The best way to set amp gain? #SMD DD-1 VS Liumy Oscilloscope

In this video I show you the best tool to set your amp gain. The camera shows the difference between the SMD distortion detectors and the Liumy Oscilloscope.

Many thanks to Steve Meade for the gift. No doubt this is the best way to set your amp gain, but it is to expensive for some people. Get your test equipment here*:

Thanks to @meade916 @DAmoreEngineering @barevids for technical assistance with this video!

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Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:15 Backstory
3:14 Scope vs DD1 Test
8:20 Understanding THD
9:20 Scope vs DD1+ on a Dirty Amp
12:10 Amp Dyno with a Dirty Amp
15:00 Recommendation

*As an amazon associate marketer I may earn a small commission on qualified purchases. As an affiliate marketer I may earn a small commission when you make a purchase at Parts Express, Sonic Electronix or Down4Sound.

[DIYAudioGuy]

My goal for this video was to provide information, a lot of people are trying to decide if they need SMD tools. There are ton of ways to set gain, it is OK to use the method that works best for you.

[meade]

nice video! out of all that, the MOST important thing you talked about was how everything in the chain starting from the beginning matters. I see a lot of lame video's on YT where someone is trying to "teach" people how to set gains with an O-scope and they are doing it completely wrong. "Just turn up the gain till you see (or hear) clipping" is not how you set gains. Head unit (or L.O.C if tapping in), DSP, crossovers etc, everything BEFORE the amps needs to be known first or it is all out the window. Also there is gain overlaps. Something completely ignored by these so called youtube "teachers". I have always told people, USE AN OSCOPE first. Learn it. Love it. USE IT RIGHT. Then get a DD-1 (for more accurate and simple results) once you feel like you are ready. It's the same process. (The DD-1+ Plus is a little different). But the standard DD-1 uses the same exact technique you would use if you had a scope. So no matter which one you choose, just do it correctly. Or turn all knobs to the right and jam on till you smell that smell. There is a right way and LOTS of wrong ways to do it. Thanks for the video it was a good watch :) Appreciate ya for that!

[bluntsandhoes]

Sam's probably one of the coolest knowledgeable people on YouTube.
Not just about amplifier repair either.
Enjoyed the video again!

[Polywog]

dd1 has been on my wish list for a while, thankfully im getting divorced so i can get back to focusing on me projects!

[jasonwills]

Yo love that dude.. bought his product earlier 2012 and then he signed his product.. love it..

[Thomamps]

I use an oscilloscope with fft as that allows me to see the actual wave form and the harmonics being produced. Where I live a two channel oscilloscope with this function is a third of the price of one SMD device and can be used to read many other signals for other projects. You can add a current probe and do math to get real time power and impedance numbers.

[rejvv]

I sprung for a DD-1 about six months ago and I'm happy I did. I began my journey into car audio with a MTX1501D bought off a local Facebook group and have slowly continued to climb up to where I'm now running 6000 watts on strapped amps and backing it with lithium and a high output alternator. As you get into the more powerful and higher quality gear it becomes too expensive to risk doing it incorrectly. I've noticed my gain walks a little every few months from the vibration and a DD-1 is fast and simple enough that I can re-tune in a parking lot when something doesn't sound right.

I definitely agree that for someone just starting out the SMD tools may be a little too out of reach and a cheaper alternative may be needed...just as long as it is done right. For those bitten by the bug and constantly wanting more though, you can't go wrong with the SMD line.

Thanks for all the knowledge you've shared and for continuing to put videos like this out!

[Clobercow]

You can use a scope to find clipping, and you can use a $80 calibrated mic to find distortion with free software. For the DIYer that's probably the way to go.

[msh]

Hopefully more and more manufacturers will start including clip indicators on their products. Obviously we still need to check head unit outputs for distortion along with any other gear we put in the signal chain. But, simple clip lights on all amps would be enormously helpful.
Very interesting and informative video Justin!👍

[ixionn]

This was a good watch. The distortion issue is one that I never had considered or taken much thought into before, so it was really interesting to see that demonstrated. Just due to being the type who likes to tinker, see how things work in depth, and get the absolute best value, I'll probably always have a love for scopes. But this video was great in how it presented and educated about the SMD tools, I have quite a bit more respect for the engineering behind those tools now.

