Full Blast Safely! How to Properly Set Gains & Crossovers on Two Amps + Bass Knob

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It's been a long time since i have made a video showing how to set gains and crossovers using the SMD DD-1+ and a CC-1 crossover calibrator. I am getting ready to use these amps on a project so i figured this might be a good time to show you some basics. How does the MILC compare to the DD-1+? It is hard to say. The amps don't come with anything that helps determine the head unit's maximum, non distorted output (or anything in between) and without that, none of it matters. You should still have a basic understanding on how to at least find the 1% distortion point (using a DD-1) or at the very least, the clipping point, at zero db, of your head unit using something like an Oscilloscope. And then after that, you have gain overlaps to deal with. The DD-1+ is your best choice to tune a FINE amp like an Audiocontrol and at the end of the day, their MILC is very close to ours. It's just how you get to that point that is a little bit of a problem if you don't know what you are doing. I am here for you though! Subscribe for more! Thanks for watching if you did!
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[@meade916]

want to understand gain's and gain overlaps a little better? this is a great read. www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/207759-what-is-gain-overlap/?page=2

[@o.gtrigg8022]

I need some help big homiie trying to get this 2004 hyundai santa fe right I got a 1000 watt 25 to life amp from rockford fosgate need some info on which subwoofers and mids and tweets are best for me the amp also says 5ch

[@sleepzzz800]

I still don’t understands this gain overlap );

[@streamplug6070]

meade916 I Used your equipment and now I never heard my Subwoofers sound so Clear and Clean Before I enjoy them wayy more now Thanks meade916

[@1000tCSX]

What is the name of the song at 1:13? Also I'm a huge fan Meade!

[@mikexc90]

@@sleepzzz800 it is like turning the test tone down because not all music is at full volume as some are recorded lower, also USB, ipod and CD music can play all different on the same system, so the 0db tone is like full volume but not all music is like this so if you set the gain with 0db with most music its not going to reach full volume, you can also do this to reduce power for smaller speakers / subs, so overlap is just lowering the signal to accommodate for a weaker music signal than a test tone that is at full tilt.

[@meade916]

nevermind the GMC YUKON XL in the very beginning SMH!!! Gaddammmmmit! that was a leftover from last video's template :D

[@meade916]

follow me on instagram too! daily live streams from the shop! instagram.com/meade916

[@p_u_p_s_1_k____944]

Привет бро дождался новы контент. Сразу лайк потом кофе и просмотр ✊👍👍👍

[@isidrosevier1125]

Just set up my amps with the dd1+ and it made a world of difference, definitely a tool worth having

[@Purosanluispotosi]

Do u have to adjust that equalizer on that stereo to or live flat

[@RippinRaz]

Steve your intro is always so fire no matter how many times I listen to it 🔥🔥🔥

[@EarlPlahang]

Congrats on all the success over the years. I remember the first video of your’s I watched was with your Yukon with 4 18s I believe shredding sheets of paper. Always nice to see an hustler/entrepreneur repping Northern Cali and Da’ 916! Hustle hard. Stay hungry. Be humble.

[@msh6865]

Steve changing the game with every upload. Keep the knowledge coming boss!

[@AudioControlCar]

Love the video! Thanks for showing tools for proper set up! It’s the only way to “Make Good Sound Great”!

[@iMagic16]

maybe I missed something but what exactly is "overlap"? what's the significance of setting it to 4 vs 5?

[@chrisgolding1259]

Learn something everytime. I was confused on the overlap the most. After the last few vids explaining I know fully understand it 👌🏾👊🏽👨‍🔧

[@firstplacelegendgamingmore9800]

I just ordered a dd1 and cc1 from showtime. This is my 1st big build well big to me and most expensive so I figured I'd try a better method of setting gains and tuning frequencies with something more accurate than my ears and a volt meter lol . All these videos you make help alot too.

[@vicenteg88]

Love AudioControl amps. Can't wait to get one for my next build. Always great info man

[@johnnyrs75]

I don't install professionally, but but with several cars loaded with systems, and multiple friends into car audio. I'm finding I love my DD-1 + and CC-1, more and more. Plus, making a bit of cash on the side paid for the cost in less than a month. Let the haters hate...

[@mrsnoopy414]

Good video bro!!! Been watching your videos since 09. Love your products!!! Good quality, keep up the good work!!!

[@meade916]

thanks Saul!!

[@travishostetter4742]

Love gaining knowledge every time I watch your videos

[@miiiikee_]

Just bought the og DD-1 off sky high about a week ago, definitely going to pick up the CC-1 as well.

[@lorinjr.robert8957]

Very huge fan of your work ! Love from the islands 🤙🏽💯

[@daneo7678]

Dat yelowolf doh!!!!! Awesome vid! Plain and simple directions for dummies like myself! Thanks for clearing it up!

