Audio Control Freaks
DSP in the car has now become a specialist installer’s staple. The dirty tricks being pulled by motor manufacturers in an attempt to make extremely cheap and poorly performing speakers sound somewhere near acceptable has seen new problems arise for the installer trying to integrate an audio upgrade with a stock head unit.
But hang on, AudioControl have been designing and building sound shape-shifters for over 40 years and continue to look forward while leaving millions of happy customers in their wake. Yet, DSP is a relatively new product segment so what did this small yet perfectly formed company do before the arrival of digital technology?
In the beginning there was cassette and 8-track cartridge. These were the weapons of choice for those wishing to enjoy their own choice of music on the move. However, equipment in those days was beset with issues contriving to remove all the enjoyment from music. AudioControl provided audio specialists with unique tools that allowed them to shape the sound in a car to make it more musical and pleasing to the driver and passengers. Graphic equalisers and amplifiers were vital additions to a head unit if you wanted to listen to music in a car. The small team of acousticians and sound engineers involved led the world for sonic restoration products not only in the car but also in professional and domestic settings. But their expertise was not limited to shaping sound but also to measuring it with some of their test gear still in use in car audio workshops throughout the world.
Over 40 years, the world has changed dramatically and the advent of digital audio in cars required AudioControl to develop new technologies to help. Today, as well as a whole host of analogue sound-shapers, AudioControl carries an impressive range of digital signal processors (DSP) including products embedded within the chassis of amplifiers.
One such product is the D-4.800. This compact class D, 4-channel amplifier is equipped with on-board processing full of incredibly useful tools for integrating an OEM head unit into an upgraded audio system. Delivering 4 X 125 Watts RMS into 4 Ohms or 200 Watts RMS into 2 Ohms, the D-4.800 offers everything the serious system builder requires in an all-in-one compact chassis. This approach not only saves precious space in the car, but arguably even more precious installation time.
Audio connection into the box can be via six speaker or four line inputs with the addition of signal summing circuitry adding to the flexibility often required to overcome some of the challenges associated with OEM integration. A signal sensing circuit is by no means a unique feature, but an extremely useful one and a real installation time-saver. A remote input for power up is provided if preferred and is sometimes necessary where cars output chimes from their head units for parking sensors etc.
A programmable delay is offered on each input. This confused me at first glance as I know the product also has time-alignment. Input delay however, is there to undo any “hard-wired” time-alignment in the manufacturers head unit itself. A sophisticated RTA function on each input allows your installer to detect this and delay the inputs affected appropriately.
Once the signals arrive, there is a multitude of ways in which the sound can be shaped. Phase correction, time-alignment and Linkwitz-Riley filters are available on each channel along with a 30-band graphic equaliser. In this instance, the work of Stephen Butterworth is overlooked – well you can put too many eggs in the pudding I guess!
Already, you can see that this is an extremely sophisticated piece of equipment brimming with highly technical controls and features. Are they all necessary? Oh yes, at least the experts believe so. Overcoming built-in sound curves and aforementioned time-alignment is essential when building a coherent, high-quality system in a modern car.
A word of warning to the DIY installer, controlling this miniature beast is as sophisticated as the product itself. We have spoken previously about the hazards of putting fine controls in the hands of those without the appropriate knowledge or training. This is not to take away from the smart app AudioControl has developed to enable all parameters to be adjusted via a laptop computer. This interface is one of the most user-friendly we have seen and I am certain that anyone with a very small amount of experience would quickly pick it up. My main concern is what the user chooses to do with all of the controls. I have spent many years around all sorts of audio equipment and am still prone to getting completely sidetracked by my curiosity rather than sticking to the planned purpose. The result is often one of frustration and more importantly, a less than optimal set up.
In the hands of a specialist such as a FOUR MASTER the box is a doddle. A specialist installer doesn't have time to overplay and is trained to go straight to the controls that count. Experience offers them an uncanny ability to interpret your brief and achieve the sound you want - often first time. If you do wish to have a play then there are two presets. I would strongly advise anyone doing so to leave the FOUR MASTER preset alone and use it for reference and for what in my case would become a vital “step back” for when I get completely lost.
Of course, we have only looked at one product and not in too much depth either so probably fail to do AudioControl’s extensive range justice. For that you can visit www.fourcaraudio.co.uk and see which products are available in the UK as well as familiarising yourself with the full capabilities of the D-4.800.
Having had many years of exposure to AudioControl products, I am always impressed with the products and the good humour associated with the brand. I wish them the best of luck in reaching 50 years and beyond.
Find out what our partner, The FOUR MASTER Network, can do to bring Hi-Fi quality to your car. Simply put some brief details into the form below.
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