when setting the gain... question

[pintich]

Hey, i started to think about this one thing. and that is if its OK to set the gain/tunning the amp's when the car is OFF. I have allways done that when the car is ON, so is it OK to do that or will it be diffrent then when the car is on? because the car only give 12v when off and 14v on. so if i tune the car when its OFF tourn it ON will it be diffrent numbers or what to say

[Jessica]

Best to set gains with car off, that way if you have voltage drop, you run less risk of clipping.

[Carbon]

Best to set gains with car off, that way if you have voltage drop, you run less risk of clipping.

Source to more info on this method?

[Jessica]

Best to set gains with car off, that way if you have voltage drop, you run less risk of clipping.

Source to more info on this method?

Only the 500 other threads asking the same question and Steve and others coming in and saying the same thing. Plus Logic.

[Jessica]

oh, and here if you have to have more proof

http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/135714-tuning-while-car-is-off/

[Carbon]

lol it was intended for OP. Thanks though man

[Jessica]

lol it was intended for OP. Thanks though man

oh, lol Thought you were trolling me. XD

[pintich]

Thanks for letting me know that And one litel more thing i was thinking about setting the gain on my mono using a DDM... Would you recomend using a 40Hz tone or 50Hz? the box is tuned at 34Hz

And yes i know that DDM is not exactly correct way but i can't hear for shit and cant get a DD-1 yet...

[Jessica]

oh, i assumed you were using the dd-1. I need to learn to read. Good luck with using a DMM to set gains. Yes, people used to do it all the time (some still do it), and yes you can get pretty close. But remember you won't actually know if you are clipping and you will have to use a clamp meter with a DMM with the subs hooked up. You have to use those two tools and find out your ohm load, then figure out what your amp does at that ohm load. Then you have to adjust you gain to get the wattage your amp is rated for at that ohm load.

If you use a dmm without speakers hooked up then your amp is not loaded and you are just guessing at that point.

I think you might be better off setting by ear.

http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/137758-smd-audio-tools-map/?hl=%20smd%20%20tools%20%20map

you can look there and see if anyone has an o-scope or dd-1 near you. That would be your best bet. Maybe there is a local tech school near you that has a o-scope too that would let you use it to set your gains.

edit:

corrected link

[pintich]

oh, i assumed you were using the dd-1. I need to learn to read. Good luck with using a DMM to set gains. Yes, people used to do it all the time (some still do it), and yes you can get pretty close. But remember you won't actually know if you are clipping and you will have to use a clamp meter with a DMM with the subs hooked up. You have to use those two tools and find out your ohm load, then figure out what your amp does at that ohm load. Then you have to adjust you gain to get the wattage your amp is rated for at that ohm load.

If you use a dmm without speakers hooked up then your amp is not loaded and you are just guessing at that point.

I think you might be better off setting by ear.

http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/137758-smd-audio-tools-map/?hl=%20smd%20%20tools%20%20map

you can look there and see if anyone has an o-scope or dd-1 near you. That would be your best bet. Maybe there is a local tech school near you that has a o-scope too that would let you use it to set your gains.

edit:

corrected link

Thanks for the info Looks like no one got one near me (Live up in sweden ) Guess i will do it by ear. But then the question is, Should i use a test tone or just a normal track to get the best results? (i use to set it when just listen to music) but want to make everything a little more serious now