How To - Setting Helix DSP's Input Gain & Input EQ Using Its Input RTA

In this video, we go over how to set the input gain on a Helix DSP and how to set the input EQ using its built-in input signal RTA. For setting the input gain, you will need a 0db sine wave. I use a 1000hz sine wave. For setting the input EQ, you will need a correlated (mono) pink noise track.
Side note: I know I have it backwards in the video, but you should be doing input EQ adjustments BEFORE you set and forget the input gain. For this car, we set the gain first, then the input eq (as seen), but what you don't see is that we went back after the fact and re-adjusted the input gain to account for the boosting of signal in the input EQ.
1) Find out your radios max undistorted volume number while playing a 0db sine wave
2) Play that same 0db sine wave with the DSP's outputs muted, and adjust the input gain knob(s) until the clipping light turns red. Input gain knobs location will vary on the model of Helix DSP you have
Input gain is now set.
Setting Input RTA
3) Play correlated pink noise through the radio at the same max volume from before
4) Follow the video, I'm not typing that all out :)

[@JMhmmm1]

Late to the party, but this is THE most informative video. Just with the RTA went down to 20Hz.

[@uptobatentertainment]

This is a great walk thru video explaining the how to & setup guide for the DSP SW! Thanks Nick @ Apicella Auto Sound 🔥💪✅

[@Highqman1974]

Just a fantastic video guys. Very straight forward and simple, but if you payed attention you learned ALOT!

[@texnomex1245]

Thanks for this. Was wondering how to use this feature. Well done.

[@Levi081]

Fantastic, just got hold of a Helix P Six dsp mk2, and started watching 👀 all of your setup videos. As over in UK London & not that many dsp tuner about

[@stevegillatt8731]

What a great informative video, well done and thank you Nick.

[@stanimirzheliazkov7278]

Great video like always! Keep going that way! Thank you!

[@robertsavage6927]

I found the video very helpful. Thank you for making it.

[@handymadness]

So awesome Nick! Thanks!

[@MaestrroMusic]

Great video !

[@fabledTB]

Thank you for the video. I learned something useful

[@x5tommy]

Great info. Keep at it.

[@uptobatentertainment]

When I get my unit I am going to test with a 0db Sine sweep from 20-20,000Hz, as well as known set frequencies like 20,30,40,50,60 for bass, 100, 500, and see which frequency clips first & use that freq to set clip free input. Thanks again for sharing info & how to 💪✅

[@ballz50401]

The sweep is a good idea. At 1kHz I can't get the clipping led to illuminate. At 50 Hz, I have to turn the volume knob down down 6 notches. I'm going to try turning down the bass setting on my factory HU to see if I can get some of my volume resolution back. I'm also wondering if the input EQ on the DSP.2 will give me the same result.

[@uptobatentertainment]

@@ballz50401 I used a 0db 20 - 20,000 Hz sine sweep & compared it w/ a 1000 Hz 0db & noticed the lower frequencies clipped / illuminated the clip light before 1000 Hz. Think it was 50 or 30 Hz that clipped first but in the end I used the 1000 Hz b/c the manual & Tech support recommended. I used a set point on my OEM Radio with all settings flat volume around 75-80 %. I mainly use the HEC Usb audio input to my helix but find the output from digital audio vs CD is very close to where I didn’t use a diff setup for Usb audio vs master Cd input. Also w digital audio input into the helix you cam apply a limiter in the SW to prevent clipping. It’s transparent enough because it’s performed in the digital domain then converts to analog to send to amps so even if there was clipping in the audio the helix won’t send clipped audio to amps as far as my understandingly the signal & D to A conversion inside the helix DSP.

[@stefanc439]

Helpful video, I do have a question for you and I wil be very grateful if you going to answer : Do I have to set this Input Gain Settings (Input Alignement) that you explained in this video before time alignment and before tuning with the RTA microphone ?

[@ResoNixSoundSolutions]

You do not need to set input gain before tuning, but I recommend it just to make the process easier in the long run.

[@sagibersodsky731]

If I have M six DSP connected actively with two way component, would you sum between the left twitter and right tweeter, then separately sum between the right and left mid?

[@adamp2]

wow thank you big help

[@nubudyawn107]

Thank you for this video, I know I'm late to date. I have a question after you've already corrected the signal from the input EQ, do you use the new signal you correct to set gains on amps ?

[@adleneamir4068]

Hello great explanation But if we have a digital signal from head unit and this head unit dispose than a propre dsp , how to mutch all this with helix dsp

[@RalphMercuroMusic]

I installed a Match Up 10DSP in my 2021 BMW M440. The input signals are clearly High Passed. Is the correct procedure to sum L Front Full & Subwoofer 1, R Front Full & Subwoofer 2, EQ flat, then use the hopefully flat full range signal to populate the inputs?

