[Gain setting]

Correctly setting the Gain controls on your amplifier is easy if you have some signal test discs and an oscilloscope! But, if you don't happen to have those available, then you may have to do some common-sense guesswork to "dial-in" your amplifier.

The Gain control is NOT a volume control! The gain adjustment (or control) is a level-matching control that adjusts the amplifier to work with the electronic piece(s) used before the amplifier. This piece before the amplifier could be the head unit, an EQ, or a crossover, and you set the gain control on the amplifier to match that unit's pre-amp voltage level. You can find out the unit's preamp output level in the owner's manual for that unit, as most manufacturers know you need this information in order to set up your system.

Essentially, by dialing-in the gain control, you're telling the amp how much signal you're putting into it so the amplifier will reproduce the signal accurately. If you have the gain set too high, the amp will make full power right away, and you'll have problems with distortion and "clipping". If the gain is set too low, the amp may still make full power, but it might not sound as loud as it should, and you'll think you aren't getting much volume. Our amplifiers are capable of accepting a signal input level from 150 millivolts to 4 volts on the Bolt series amps and 150 millivolts to 5 volts on the Stike and Storm series amps. You change the sensitivity by adjusting the gain control clockwise (more sensitive for low-power decks like 1-Volt units) or counter-clockwise (less sensitive for high-powered decks like 4-Volt units).

Since we do not put "indicators" or markings on the side of the amp to indicate gain levels for specific input voltages, this is where you will have to do a little "educated guessing" to set the controls up correctly. An oscilloscope's signal-measuring capabilities would come in handy right about now, as you could read the output levels of the amplifier while playing test tones (like a 1KHz tone) to determine at what point your amplifier "clips", and that's where you stop turning up the gain control.

But, if you don't have any of this cool stuff, then you'll have to assume the gain control is like a progressive-gain dial that becomes more sensitive as you turn it up (clockwise). We usually tell people that if they have a 4-Volt head unit, turn the gain all the way down (counter-clockwise); if they have a 2-Volt head unit, turn the gain 1/3 of the way up (clockwise); if they have a 1-Volt head unit, turn the gain 2/3 of the way up; and for 500mV decks, turn the gain 3/4 of the way up. While these suggestions are buy no means 100% accurate, they will work fine most of the time. When in doubt, have a professional double-check your work.

If you're unsure of the best way to set up the gains or bass controls on your amplifier, we recommend you seek the assistance and advice of your local dealer. They have the knowledge and equipment necessary to be able to set your gear up right!

Contrary to popular belief, those gain (input sensitivity) adjustments are not "volume" controls! The reason those adjustments are there is to allow compatibility with different types of equipment.

What they actually do is set the amount of input voltage required to drive the amplifier to full power. Let's say we have an amplifier that is capable of producing 50 watts. If those input adjustments were made correctly, the amplifier would produce 50 watts with the source unit volume at or near its maximum. If the input sensitivity is increased, the amplifier may make 50 watts at a much lower position on the source unit volume control. Then, if the volume on the source unit is increased, the amplifier begins to "clip" and produce distortion because it cannot produce any more than 50 watts. By increasing the sensitivity of the amplifier you also increase the chances for noise in the system.