Myths about amp gain settings

Although it is cool to use a DMM and/or an o-scope, you STILL have to use your ears for the final tuning. I am seeing too many people who miss the "using your ear" part of the process //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 
whenever your amp strarts going into protect, that is when you turn the gain down a bit. It's actually that simple. If the amp isn't going into protect then it is all good.
I hate you.

And as for the subject matter...

A little clipping goes a long way and does increase volume, but it lowers the life (no matter how insignificant that lowering is) of both the amplifier guts and the coil.

I'm not gunna hop on this guy's dick because he's from "the old school." I don't give a fuck. Clipping a signal is not conducive to good sound emulation. Period. QQ if it doesn't get loud enough. Get a stronger amp. I will continue to be the "dolt" that uses DMMs and O-Scopes. You have every right to set it by ear-- and odds are that if won't be that detrimental to your install, or over-all quality. However, setting it by DMM or O-Scope is the proper way to set the amp gains based on an attempt for perfect sound emulation.

 
I hate you.


And as for the subject matter...

A little clipping goes a long way and does increase volume, but it lowers the life (no matter how insignificant that lowering is) of both the amplifier guts and the coil.

I'm not gunna hop on this guy's dick because he's from "the old school." I don't give a fuck. Clipping a signal is not conducive to good sound emulation. Period. QQ if it doesn't get loud enough. Get a stronger amp. I will continue to be the "dolt" that uses DMMs and O-Scopes. You have every right to set it by ear-- and odds are that if won't be that detrimental to your install, or over-all quality. However, setting it by DMM or O-Scope is the proper way to set the amp gains based on an attempt for perfect sound emulation.
you mean output? that's why i set it with the dmm first, and then turn it up a little more afterwards so it only clips a little bit. Only for my subs though, the speakers in the front can't have clipping at all.

 
I hate you.


And as for the subject matter...

A little clipping goes a long way and does increase volume, but it lowers the life (no matter how insignificant that lowering is) of both the amplifier guts and the coil.

I'm not gunna hop on this guy's dick because he's from "the old school." I don't give a fuck. Clipping a signal is not conducive to good sound emulation. Period. QQ if it doesn't get loud enough. Get a stronger amp. I will continue to be the "dolt" that uses DMMs and O-Scopes. You have every right to set it by ear-- and odds are that if won't be that detrimental to your install, or over-all quality. However, setting it by DMM or O-Scope is the proper way to set the amp gains based on an attempt for perfect sound emulation.
well said... my personal experience is that i have had to turn the gain up, after tuning by ear to get my target output voltage (with dmm)... i spend way too mych on this stuff to let some clipping shorten the life of a couple grand worth of gear. just my $.02

 
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