Clipping

[seansy59]

I have an el' cheapo Technical 1100z amplifier. It gets the job done. Since I'm on hobby profit, I will be buying a new more powerful better amp "Seismic Audio LE-3000" after this gig. I've heard many good things about SA, and I have a pair of their speakers that are UNBELIVABLE! Loud, bassy, and really good mids/highs. They are the FL-15P's....
Anyway.......

The TP amp's clip light comes on when beat hits. Even at half volume. It seems the VU meter is sensitive and it really doesn't "monitor" clipping. I know its not actually clipping becasue they're is no distortion, and it can go almost all the way without distorting, although I don't want to ruin the amp or speakers since it seems the "clip light" really doesn't work right. The amp is 210wpc @ 8 ohms. Speakers are 400w rms.

Thats why I want to get the 350wpc @ 8 ohms SA amp. I'll have more power to work with and it has a regular clip light.....

Is it normal for the amps clip light (on any amp) to flash occasional or with beat. I probably know the answer, which is "no". Thats why I won't let it flash. But just though I'd ask....... I know clipping is bad for the system.

 

[Fred Wright]

I'm not familiar with the brands and models you're using so there's not much I can add. But I would suggest that you thoroughly research the specs on your speaker systems before upping amp headroom. Inflated specs are becoming a real problem in this business and have caused many operators to barbecue their speakers.

Is it normal for the amps clip light (on any amp) to flash occasional or with beat. I probably know the answer, which is "no". Thats why I won't let it flash. But just though I'd ask....... I know clipping is bad for the system.

Actually, a flickering clip indicator is normal when an amp is reaching its maximum dissipation capability. The bass or longer wavelength signals require more power to reproduce. At or near peak dissipation will cause the indicators to flash.

The flashing indicator tells you that your amp is at maximum average dissipation.

 

[seansy59]

I'm not familiar with the brands and models you're using so there's not much I can add. But I would suggest that you thoroughly research the specs on your speaker systems before upping amp headroom. Inflated specs are becoming a real problem in this business and have caused many operators to barbecue their speakers.

Actually, a flickering clip indicator is normal when an amp is reaching its maximum dissipation capability. The bass or longer wavelength signals require more power to reproduce. At or near peak dissipation will cause the indicators to flash.

The flashing indicator tells you that your amp is at maximum average dissipation.

Excellent! Just what I wanted to know. I know its not good to max out your amp constantly and means its time to upgrade which is what I'm going to be doing soon. The speakers should be fine with the new amp.

The speakers are:
8 ohms
400w rms
800w peak

Old amp:
210wpc @ 8 ohm

New amp:
350wpc @ 8 ohm

So I have good space still in between the amp and speakers. The amp is still a bit weaker, but will stop my clipping problems when the party cranks up.

 

[Jon Tuck]

Sean I have no recollection of the brand names you mentioned from your current speakers etc to your future wish list speakers and amp. Many of those off brand setups claim an awful lot. YOu could always go for the Pyle Pro Audio amp that claims 1000 watts. In the end if you were to believe that a few folks in Florida could sell you an Ice berg if you would like.

 

[DJ SVO]

350 watts are not going to make that much difference and you'll still be underpowered.

 

[steve149]

Sean - Very few of the Asian branded equipment lives up to their specs .. honestly they don't need to because very few expect them to. That's why you're clipping - the amplifier is having a hard time driving the loads you have .. even at modest levels.

Even as a hobby, you want equipment to work properly. I understand the cost limits, but if you shop used, you can get a Crown Xti1000, a QSC GX5 (or maybe a PLX1104) or even a Peavey for around $400 that will put the Seismic Audio to shame. I've never had a problem with a used amp .. either it works or it doesn't (speakers can be truly mistreated however). That might be a better path that "upgrading" to just marginally better equipment. Certainly there are some off brands that have products that seem to perform (a number of folks here seem to like GTD Audio, though I have no experience with them), but most are window dressing.

 

[Fred Wright]

Well... bumping up to 350 will help somewhat. With pro audio, this is not much of an increase, You could still clip if more volume is needed. The need for more volume is the reason your current amp is reaching clip.

If your speaker systems are rated for true 400 WRMS you should be driving them with an amp that's capable of dissipating 400 WRMS or more to each cabinet.

I agree with the suggestion of shopping for a used, quality power amp.

 

[seansy59]

I purchased and received my 350w rms @ 8 ohms Seismic Audio amp (LE-3000). It works great. Built well, lightweight, powerful, and clear. No clipping unless I really blast it to a ridiculous level, but its still clean and loud. Much better than the old TP amp. Only $199 free shipping on they're website. It drives they're speakers too with great bass response and really nice sound. They have nothing but good reviews online. The amp and speakers on tripods combined can hand about 150-200people easily.
http://www.seismicaudiospeakers.com/3000-Watt-Amplifier-p/le-3000.htm

 

[Partydjz]

I read the reviews and it seems like everyone is fully satisfied, you can't beat the price that's for sure. Not sure where their gear is made but if they can afford to ship 2 dual 15 inch cabs and 2 18-inch subs for $865 and free shipping it's price shopping for certain.

