How To: 2 Amplifiers 1 Active Crossover Tuned With SMD DD-1 & CC-1

I had several requests to show how to use a SMD Distortion Detector DD-1 if you have an active crossover in the system. My buddy Jack donated the MTX to the test bench so i could do just that. Thanks Jack!! As you can see, the new SMD CC-1 is very useful as well. Subscribe today to get updates on the release as well as future video's showing it in action!
Don't forget to check out my website! Join the forum today and be part of one of the BIGGEST car audio & custom car websites on earth! www.SteveMeadeDesigns.com/board More to come!
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[@MrKdub318]

i like how you have the physical items to show how everything works. i used to watch exo's vids, and he has great vids, but sometimes its hard to understand because he just explains it, and sometimes doesnt actually show. but steve, you have very simple and easy products to use. good work

[@meade916]

@jjunfer 0db for the deck, -5 on mids/high amp and -10 on the bass amp.

[@samuelrodriguez3826]

So does this concept also work for digital bass processors too ?

[@onealmaloney4911]

Steve, you should make a video showing us what hertz to use on the LPF, HPF and the subsonic filter depending on the speakers watts.

[@fatasdat]

Just tuned my system with these 2 babies.. The dd1 anc cc1 combo was money well spent in my opinion.. My system sounds crisp as!!!!! Cheers! -Pete

[@mr26s1]

steve ur really bringing something new to the car audio game making things much easier for the one that eat, sleep,and shit car audio(like me)....i really look forward to buying these devices..keep up the good work man!!

[@meade916]

@jjunfer you can use 0db if you want. It just wont be nearly as loud. The -5 and 10 give you "overlap".

[@vabeachkevin]

Nice, that was my go to crossover for many many years. Solid unit.

[@WhitentonMike]

Thanks for the suggestion. I was trying to not do it by ear though. Here is what I did. I set my sub bass boost on the remote to 9db. (It has 0, 6, 9 & 12db) Then adjusted the gains to max undistorted using the 0db tones. Now I can simply use the bass boost to balance with the fronts until I upgrade my fronts.

[@Loudizzzzle]

That's a great way to get the best out of gear that doesn't cost that much. You're definitely onto something here Mr. Meade! LIKED!

[@trucavalier]

I honestly didn't know that the indicators could be so off and thats with a referable company. I can only imagine if it was an el cheapo unit. Thanks a gain steve can't wait to get my SMD products.

[@DaSpecimenFL]

I used to own this crossover when it was first released around about 1997 I think. I remember one of the buttons shorted out and if u touched it a weird noise would come thru the speakers and the entire volume would jump like +10db. I was a kid and too broke to get something else. LoL!

[@DaSpecimenFL]

Sidenote... Those MTX T5000 12s in the same era were some super slept on subs. I hit a 144.4db at an ISACA show with 2 of them on an MTX 160. I had a 160 and an 80 so was in the 0-250 watt class. Nobody could touch me! They literally thought I was hiding amps and checked my entire car. Lmao! If I remember correctly when bridged that 160 amp put out somewhere between 350-400 watts. I miss those days where u had classes by power as well as by cone area.

[@Mkvy]

I found that using the -10db is the sweet spot... I tried -5db track but it just misses the huge dynamic bass hits.... I also made my own audacity tracks creating 6,7,8 and 9 db. ... After all the experimentation and listening over the last week... Again it's the -10db track that powers my bass amps to the max... Set and enjoy!

[@kc550]

Nice! That crossover calibrator reminds me of a wheel balancer, same process as putting the wheel weights on......for those of you who've used those machines before.

[@doddielagervall3871]

If you voted this down you own a unsuccessful install shop ! When you shine they're always going to hate.Steve keep tossing the dogs bones, that's what makes a master ......!!!!!

[@gibgod12]

smd steve made designs yea this guy banging hard bro

[@brendaleetv]

Kool, wish I had that back in the 90s, we guessed most of the time.

[@lonestar3737]

Badass video sir. Need me one of those pieces.

[@wal]

Gotta love the old school MTX x-over! Steve, I'm working on some more vids using the DD-1. Gonna bench test a Rockford Power 650 Mosfet in the next few days..old school power house!! Any guesses for RMS wattage output?

