Dereck Waller

You are making it too complicated. The best way to set gains is with an oscilloscope. After that the best way I have found just requires a disc such as Autosound 200's test CD 104, with various frequencies recorded at all high bits (loudest possible recording) and at various other levels. For everyday systems I set gains with a 10 dB overlap and use a 1K tone as it is easy to hear the tone change and isn't terribly hard on the speakers. It's really quite simple, set all tone controls that affect midrange frequncies where they normally would be. Then turn all gains on all components all the way down. With the volume low, play the test track, increase the volume till you hear the tone change character. It's super easy to hear, no matter how deaf you think you are, you will hear a change immediately. Back the volume down till the tone goes back to normal. Alot of decks on the market will simply max out the volume without the tone changing so don't worry that you are doing something wrong if the tone doesn't change at this point. Now move on to the next piece of equipment in the signal chain, it could be an eq or crossover or might be an amp. Just make sure to go in order though. Leaving the deck at the volume where the tone changed (or maxed if the tone didn't change) slowly turn up the gain until the tone changes, then back it down till it goes back to normal. Continue this process with every piece of equipment in the system in order. Voila (not wala, that bugs me on the Carsound forum) you have set your gains for your mids. Usually to adjust the subs I just turn it up to blend with the mids.