One thing I did notice that was missing on their amps specs was Total Harmonic Distortion ratings, maybe nobody that buys their gear cares. I know many gear heads will scoff at them but who knows, might be worth looking into.

 

[Jeff Romard]

Excellent! Just what I wanted to know. I know its not good to max out your amp constantly and means its time to upgrade which is what I'm going to be doing soon. The speakers should be fine with the new amp.

You will do far more damage underpowering than you will overpowering

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

I've seen and heard TP in action. Very light cheap garbage stuff. I picked up one of their amps in a store and could have tossed it with one hand to the front of the store. All their stuff is cheap junk. I don't know about the other because I never heard of them.

If it works for you right now ok. I just hope you'll eventually move up if you decide to take DJing seriously. Move up in the quality gear you use and up your price too. Good luck for now.

 

[seansy59]

I've seen and heard TP in action. Very light cheap garbage stuff. I picked up one of their amps in a store and could have tossed it with one hand to the front of the store. All their stuff is cheap junk. I don't know about the other because I never heard of them.

If it works for you right now ok. I just hope you'll eventually move up if you decide to take DJing seriously. Move up in the quality gear you use and up your price too. Good luck for now.

Thanks. If you google "Seismic Audio", you will see alot of they're stuff. They are built really well and sound fantastic for the price, with many reviews which led me to them.

I will never buy another TP product since what you said is true. It was my first amp 5 yrs. ago, and thats all it ever will be.

I'll always be a hobby DJ, and thats all I save it for. I'm never really going to take off using it as a career. I don't plan on putting alot of money out for gear because it never gets used much due to the low amount of gigs I get. I'm lucky I can even afford the gear I have now. Theirs not many DJ's around my local area (besides for alot of bedroom dj's), so when a gig does show up, I'm usually hired. BBQ's, pool parties, birthdays, grad parties, seasonal parties mostly.....

 

[ahoustondj]

I'll always be a hobby DJ, and thats all I save it for. I'm never really going to take off using it as a career. I don't plan on putting alot of money out for gear because it never gets used much due to the low amount of gigs I get. I'm lucky I can even afford the gear I have now. Theirs not many DJ's around my local area (besides for alot of bedroom dj's), so when a gig does show up, I'm usually hired. BBQ's, pool parties, birthdays, grad parties, seasonal parties mostly.....

You will be lucky to be taken seriously from now on!:trirolleyes:

 

[seansy59]

You will be lucky to be taken seriously from now on!:trirolleyes:

If you mean on here......I'm fine with that, I really don't mind

With DJing/gigs. Everyone that hires me "knows me" already. I do many gigs for family, friends and neighbors. Thats the reason my price is so low, and why I can't afford expensive things.....

I have had a few "client calls" and prices are a bit higher. Then they do nothing but rave about me, and the great price, and I get more gigs from that........I'm well known around my area.

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

If you mean on here......I'm fine with that, I really don't mind

With DJing/gigs. Everyone that hires me "knows me" already. I do many gigs for family, friends and neighbors. Thats the reason my price is so low, and why I can't afford expensive things.....

I have had a few "client calls" and prices are a bit higher. Then they do nothing but rave about me, and the great price, and I get more gigs from that........I'm well known around my area.

Can i please make a suggestion? I used to do the same thing you're doing now and it hurt my business terribly! What the big deal. Just let me do me. I would do cheap gigs to get exposure when i first came back to DJing. I would do some gigs for #150.00. Real sad. I didn't know how i was hurting myself and this business called DJing.

How i hurt myself is that i got the reputation of being a good cheap DJ that would do gigs for practically for next to nothing. So i'm in the process of after being back over 10 years working on digging myself out of that hole. How i hurt this business is staying at such a cheap rate and that means others as good as i am find it hard to get a decent pay because of what i was doing. Sad but true.

I say first of all as you get better your rates need to go up from being a cheap Charlie DJ. You say people like what you do and know who you are. So why not raise your rates? All you're setting yourself up for is being a broke DJ that can't improve on their gear but is having fun. I'm suggesting that you raise your rates so you can afford to buy better gear then you already have. The stuff you have might be ok for now since you obviously don't know a lot about gear but beleive me when you go up to some real serious professional gear you'll hear the difference. And you'll see how better it performs and it will last you a lot longer.

Second suggestion is for you to join an association like New Jersey Disc Jockey Network. I joined them and have learned so much and they have opened my eyes to a lot of what i was doing wrong. It's only $150.00 a year and well worth the investment! You should take the money you make from your next gig and instead of buying more gear join a network group like that. Trust me you won't be sorry.