[@jasonalexander4103]

BigDWiz 718 to 744 very good amplifiers Rockford to share is a great company that's getting even better with time. When you buy fosgate you can buy with conference never having to worry about quality. Keep up the good work big d keep callin em out bro.

[@WhitentonMike]

@tapaudiop3 I think when you calibrate it the CC-1 records the voltage of the signal. When you adjust your crossover it should not change voltage until you approach the frequency the head unit is playing. Once the blue light is lit, you are at -3dB below the calibrated voltage. This ensures your crossover exactly matches the played frequency.

[@MrLurch43]

Meade thanks bro and what would a system sound like with both and how would I properly adjust them.

[@pwrstroked]

Ok. I probed the crossover just like in the video, but couldn't get a signal. I had to adjust the crossover after the the amp. Could it be that my head unit has low line voltage?

[@xxiceboy989xx]

damn steve thats amazing!!!

[@michaelgould3835]

super helpful thanks man!

[@mrchrisk36]

these are a must to own!!

[@meade916]

@BassDemon420 its not that much at all. But it does need to be bigger. Its just a test bench bro nothing to be concerned about. In the trunk of the car you cant even hear it anyway....not that it will stay in any trunk.

[@HitemWithTheFlex]

2 SMDs chillin in the background, no big deal. CHYEAAA

[@ilovetoyotatrucks]

Do you ever come across a crossover setting that's dead on with certain setups-or its because the amp & the deck that makes the 80hz appear at 90hz (on the crossover)???

[@calvinchoe100]

Since im new into car audio, If the amp does not have a full pass switch, do i just turn down the cross over on the amp?

[@dextercree1]

Hey man i have 2alpine pdx v9 5 channel and each one is hooked up 2 its own sub but only sub is playing can u give me some advice on what to do to get of them playing ?

[@jddd8749]

Hey Steve can you tell us when you're sitting this head unit where you had the ground probe and where you had the hot probe connected would help us out a lot!! I'm thinking the hot probe was on the RCA centerpin but where did you have your ground??

[@casperskafs]

I have that exact crossover. I've had it over 10 years

[@onealmaloney4911]

hey Steve, you say that the dd1 allows your amp to put out maximum power with no distortion, so what if I had a 3000 watts amp and a 1800 watts speaker, what track should I use or should I match my speaker watts to my amp watts?

[@meltruent77]

I have a set of Mids & Tweets Component speakers on all four doors with Sub in the trunk set at 80hz which sounds good. My M & T has a frequency response of 50 - 23khz. What should I set my crossover to??

[@simonlopez2828]

great video men

[@jefferyduran]

Whats is the difference or similarities between crossover frequencies and tuning frequencies and how are they used to balance or tune each other? How does a test tone apply to a crossover frequency and how to choose for one?

[@MrRafito69]

very nice, is good to know new technology ,i washing you video from long time, very nice from PR.nice

[@gabrielrubio7425]

No sabes quien monte equipos en PR que use esos 2 detectores?

[@risenwarfare]

if you want to match the weaker front stage with your bass i suggest that you set it with your dd-1 front and subs found the max volume and max gain on each then just tune the gain down on your sub stage to match the front stage by ear

[@214deleon4]

So when you are done setting the tuning in the eq what do you do about the bass boost? Do you leave it or also tune it

[@southsidetv773]

What size gauge wire should i use to install a crossover? Thanks if you can reply

[@ricardoborbon3474]

Hi may i ask.did the tweeter and mids are separated with other?or they are connected parallel?.thanks and godbless

[@ntgreat5]

What would you recommend for frequency on highs with a kicker kx3 crossover.

[@WhitentonMike]

@lillarryo5 The other thing you can do is set everything by the DD-1 & CC-1. Then with the sub wires still disconnected put the 40Hz track in and play it as you did when you set everything. Measure the AC volts at the amp + & - output terminals. This is your amp at max output. Take the 0.5 (1500W/3000W) take the square root = 0.707 and multiply it times the voltage you measured. So if you measured 50V times 0.707 = 35.35V Adjust your sub gain down so the output is at 35V. Hope this helps.