[@ImSoFly72]

Great refresher video @meade916! By the way, BesyBuy carries the ACR1 as well as the Epicenter, LC2i and LC7i in stock most stores. The amps and other processors are online.

[@mxlover69]

Nice video! Always wonder what gains was and all those amp knobs and adjust were, never knew how to actually set up an audio system until now. Cool video!

[@RandomBlackGuyisrandom]

This made me want a dd-1 now that I have 2 SP4 15s coming.Thanks Steve

[@christianmolina4895]

Steve always hustles to get it done 💯🔥✊

[@slimbob8913]

Such great info, thanks Steve!

[@willaddington2169]

AC has some of the best manuals with their sense of humor. Got me over here thinking diapers or audio. I'm going with the Huggies. Great vid!

[@orfeous]

I have the DD-1 version with the old harness. On my OEM integrated headunit it is hard to set up my gains etc. There are no numbers on the LCD display just horizontal small bars. The only solution i have is to count how many bars i have from Max then i know my max headunit output. Ive found out that i can blast full tilt when i have 3bars left to max :) really annoying to not have numbers. Also a little more hard to deal with my NVX high-low converter. Got different output on front and rear channels. I wonder if the whole setup procedure had been more easy with the DD-1+ in my case?

[@nPeezy-oz1gm]

I feel like I totally need to do this on my setup. But it seems confusing. 2010 Camry XLE with nav. Amppro 4 integration with bass knob keeping the stock head unit and bypassing the stock amp, arc audio cxl2100 for components and a JL w6 12 with a phoneix gold amp. Don’t even know where to start lol. It sounds great, but wondering if it could be better

[@davemckinnon5007]

Fantastic video, very informative

[@matthewdoyle4418]

I have been wondering about hoy to do it without a cd player thanks for the very helpful information

[@Raymo2u]

Would I use this same tuning for running 2 matching amps to power subs individually?

[@angelvip2474]

Sweet video as always

[@mikexc90]

Hi i get all your doing and understand it all but one thing i don't get is say JL audio and others give a target voltage, so JL give one of 69.3v at 4ohm and 42.4v on 1.5ohm for the HD1200, this is clearly different to each other but not if using the DD1 as you would get one voltage irrelevant to ohm load which they calculate, any help here would be great as its one thing about gain im missing

[@Duramaxjon]

I don’t need the crossover calibrator with an Audio Control D-6.1200 because I set the crossovers on the computer and they are exactly what I want them to be already, correct?

[@tomarnold6550]

Can I use a DD1 or 1+ to check distortion on a Samsung Note 10+? I use it as a BT source on my bike, out to a DD DSI-2 DSP, to (4) Soundigital amps. I need to start at the source checking for distortion and moving down the chain to the DSP and amps, correct?

[@stevengillum7394]

I love how I always hear brotha lynch or yelawolf in back ground...I know this videos old but always come bk to refresh on this learning experience...would like to hear tech n9ne in bk ground sometime

[@332sjbender]

Back to school! Preach, Teach!

[@suave871]

Is there a way to use the cc1 and dd1 on a head unit without a CD player?

[@biggrizz2761]

Now what would be the recommended overlap be on a matching subs and amp power wise? I have 2 Skar ddx 15's and a Skar rp2000.1

[@MrChuckstick]

How do you determine db overlap..I'm currently running 4 ground zero 6.5 coaxials on channels 1 and 2 and on three and four I'm running 8 in ground zero coaxials also four of those on a 2 ohm load on a sound digital 2,400.4 on a bike ..

[@krissingh3744]

Excellent demo.and video

[@DiyAllaroundguy]

When the music kicked in, it had my system thumpin hard! 👍

[@gonenutz5150]

So how close is the built in clip detector to the DD1?

[@ehrenkrause9861]

Love audio control products. Old school Power New School controls

[@rubicscube7827]

When setting the gain overlaps on each amp, how did you know to use 4db of overlap as opposed to 6 or 7? Same as Sub amp, 7db as opposed to higher? I understand why you went lower on db, I don't understand though how you came up with 4 and 7 respectively.

[@jlc9110]

Hell yeah just the video i needed

[@solicitutoob]

Love the video. Also, love the music in the background. \m/ \m/

[@zavierboudreaux1507]

that yelawolf in the background. Good choice 👏

[@fredpruitt5264]

What do you put the deck settings to while you doing all the adjustments on the amps?

