Not sure which track to set gains with.

[CplCuddles]

I originally used a 40Hz 0db track. I'm currently using -5db, but I also have -10db. I don't fully understand how it works when you set the gains with a -5db vs like -10db in relation to the peaks in music. I use audacity to see the db levels and freqs so I can label my music. A bass note that peaks at -5db sounds is much louder than a -10db note. My question is if I'm playing a song that @30hz is -12.6db and I set with -10db, does that make it play at -2.6db or higher? What about if its -2.6db already @30hz, am I playing a +7.4db? Is that bad? I just don't wanna fry my amp but I want to use its full potential. Thanks!

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[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

It's gain overlap. 10 dB of overlap will make your bass a lot louder than 5 dB of overlap, all other things staying the same. Your risk of excessive clipping is also much higher.

 

[CplCuddles]

But if I set it to -5db and a song is playing at -7.5db, would that have adverse effects or would it be cool?

 

[nismotwin 10+ year member]

Using a -10db test tone means It's recorded 10db quieter causing you to turn the gain higher. Resulting in a +10db gain overlap when you play tracks at 0db. However if your just playing unmodified music it's very dynamic. Just set the gain by ear and moniter your heat.

 

[CplCuddles]

I use an oscope to set my gains, I can't really tell that its distorting even though I see it on my oscope. I don't trust my ears. How bad is gain overlap? Also, I don't play boosted music, the most nodded music I have is decaf.

 

[nismotwin 10+ year member]

When playing music because it's dynamic setting the gain by ear and monitoring heat from the amp and sub is the best way to do it. Now sense i have the tools i set my sub amp with 10db gain overlap. That's what i choose. You have to be careful you can't just let it play full tilt on whatever. Listen carefully does it sound clean? Does it keep getting louder each click i turn it up? If so i turn it up to my known max undistorted volume. That's full tilt for me and i keep mindful with my nose, if i smell a hint of that electronics burning smell turn it down. After awhile check the temps of the amp and sub. My point is you can tune to a given gain overlap but, you need to know what your doing when playing music.

 

[CplCuddles]

I feel comfortable where its at, I just feel like it could be better and I want it to be better. I don't wanna be on red alert 24/7 though, I just wanna set it and enjoy it and not worry all the time. I dunno what I'm gonna do. Like I said I don't trust my ears, I dunno what distortion in a sub sounds like tbh. My amp gets too hot to touch atm, I dunno why though.

 

[cocoleveo7686 10+ year member]

I set mine with 0db track not -5. A lot of people do -5 but id rather be safe than sorry

 

[afearlesshunter]

I use an oscope to set my gains, I can't really tell that its distorting even though I see it on my oscope. I don't trust my ears. How bad is gain overlap? Also, I don't play boosted music, the most nodded music I have is decaf.

Some decaf tracks play close to 0db.. Most of them are -3 to -5db. Just something to think about.

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

I use an oscope to set my gains, I can't really tell that its distorting even though I see it on my oscope. I don't trust my ears. How bad is gain overlap? Also, I don't play boosted music, the most nodded music I have is decaf.

Gain overlap is very common, and unless most of what you listen to peaks at or close to 0 dB then you need it for your system to get as loud as it is capable of performing. Most people should not be tuning with 0 dB tones unless they know they need it.

If you have heavy bass music playing and you can't tell it's getting louder as you turn up the volume then it's probably clipping the amplifier hard. We can tolerate quite a lot of distortion in bass, and unless you have a lot more amplifier power available than what your subwoofer can actually handle, a good quality subwoofer in a proper enclosure should survive occasional clipping for an extended amount of time.