How to Measure Amplifier Voltage

[jskrypek]

Can someone tell me the easiest way to measure the voltage going to my Titans?

Thanks.

[WB]

I plug in a cable with a speakon on one end, and a male 1/4 plug on the other end. Then I put the meter's leads on the 1/4" plug's tip and ring. Meter is set to measure AC Volts. Just be careful not to short the tip to the ring. A better way is to take a speakon cable and replace one end with banana plugs, to plug directly into your meter.

[SoundInMotionDJ]

If the back of the amp has a banana plug measure directly from there. Failing that, make a "test" cable with speakon at one end and banana at the other, as WB described.

Find or make a source CD that has a single frequency tone. I use 100Hz for subs and 1kHz for tops. Send that signal through your full chain - including the limiter and amp. Measure the output using the test cable. Set the gain structure of the whole system, and then use the limiter to back the signal off to your desired maximum output.

--Stan Graves

[Tim A]

I suppose it'd be helpful if we mentioned you need a multimeter capable of reading RMS.

[Dave Non-Zero]

does it make a difference if it is a sine wave or pink noise?

[thijs666]

does it make a difference if it is a sine wave or pink noise?

No, at least it shouldn't

[SoundInMotionDJ]

does it make a difference if it is a sine wave or pink noise?

Yes, but not enough to matter.

Pink noise is more representative of the typical power density of music. A sine wave is a single tone. An amp will produce slightly more power for a single frequency than for a full spectrum signal. If you use a sine wave to set the limit, that will be conservative because no full range signal will ever be able to produce that same voltage level from the amp.

--Stan Graves

[Tim A]

Stan, where can I download a pink noise signal?

[SoundInMotionDJ]

The DEQ will produce pink for me on command.

A quick google search revealed these sites which claim to have pink noise samples:
http://www.burninwave.com/

http://www.dogstar.dantimax.dk/testwavs/

--Stan Graves

[Tim A]

Yeah. My DEQ didn't produce anything, on command or otherwise. It was like

[SoundInMotionDJ]

Odd. I did have to turn up the DEQ signal a lot before I could hear anything. But the autoEQ worked great after that.

--Stan Graves

[DJPhatman]

Yeah. My DEQ didn't produce anything, on command or otherwise. It was like

Is that the one that arrived DOA?

[Tim A]

That's the one. It worked great whenever it was on. Having to reboot during a song seemed like it may be an issue.....

I ended up with one of these. I like the old analog-feel sliders, but it's digital. Brick wall limiter, sweepable filters, storable programs, quiet. It won't do RTA but it's sister unit will. Yes, I know that's more money and more rack space, I don't care. When I get the other half of the system it'll go in it's own rack, as it won't be something I use all the time anyway.

[LelandCrooks]

I like the old analog-feel sliders,

Luddite

[Tim A]

I like the old analog-feel sliders,

Luddite

All my friends just call me 'Lud' for short....