HOW TO: Apple ipad or iphone to Car Stereo Amps - Using SMD Distortion Detector DD-1

Visit www.wcCarAudio.com *** The SMD Distortion Detector DD-1 - The ULTIMATE gain setting device for car audio amplifiers. Our product detects distortion down to 1%. Why is it better then the traditional Oscilloscope (for gain setting)? Because we are looking for distortion, not [just] clipping. If you used an O-scope to set your gains, chances are you already have experience and know what you are doing. Chances also are, unfortunately, that you set the gain with what you THOUGHT was a clean signal. The signal shown by the O-scope might look great, but is it DISTORTION free?
This video shows how to use the SMD DD-1 to setup your system when using an ipad or iphone. Its a LONG video but very informative if you plan on using dock, headphone jack or Bluetooth to get the music to the sound system.
Please see my previous video's as well as countless others on youtube for more info and different situations.
Order yours today and set your gains like a PRO!!
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[@meade916]

GUYS, IT COMES WITH CD - THIS VIDEO IS JUST SHOWING HOW THOSE WHO DONT HAVE A CD PLAYER CAN SET THE GAINS! THANKS! OH, USING ALL CAPS TO GET MY POINT ACROSS!

[@meade916]

-10 is being used because its the most favorable overlap in most situations. If the bass is too heavy, set it with -5. If you really hate bass, you can set it at 0db but the amp wont put out much power LOL

[@jamesgarrison9373]

meade916 where you download your music from

[@jamesgarrison9373]

meade916 I’m having a problem with my dd-1 i used the cd but i listen to my music over Bluetooth but my stuff still clipping

[@joshua199628]

James Garrison thats because.. you used the CD to check for distortion with the cd output, not the bluetooth

[@joshua199628]

James Garrison you have to re-set your gains the same way but with bluetooth

[@christopherwise7067]

i do all of my adjustments as close as close can be, and by ear. my deck can go as high as 42 out of 50, using an oscilloscope, but my current subs are underpowered with the amp i am using. so the gain is set higher than recommended, by the amp itself. my only problem with the mids and highs amp is the ground loop i hear, especially with no music, which of course sucks balls, but nothing i can do about it cause i have already tried everything to clear the ground loop. i have the big three update, just not an alternator. the alternator in my jeep seems to do a really good job, which leads me to think it is already upgraded. no charging problems at all. and my voltage doesn't drop below 12.3 at idle while in gear at red light. using a 1200 watt max pioneer at about 1.3 ohms for three 12in subs that can handle 1100 watts each quad stacked, underpowered. the amp itself is over 10 years old and still does what it is supposed to.

[@meade916]

its the same exact thing as a dock connector and the deck can control the IPAD no problem. I had it in "passenger"mode. Thanks anyway for the advice.

[@H3adcrash]

The dock connector test highly depends on the deck. So does the bluetooth. Cause the dock (USB and bluetooth only sends digital data. So it depends on how the deck converts i into analog signals. But as long as you got a good quality deck it shouldn't be any problem at all. Over all a good test! Very fun to watch. :)

[@MrHellman92]

you know steve. the best tings to do in the morning while you eat breakfast and before you go to work, is watching your wids man. i always check for new vids all the time. so much fun to check ur vids and learn stuff:). im working on a digital design setup in my car atm i might post some of it up when its donne. i love your works man keep it up! and cheers from sweden! big fan!

[@powerpunchhx2]

man i bet you steve didn't thank you would be doing what you are now back then!!!don't lose the light keep up your pride steve

[@lowrider3342444]

SMD Distortion Detector DD-1 FTW!!!

[@meade916]

wow man, thanks for sayin that!!! i appreciate the love. thank you sir.

[@DLoyaL902]

i notice how the frame rate is better in this video!! put some new flex videos up cause it will look soo sick now

[@TheHMFNW]

Why the -10db track when setting the gains? Wouldn't you want your signal to be at 0db since when audio is playing the signal is going to be set there?

[@nrtg6290]

It's his personal preference

[@UxDAuxesis]

I envy you. Like honestly you get to do what you love for a living and live your dream every day.

[@MrHellman92]

all good man! i wish i was living closer to you so i could step by and watch your builds and hear ur car man in real. but its a long way from here. mabye in the future :)!

[@Ubermane]

I just got some subs put in my truck and this helps alot.. Keep making videos like this they are very useful man.. Thanks for taking the time out of your day to do so.

[@papothetech]

Like the course. Little confused though, does that mean that gain has to be recalibrated every time I switch between source input ( deck, bluetooth and iPhone dock )?

