Does EQ Output Level Add to Crossover Total Output Level?
11-26-2005, 04:02 PM
#1
I have a situation where the 4V head unit rcas into an EQL which runs into a crossover that is supposed to have 8V output level. I am finding that even with the crossover outputs at maximum I can still add volume by increasing the output levels on the EQL - why is this?
I thought that even no matter what the voltage input into the crossover the maximum output would always be 8 volts (not more or less when the crossover outputs were at maximum).
Any ideas as to what's going on here?
I thought that even no matter what the voltage input into the crossover the maximum output would always be 8 volts (not more or less when the crossover outputs were at maximum).
Any ideas as to what's going on here?
11-26-2005, 11:13 PM
#2
500 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 870
Each stage of amplification multiplies the input as the gain is turned up.
Your deck's output is only 4 volts when it's at it's maximum level.
The output of each stage has a maximum peak output, and if you turn it up beyond that, those nice, clean sine waves will get their tops "squared" off, resulting in distortion.
The most gain you can apply with your eq and x-over, would be 3dB, or x 2 volts, if you are running the deck at just below clipping.
Only the loudest peaks will be clipped tho, so as you increase the gains, all the lower volume music will still be turned up.
Every time you increase the gain by 3dB you are doubling the voltage.
Most music has a dynamic range of over 30 dB, or 1000 times the voltage between the softest and loudest notes.
So while your loudest peaks may get to 4 volts, the average output of your deck is probably much less than .4 volts.
To set your gains, start out with every stage turned down, then bring them up til they just barely distort with the loudest music you have, then back it off a bit, starting at the deck and moving down the chain to the amps. The idea is to get each piece to be as close to clipping as possible, all at the same time.
If there are any speakers hooked to your deck's outputs, then the deck will need to have it's max volume determined by them, and you may never get to a full 4 volt output from the pre-outs.
Your deck's output is only 4 volts when it's at it's maximum level.
The output of each stage has a maximum peak output, and if you turn it up beyond that, those nice, clean sine waves will get their tops "squared" off, resulting in distortion.
The most gain you can apply with your eq and x-over, would be 3dB, or x 2 volts, if you are running the deck at just below clipping.
Only the loudest peaks will be clipped tho, so as you increase the gains, all the lower volume music will still be turned up.
Every time you increase the gain by 3dB you are doubling the voltage.
Most music has a dynamic range of over 30 dB, or 1000 times the voltage between the softest and loudest notes.
So while your loudest peaks may get to 4 volts, the average output of your deck is probably much less than .4 volts.
To set your gains, start out with every stage turned down, then bring them up til they just barely distort with the loudest music you have, then back it off a bit, starting at the deck and moving down the chain to the amps. The idea is to get each piece to be as close to clipping as possible, all at the same time.
If there are any speakers hooked to your deck's outputs, then the deck will need to have it's max volume determined by them, and you may never get to a full 4 volt output from the pre-outs.
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