That compressor behavior is something I think I've only seen on pro audio gear before (with my very limited experience with pro stuff), so it was really interesting to see that on that little premade car enclosure. It makes me wonder how common that circuitry is on lower end gear, or if maybe it was just a once in a blue moon thing that some engineer thought was a good idea on that particular system.

Anyways I really appreciate your content man, it's the thing I like seeing in the audio, and really any, community. We shouldn't get so caught up in what's "better" and "worse". Instead we should be educating each other on how to make the best of the gear we do have. That and of course, trying to stick to the facts of the situation is always the way to go. There's always more to learn. Thanks.

[junkyardhemi]

I’m a DIY guy myself. I have 2 vehicles with aftermarket stereos and some higher end equipment. I’m frequently tinkering and trying different things. I have a DD-1 for gains. It always works great and is super simple to operate. I have complete confidence in SMD products and will continue to use them.

[Mr.NpK]

You said I was gonna want to watch the whole video, but you didn't say time after time after time again! You know you have the only channel I've even considered becoming a patron. Not going to lie I've very close to pushing the patron button 💯

[dieseldime]

I too am like you, am in my 30s getting back into car audio, i use to "install" in my younger days, looking back im not super proud lol. Now that I'm older and better funded which leads to better tools and materials I can actually do professional level install, so far its just been doing my own stuff, I might take on side work in the future, but now that I have proper shop tools, and the knowledge and experience now to do it right, plus the technology and pricing is so much better these days, additionally guys like Justin and Steve sharing info, I love the hobby all over again. I have been wanting to get a few of the SMD products for a while, I think they are really cool, I just can't justify their cost at the moment for as much as I would use them, currently I'm using the O scope and DMM method, which is light years beyond how I use to set stuff lol. Thanks again Justin and Steve.

[mjenx]

This was one of the most informative and helpful videos I’ve ever seen on car audio. Major props to you! Subscribed ✅

[wiredperformance]

Awesome video! Steve Meades equipment IS the best available to those who know. I don’t own any myself but I do have access to most of it and rely on it for every customer.

[palledrengens]

i have been building speakers for fun, since 87 when I was a schoolboy, I've made some good stuff in time but also made the worst sh....ever🤣🤣
but listening when setting gains by ear have never failed me, never burned any unit or amp... Steve Meade is one of my new idols in car audio, he's a genius and does things my way👌👌👌

[thebassgeneratorinc]

This video is why I watch and subscribe to your channel.

I may have different views on a few comments but we all get something different from the same pages of a book.

I enjoy you topics and it contents. It is very imformative for those Novice whom just want to get louder within breaking the bank or destroying their gear due to lack of know-how.

[hztolife]

I use a mini oscilloscope and a multimeter to find the maximum my amp can go (5 chs) then I rely on my ears. I know up to what point I can raise it, it's just a matter of preference thereafter. I have noticed my amp mono section needs to be tuned in that way but the 4 ch output has a Max of 30v just like you've gone through.

[bingostarr]

The installaton of my Head unit Pioneer AVH-W4400NEX and the Pioneer GM-E360X4 has been a long road to say the least. I got the Head unit for 100 dollars off of Facebook Market Place with the 1 hour ride to and from the sellers location makes it a good price and good value. This will replace my stock unit in my 2013 Chevy Tahoe. The Amp was also picked up on Facebook Market Place and was 100 dollars also. This amp is a nightmare that I have been having over and over again for the last 2 months. It is going back on the market tomorrow and upon watching your channel I am better equipped to make the right choice for my Budget. Cheap and Dirty but one mam's cast off is anothers treasure. I really need a good installaton video as this is the most time and money pit as my electrical and fabracaton skills aver at a novice level and my wife would like the seats put back in the Tahoe asap. Can you recommend a video that will better deal with the pitfalls and shortcuts that a person in my sisutation should watch. Bingo Starr Great channel best one I have come across in the past year by far. Thanks for your clear and well thought out presentation.

[TG-qyus]

I rock with steve mead.definitely would try these