How to Set Car Amplifier Gains! What is clipping?

Don't know how to set your amplifier gains? What to learn how!

Chapters
0:03 What is Amplifier Clipping/Distortion?
0:13 Why is Clipping Important?
0:25 Match max output of pre-amp level to max speaker output of the amplifier
0:37 What does clipping look like?
0:50 Test Tone with Oscilloscope
1:15 Heat Damage
1:20 Are some radios better than others?
1:55 Testing 30hz, 60Hz and 100Hz tones
3:30 What does Clipping/Distortion sound like?
4:10 How to set gains
TEST TONES For You To Use:
5:15 30Hz
5:40 60HZ
6:20 100HZ

We explain what amplifier clipping is and how it relates to setting the gains on your amp. Input signal calibration between the head-unit and the amplifier is very important to get right during your installation. We show you how to set your input signal gains the right way using a DSO nano V3 oscilloscope.

We also give you audio samples of what clipping sounds like so that if you don't have an oscilloscope you can set your gains by listening to your speakers.

Prevent amplifier damage and speaker damage and get the best sound quality when tune your audio system correctly.

We show how EQ curves create issues with setting the gains on your amp.

Equipment used:
Boston Acoustics components speakers

Test tones are available at the end of the video.
30 HZ test tone @ 0db
60 HZ test tone @ 0db
100 HZ test tone @ 0db

[sherkhan]

Finally someone has a good demonstration of the sound of clipping.

[turbofungus]

Thank you boss ! I’ve had 2 Skar subs that both blew from whatever reason, asked the installer and he said it was a magnet or voice coil problem, but all I’ve gotten online was that I clipped it and this shows how easily I could have

[johndc]

One of the clearest test video tutorials I have seen so far. Thanks man. Helpful visual aids.

[RomaniaFaraFiltru]

Very good and informative video, but, i'd like to add something to be aware of!
The test toned offered at the end, although they're recorded at 0db, when you upload the video to Youtube, their algorithm normalises them quite a bit lower than that, roughly around -5 for the whole video, including the test tones. That being said, be carreful setting the gains with them, and factor in the Youtube normalisation.

[Andypalikir]

I would like to thank this channel for the effort they put into this video. Very vivid explanation and information. This video deserves a thumbs up

[ert-wert]

From what I gather, I can set my gains almost as good with a $10 dmm.

However I would totally pay $80 for a osi.


Just found your channel, love the videos and they are greatly helping my install

[jms]

Understandable...I am sure the volume of questions that you field is out of control. Again, thank you for responding.

[turbotalon]

If you play the sound of a clipping through my speakers, are my speakers clipping?

[timault]

This video is an excellent, lucid explanation of the relationship among gain, max volume, and distortion across all car audio components.

I believe using an o-scope is the best method to set gain through the system. I understand I can set gain by ear; I understand the disadvantages of doing it this way. I understand I can set gain with a DMM; I also understand the disadvantage of doing it this way. But this video demonstrates some add'l advantages of using an o-scope to tune a system.

An o-scope provides confirmation of An o-scope also permits one to identify exact moments EQ, "Bass Boost", and Loudness produce distortion at specific volume levels. And an o-scope allows a person to visually and more accurately "dial-in" gain on each component in their car audio chain. Clearly, an o-scope is the ideal tool to use to tune gain.

The dilemma most folks complain about is, who can afford an o-scope for what is essentially a one-time use? Do car audio shops provide gain tuning with an o-scope..? Would it be prudent expense, or would the cost of this service approach the purchase price of an o-scope?

Bleh...

[Designs]

Very informative as always. I had know idea about the O-scope pricing availability 😳 Thanks!

[atiqurealiborah]

This is awesome! You just answered all of my questions from pre amp to amp gain and also how clipping sounds like because iam going to use my ears to check my levels until i get one oscilloscope

[JosephByrne]

These videos are great. Really informative and interesting. Real practical science.

[mercenarysaw]

Yeah I think I'm clipping around 3, 500 Hertz maybe 3400 need to check it out on my micronacousticradon spectrometer. I think I have one of those in the back. 🙄🙄

[Absolute_Unit]

Your videos are the absolute best, man

[deepblue]

Does speaker impedance affect target gain setting? I noticed on some sites (i.e. JL Audio) they list different target voltage outputs based on what your final impedance will be (typically lower V for lower Ω). How does the scope take this into account when it's detecting the clip voltage?

[knowme]

Hi there I'm 5 yrs late but when you set everything at the end do set your EQ also and 2hat about the amplifier besides the gain thank you.

[dlaroc]

I have a 500rms mono amp (2ohm) with two 250rms subs (4ohm each) wired in parallel. The radio I believe is 4v. The speakers are Kenwood Road Master 12s, the amp is Kenwood Mono D, and the radio is Kenwood KDC-BT778HD. What should I set the gain to?

[restore]

Hey, I'm not sure if you could help me out or not. I have a Fluke Scopemeter 105b II. I use it solely for the purpose of looking at analog audio signals. When using it to test a low voltage signal coming from the head unit from 0VAC to 5VAC the Scopemeter displays the sine wave perfectly. When I use it to look at the signal coming out of the amplifier at 10VAC to 50VAC the sine wave looks crazy and adjusting the settings doesn't help at all. Do I have to change something on the oscilloscope to look at higher voltage analog sine waves with out the waveform looking like it's having an aneurysm?

[Ugybug]

Is there a way to set it to if a passenger cranks the sound it maxes out the head unit volume without clipping just to prevent trouble

[memphisburroughs]

When setting the gain on the subwoofer amp, should eq be flat and subwoofer level be at 0 on the headunit?