Is this really the correct way to set the input gain? I found that by setting it this way, you significantly limit the system's total output. No matter how powerful the amplifier is, the system will not be loud or have any headroom left. Yes, it's the safest method, but music content is not a sine wave. What about the method suggested in the Helix manual, which involves using 0dB pink noise at 90% of max unclipped volume and a clipping LED as a monitoring tool?

[@ResoNixSoundSolutions]

This is a very old video and off hand I do not even remember what was done in said video. Someone recently asked me to make this public again, but it was set to private since it was so old and outdated.

[@rainman2725]

Is there anyway to correct an all pass filter from the factory headunit

[@joeshaft]

great video there and a big help for my first helix dsp. Question, what are you doing to measure the signal in the analyse section? it sounds like youre in the car and just running the frequency response analysis but how? is it actually a microphone based test or are you plugging something direclty into the dsp? maybe I'm missing something obvious here???

[@Prickles2001]

I'm assuming you have figured this out by now but I'm guessing the analysis is done internally in the DSP. So the signal ded to the DSP via RCA or whatever is analysed by the DSP itself

[@iamlorenhoward]

Great video. I see you're going into the Helix using high level inputs. For the base 6 speaker un-amp'd Chrysler's do you recommend an AmpPro AP4 or do you think the speaker outs are sufficient?

[@thomasbyers9153]

I hate to ask, but have you done a video showing how to actually use that all-pass EQ to defeat a factory radio with it in there? I've searched KZbin for help, but even this helpful video is unlisted.

[@Nightjar726]

The Matchup8 BMW I have , has no input gain knob. How do I tune the input gain? Only through the DSP? Great vids

[@RalphMercuroMusic]

Yes, ATF provides an input gain audio track for setting the gain. The track is a series of 0db sweeps. In PC Tool, go to DCM - Signal Management - In the input gain window, select advanced gain adjustment. Mute your drivers and turn your volume up loud. I set mine around 80%. Play the input gain track. You should see the input level bar lighting up. Green = no clipping, Red = Clipping. Set the input gain sliders so the level clips, then back it down until there is no clipping. You can solo each channel group.

[@Nightjar726]

Is this feature to make sure the factory radio doesn’t have its on DSP and to make fixes if it does?

[@ResoNixSoundSolutions]

@@Nightjar726 yes, it is to measure the input signal and correct it if necessary

[@Nightjar726]

@@ResoNixSoundSolutions thanks. The Germans make a heck of a DSP, but they really need to work on their literature. And if not, they should pay a 3rd party to do it. Cheers

[@WILCO1uk]

Great video, really helpfull. It made my mind up about buying a P6 DSP amp to replace my Audison AP5.9 on my BMW X1 with base stereo (high level outputs with nasty factory EQ). However, now its arrived, I've realised that although the P6 has input EQ, it doesn't have the analyser......gutted! Can I use REW and a soundcard with a line input from the line output of the P6 (no crossovers, or eq) to take a pink noise measurement to be used to manually EQ the inputs? Do you know if the auto eq feature (hitting 'r' key) works on teh input EQ as well? Do I then have to revist the manual sensitivity / gain (potentiometer on the case) setting, or does that input gain come before the input EQ (ie I just have to keep an eye on teh levels in the software). Sorry for all the questions, but after having spent nearly a £1k on this I'm a bit gutted and want to do it right. fwiw I'll be using the optical and / or a HEC card in the future so need to De-EQ the main inputs before adding further EQ in the main window.

[@curtisaugustine2318]

i believe it does have an analyser. if im not mistaken

[@ceezedgerman]

3:00 is that some kind of OEM storage container under the car seat?

[@ResoNixSoundSolutions]

@@ceezedgermanI think so. I honestly do not remember. It's been a while

[@uptobatentertainment]

Having 10,000 Hz at 0db will be extremely loud compared to 100hz at 0 dB due to how the ear actually hears. An equal loudness curve similar to pink noise represents a flat response curve due to how the ear works esp at 85-87 dB C weighted. Check out Fletcher Munson curve. If your highs are 0db like your lows that’s more representative of white noise, which is not a flat frequency response, b/c the ear is more sensitive to higher frequencies. If the higher frequencies are equally loud as the lower the ear will not perceive the lower frequencies accurately. Listen to pink noise vs white noise.. Same frequencies in each.. W/ pink noise you hear lows & rumble from the bass, white noise sounds like an old Black and white TV trying to get signal. Even though the same amount of low end frequencies is in the white noise as pink noise the ear does not hear the equal loudness from 20-20,000 Hz.

[@mike_saw_7563]

Is there a way to do this without a scope?

[@Shamus71]

Have you installed one of these DSP’s in a newer model Mazda with Bose system? If so.. considered simple or complex?

