We have had many conversations with our clients about the importance of a great install. We feel that the installation is every bit as important as the product itself. Imagine if you go see out a store that sells very high quality prime steak. You pay $30 per lb for it. You then bring it home and do not season it at all and cook it in the microwave. How good will that taste? Not very good. It is the same way in car audio. We take the great ingredients (the equipment), and then we add the proper spices and cooking techniques (installation and tuning) so you end up with a masterpiece that you are thrilled to call your own.
A Recent Installation At Audio Designs
A client with a 2010 Toyota 4Runner came to Audio Designs and Custom Graphics looking to upgrade the audio system. It was decided early on to leave the factory installed stereo in the dash and upgrade the system from there. We added an Audison BitOne processor downstream of the factory stereo and used it to de-equalize the audio signal. Toyota adds their own equalization to the signal to try and make their inexpensive speakers sound better. When higher quality speakers are installed, their quality can becomes a detriment to the sound. De-equalizing the signal gets rid of all of that. The BitOne processor also allows us to dedicate a unique amplifier channel to each speaker which results in much better sound quality, imaging and staging of the music across the dash. Instead of hearing everything from the doors you end up with a concert hall sound experience.
Proper Tuning and Testing Saves the Day
We added a 3 way speaker package in the front with a dedicated midbass, midrange, and tweeter on each side. We also added a subwoofer in the rear of the vehicle. This resulted in a total of 52 different connections in the audio system. As you can imagine, with 52 connections there is a possibility of human error. Fortunately, we are fanatics when it comes to the details. We use many sophisticated testing devices including what is called a Bit Tune to analyze the musical signal. When we ran the phasing test it was discovered that two of the speakers we actually out of phase. Had we not found this, there would have been less output, inferior imaging and a reduction in overall sound quality. A shop that has not made the significant investment in test equipment would have missed that error. When you are spending your hard earned money on quality components, you want the best possible results, don’t you?
After we made the appropriate corrections and did the final tuning, the car sounded like a concert on wheels. It was all the client had hoped for in sound quality, impact, and overall output. We were able to deliver this experience because we have all of the right tools and test equipment in our “kitchen” and we know how to use them.
We invite you to stop by Audio Designs and Custom Graphics with your vehicle. We will walk you around the shop, get to know you, your vehicle, and your goals for your sound system. We will design and custom craft and audio system with the attention to detail that has made us famous in Northern Florida. We look forward to meeting you.
Hi Irene!When you seal your wood canvas with Gesso you have to allow it to dry cleopetmly. I usually do multiple ones that way they are ready to go when I’m ready to paint on them.I usually do at least 2 layers of Gesso on all sides including the back (3 layers is ideal) for longevity.Once the Gesso is dry, then you can sketch on on it.I sketch on Vellum or Tracing paper first so all the erasing and corrections are done on that and not on the wood. Once I’m happy with the drawing then I transfer it using another piece of Velum that I have rubbed cleopetmly with a 4B pencil, you can purchase transfer paper, but I just make it my self.By transferring the drawing, you keep the Gesso clean and then begin to paint.If you do not want to deal with transferring, you can always add a layer of clear coat to the pencil sketch that is on the wood, let it dry and then start painting. The lead will be sealed and will not mix with your colors.I hope that helps.You’ve given me a nice idea for a blog post and I’ll be explaining it using pictures.Take careMaggie
Many amplifier manufacturers tell to customers that installing is easy. And then people install it without any professional. Many times it happens that people can’t install it properly. I think we should install car amplifier with professional for better performance.