Here's a gain setting question for ya...

[FoxPro5 5,000+ posts]

Which would induce more audible distortion into the signal, using greater gain OR lower sensitivity (eg. setting gain to 0 and the signal sensing to 4V vs 16v, OR setting gain at 4dB and the signal sensing at 16V)??? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

Click to read more...

 

[DBfan187 5,000+ posts]

10dB of gain overlap sounds best.(3:1 gain ratio, -10dB test tones)

That means if you amp clips @ 2v, then you feed it 6v.

 

[FoxPro5 5,000+ posts]

10dB of gain overlap sounds best.(3:1 gain ratio, -10dB test tones)
That means if you amp clips @ 2v, then you feed it 6v.

I've read this 6 times and I still don't get it //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif

 

[FoxPro5 5,000+ posts]

What he's saying is that he recommends using a -10 dB test tone to set your gains (and an oscilloscope, which he usually mentions //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif ) ...
The last part states that, if you set your amplifier's input sensitivity to 2 volts, you could set your head unit to output 6 volts with a 0 dB signal (assuming it's actually capable of doing so) ... Basically, the head unit voltage with a 0 dB signal should be 3 times the input sensitivity of the amplifier ... Other examples: HU = 3V, Amp = 1V ... HU = 4V, Amp = 1.33V ... HU = 1.2V, Amp = 0.4V

Aaaa, but no O-scope or -10dB tracks. Ok so I have a 16v signal coming from the HU (actually about 10v at 70/80 volume), so I need about 5.33v gain boost? And do I want to set the sensitivity at 16v then??

And back to the orginal question, which adjustment is perfered to help reduce noise, distortion, etc. Or is it the 3:1 ratio that is really ideal??

 

[DBfan187 5,000+ posts]

0dB is for max S/N ratio.

3:1 allows for more usable power output from your amp when playing music. Most people ''can't'' hear the distortion it would create.

 

[FoxPro5 5,000+ posts]

0dB is for max S/N ratio.

3:1 allows for more usable power output from your amp when playing music. Most people ''can't'' hear the distortion it would create.

Got it. Thank you for the clarification oh wiseman //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[luvinthebass 5,000+ posts]

lol

 

[luvinthebass 5,000+ posts]

does radioshack sell oscilloscopes?

 

[luvinthebass 5,000+ posts]

What he's saying is that he recommends using a -10 dB test tone to set your gains (and an oscilloscope, which he usually mentions //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif ) ...
The last part states that, if you set your amplifier's input sensitivity to 2 volts, you could set your head unit to output 6 volts with a 0 dB signal (assuming it's actually capable of doing so) ... Basically, the head unit voltage with a 0 dB signal should be 3 times the input sensitivity of the amplifier ... Other examples: HU = 3V, Amp = 1V ... HU = 4V, Amp = 1.33V ... HU = 1.2V, Amp = 0.4V

then that means i should set my gain to 6.6 volts since my pioneer head unit is 2.2 volts. HU = 2.2 V, Amp = 6.6 V

 

[psych0ticnemes1 5,000+ posts]

not to snag this thread or anything, but everytime i burn JMAC's 50htz tone, it doesn't seem 'loud' therefore my gain is set high... any ideas? should i try different burning software