| Electronics |
- The
Team ROCS Ohms Law Calculator
Your browser must have Javascript enabled for this
to work. However, it's a handy tool for back of the envelope calculations,
and for playing with the variables in Ohms Law. - Andrew
Krause
- Measuring
Amplifier Output
Is your amp performing as expected? You might be
suprised! This article teaches you the fundamentals about measuring
your amplifiers output power - Eddie
Runner
- Resistance
vs. Impedance
Resistance (R) and Impedance (Z) are two different
words for the same idea...or are they? Get the "dl" on
how a speaker with 4 ohms of resistance rarely actually has 4 ohms
of impedance. - Andrew Krause
- Capacitors
These are one of the least understood componants
in the world, thanks to alot of voodoo marketing by the car audio
industry. Learn what they do, and how they do it. - Andrew
Krause
- Connecting
Speakers
It's such a simple thing to do, no wonder people
get it wrong so often! Hey, if it were hard, then you'd pay attention
right? Learn the difference between parallel, series, and series-parallel
circuits as they relate to hooking up multiple drivers. - Jonas
Holmgren
- Roll
Your Own
No, not THAT! This article outlines some key points
on selecting componants for crossovers.
- Two
Way Crossovers
You can save a bundle when you buy your drivers
separately from catalogs, but you still need crossovers. This article
outlines the construction of two crossover networks based on the
Linkwitz-Riley and Butterworth networks. - Jonas
Holmgren
- Relay
Basics
With all the electrical crap you're putting in your
car, you are eventually going to need a relay. This article explains
how to use the standard Bosch-type SPDT relay. - Andrew
Krause
- Fusing
Fusing. Save your equipment from surges, and more
importantly, save your car from catching on fire. - Matt
Walters
- What
is "class D"?
Still a buzz word in the audio industry, class
D amps provide incredible efficiency and awesome performance. But
what makes it different from Class A, Class B, and Class A/B amps?
- Grizz Archer
- Multi-Mode
Operation
Believe it or not, any amp is "multi mode"
capable. This article explains why and how you can use this flexible
feature of an amplifier to build awesome budget systems. - Andrew
Krause
- Testing
Wires
Unless you're a redneck, you've likely got a digital
multimeter that you use for seeing if there is voltage on a wire.
But a DMM is capable of so much more. Learn how to use it to test
wires and determine their function. - Andrew
Krause
- The
Truth about Head Unit Power
So, you bought a CD player that claims to have 100
watts of power. Read this article to understand why their 100 watts
isn't your idea of 100 watts - Andrew
Krause
- Advanced
Test Gear
You can do most tests in car audio with just a basic
DMM, your eyes, and your ears. But when it gets critical, you need
to break out the big guns. Eddie Runner demonstrates some test equipment
that he uses to do professional quality work. - Eddie
Runner
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| Speakers
& Enclosures |
- Aiming
Your Subwoofer Box
Examine the myths and realities as to why your sub
often gets louder when you face it to the rear. - Eddie
Runner
- Enclosure
Types and Comparisons
Wondering what kind of box you need? This article
won't answer that question for you, but it will help you understand
the differences between designs before you go shelling out big bucks
for a box you may not like the sound of. - Jonas
Holmgren
- Aperiodic
Membranes
A-what membranes? Grizz Archer (the "Pierce-ed
One") breaks down one of the most misunderstood devices in
autosound. If you've never heard of an aperiodic mat, then impress
your friends and pick up chicks with the info in this article. -
Grizz Archer
-
- Connecting
Speakers
It's such a simple thing to do, no wonder people
get it wrong so often! Hey, if it were hard, then you'd pay attention
right? Learn the difference between parallel, series, and series-parallel
circuits as they relate to hooking up multiple drivers. (Yes, you
did already see this article listed). - Jonas
Holmgren
- Vented
Loudspeaker Enclosure Construction and Operation
Geekspeach in effect here: This article sounds like
an owners manual, but contains lots of good info on what we commonly
refer to as a "ported box".
- Notes
on Porting
Drew Daniels (not a tR member) provides some observations
you may want to keep in mind whenever you design ported enclosures.
- teamROCS
Box Calculator
Similar to the Ohms Law Calculator, this page allows
you to get quick volume measurements by tossing in some dimension
values. If you've tried to use this before, but found that it was
all assed up, it is fixed
now. - Andrew
Krause
- Massloading
Transducers
Don't panic - this doesn't involve nuclear fussion.
