Settings for MRD-M300

spyderbyte · 07-04-2006, 04:41 PM

I'm about to wire and install my amp and wanted to know everyone's suggestions for the initial settings. This is my first sound system install, so I'm a complete noob.

Looking through the online manual, here's what I think I know:

It looks like I adjust the input to set gain, I can find directions on SirGCal's site.
My 8 inch subs are listed with a frequency response of 40 - 250 Hz. I think the highest I can set the low pass filter is 200 Hz, so should I just not touch it? I'll set the subsonic filter to 40 Hz.
I'll also leave the Parametric EQ alone.
I might turn the Bass Comp on later, but I think I'll have plenty of bass for my taste.
I won't touch time corr, phase, amp set, or safe mode
Save everything to memory when finished.

Also- Unless I hear otherwise, I'll pick up a pair of 1/8" ring connectors with a 1/4" outer ring diameter to connect my power and ground to the amp terminals. I just hope I can find a ring that size that'll crimp onto a 4 gauge wire.

Am I moving in the right direction? Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

Spyderbyte

spyderbyte · 07-05-2006, 11:28 AM

Anyone? I'd like to set this up today.

Thanks

Spyderbyte

spyderbyte · 07-06-2006, 11:29 AM

Bump....

Spyderbyte

C2U5H · 07-06-2006, 07:32 PM

I'd set you're lowpass to about 150Hz...you can play with it though to see what sounds best.

Above 150Hz and you're starting to get into the regular mid-woofer band and your subwoofer will overpower your other speakers.

If you have an aftermarket headunit with built-in crossovers, set your highpass to about 150Hz (12dB slope) and if you're low pass on your amp is set to 150Hz (probably a 12 or 24dB cutoff slope), your system should sound pretty darn good.

~J

spyderbyte · 07-07-2006, 12:16 AM

Okay thanks. My headunit doesn't have a high pass filter, but I don't think I'll mind if my speakers help out the bass a touch.

Other than that everything seems solid though? I'm hoping to bolt my amp in place and finish wiring tomorrow. Can't wait to be finished.

Spyderbyte

spyderbyte · 07-08-2006, 11:16 PM

H*ll yeah! Everything's wired up (including a blue light up switch on the remote lead

) and it sounds great.

One last question. I still don't understand how to set the gain. I tried following SirGCal's directions, 50 Hz tone, 3/4 volume, multimeter touched to the speaker outputs. Every single reading was 0 volts. I could hear the tone being played over my fill speakers (and subs when I had them connected), and my multimeter has otherwise been flawless.

I also don't understand the adjustment for this amp. It seems like my only options are 0, -6, -12, and I think -18. I have my amp bolted sideways where my center console will go though, so I can't see the display too clearly.

Can someone with this particular amp (SirGCal?

) give me a few tips? I have a Pioneer headunit with 2.2 volt RCAs and 2 8 inch subs wired to 300 watts x 2 ohms.

Thanks!

Spyderbyte

spyderbyte · 07-11-2006, 09:42 AM

Okay, I think I'm supposed to set the input to -12 dB to match my 2 volt RCAs, I have my subsonic set to 40 Hz, (could I go a touch lower even if it isn't in the sub's frequency range?), low pass filter to 160 Hz, and bass comp on.

Unless I hear I should change something, I'm going to replace my center console and it'll be a PITA to change settings.

Thanks!

Spyderbyte

spyderbyte · 07-11-2006, 10:49 PM

Bump again, does anyone know what exactly this adjusts? I'd like to be able to set my input to 0 db when I want to show off (I know it's not good for the subs, but it'd be short amounts of time). The best would be a smaller version of the RACC, essentially just the five buttons and display that I could mount behind the glove compartment or something.

Any ideas?

Thanks again

Spyderbyte

**SirGCal** · 07-17-2006, 11:48 AM

Ok, I'm here... Let's see...

Subsonic filter... If you were building a ported box, I'd say keep it at 30-40Hz, otherwise with a sealed box, 10-20Hz... It's not intended to stop the sound necessarily as much as it is to not waste amplifier power on non-audiable frequencies below the normal output. Sealed can go lower than ported without losing efficency below the tuned frequency so we give them a bit more room.

Turn bass comp off for setup... Turn it back on for preference afterward (but recheck clipping light if you do...)

The nice thing about the M300 is that it has a clipping light built into it! you don't have to do any guess work.

Take some test tracks (like from my site) and setup the radio to play them at the precieved max volume (roughly 3/4 of the knob if you don't know the radio's clipping state) with all eq/loud/etc. features set to flat/off. Now if you have a sub level control on the head unit, set it to the middle (very useful for this amp since the amp is jump set instead of dial set). Now, loop the low frequency note so you can test the amp. with everything turned off on the amp (any enhancements), and just the crossovers (and subsonics) turned on, adjust the gain until the clipping light comes on then back it off one OR adjust the level control knob until the light goes out. I sometimes like to back it up and increase the level control knob to see if it will come on. If so, that gives you just a touch more flexability.

Now, turn on the effects you want and double check the light.. If it comes on, adjust the level control again until the light goes out. There ya go. Insert favorite CD and jam... Pretty simple. No DMM required.

spyderbyte · 07-17-2006, 04:34 PM

Thanks for the help. I'd just like to clarify a few more things:

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirGCal

Subsonic filter... If you were building a ported box, I'd say keep it at 30-40Hz, otherwise with a sealed box, 10-20Hz... It's not intended to stop the sound necessarily as much as it is to not waste amplifier power on non-audiable frequencies below the normal output. Sealed can go lower than ported without losing efficency below the tuned frequency so we give them a bit more room.

