nes mid 10cm rašo nuo 100hz startas bet spėju kad tai melas 😊

  • @mugsybonze968
    @mugsybonze968 Місяць тому

    All oscilloscope isn't the same i had aukuyee for years same head unit volume is 34 is distortion 50 max using rca now i have this fnrsi volume show me 29 is distortion 50 max do it again show me 50 max no distortion i had to listen with my ear and i see 34 is distortion i will buy smd dd-1 so i don't have to pluggin power ,aukuyee is good

    • @Aaronz2.5RS
      @Aaronz2.5RS Місяць тому

      I just had a seizure reading that... do you actually read what you wrote before sending that shit?

  • @robertoortiz85
    @robertoortiz85 Місяць тому

    -0, -5, or -10db

  • @kewlbug
    @kewlbug Місяць тому

    TLDW: Set gains on your sub maybe, everything else, until your ears bleed. (then maybe back it down. lol)

  • @janrdoh
    @janrdoh Місяць тому +1

    Your wiring is very distracting, I am used to looking at a birds nest.

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому

      Haha, thank you. Some times I do have a birds nest as well. One in a while I make something pretty.

  • @mugsybonze968
    @mugsybonze968 Місяць тому

    Sorry wrong person

  • @davidstevens7809
    @davidstevens7809 Місяць тому

    You need to use a white noise and inject it into the system..to do this freq by freq is totally wrong..

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому

      Oh, that is something new. Amd how does white noise show up on the scope? How do you vidually evaluate clipping?

  • @rockfordfosgategtr
    @rockfordfosgategtr Місяць тому

    Completely incorrect. Not everyone can afford higher volt source units, hence why there is input sensitivity setting for matching. Please spread correct information and not just your own opinion on things.

    • @RAW-CAt
      @RAW-CAt  Місяць тому +2

      Can you please specify what exactly is incorrect? Talking about higher voltage source it is my advice and opinion. I am not stating any facts that can be incorrect🤷 I'm confused...

  • @TomJordan-e5s
    @TomJordan-e5s Місяць тому

    Again you are so helpful thank you for all that u do I learn more and more every video u put out 🤩🫵