[@Connorm9125]

Man I would love to afford those awesome dd products but maybe one day 🤙

[@lucidthoughts4519]

If anyone would like to chime in.. What if you're running a set up with different speakers on a 8 channel amp, with speakers wired in parallel (6.5s) 2 pairs, wired in Normal (6x9) 1 pair, and wired in bridged mode 8s full range 1 pair. Would I put the probes in each pos and neg terminal still? or...for example bridged the probes for the 8s that are in bridged mode? Also, some of these newer stereos don't have cd players, I know tracks can be downloaded from the site, but most people are using apps like spotify apple pandora via bluetooth. If I download the test tracks to iphone music library and find the max vol. before distortion on hu using hardwire or bluetooth from phone, would it matter if i'm playing songs from different apps in lieu of apple library? If theres a video out there that explains please point the way because i've been looking...

[@hellobooom]

I'm guessing the DD-1 detects third harmonic distortion?

[@Bigdually510]

@meade916 this is super helpfull seeing as I just bought a dd1 thanks for the info 👍🏽

[@KH-yv1bo]

how did u bridge the output channels on the lc4.800

[@Thehobbyeast]

Can you tell me how do you power them at home ?

[@donellis5005]

It would be nice if every car stereo shop would use this technology

[@modfydgarage2312]

Funny, I was having the same issue with my LC-1.800..... my gains were set properly and the MLP would clip at the wrong time. Who knows....

[@williamhodge7489]

I love it wish I could do that

[@Jorge12123]

Oye disculpa cuanto saldría un sonido como ese del video

[@drick2004]

I heard that Yelawolf Box Chevy 7 in the background ....1979

[@sezginakbabamalatyayesilyu3286]

Sert bas yumuşak bass ayarı yapmak için ne yapmam gerekiyor

[@myk3ch1chas196]

Realmente tenés mucho para enseñar. Deberías hacer uno al español.jijiji tour tools are aweson

[@keithlong2788]

where is the bass knob set when you adjust gain on the sub amp? I'm assuming all the way up. I know some guys set them half way to give room + or -. Also, would you have bass knob all the way up when setting crossover?

[@meade916]

bass knob should be all the way up when setting the gains.

[@trecedaves3159]

I have the dd1, what's the difference between it and the dd1+? Was going to pick up the cc1 next but if there is some magical thing about the dd1+ I may get it

[@PoppaTInstall]

Setting the overlap at will. I have the DD-1 as well and the tracks have the overlap pre-set.

[@-thelifeofevan-6210]

hey s.m can i put a line driver on my mids. will it be louder on songs that the voice isnt as loud like in rebassed songs when the bass hits or overall songs that are recorded low

[@meade916]

you only need a line driver if your head unit does not have enough output voltage....i wouldn't use one if my deck was over 4v. Most amps don't like or need more than 5. It won't help you at all probably.

[@iongeneral]

Where can I get that enclosure?

[@chupamishuevos303]

Really quick question do I need to have the remote knob all the way up or all the way down before I set up the gain ?

[@obsant7214]

Up

[@orfeous]

The same with PunchEQ?

[@scottferris3205]

great video.. thanks

[@bigboi4895]

Yea its similar. I run all audiocontrol amps and dsp's. Good for those who dont have the money to spend on smd d amore products. Jl audio and Rockford have nice ones too.

[@meade916]

and none of it means anything if you don't know what the rest of the chain is doing. So you still need a DD-1.

[@zurc989]

I have the same amps and I will like you to set them up for me

[@smlmtrcamaro]

What 6.5’s are those on the bench?

[@phxedcwo]

Anything worth doing, is worth doing right. I bought one some years back, protects my investment.

[@RaRahGully]

Tremendous tuning

[@carsonsteigs]

what if the amp rms power is smaller then speaker rms rating?

[@youngdotorachi9786]

Multimeter

[@bryonmead4633]

Bumpin that new Yelawolf in the background!

[@krisbrown5322]

is there any other way to detect when your factory deck clips if you don't have that meter?

[@jonathanb9429]

By ear

[@meade916]

LOL....in other words, GUESS.

[@hshj04]

Did I see a Boss amp on your shelf?

[@shakeelfaris7623]

Hi, so what tone would I need to use if I'm setting the gain on the channel that will be playing midbass? For example, in my BMW e90, I'll be setting them up so that they are bandpassed between 80-250hz. Would I use the 1000hz tone here and set it to -5db of overlap at the amplifier? Is it simply the principle that it's going to be set up on the rear channels of the 5 channel amp hence the 1000hz test tone is used?

[@meade916]

leave it flat and on full pass. Set the gain. Put it where you want it when done. Simple.

[@shakeelfaris7623]

meade916 sorry there might be a misunderstanding. I mean do I use 40 or 1000hz to set the gain for midbass driver channels? Thanks 👍🏾

[@meade916]

@@shakeelfaris7623 either one should work but the 40 will be closer obviously to the range you are looking for so i would use that one.

[@WeWillFckUp2]

@@meade916 would it be more accurate to include like 100hz on the DD1 or is it negligible?

[@angelrodrigez202.]