[@tor7860]

Каким микрофоном Вы делали замер?

[@dcfisdf]

where did you put the probes to measure radio max volume?

[@pvaughn2]

Great video - thanks. I just installed a Match UP 7BMW and tried tuning this weekend using version PV-Tool 4.52a. Everything was fine until I tried setting the EQ. Clicking over from the IO screen takes me to the Input Alignment screen as in your video. My problem is that on my screen below the graph I only have Input Delay, Input EQ and Parametric EQ, no "Input Signal Analyzer" area where you drag the channel down and start/stop the RTA. Any ideas? Could it be a difference in the Match version of the software?

[@ResoNixSoundSolutions]

You dont need the signal analyzer if you have the up7bmw. The signal in the BMW's with hifi are flat

[@pvaughn2]

@@ResoNixSoundSolutions Thanks - so what are my main steps in tuning the amp? I've done everything prior to the RTA, what's left? I appreciate your help!

[@ResoNixSoundSolutions]

@@pvaughn2 set signal delays, crossovers, level adjustments, and eq. maybe some effects like the Real Center since you have a center channel

[@pvaughn2]

@@ResoNixSoundSolutions Great, thanks guys

[@lifegoeson4554]

Is this function no longer available in version 4.6? I ask bc the start stop input signal analyzer does not appear for me. Additionally, for the front inputs, I’m only able to select front L and not R. It’s the same for the rear.

[@lifegoeson4554]

Ok, I see that this may not be available for the DSP Pro MK2. I’m thinking that I may be able to use the rta tab instead and somehow use that on the IO tab to possibly make needed adjustments? I’m using a pac amp pro for interface with my uconnect radio so the signal should be flat. Watching this video just got me excited to see what I am actually getting and would confirm my input/output configuration.

[@wickedsatan1]

Can helix dsp detect distortion?

[@eazy69ful]

how do i set the output gains using the smd dd1 on the helix dsp mini

[@ResoNixSoundSolutions]

See your reddit post.. :)

[@eazy69ful]

@@ResoNixSoundSolutions got it

[@wickedsatan1]

From where do you download 0db sound clips?

[@jayinmi3706]

I made my own XLR cables to go into my M-audio Mobile Pre to go into REW. lol

[@Not884]

So what setting are you using on the meter and how do you know it’s clipping

[@ResoNixSoundSolutions]

That's an oscilloscope

[@matt76cmich64]

Dumb question, but would I be able to use the DSP's bluetooth/usb input as source instead of the stock radio (2014 Silverado)?

[@ResoNixSoundSolutions]

Of course. That's the point of the HEC cards for the Helix processors

[@matt76cmich64]

@@ResoNixSoundSolutions thank you for the quick reply. I'm in the middle of planning a 2 way front stage and single under seat 12 setup. The stock (non bose) radio seems to be my limiting factor right now.

[@iJo09]

Why you boost eq bands instead of reducing them?

[@ResoNixSoundSolutions]

In this case it was less filters, plus we can always go back and re-adjust gain to compensate. Boost is not "bad" like people make it out to be. You just need to understand what is going on and what you are doing.

[@danbuelna722]

Where are you guys located? I have dsp2 hard time getting it set.

[@ResoNixSoundSolutions]

Stony Point, NY

[@gilbertsoliman1618]

The input alignment on my AF DSP PC Tool version 4.52a copy does not work. Any special settings to make it work?

[@ResoNixSoundSolutions]

This was 4.52a. So, idk. must be something on your end

[@gilbertsoliman1618]

Thank you for your reply, Nick

[@kiklop8362]

I get from other installers that you should never raise dips but lower peaks if it is possible. What is your opinion about that?

[@ResoNixSoundSolutions]

Stupid generalization. Understand the signal and what you are doing to it. In this case where we boost, we just go back and recalibrate the input gain.

[@uptobatentertainment]

Cuts are better than boosts, Yes, but in this instance he is trying to achieve a 0db flat response from 20-20,000 Hz. This is input remind you, not output response. Normally you would want a pink noise type freq response curve for output so the ear hears each octave instead of equal loudness in each octave like white noise where the high frequencies over power the ears ability to decipher the lower frequencies. He is trying to create a flat signal to sum the best audio input into the DSP SW to get the best audio output.

[@haiker77]

what model for this DSP?

[@SouthFloridacarshows]

Helix, same software for all models.

[@jberry1979]

Are you an authorized helix dealer?

[@enkrypt3d]

yes

[@鹏歌]

Do not understand the hardware link when measuring Need to measure microphone Or the specific link process of hardware

[@jayinmi3706]

If Metra is the only one who makes a kit for a given application, then nobody makes one. lol

[@refinedperformance9437]

Nice!