OT: Using gain control Wisely????

[VolvoHeretic]

I've got gain control knobs and sliders galore; Youtube and Pandora, this computer, the 15 band EQ, the Beringer Super X pro X-over, the sub-preamp, and the Yamaha 7.1 receiver. Some have 12:00 at 0 gain and some have gain from 0 to some random number or just notches on a dial. What to do and where to set all of them???

[Phil-G]

I've got gain control knobs and sliders galore; Youtube and Pandora, this computer, the 15 band EQ, the Beringer Super X pro X-over, the sub-preamp, and the Yamaha 7.1 receiver. Some have 12:00 at 0 gain and some have gain from 0 to some random number or just notches on a dial. What to do and where to set all of them???

i have the super Xs too. with the ultra curve eQ. the eq i got figured out. the super pro x overs not entirely. so i would be very interested to be in on this discussion. Bowtie has a bit of experience with the beringers.

[VolvoHeretic]

I'm setting everything at about 75% and just hope I am not boosting everything 500% at the power amps.

[GM]

Maybe this will help: Gain Structure

edit: some more links: https://www.google.com/search?q=gain..._sm=0&ie=UTF-8

GM

[bowtie427ss]

That's a great resource, GM. Thanks for posting. Most explanations on the web get overly technical and confusing to many folks.

One thing i would add for hifi applications, you need to be very mindful of the frequency extremes when the system is not hi and low pass filtered. There can be large signals present in recorded media at frequencies well beyond those encountered in a live sound application. Send a couple hundred watts of 16hz to an 825 or 828 cabinet and you'll quickly understand what i'm talking about.

[alancohen]

All the digital sliders: computer, iPhone, Pandora etc should be set to max. These are not true attenuators. They do not add gain, but lose bytes when reduced which degrades signal.

I'm not sure of the Behringers, but I would be wary of any digital gain controls and try to keep them 0 gain except where a little EQ is necessary.

Then just use the volume control on the Yamaha 7.1, assuming it's an analogue attenuator, to adjust volume.

[GM]

This is what Pandora does and why I ditched it pretty quick ages ago when it was still in its infancy and switched to Grooveshark as it allows one to create libraries of only one artist/whatever. I haven't accessed my account in years though, so it may not still allow it.

GM

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That's a great resource, GM. Thanks for posting. Most explanations on the web get overly technical and confusing to many folks.

One thing i would add for hifi applications, you need to be very mindful of the frequency extremes when the system is not hi and low pass filtered. There can be large signals present in recorded media at frequencies well beyond those encountered in a live sound application. Send a couple hundred watts of 16hz to an 825 or 828 cabinet and you'll quickly understand what i'm talking about.

You're welcome!

Yeah, it's not something that one can intuitively figure out. Happened onto another one last night, but didn't take the time to read it, so Caveat Emptor: http://www.hometheatershack.com/foru...ur-system.html

I use to periodically point out that even in the digital age all < truly 'full range' systems need a TT 'rumble filter', but folks by and large didn't believe me, so said to heck with it, yet folks with vented speakers wonder why they sometimes 'pop' at high excursion when either no music, or some with no strong bass content, is playing.

Then there's the amp protection ckt. clipping to protect the woofer and either damages the [super] tweeters to burn them out over time like I learned the hard way with my ultralight diaphragms or just flat out pops them instantaneously. Fortunately, with modern amps the latter isn't the problem it once was, but it doesn't hurt to have a light bulb in series just in case.

GM