Setting the gain

[aBav20]

I have a Pioneer FH-X720BT deck and will be setting the gain with a DMM. I know how to do it but I need to know about a couple of settings. I know I need to turn everything to off, flat, or zero. What about the sub control output and SLA? I know what they are and what they do. I know the SLA changes the output voltage at different volumes. I recently tuned my system with a DMM and had these settings enabled. SLA at +2 and sub control output at +6. If I matched the voltages than it shouldn't matter right? I'm assuming if I turn the SLA to 0 and the sub output also to 0 then I will have to turn the gain up slightly in order to match the voltages. I guess my question is if i should set the gain with those settings both at 0. If I set it with SLA and sub output at 0 then i will leave them at zero to avoid clipping. Is my theory correct? Any advantages or disadvantages when tuning with SLA or sub output turned up? Is there distortion involved with these settings? Would you recommend I keep these settings at zero when tuning and leave them there after the gain is set? Thanks in advance.

[aBav20]

Anybody? Either nobody knows what I am talking about or I'm just dumb.

[rockFord_Expedition]

Hi aBav20 and welcome to the forum.

A little patience goes a long way, and bumping your own post on the same day you started the thread can get you a lot of grief and not much help.

I wouldn't use a DMM alone to set your gains, but that's just me. An O-Scope or DD-1 is the way to go.

In general, you will want to find the maximum undistorted volume on your head unit beginning with your subwoofer out turned all the way up. This will send max signal voltage to the amp and if your HU is a good one, it shouldn't affect the max undistorted volume much.

[aBav20]

Thanks for the response. Sorry about being impatient. I'm just worried I'm clipping my amp and not realizing it. A DMM is all I can afford at the moment. So you are saying I should set my gain with my sub output level at max which is +6? Is it a good idea to set my gain to the volume that sounds the best to me and personally never go past?

[Miguels]

if you set the gains with every setting flat dont go back adjusting the setting up.. when you set the eq you want to take away not add

[Miguels]

Thanks for the response. Sorry about being impatient. I'm just worried I'm clipping my amp and not realizing it. A DMM is all I can afford at the moment. So you are saying I should set my gain with my sub output level at max which is +6? Is it a good idea to set my gain to the volume that sounds the best to me and personally never go past?

set he bass at max.. if you dont you run the risk of clipping.. if you tune to +6 then you know if you put it at +5 youre safe to go

[aBav20]

Okay thanks so much I'll try doing just that. As for the SLA setting, I've always had it at +2. This shouldn't matter when setting the gain as long as the voltages match... right?

[3vil]

Depends on whether that deck is distorting or clipping the signal when you adjust the SLA. You really should look into buying/borrowing/begging the correct tools to set things correctly.

[rockFord_Expedition]

might be able to find someone near you with a DD-!

[aBav20]

Okay thanks I guess I'll look at getting a scope since my OCD kills me when it comes to this stuff