Overdriving card

Chester01 · May 17, 2004, 03:15 AM

This may seem like a dumb question, but if i were to accidently do like a 60 db gain on a signal that is already around -4 db on average, would it damage my card in some way or would it just drain the caps that are tryin to output that super loud signal? I havent done this, but I was just curious on the effects of the card trying to supply super high gain when it probably cannot output that much power. Also, is it possible to put a heat sync on the card? Where would i put it? Do they generate much heat? Last thing; I know that it is possible to use larger capacitors on stereos to prevent clipping and such, is it possible to do these modifications to the audigy? I have a sb0090 (8000)

thanks for all of your insight!

By the way, im not trying to blow my card up or break it, I just feel that when you have so much control over an electrical device (especially with signal gain) it is important to know the limitations of your equipment.

**dj_stick** · May 17, 2004, 05:31 AM

i don't think yuo will damage your card… just get extreme clipping and distortion on your audio file

wingfeather · May 17, 2004, 06:18 PM

The card does not have 'gain' - at least not in the way that an amplifier does. All of the output level controls are done digitally - i.e. by multiplying numbers together. As you get louder and louder, the card eventually runs out of numbers and the waveform has its peaks cut off - thus the signal sounds distorted. This is referred to as clipping. Adding 60dB to a signal that is just below clipping will not make it any louder - it will just make it clip, and as you increase the level you'll eventually (in theory) get a perfect square wave. Don't imagine the card struggling to output some massive voltages, because it isn't. Instead think of it saying "nope, that's too loud - chop it off".
Bottom line is, there's no way of damaging your card by putting lots of gain on the output. Your speakers are another matter, however, and you should avoid feeding them clipped signals if at all possible. All the high frequency energy in these kinds of signals can damage them.

Chester01 · May 18, 2004, 12:55 AM

Thanks, the last reply was very informitave, thank you.

May 17, 2004, 03:15 AM	#1
Chester01 HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: St. Cloud, MN Posts: 492 Rep Power: 0	Overdriving card This may seem like a dumb question, but if i were to accidently do like a 60 db gain on a signal that is already around -4 db on average, would it damage my card in some way or would it just drain the caps that are tryin to output that super loud signal? I havent done this, but I was just curious on the effects of the card trying to supply super high gain when it probably cannot output that much power. Also, is it possible to put a heat sync on the card? Where would i put it? Do they generate much heat? Last thing; I know that it is possible to use larger capacitors on stereos to prevent clipping and such, is it possible to do these modifications to the audigy? I have a sb0090 (8000) thanks for all of your insight! By the way, im not trying to blow my card up or break it, I just feel that when you have so much control over an electrical device (especially with signal gain) it is important to know the limitations of your equipment.

May 17, 2004, 06:18 PM	#3
wingfeather DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: UK Posts: 18 Rep Power: 0	The card does not have 'gain' - at least not in the way that an amplifier does. All of the output level controls are done digitally - i.e. by multiplying numbers together. As you get louder and louder, the card eventually runs out of numbers and the waveform has its peaks cut off - thus the signal sounds distorted. This is referred to as clipping. Adding 60dB to a signal that is just below clipping will not make it any louder - it will just make it clip, and as you increase the level you'll eventually (in theory) get a perfect square wave. Don't imagine the card struggling to output some massive voltages, because it isn't. Instead think of it saying "nope, that's too loud - chop it off". Bottom line is, there's no way of damaging your card by putting lots of gain on the output. Your speakers are another matter, however, and you should avoid feeding them clipped signals if at all possible. All the high frequency energy in these kinds of signals can damage them.

May 18, 2004, 12:55 AM	Thread Starter #4
Chester01 HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: St. Cloud, MN Posts: 492 Rep Power: 0	Thanks, the last reply was very informitave, thank you.