[@rhurtadorh32]

hey steve which is better the equalizer or crossover.i currently have a clarion 360 installed but am curious about them equalizers.but cant decide which is better

[@larrybaynum4024]

What size power supply are you running the run your amps and Stereos I'm trying to find one for my system if I got hooked up in the house but I want to try to find those meters that you're using for the store stand everything no way I can get my stuff right awesome video dude I like it

[@iamgriff]

I saw this video on your website. My deck doesn’t have a CD player, it is bluetooth, with a few USB ports. If I buy a set DD & CC meters, can you upload the information on the disc to a USB?

[@fadzlizain8130]

Thanks SMD

[@krzydude94]

i like these how to's im a mechanic but im not any good with electrical yet but ium learning slowy

[@chahal6]

good video thanks

[@chadgaitor4238]

Good day i've watch this video but the crossover for my setup has a line driver of 5V in it... Am trying to calculate how to get a clean signal going thru my system straight from the head unit passing the crossover and ending at my amp... Without distortion

[@WhitentonMike]

@lillarryo5 It depends on the Ohm load of the sub. If the amp is rated 3000W at 1 Ohm and your sub is say a 4 Ohm Dual Voicecoil wired in parallel, you will most likely be at the sub's max. But it depends on your amp's rating at the Ohm load your sub is wired for. Also, unregulated amps will often be rated at different supply voltages (eg: 3000W at 16V, 2500W at 14V) Also if you are in a ported box make sure your subsonic filter is set so you don't exceed your sub's Xmax.

[@kyangsable]

Steve you should do a video on how to set gains with a lc7i line out

[@i39440]

Not hating at all but I just noticed the bass boost was turned on that kenwood deck. Won't that cause distortion quicker on the dd1?

[@patrickgentil110]

Hello, how many dB/8ª does this crossover cuts? I have the RT-X03a and need about a 24db/8ª cut.

[@jjunfer]

@meade916 But why not using same 0db track for all ? why go -10db for bass?

[@meade916]

@VersusModeADR ya...is that why its like that lol..oh well.

[@WhitentonMike]

@intheshitter The human ears are close enough together that when the frequency of a note goes below about 100Hz it cannot resolve which ear heard it first making it far more difficult to tell which direction the sound is coming from. Basically, if you can easily tell the bass is in the trunk, you need to adjust your sub low pass filter/crossover to a lower frequency. Conversely , this is why tweeters should be located about ear height in front of you.

[@DMG.91]

On all external crossovers can you turn the output level all the way up?

[@GuruBreed]

when you test the distortion point on the Deck what do you keep the bass and treble at...and does it change the distortion point when to adjust bass and treble after you set it

[@MrLurch43]

meade,can a crossover and a eq both be hooked up in a car.

[@meade916]

yes

[@iBircs]

meade916 My EQ has output levels on it on each of 3 channels which increases the DB from -12 to +12 and I am unsure as to where I want to try to set these at, would I just want to set them to the highest points without distortion? or at a certain point (maybe trying to measure the volt output?), and if i would use the DD1 to test it for distortion would what DB sound track would I use?

[@NickRon06]

what the settings or the eq on the deck effect the adjustment made on the amps and crossover? and what about if you wanna add a clarion eq how would that affect it?

[@Mustured10000]

Got a question can you use the cc-1 to set the crossovers on the amp?

[@WeAreTwoDoorsDown]

Can you put one of those Crunch amps on the AD-1? I want to see if they put out true power before I consider one.

[@phtorres45]

you said to turn your frequencies all the way up, but on the high pass dial you have all way down.So know I'm confused again.

[@dallen5267]

hey, I got all that. but what if am going from the deck to a preamp, crossover them to the amplifier?

[@o.g.bobbyjohnson1655]

Thats what i came for

[@bamarogers2047]

I'm wondering the same thing because by running pre amp and cross over if i set the cross over to 80hz it doesn't hit them lows like 20hz but if i set the cross over to 30hz it sounds better

[@S1PR0DUCTI0NS]

how are you converting the 110 v current into 12v for the speakers, amp and deck?