[@KlaskeyProductions]

depends on if your amps are too powerful for the speakers or not

[@tonywood0]

I know it's an old video, but you should know some of the Sony's out of the box have a +6db gain on the Bluetooth input.. This is why you had to bring back the iPad volume 2 clicks. Wouldn't have been the case with the Sony settings for Bluetooth gain set to 0db. The iPad should've had no distortion over Bluetooth on full volume also. Great video though

[@carlitos19cali]

Man love all your videos one day I will afford to buy one of your distorted deviceses

[@NtUrAvgJoe]

My God the dd1 is so sick I want one really bad but I'm just like its a lil pricey fir something ill only use once per system but I might still get it just so I know its all perfect this is an awesome vid steve

[@meade916]

well it comes with a CD. This is for those that have an ipad or iphone in the car.

[@aewald1]

This is very interesting Steve, the blue tooth is not that big of a surprise that it has distortion but I am very surprised with the straight audio port. I would still recommend using an external DAC but nice to know apple has made some improvements to their ports.

[@meade916]

no prob bro, thanks for sayin' so! :)

[@meade916]

I can do a video showing how to set the DD-1 when using a bass knob.....give me some time, i will do that soon!

[@PANTYEATR1]

my question is are we stuck with listening to our music in the flat frequency range since that is what we tune from? how is the the dd-1 tuning effected by things like pre set equalizer selections and "loud" settings? thanks

[@christopherwise7067]

those settings are for your mids and highs. you want your subs to be a base levels... zero everything when setting the amp for your subs. do not add extra bass. and absolutely no treble... you want your subs to work off the settings you have to mids and highs....

[@TacoCatMafia]

cool video Steve even tho i cant use the info cuz i dont have a ipad or iphone but looks easy to set it up

[@bugotti420]

Man, I'm dumb at most car audio stuff but on this topic, it is exactly how I imagined it to be. And I agree, quite simple ....... Thanks for vid just to clarify my thoughts even though I have no need to DD-1 this type of stuff ....... Yet ;)

[@scottbarber6628]

This is the best subscription I got!!! Love all the videos

[@blullc3002]

Questions : 1.on the amps do you set them at hpf-full-lpf ? 2.if at hpf or lpf do you set the hpf frequency at max high and for the lpf are they set for max low? Thank you

[@Sloppyjalopey]

Its cutlass by E-40 on the 3 disk set of the block brochure

[@ATLBABY24]

Great low-key tutorial video on how to tune head units and iPad. When you do installs for customers do you tune everything before given back?

[@Chris-ts8oh]

I still lovre my cds

[@jasonwelborn1903]

Hey Steve thanks for all your content...very helpful...I found this video searching for where the distortion comes with iphone 14...any info on this would be much appreciated

[@BRRayTek]

why the -10db when you set gains on subs? does it differ amp to amp? sub to sub? curious to know when I'm getting my DD-1

[@BadHabit2Break]

As always......your videos are so informative and very helpful. Keep it up man!

[@junebuggie831]

im a big RF fanatic thanks to you bro, can you post a vid how to set a HU with a Zapco Equalizer hooked up? thanks

[@BODenKai]

you know that iphone, ipad whatever have programs to run lossless audio right? you should try it with that too

[@adamcruz3172]

Thank goodness 4 Kenwood

[@miolifetv]

Thank you so much steave ,im just down loaded the test tone, cc1 and dd1 thank you man:_)

[@GTAVince]

My experience with apple devices like an iphone 4 is that when you're using the jack cable, the sound volume is much lower then when using the dock connector, very weird..

[@AskUncleDavecom]

With Bluetooth I'm not to worried about distortion I'm worried about lip sync for videos there is a delay. Wired and headphone no delay in audio in video. I got I have my video in the car for the kids

[@meade916]

+AskUncleDave no delay. Don't sweat it.

[@deelos2269]

Fu yeah the video I was looking for cause the Bluetooth is the new tech

[@jeffreyseverance4231]

hey steve. big fan by the way. I had a question. So when using the SMD to set distortion, after everything is set right is possible to get distortion still at lower volumes on the deck if the cd changes the sound? What I mean is that I've noticed some songs differ in volume. One CD sounds louder than another one for some reason, yet leaving the volume on the deck at say 30. Could the louder cd cause distortion at volume 30 where the other one didn't?

[@dj4monie]

You can rip your CD's to wave and use Levelator to to make all the levels the same from disc to disc and burn it back to disc if you which.

[@meade916]

noooo prob!

