Setting the Gains w/oscilloscope

[michaelsil1 10+ year member]

I noticed that in order to set the gains properly an oscilloscope is needed. How important is setting the gains properly and how many have done it with an oscilloscope.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif

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[Trey803 5,000+ posts]

Well you dont need an osciloscope but if you used one you just turn your gain up until the wave becomes flat at the top(clipping) instead of a normal wave shape. You can also use a DMM to set your gains properly. An oscilloscop just gives you a visual perspective of what a DMM is measuring.

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

You can do it properly with a multimeter, assuming your amplifier is rated correctly. You don't need an o-scope.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

To set the gains with a DMM you need to know how much power your amp can make into a given load. To set with an O-scope you don't. That is the difference. If you have a good amp from a company that properly rates their stuff, the DMM method work great. If you have a cheap amp with questionable ratings, you're better off using an o-scope but also less likely to have one or even know what one is.