Amp Levels

[Euphonic]

When you're setting up a multi amp system, if you set all of your amplifiers individually for maximum unclipped output, which amplifier levels are you lowering when you blend it all together and by how much?

[BigAl205]

I typically don't change gain level after setting it, but adjust levels in the processor. Maybe I should do it the other way?

[Euphonic]

I typically don't change gain level after setting it, but adjust levels in the processor. Maybe I should do it the other way?

No, you're doing it right, but what levels are you lowering in the processor and by how much?

[BigAl205]

So far, it's been mostly mids by around 5-6db, IIRC

[chithead]

I typically set everything up at least once, and then lower the levels by putting them back in their boxes

[Stycker]

I like to set gains by ear. Play zero noise track. Turn up gains until you hear noise. Then lower all gains to the speaker with the lowest output. Then lower gains again to hit your house curve. No fancy equiptment. Just your ears and a cheap mic and RTA. Works like a charm every time. I stole this from JDUNK who may or may not have borrowed the idea from Nick Apicella or the other way around. By the way I'm glad I got the chance to meet you Chit.

[chithead]

You as well! I'm totally making sure to demo the Subie next time! It is gorgeously done, and had some very high reviews from those that had the pleasure.

[Stycker]

For sure. My goal is always to try and squeeze everyone in, but you know how that goes.

[BigAl205]

[Jdunk54nl]

I like to set gains by ear. Play zero noise track. Turn up gains until you hear noise. Then lower all gains to the speaker with the lowest output. Then lower gains again to hit your house curve. No fancy equiptment. Just your ears and a cheap mic and RTA. Works like a charm every time. I stole this from JDUNK who may or may not have borrowed the idea from Nick Apicella or the other way around. By the way I'm glad I got the chance to meet you Chit.

Yup. I find amps make more noise than dsp, so the lower the levels on the amps, usually the lower the noise. If that is not the case for you and your amps have less noise than your dsp, turn down dsp and turn up amps! Whatever lowers the noise the most but still allows you to hit your target curve.

I stole it and combined it from Nick Apicella, Andy Wehmeyer, and Justin Zazzi.

My goal is/was to maximize volume, but minimize noise.
IIRC my tweeter and mids gains are near zero, but could be near halfway if I just went with a 0db test tone clipping (or higher with -5 or -10db test tones). I don't need them that loud and it just introduced noise and then I had to turn the dsp levels down like -10db to match my subs and door woofers levels when maximized amp gain vs noise. By turning the amp gains down, I lowered my noise floor, and then dsp levels are near 0 to -4db. I have even taken my mids in some tunes and increased the dsp level to +4db.