[@trujay2]

@meade916 when I use the dd-1 and have a bass knob, would I tune it normally with the dd-1, then turn the bass knob until distortion and mark it??

[@tapaudiop3]

ok i have a question, how does the cc-1 know where you want it set at, does it sense the hertz through the signal and try to get the signal your sending it ? just has me a little confused

[@michaelmanley3412]

can anyone please tell me where I can purchase an SMD DD1 Distortion Detector as shown in the video?

[@MovadoDaSaint]

wish i knew what all those hurts meant... we need some good sound guys here and everyone has a banging system at half its potential.

[@larrybaynum4024]

Where do you buy those stortion meters at

[@CotDamn85]

could you do a vid with using a Sound Storm Laboratories SX210?

[@bassheadbirinyi630]

make a video on how you put together your bench

[@lillarryo5]

I have a question and request please. Can you make a video of your tahoe slammin to Gorrila Zoe-Lost please. I dont know why but love this song and think it hits really hard. Now my Question is... if i have a 3000 watt rms monoblock amp and i am putting a 1500 watt speaker on it would setting the amp gain like this blow the speaker?

[@iHuDxRanDoM]

Do you use your xs power charger on that battery when you use your test bench?

[@pervitizm]

How is the wait time on getting the DD1 shipped? Also when will you guys be bringing the CC1 to the market?

[@jjunfer]

Why using -5 db tracks for setting gains? why not using 0db ? Great videos, greetings from Croatia !

[@superman0075]

Is the crossover connected to both amps.

[@jackkhol4251]

Can you use the cc1 on the amps crossovers?

[@scrappy2126000]

hey steve you think 2 Alpine Type X 12'' with two 1000 watt amps is a good system?

[@droopa60]

Wat about using the DD-1 with crossovers / processors that have built in line drivers such as audiocontrol? how do u tune those?

[@guidelineuk]

That is what I was wondering .

[@blistic3000]

Can you do a video with the 3sixty.2 using those two units

[@dallen5267]

how do I set the gain that time

[@etch250]

@mead916 can you do a similar how to video minus the cross over and CC1 showing how to use a DD1 to do a bass amp and a speaker amp showing exactly where your using the probe on the DD1,what track ect. I got one and don't do well without at least pictures lol. I can see from the videos a DD1 is easy to use...when you know where to probe and what track(s) to use!!!

[@vwproStudios]

I need advice what kind of alt should I put in a 02 dodge ram 1500 with about 2500watt rms I'm on a budget help plz

[@ronaldmonares6308]

Master bgood job

[@intheshitter]

This might sound like a strange question, but how can I make the bass coming from my subs sound like they are coming from the front of the car? does this even make sense? I have a 300zx.

[@seabass523]

to smd ; hi i like ure vibes ; can u help here my bass never plays clean i cant get lows and it sound like its grinding : i have a tacoma access cab with one 15" and 4 mids 2 tweeters

[@kelvin1653]

Can I find the tracks digitally my unit has no cd player

[@mirodriguez888]

you should do the lanzar vibe x6 crossover

[@texas5085]

Dude what is the answer for the challenge question on the forum I cant figure it out

[@lowrysalt35]

Whats your power source for the test bench. Im gunna get one and want to know

[@adyscarborough]

could that crossover detector be used on a home cinema active subwoofer?????

[@GETDOPEDMOFO]

so you have to have that cd to play at the frequency you want to make it work...? :o

[@sictoday]

So, why are you not making a hybrid, dd-1 + cc-1 together ? or dose the cc-1 do what the dd-1 dose, why not if it dosent. ?

[@intheshitter]

@subsystems Thanks, I'll give that a go :)

[@101basshead]

so steve are you selling thoses as a pack deal cc1 and the dd1 if so how much would it be

[@the666bud]

wow thats a old x-over oldies but goodies

[@theimmaculatecrown]

Where is he sticking the probe on the crossover..the RCA output?

[@speedpros]

I have the dd1+ I guess if you have a line driver you can't do the overlap thing. Can someone instruct me

[@hooey6]

sorry to sound dumb but how do you know where to set the crossover at for hz