Even if my subs are only rated to 40Hz? I definately like nice low bass notes, (is it okay if I set it to 15Hz, as low as it'll go?) I just wasn't sure if it was good for my subs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirGCal

The nice thing about the M300 is that it has a clipping light built into it! you don't have to do any guess work.

The little dot on the right side of the display, right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirGCal

Take some test tracks (like from my site) and setup the radio to play them at the precieved max volume (roughly 3/4 of the knob if you don't know the radio's clipping state) with all eq/loud/etc. features set to flat/off. Now if you have a sub level control on the head unit, set it to the middle (very useful for this amp since the amp is jump set instead of dial set). Now, loop the low frequency note so you can test the amp.

By the way, is this bad for my fill speakers? I'm pretty sure my stock rear speakers crackle a lot more now after my first tuning attempt. I could hear them playing the 50Hz tone, but I think it might have damaged them to go that low.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirGCal

Adjust the gain until the clipping light comes on then back it off one OR adjust the level control knob until the light goes out. I sometimes like to back it up and increase the level control knob to see if it will come on. If so, that gives you just a touch more flexability.

Gain = Input = 0, -6, -12, or -18 dB? I thought I saw a chart corresponding these to .5v, 1v, 2v and 4v RCA outputs, respectively. Therefore I set it to -12 dB to match my 2.2 volt RCAs, am I close?

And is this the level control knob you're referring to? I don't think the amp itself has anything similar, but you also said you've never used the subwoofer level control.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirGCal

No DMM required.

Which I happened to already buy, but I'm sure I'll use it elsewhere.

Thanks again!

Spyderbyte

**SirGCal** · 07-18-2006, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyderbyte

Even if my subs are only rated to 40Hz? I definately like nice low bass notes, (is it okay if I set it to 15Hz, as low as it'll go?) I just wasn't sure if it was good for my subs.

Ok.. rating for subs... The high cutoff is more important in this reguard. Distortion above the high point is very common. The low point however, most of the time, doesn't result in distortion, but simply that's the 3dB cutoff point (where the sound starts to fall off). So, subs can actually go much lower most of the time, just not at even volume. (that's how I got the 6" subs to hit so low... for example...)

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyderbyte

The little dot on the right side of the display, right?

yup. If it lights up, it's clipping.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyderbyte

By the way, is this bad for my fill speakers? I'm pretty sure my stock rear speakers crackle a lot more now after my first tuning attempt. I could hear them playing the 50Hz tone, but I think it might have damaged them to go that low.

Yea, it's not good... but it's not the end of the world... Get a high-pass filter and if you don't have one in the head or an amp your using for the fill, try bassblockers (150Hz HPF). They work ok for such remedies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyderbyte

Gain = Input = 0, -6, -12, or -18 dB? I thought I saw a chart corresponding these to .5v, 1v, 2v and 4v RCA outputs, respectively. Therefore I set it to -12 dB to match my 2.2 volt RCAs, am I close?

It's a good starting point. But since you have the clipping detector circuit, go by that instead. As long as it's not clipping, your good to go. (and even just very minor clipping at some extreme peaks is ok too. but no longer than a flash and only very rarely. Nothing regular.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyderbyte

And is this the level control knob you're referring to? I don't think the amp itself has anything similar, but you also said you've never used the subwoofer level control.

The amp had a dial (looks like it) that could give you external control. Catch is, gain isn't something you want to adjust on the fly so... it's not something I normally install. Personally, I wouldn't use it. That's what the bass knob is for... But if you have it and use it properly, it can be useful.

spyderbyte · 07-18-2006, 06:54 PM

Looks like I'm tearing apart my console again.

Here's what I'm planning to set:

Subsonic filter: 15 Hz
High pass filter: Currently 160 Hz, would 200 Hz be too overpowering?
I'll probably turn on Bass Comp
I won't touch time corr, phase, amp set, or safe mode
Save everything to memory when finished.

Unfortunately I'm still confused on gain.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirGCal

The amp had a dial (looks like it) that could give you external control. Catch is, gain isn't something you want to adjust on the fly so... it's not something I normally install. Personally, I wouldn't use it. That's what the bass knob is for... But if you have it and use it properly, it can be useful.

Are you talking about a bass knob on the amp? The only way I've found to adjust gain on this amp is choosing one of the four input settings. The Parametric EQ looks like it'll give me a little more room for adjustment, but I haven't experimented with it yet.

Sorry about all my questions, as I said it's my first amp install.

Thanks again

Spyderbyte

**SirGCal** · 07-19-2006, 10:13 AM

The LPF, it's all dependent on what you have setup... 160 is probably about where you want it.. 200 might be ok but also might be boomy and annoying from too much low guitar...

As for the knob. the one for this amp is an optional external unit. The default one is the 4 settings you listed before.

spyderbyte · 07-19-2006, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirGCal

As for the knob. the one for this amp is an optional external unit. The default one is the 4 settings you listed before.

Whew. I have a pretty phenomenal ability to look right past obvious things, but that would have been bad even for me. I'll see how well I can adjust everything without it, but I'll probably end up ordering it.

Thanks for all the help!

Spyderbyte

spyderbyte · 07-28-2006, 07:59 PM

Well now I'm very confused. I did order the control knob and tore apart my console to install it today. The only problem is I absolutely cannot get the over light to come on. I set input to 0 db, turned the knob all the way up, and the headunit close to full volume as well. I even tried starting my Jeep a few times so it's running full voltage. My Jeep is shaking from the 50 Hz tone, but the light won't come on.

I also tried actual music, still no light. I have the display on voltage, does it matter? Everything still sounds clean, but I can't believe it's okay to run it like that.

Also to double check, it should be a little red light just to the right of the numbers on the display, right?

Thanks

Spyderbyte