Massloading is the adding of weights to a speaker to change its
response. - Grizz Archer
- Get
a Gauge
Selecting the proper wire size for your system is
critical. Too small of a wire will choke your audio chicken, but
too large of a wire is just wasted money. - Jason
Schuren
- Overcoming
the Problem of "Trunk Bass"
Trunk bass? Yes, trunk bass. The booming, rattling,
sound trap of your trunk may be killing your ability to drop bombs
- Grizz Archer
- Speaker
Box Construction
A good box should be able to double as a coffee
table or building foundation. Get the low down on joinery and bracing
as it applies to audio construction. - Eddie
Runner
- Transfer
Functions
Don't worry, this isn't going to get all technical
and bombard you with crap like "systems of linear equations
in three variables". This article describes how to model the
response of audio in the car, and predict how it will act (and there's
not one f(x) or equation in the entire article)
- Eddie Runner
|
| The
Science of Autosound |
|
|
| Installation
and Fabrication |
- Installing
and Setting Up an Amplifier
As easy as this is to do, lots of folks get intimidated
by it. Save yourself a few bucks, and know that you've done it right,
by learning how to install an amp yourself.
- Adjusting
your Gain
They're not volume knobs Eddie! But, if you want
to understand how gains function, it's useful to think of them as
little volume knobs. Eddie Runner outlines what gains do. -
Eddie Runner
- Sound
Proofing
Getting rid of those little squeaks and rattles
isn't as hard (or expensive) as you might think.
- Andrew Krause
- Vented
Loudspeaker Enclosure Construction and Operation
Geekspeach in effect here: This article sounds like
an owners manual, but contains lots of good info on what we commonly
refer to as a "ported box". (Yes, you saw this listed
already).
- Keep
it Cool: Adding Fans to Your Install
A properly installed amplifier shouldn't thermal
out, but in some cases "proper" installation isn't possible.
So for those slightly improper cases (or those "shouldn't but
did anyway" cases), this article will explain how to add a
cooling fan to your install.
- Andrew Krause
- Pretty
Little Lights
Adding LED's to your install is all the rage. Nowadays
there are dozens of LED kits, but to get really trick you need to
know these simple rules for installing LED's, especially ones not
made for 12 volt systems
- Andrew Krause
- Multistage
Gain Adjustment
I don't care what your POS amp says, that little
dial is not a "gain". It merely adjusts the impedence
of the input stage of the amplifier. Grizz explains how to properly
adjust "gains" on systems with multiple level settings
so you can achieve quality sound. - Grizz
Archer
- Testing
Wires
Unless you're a redneck, you've likely got a digital
multimeter that you use for seeing if there is voltage on a wire.
But a DMM is capable of so much more. Learn how to use it to test
wires and determine their function. - Andrew
Krause
- Materials
for Construction
Custom car audio calls on a number of materiels.
Learn of some of the available materiels and their uses. - Andrew
Krause
- Painting
Plastics
Plastics are peculiar - some paint easily, others
hate it. This article tells you how to get the best finish on plastics.
- Andrew Krause
- Basic
Installer Tools
The ability use tools is what makes a man a man.
As an installer, you should have a few basic tools, but don't start
buying the Snap-On truck out just yet.-
Eddie Runner
- Proper
Grounding
This is likely the biggest cause of poor audio performance
there is! These four simple tips will prevent you from making a
mockery of quality audio.
- Connections
Unless you're the type to twist two wires together
and smack bubble gum on them, this page will tell you how to make
good solid electrical connections - Jason
Hodges
- Trouble
Shooting Noise
Got noise in your music? This article will help
you track down the cause of that noise (unless it's that gay techno
shit you listen to). - Alan Ward
- Measuring
Amplifier Output
Is your amp performing as expected? You might be
suprised! This article teaches you the fundamentals about measuring
your amplifiers output power - Eddie
Runner
- Transfer
Functions
Don't worry, this isn't going to get all technical
and bombard you with crap like "systems of linear equations
in three variables". This article describes how to model the
response of audio in the car, and predict how it will act (and there's
not one f(x) or equation in the entire article)
- Eddie Runner
|
| Errata |
- Warranties
Your options in making sure your audio equipment
is protected - Andrew Krause
- Sony's
Rotary Commander Revealed
If you've got a Sony headunit that comes with the
rotary commander, get ready to really trick it out - Andrew
Krause
- Interconnect
Myths
If you're spending more than a buck a foot on RCA's,
chances are you're spending way too much. Buy interconnects; don't
buy the hype - Andrew Krause
- CB
Radios and You
They were a dying breed, what with cell phones an
FRS radio, but CB's are starting to make a comeback. Find out the
10-20. - Eddie
Runner
- Mobile
Multi-Media
I
wrote this article way back when putting screens in car was new.
Now you can buy cars with built in TV monitors - Andrew
Krause
- What
is Good Sound
Largely an editorial, this paper gives some insights
and perspectives into what "sounding good" is really about
- Andrew Krause
- Ham
Radio
TWFER is a ham in more ways than one - he actually
uses shortwave radio to broadcast the location of his vehicle at
any given time (it's not a good idea to try to take Eddies truck).
Learn more about the exciting world of amature radio.-
Eddie Runner
- Buying
Car Audio on the Internet
Caveat Emptor - buyer beware. It was never more
true than in the world of online car audio, wher fly by night Internet
sites try to convince you that price is more important than service.-
Eddie Runner
- Multi-path
Interference
This is that fluttering noise you get on FM when
you drive between tall buildings. Eddie breaks it down -
Eddie Runner
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