We’ve all heard it. Heck, some of us at some point in our lives have probably said it. The reason you’re hearing it now is one of two things; the amp is broken, or the person troubleshooting the amp has overlooked something.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory you’ve checked the fuses, the radio is on and playing, you’re pretty sure the speakers are wired to the amp correctly… what could it be? Is the amp bad?Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory well luckily for you, you’re an avid tech talk reader, you’ve just read august’s article (2017), and you’ve just finished building your test bench!Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory let’s put it to use!

Like we mentioned last month, a test bench is comprised of a power supply, a source unit, a couple pieces of test equipment, and some speakers.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory the test bench is a functioning audio system that can be quickly modified to allow a questionable piece of equipment to be added in line to verify if it is working or broken.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory in this case, we’re interested in amps. Amplifiers can be one of the most troublesome pieces in a system to troubleshoot. They’re centrally located in a system, can be affected by any part of the install, and don’t typically have a way to show exactly what’s wrong with them beyond a red “protect” light.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory

So the first step is to wire the amp up to a +12 volt DC power source, a ground source, and a remote source (in most cases this can just be a wire ran from the +12 VDC input to the remote for testing purposes).Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory nothing else needs to be connected to the amp; no speaker wire, no RCA’s, no bass knob, nothing. What does the amp do? Does it go straight into protect, or does it operate normally?Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory if it’s in normal operation mode and it was in protect in the install, odds are there is something incorrect with the install. If the amp goes straight into protect without any inputs beyond power, ground, and remote, the amp has been damaged and it will need to be serviced.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory

Now, if the amplifier does power on when it’s wired to a battery, signal devices should start being wired to the amp. Start by turning the amp off, attaching RCA’s from your test bench’s source unit to the amplifier, turning the amp back on, and playing some material.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory music, sine waves, or signal sweeps are all acceptable. Run the volume on the source unit up to the amplifier’s maximum input level if your source unit is capable of it.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory many amps will have their input voltage range listed on their gain pots, the amp does not, refer to its user manual for input ranges. In a lot of cases, if the amp is experiencing issues with it’s pre-amp or audio driver and it’s not enough to immediately kick the amp into protect on power-up, plugging in RCA’s and playing signal will allow you to trigger the amplifier’s protection circuitry.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory

If the amp has RCA’s plugged in with signal playing into the amp and it is still functioning, it’s time to start wiring speakers to the amp. If it’s a sub amp, wiring a sub to the amp is best.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory conversely if the amp is a full-ranged multi-channel amp, a full range speaker will generally work best for testing. Be sure that the gain is set appropriately for the input voltage coming from your source unit, and that the crossover filters on the amp are not gated to prevent output (HPF set higher than the LPF).Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory wire your speaker/sub to each channel to verify output from each channel. If you’re on a sub amp, you’ll obviously only have 1 channel to test.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory however, on multichannel amps with bridging capabilities, be sure to test that the speaker plays correctly in bridged wiring configurations as well.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory it is important to consider specialty functions of the amp at this point. If the amp has a main/link/strap switch, be sure to verify that the amp is in main mode, or there will be no output.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory if the amp has a summing function or an input selector switch, make sure that there is a way to create output for the channel you’re testing.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory this may mean having to change RCA locations for the amp if you only have 1 pair to test with on a 4 channel amplifier. All stereo output pairs should have the same relative volume from one to the other.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory if a channel pair has diminished output or no output on one of the 2 channels, verify that the source unit is not unbalanced, then switch the input RCA’s from left to right and check the channel outputs again.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory if the output discrepancy should not follow the RCA switch, the same lack or absence of output should remain on the same channel. This will mean that the amplifier needs to be sent in for service.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory

In the event that the amplifier functions properly but creates a strange noise (popping, whistling, whines, squeals, etc) while in the install, be sure to listen for these while testing the various output channels.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory squeals and whines can be created by grounding issues in the install as well as in the amp. The only way to isolate these is by putting the amp on the test bench to see if the noise is present there as well.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory if they are, the amp likely needs to be serviced. Another common noise article that can be created by amps is a popping or thumping. This is most common on sub amps.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory this can be for a variety of reasons, most of them being grounding related (usually on the signal path), it can also be vibration related. In many installs where the amplifier is mounted to the subwoofer enclosure the amp can be damaged by the powerful vibrations created by the flex in the enclosure or by the high pressure sound waves created by the subwoofers.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory regardless of the cause of vibration based damage, the issue can be replicated by hitting the amplifier. Generally a light slap on the amp chassis with an open or closed hand will be enough to replicate the noise.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory

If the issues that are experienced in the install cannot be replicated on the test bench, it is time to go back to the install and re-examine it.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory it can be frustrating to have an issue with an install and not know what is causing the issue. However it is far better to test an amp that is acting up and find out that there is nothing wrong with it, than to send the amp in for repair and be without the amp during its time in shipping to and from the repair facility.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory

Oklahoma city, OK, may 23, 2019 — DD audio proudly presents the DD audio sound off: the largest car audio contest in the world at the 16th annual slamology automotive & music festival, june 8-9th in indianapolis, indiana at the lucas oil raceway.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory the DD audio sound off is a quadruple sanctioned 3X world record event, featuring MECA, IASCA, dbdrag, and usaci ( click here for full schedule).Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory also returning for 2019 is the dbdrag bagger beatz competition featuring the world’s loudest and meanest motorcycles.

If the world’s largest car audio competition isn’t enough for you to get your audio fix, the DD team will also be hanging out on the main drag where spectators can stop by the booth to experience the ferocious bass attack of the fully DD audio equipped BEAST.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory the BEAST built by matt herman and a team of friends, already notorious throughout the usaci competition scene for its glass shattering and metal ripping feats of bass, will be making a 19-hour journey for its slamology debut at this year’s event.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory

The M series has long enjoyed a reputation in the audio world for not only its footprint to power ratio, but its seemingly boundless stability when performing hour after hour.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory this isn’t by accident. Concealed within each of these intimidating monoliths are some of the most stable and durable circuit design features found in mobile audio amplification.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory

One of the most notable design features that allows these amps to achieve the level of performance they do is their LV power supply. This technology gives the user the most power possible from their vehicles charging system.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory this simply means more power to make more bass. You’ll find this feature in every M series model from the mighty little m1d to the monstrous powerhouse M5.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory

Beyond the superb circuitry design and audio grade components used to build the M series, you will find an extensive list of features only found on amplifiers built to a higher standard.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory these features include things like strap mode capability for easy dual amp setup, zero gauge power and ground inputs for optimal current supply flow as well as super durable through bolted rcas.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory

These amps have long been revered by extreme bass competitors for their legendary performance, but with multiple size and power options, they’re just as at home in a daily ground pounding system.In the end, it’s all about power and the M series delivers the goods, producing competition level output with real-world input voltage levels.Disadvantages of cognitive learning theory just check out these specs!