Gain: Less 'Is' More

cargodz · Post by **cargodz** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:08 am

I've seen people do their math wrong and the gains get set waay to high... Most don't have an issue, but I put it in their just for safety sake so they double check ... I don't want somebody coming back pissed at me cause I wrote the FAQ

Like I said... I don't unhook them :) but my math is always right before I start turning knobs.

solacedagony · Post by **solacedagony** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:24 am

cargodz wrote:I've seen people do their math wrong and the gains get set waay to high... Most don't have an issue, but I put it in their just for safety sake so they double check ... I don't want somebody coming back pissed at me cause I wrote the FAQ
Like I said... I don't unhook them :) but my math is always right before I start turning knobs.

That's why you should just use your ear.

Then you don't have to worry about formulas, doing correct math or any other potential variables. There's a pretty clear difference when going from a clean to clipped test tone or song (not quite as easy to hear).

NorthQuad · Post by **NorthQuad** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 8:04 am

Haha, damn. I'm not sure what to do now. I'm probably going to screw up somehow either way.

Ok, mabey I'll try going by ear first. If I have trouble I'll go buy a meter. I think now that I understand what the gain setting is for I'll be able to pinpoint when the clipping begins. Everything will be finished tonight... hopefully.

solacedagony · Post by **solacedagony** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 8:14 am

NorthQuad wrote:Haha, damn. I'm not sure what to do now. I'm probably going to screw up somehow either way.
Ok, mabey I'll try going by ear first. If I have trouble I'll go buy a meter. I think now that I understand what the gain setting is for I'll be able to pinpoint when the clipping begins. Everything will be finished tonight... hopefully.

Set your HU volume to about 3/4 and turn your gains all the way to the left. Turn on some relatively hot (but well recorded) music and slowly turn the gain to the right until it sounds like it's clipping. Gains set :)

Bwcad1 · Post by **Bwcad1** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 8:37 am

lol at hearing clipping. a better way to say it is to hear audible distortion.

solacedagony · Post by **solacedagony** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 9:02 am

Bwcad1 wrote:lol at hearing clipping. a better way to say it is to hear audible distortion.

eh, everyone got the idea

JeremyC · Post by **JeremyC** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 9:11 am

solacedagony wrote:slowly turn the gain to the right until it sounds like it's clipping.

Then turn it back a tad. Now your gains are set.

solacedagony · Post by **solacedagony** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:43 am

JeremyC wrote:Then turn it back a tad. Now your gains are set.

NorthQuad · Post by **NorthQuad** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:15 am

solacedagony wrote:Set your HU volume to about 3/4 and turn your gains all the way to the left. Turn on some relatively hot (but well recorded) music and slowly turn the gain to the right until it sounds like it's clipping. Gains set :)

I've downloaded a 50hz test tone from RealmOE. Would that do it?

solacedagony · Post by **solacedagony** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:34 am

NorthQuad wrote:I've downloaded a 50hz test tone from RealmOE. Would that do it?

If it's a sub amp, yea. I'd also say that once you find where it starts to distort, turn it back a bit more than a tad since it's harder to hear distortion in those frequencies.

If it's your front stage amp, I'd say to use well recorded, but loud, music that you know.