Buen video saludos desde México 😉...👍👍👍

[@SerGarciaInfinitiG35Vlogs]

Jesus Rodriguez ah tú habla bien en espanol el Jesús Rodriguez

[@pioneer_xx1]

I love that song at the end of the video. What is name of the song.

[@shykesehart5531]

Very nice 👍

[@jeremychastain2429]

So what were your EQ settings on the head unit

[@razhocarjr]

Everything is flat.

[@Purosanluispotosi]

Ok but after u set that gains u can adjust that equalizer on that head unit is that only part I don’t understand

[@ericstomboly5237]

How do/ what do u set the bass boost on amp to??

[@Widowmaker2828]

Zero

[@bonks425]

@meade916 now that you set for 7db overlap. Can you turn down bass knob till you see 1db or 3db and make a note of where the bass knob is. So when you are jamming you can now where 1 or 3 bd is when playing music. Or set overlap to 10db then turn down bass knob till dd1+ reads 5db overlap. So you can know where 5db would be on bass knob? Just a thought 💭 @ 17:46

[@williamowens6748]

So stressful someone broke into my car an stole my two amps an my entire subwoofer box along with my wallet people suck but your such a great help appreciate the video its always nice to learn something alil better! Cant wait till I can get new equipment

[@hellraiserharry]

Man that sucks they did that to me a year ago took my 4 channel ,my monoblock ,two sundown x15s, and all my speakers and i only had my system for like 3 months tops. Now im stuck with my lil 5 channel and im afraid to put in anything expensive again. they even broke my deck trying to steal it and left that there. I know im never seeing my stuff again, damn it hurts

[@williamowens6748]

@@hellraiserharry yeah it sucks man we work hard for our shit and people just steal it. Like I had alot of time an money in it for it to be all ripped out in 1 night an the police said theres nothing they can do😡

[@hellraiserharry]

@@williamowens6748 right now I'm not heavy bassin I got an sa8 on a 5 channel . I guess it's ok for a cheap system

[@EdgarMartinez-wj2hl]

hey dose the bass amp have a built in epicenter

[@johnclark3067]

Not this one or the 1500. The old 600 and 1200 do. I have the Epicenter 1200.

[@robertjohnson3189]

Ok thinks u good video I love your video

[@mikebarnes9337]

Steve I need help, I have a audiocontrol lc8i and my source is my Samsung not 8. How do I use the dd-1 to see where my phone distorts? I cant set the gain on my amp without knowing where my phone distorts... please help

[@jordanwasley5388]

Your phone is going through a head unit is it not? Same process applies.

[@danieldavis7784]

Sweet hat

[@lucidthoughts4519]

15:07 you state that isnt how you do the dd1+ and then you turn the gain all the way up...even though the distortion light came on prior. In the instructions it says to turn up until you see the distortion light and then next is press read. Am I missing something here? You've got the experience and I'm a noob, so school me. why?

[@adambenjamin2917]

Do I do this with the car running

[@brianmiller7389]

More voltage to the amps if the car is on. So yes

[@brawldawg8729]

Mr.Dobalina! I caught that shit in the background.

[@Chris-ts8oh]

Nice

[@derricksierra4793]

How would I test a stock head unit? Same principle? Say I powered my amp through a loc tapped into the rear speakers I would assume I could still go through the loc, find it, plug in the amp and repeat right ?

[@PoppaTInstall]

Good question, however the answer always eludes me due to some vehicles having a factory amplifier.

[@derricksierra4793]

Poppa T say it doesn’t have a stock amp, would I be correct? And if it did have a factory one, would I have to find the way to de-energize it to get an accurate test ?

[@WilliamSmith-qo6vw]

Gains are matched to head unit output? So is it better to have a head unit with 4 or 5 volts output so I can turn my gain up higher on my amplifier. Or do I just need a stronger amp?

[@meade916]

the higher the voltage on the head unit the lower your gains will be.

[@Purosanluispotosi]

@@meade916 after u set that gains on that amps u can adjust that equalizer on that head unit???or live it flat

[@paulkate4816]

Ah yeah. I heard that whistle in the background. Listening to that opie taylor by yelawolf. Lol.

[@cashmoney7497]

Oh yea

[@818bulldog4]

looking lean and mean Steve!!!!

[@ShadowAudits]

did i just see a Boss amp 0:04

[@Raymo2u]

and a Crunch ;)

[@jimmy-197]

Bro u look more fit in insta pics , ur huge big and xl fan from noth India

[@p_u_p_s_1_k____944]

Братуля капец ты топ 1 походу в Америке ✊👍👍👍

[@AlohaStadium]

Ну да. Крутой гараж :) крутой бренд

[@hooshfarperakis1282]

It would have been cool to run the AMM1 on it to see the amp outputs as well.

[@meade916]

just posted a fresh video i think you might like. :)