[@SRROYALCITY1]

nice vid steve, thanks for taking the time to make it.

[@013czaro]

and you want it every time charge the battery pack? It is better to convert ordinary computer power supply with a power of good, the solution is much better to have even weaker subwoofers and amplifiers, tips from the net. A well at all and so she is holding the Cadillac? : D And where is there known honda? video shoot with her, I honestly would have invested in it :) PS: Sorry but I do not know English well, I'm Polish.

[@cjbumpers]

Great video Steve!!! Always learning something new from you!

[@tke740]

Are you checking your volume and eq settings with each output? Doesn’t the ipad/iPhone change the eq settings based on previously used for each output?

[@justblazemedia]

for real this is a hella useful video, cheers steve

[@AskUncleDavecom]

Maybe Bluetooth change Since I last experienced a delay in audio with the video

[@antariusb]

Good video man, Can u make a video using your iPad in the Tahoe.

[@casperskafs]

I HAVE A DD1 and a couple ?'s that I hope you answer. Is it very common for some headunits to not distort at all. I had some pioneer and 1 kenwood that I couldn't get to distort even at maxx volume. Also when doing this I turn gain all the way down and EVERYTHING else all the way up on a SUB amp? Thanks and I love the DD1 btw

[@MAD450r2]

thanks steve i been trying get those tracks on my friends nexus. could i have ripped the cd myself if i used lossless? Now dont need to thanks but is what i was plan to do when his dd-1 arrives.

[@johnbayliss7124]

Did it work thats what am gonna do

[@gtsdesigns]

great vid, imma go ahead and buy both of those products, i like tech that works!

[@MODERNTHUG1408]

CDs will never die!!!

[@FloridaboiAudio]

Wish I had a CC-1 to tune my Clarion

[@commentXrateXsubscrb]

If you sound deadned the roof of your building inside u think u would be able to hear it rain?

[@Dazzy84]

@meade916, thats one thing i noticed with the headphone connection with the ipod/pad/phone, they have a high impedance. if you want loud earphones, you need to use their own or use another set with a low impedance, quite annoying sometimes,

[@greenlener]

Steve my head unit has a subwoofer volume on it. Do I turn all the way up or turn it dow?

[@Mustured10000]

have you hooked up the ipad to the 3sixty.3 and set the gains like that??? and what would be better when connecting it to the 3sixty.3???

[@bigbaitsliderMr107]

Wow I learned something thanks man

[@MrR0gerrabbit]

Damn Steve, I've been wanting a DD-1 for a while now.. I always thought they were less money that what they go for. I need to save up for one of these DD-1 for my low budget sound system lol!

[@OZ31K]

I know this can be fixed, but you know how your track is at -10db when you tuned it. What if you play a song that haves a higher db when it was recorded, wouldn't it mess with your gain settings?

[@ndawgtkd]

Thanks for the video Steve, very informative.

[@tke740]

Isn’t it better to use the discs if you have a cd rom drive? I ask because I know that digital music is compressed and you cannot completely remove the %THD. If you use a cd, you still get the hi-fi quality that most newbies forgot exists since they were only born in the realm of compressed/downloaded music. I still use discs with an old laptop with cd rom drive and I have an external cd rom drive that works with any laptop that had usb.

[@erniemarquez9265]

awesome tutorial, thanks brother!!!!!

[@zmanbad]

so what if im using a EQ with my tablet. I'm taking out my head unit and doing a tablet install and will be using an EQ to control everything. would it be the same process as a head unit but just with the EQ?

[@mattynuke1]

I know you probably don't pay attention to amateurs but my demo video should be uploaded right now and I was wonderin if you could give me a pointer or two anyone who's commented could help too

[@flipp25]

mr steve. im looking forward to buy the dd1. i just dont know the cost of the delivery. im at philippines , laguna. zip- code is 4000

[@skracia08]

Using the USB cable to the deck isn't dock connector audio. The deck is reading the audio files off the iPad. The standard USB cable just has data and power no audio.

[@thatdrh]

Tricking the masses

[@alexisking4316]

Funny thing about the eq on Apple and android is the eq make it quieter

[@F1oridaboy420]

i like the vids bro keep the good work up they help out alot

[@tke740]

Are you setting your gain with the -10dB track to overcome additional distortion known with compressed audio files? I have used the DD to tune highs to -3dB and Bass to 0dB since I wanted my highs to play cleaner than the bass.

[@nightmarecivic]

I love CD's no compression vs digital unless I am using FLAC

[@d3daiM]

Is the ipad at max volume? Doesn't the input device's pre-amplification matter?

