| Author | Message | ||
| tcube
Member Username: tcube Post Number: 99 Registered: 8-2007 |
I use an F1X preamp and a QSC power amp to drive my speaker cabinet(s). How do you all set the pre and power amp gains? Two possibilities: 1. Max the pre amp gain and control instrument level w power amp gain. OR 2. Max the power amp's gain and control instrument level w pre amp gain. Thanks! | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 1321 Registered: 6-2002 |
option 2 gives you more headroom in the amp, It will be easier on your speakers also,they don't like to see the square waves of a clipped signal. Some times I know given the size of the room my power amp will be clean at levels lower than max. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2199 Registered: 5-2009 |
Basic rules of gain structure for lowest distortion levels would be your option 2. | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 3068 Registered: 10-2002 |
I go for option 3. neither. i set my QSC around 22 on channel 1 - (high frequencies) and 20 on channel 2 (low frequencies). Current pre is a fender tbp-1 but I can switch to an ampeg SVp or an F1-X depending on my mood. I set the input gain to just under clipping and control my stage volume with the pre-amp master gain. Volume on the bass is set to around 80% to give me a little room for surreptitious tweaking. I find on the stages I play that if I max out the power amp, the pre will then be set so low it loses some 'drive' and starts to sound weedy. Graeme | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 2653 Registered: 6-2002 |
I have often wondered the best way to use the F1x and QSC to get the best sound quality at any volume. My concern with option 2 would be, is there more chance of blowing the speakers if you dig in than the other options? Is there a limiter in the circuit somewhere? Jazzyvee | ||
| tmimichael
Junior Username: tmimichael Post Number: 31 Registered: 3-2010 |
Here's an excerpt from a DBX manual (which is written concerning PA use), but it applies to all amplifiers. "One thing that is critical to system setup is maximizing gain structure. Gain structure refers to aligning the gain of each device so that they all clip at the same point, and the noise floor of the entire system is at its absolute minimum. Quite often PA systems are setup with the amplifier input controls turned all the way up in the incorrect assumption that this is the only way to get the maximum output level. Amplifiers are fixed gain devices, turning down the amplifier input attenuators does not change the potential output of the amplifier; it only requires more input voltage to get full output power. Many amplifiers will clip with an input level greater than +6 dBu when the input attenuators are turned all the way up. Most mixing consoles can deliver over +18 dBu of output level before clipping. This means that with your amps tuned all the way up you are sacrificing 12 dB of headroom, resulting in poorer noise performance and the potential of system clipping. By adjusting the amplifier controls properly, you can maximize your system performance." SO, I run the controls on my CREST CA9 at about half way up... | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1092 Registered: 5-2002 |
I try to set my gains so my preamp (Eden Navigator most of the time) is just about reaching clipping when when I am as loud as I possibly want to be. For the Crown XTi4000, that means that the gain on the power amp is usually from 11 o'clock to 1 o'clock. That usually gets the peak output of the amp at around -5 to -3. A lot of preamps don't have an output level indicator, so it can be a question of trial and error when it comes to finding the right balance, but you don't really want to clip the input of the amp, as the dbx excerpt states. When using my F2B, it's a similar situation. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2221 Registered: 5-2009 |
In finite engineering terms it comes down to user awareness of the output voltage of the final stage of your signal chain going to the input stage of the power amplifier and user awareness of the input sensitivity of the power amplifier. These parameters will of course differ with different equipment manufacturers and model designation. The latter is true from device to device in the signal chain . Basic Gain structure awareness from device to device will keep your distortion down. http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-db-volt.htm | ||
| wideload
Intermediate Member Username: wideload Post Number: 182 Registered: 6-2003 |
Get the sound you want from the pre, and the volume you need from the power amp. And you always NEED more speakers! | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 1324 Registered: 12-2004 |
More speakers = more comb filtering, mostly. | ||
| wideload
Intermediate Member Username: wideload Post Number: 183 Registered: 6-2003 |
Keep the speakers in a vertical array and you're fine. |
