any interest in a gain setting tool

[thch 10+ year member]

I was thinking recently about making a clipping detector as an alternative to a DMM. Like a DMM, the device would be handheld, battey powered, easy to use, and cost around $25.

the device would work with a 60hz signal source. standardizing on 60hz makes things simple enough to build.

basically you would plug the device into the amp, then turn up the volume. 4 led would be on the device -- no clipping, 0.1% distortion (or low i guess), 1% distortion, and 10% distortion.

two switches would be on the device -- on/off and line/speaker level input. while it is possible to make an autoranging circuit, it would be more expensive and probably less accurate.

i'm working on the schematic for this. I have a lot of parts. I will build one for myself. I am wondering if there is any interest in either a fully assembeled device or a kit for this purpose.

EDIT -- please select only 1 answer. seems i can't edit the poll.

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[fatryan 5,000+ posts]

eh, im fine with my DMM

 

[btnhfan 5,000+ posts]

Sure sounds like a great tool for new people to use for properly setting gains.

 

[Raven 10+ year member]

Sometimes a DMM won't do it's full job. Any overrated or underrated amp can fool a DMM. I like the idea.

 

[JeffyZ33 10+ year member]

Good idea, I'd probably get one. $20-25 wouldn't be bad.

 

[Defconx3 10+ year member]

Sounds like a good idea, im sure that there would be a market for it, especially if they were only like $30.00.

 

[danteBirosel 5,000+ posts]

good luck bro!! hope u accomplish your invention.

 

[saywhat? 5,000+ posts]

id pick up one for sure. and some for the local shops, as they dont have a clue. one guy told me "i didnt touch ur gains yet, only your bass boost, a little bit for now, to break in ur subs, come back and i will set your gains"

 

[Johnny Drama 5,000+ posts]

No offence to you, but Id pick up a DMM before that thing and a O-scope over everything mentioned. They are ~$175.

 

[saywhat? 5,000+ posts]

hand held o-scope for 150 : ) im gettin one prolly.

 

[JeffyZ33 10+ year member]

No offence to you, but Id pick up a DMM before that thing and a O-scope over everything mentioned. They are ~$175.

$175 compared to $25.

 

[Johnny Drama 5,000+ posts]

$175 compared to $25.

My money //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[Johnny Drama 5,000+ posts]

hand held o-scope for 150 : ) im gettin one prolly.

PE has them for $175 I beleive, they may have a sale going on.

 

[maldecido33 10+ year member]

i'd buy one

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

DMM is more flexible overall.....but this device would take the brain work out of it for someone who frequently sets amplifier gains (like an installer) or someone who has no clue (you know....the people who read the gain setting tutorial then come back with 50 million questions, and after it's all said still has no idea WTF we are talking about).

And yes, an o-scope would again be more flexible overall....but it'd also be >5x more expensive, and if your sole purpose was to use it to set gains there'd really be no reason to get one over this device unless you just wanted to feel cool because you owned an handheld o-scope.

Hell, for $25 I'd probably grab one just for ease of use for when I install in buddy's cars and whatnot.