[@fatphil73]

That SMD hat is tight.

[@tke740]

Was the volume on the iPad turned all the way up?

[@murdertown69]

Can u do this same video with a dd1+ or is it exactly the same procedure?

[@chevylife13]

what method had the best sound qualiy the dock, headphone jack, or bluetooth. Or they were all the same?

[@armandoreyna7312]

with no distortion, does it matter if you power a subwoofer that has lower rms than what the amp is putting out?

[@peterngatia9855]

Hello, please help. my radio stoped working and displayed “An error has been detected in HDD, please contact dealer” (Nissan Dualis, J10)

[@acourtesan]

I have a new ipad. my pioneer stereo in my car will not play (visual) with the new adapter. I use to be able to watch movies from my ipad but not with the smaller connection. can you help

[@MrTech191]

my brain hurts from all of that. good video

[@BowtieWhipzIG]

what if i wanted to install 2kicker 12s and an a sony explode Bluetooth radio/or any good name brand bluetooth radio but i wanted to use the ipad to output the music/vids via the radio...would their be any static or distortion between the two? would the pressure of the bass stay the same as if i was using only the radio?.....in a 80-90s model car

[@outdoorzone]

I can’t find the iTunes formatted tones to use with my dd1 and iPhone?? Help! Thx

[@doggiefresh241]

Do I turn the LP and the HP all the way up or down when I'm using it.

[@isradel699]

tanks for all you videos any headphones adapter to conect from tablet to ax on car stereo to have much better sound i dit songthigh on mi truck and some videos dont have nice sound tanks

[@ansonx10]

It might also be helpful to be setting your volume limit settings while your detecting gain. I use the volume limit on my older iPods and such, so that I know I won't get distortion when it's all the way up. 'Course, that's not a problem anymore with RockBox installed. Ooh! And Psyph the cameraman! That's pretty cool.

[@rallotubbs1]

bass boost only amplifies a certain frequency

[@631alexander]

Steve. I just bouth. The dd1. But I have the bass know. And the bass from my amp is got it be all the way Dow. Please respond. Or cank you make a video. Wem you set your gain and the bass. And the other settings. Please thanks

[@shanklin07]

Does anyone know if their is loss in quality or anything by using bluetooth versus using a cable? Maybe steve can do another video to see which connection is the best to use.

[@utimag]

Hey Steve mite be a stupid question but could you use this same advice when using the android phone for music playback.

[@antariusb]

Can u give me some help on how to hook up a audiocontrol epicenter to a 3way crossover. I don't no should it hook before it goes into the crossover or after

[@kdjetta03]

Steve, did that deck charge the iPad 3? I've got the dsxs300 but it doesn't charge through USB. Also when plugged in through USB the accessory connected screen shows up, kind of annoying.

[@codywalton5020]

My xtron head unit has CD slot but I bluetooth from my android to the head u it so what way is best to set mine I'm ordering the dd1 Tom

[@ThaRealDJKGeezy]

Say Steve, tech question for you. first off i'm a big RF enthusiast so I plan on using every component they offer down to the speaker wire & that's where my question comes. I only see that they have the 12 gauge speaker wire, is that what you used in the Tahoe (not that i'm gonna go that serious LOL) or did go with somethin else? and also I know that the speaker wire plays some factor in the sound quality, but how much?

[@christopherwise7067]

bluetooth is as clean as wireless can be. wired is faster, no lag. but bluetooth is more convenient. in 2023, most aftermarkets are cd 'less. my bluetooth is quite convenient, it automatically connects. my high volume is 42 with bluetooth. but with my amps, i can go to 45 with minimal distortion. just dealing with bad grounds for the mids and high amp... my bass amp i can crank to 45-50 with little to no issue... just some songs like to drop to the low low range and bottoms out my speakers...

[@christopherwise7067]

do it by ear, but of course, you probably can't hear as it is. my hearing was tested by the army, i can hear the slightest of sounds from the furthest of distances...

[@lukakapyro]

what if you turn the gain or bass turned up on your deck will that affevt it

[@joshualstacy69]

good video man, id buy a dd-1 but im freaking broke all the dam time so yea lol, you make some dam good videos thowe i recommend all car audio people to watch your vids there the shit

[@SKYENET-zy2cn]

Steve have you ever used that distortion detector on like a home audio set up? Would it work

[@nuclearbum9858]

i have the dd1 and plan to get a ipad mini cant i just rip my test cd to my laptop and sync them to the pad for testing