• About Us
    • Careers
      • Vancouver Job Opportunity
      • Victoria Job Opportunity
    • Ralph’s Radio History
  • Brands
    • Brax, Helix and Match
    • Escort Radar Solutions
    • Focal
    • JL Audio
      • JL Audio Car Audio
      • JL Audio Marine
    • Kenwood
  • Why Choose Ralphs
  • Meet The Team
    • Vancouver Team
    • Victoria Team
  • Testimonials
    • Vancouver
    • Victoria
  • Hours And Directions
  • Contact Us
  • Pay Online

Ralphs Radio Ltd.

Vancouver: 604-879-4281 | Victoria: 250-386-7100
Corporate Login
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • Vehicle Upgrades
    • Advanced Camera Systems
    • Apple CarPlay
    • Android Auto
    • Backup Cameras
    • Backup Sensors
    • Blind Spot Systems
    • Car Audio
    • Cell Phone Integration
    • Collision Avoidance Systems
    • Driver Safety Products
    • Lighting
    • Motorcycle Audio
    • Powersports Audio And Lighting
    • Radar And Laser Detectors
    • Rear Seat Entertainment
    • Remote Car Starters
      • Remote Start Systems
    • Vehicle Security
  • Marine Audio
  • Communications
    • TELUS Mobility
    • Satellite Communications
    • Wireless Data Modems
  • ID Sign Boxes
  • Articles
    • Featured Installations
    • Backup Safety
    • Bluetooth
    • Car Audio
    • Navigation
    • Remote Car Starter
    • Satellite Radio
    • Smartphone Integration
  • Gallery
You Are Here: Ralphs Radio Ltd. Car Audio DSP 101: Part 1 — What Is a Digital Signal Processor?
DSP 101: Part 1 — What Is a Digital Signal Processor?

May 16, 2021 By BestCarAudio.com

DSP 101: Part 1 — What Is a Digital Signal Processor?

Digital Signal Processor

Having a digital signal processor in your car audio system is a necessity if you expect your music to sound accurate. We’ve told you many times that speakers are essential to getting great sound. While 100% true, so is the need to calibrate the output of those speakers to work with the acoustics of the environment. Proper equalizer configuration is the only way to make your audio system sound genuinely realistic.

In this series of articles, we’ll look closely at the features included in a digital signal processor and explain how each of those functions improves the performance of your mobile audio system. We’ll also give you some tips to help you find a retailer who has the tools and training to optimize your stereo efficiently and reliably.

What Is Signal Processing?

For decades, car audio systems used analog crossovers and equalizers with sliders or knobs to allow installation technicians to configure and calibrate the signals going to each amplifier. Tens of thousands of hours have been spent tweaking AudioControl, Phoenix Gold, Precision Power and Image Dynamics analog equalizers over the years.

Digital Signal Processor
Recording studios are typically jammed full of rack-mount signal processors that include compressors, equalizers, limiters, de-essers, harmonic synthesizers, preamps and noise gates. Now, the function of many of these devices can be created in the digital domain by software plug-ins.

The problem with analog processing is its accuracy. The values of resistors, capacitors and potentiometers in analog circuits varies by temperature and sometimes by age. Another problem is accessibility. Since these devices are somewhat large, tuning a vehicle typically involves repeated trips from the driver or passenger seat to the trunk to make adjustments. This dramatically increases the time it takes to configure and calibrate the system. Finally, there is the issue of repeatability. If you want two different configurations, you can’t reliably change the settings, then hope to return them to their original configuration and have the system sound exactly the same each time. Potentiometers are by nature, nearly infinitely variable. Even a difference of only a few degrees can dramatically change the value of an EQ or filter setting.

According to the definition provided by Analog Devices (a company that manufactures DSP integrated circuits), a digital signal processor (DSP) is a device that takes real-world signals like voice, audio, video, temperature, pressure or position that have been digitized and mathematically manipulates them. A DSP is designed to perform mathematical functions like “add,” “subtract,” “multiply,” and “divide” very quickly. Many companies manufacture DSP chips, and some car audio product manufacturers will note the specific unit they use. Products like Blackfin, SHARC, Sigma from Analog Devices, Symphony from NXP and Velvet Sound from Asahi Kasei Microdevices get name-dropped quite frequently.

Digital Signal Processor
Processors like the PS8 Pro from ARC Audio provide incredible precision, accuracy and repeatability, so the technician calibrating your audio system can make it sound as realistic as possible.

In a DSP, the interface between the person configuring the processor and the system is computer-based. Once a system is calibrated, the settings can be saved to a file on the computer. Every time the processor turns on, the software applies the exact same signal modifications. The results are repeatable and predictable.

Processors with adequate memory can store multiple presets. You can have a system calibration for use when only the driver is in the vehicle, then another for when the car has people in the driver’s and passengers’ seats. You may even want a third calibration that raises the crossover points a bit so you can play the system at higher levels without fear of damaging speakers.

Digital Signal Processor
ARC Audio’s PS8 Pro software includes level meters that allow technicians to monitor signals as they pass through different stages of the processor. These meters eliminate the chance of clipping and distortion in the audio path.

When to Use a DSP in a Car Audio System

If you want your music to sound realistic, then you need some form of equalizer in your mobile audio system. Praying that a new set of speakers will magically compensate for the reflections and cancellations in your specific vehicle is a fool’s errand. They won’t, and they shouldn’t. To compensate for the acoustics of the vehicle, you need a DSP with at least 30 bands of graphic equalization on both the left and right channels. You can get away with fewer bands if you are using more channels. For example, 10 to 15 bands of EQ are more than enough on a woofer or a midbass channel. We’ll explain equalizer functions in detail in Part 4 of this series.

Digital Signal Processor
Digital signal processors don’t have to be complicated or elaborate. The Helix DSP Mini features four RCA inputs, four speaker level inputs and six outputs. It’s a perfect choice for a three-way audio system.

Most car audio systems use a dedicated amplifier for the subwoofers and a separate amp for the midrange and high-frequency speakers. Getting the crossover settings between these amplifiers right is crucial to ensuring the bass and midbass in these systems sound good. If the system is more elaborate, it may have dedicated amplifier channels for the tweeters, at which point the DSP needs another set of filters. If you have midrange and midbass speakers, then you need yet another set of amp channels and filters. Most high-end car audio systems use a four-way system with dedicated subwoofers, midbass, midrange and tweeter channels. We’ll explain more about crossovers in Part 3.

Digital Signal Processor
Some processors like the Audison bit ONE HD Virtuoso include advanced processing features that make upgrading factory-installed sound systems easier.

The technician setting up your vehicle will likely want to apply some delay to the speakers closest to the listening position, or delay the front and rear speakers so that the sound from them arrives at the same time as sound from the subwoofer. We’ll explore signal delay details in Part 5.

Beyond equalization, crossovers and signal delay, many processors include signal mixers to combine signals from different channels or sources into something that can be used in the upgraded system. Finally, companies like ARC Audio, Audison and AudioControl have processors that will work with the ADS Maestro AR amplifier replacement module to allow your installer to integrate your system directly to your factory radio while maintaining proper mixing of warning chimes and navigation prompts. We’ll look at this more in Part 2.

Digital Signal Processor
When it comes to integrating a high-quality digital signal processor into a factory-installed source unit, if the option is available, the Maestro AR helps to make things work seamlessly.

When Not to Use a DSP

There are cases where you shouldn’t invest in a digital signal processor. If your installation technician doesn’t have a high-quality microphone to calibrate the system, there is no way to make the car sound good. Likewise, if the technician hasn’t installed several processors in the past, they likely don’t have a defined process in place that will ensure that your vehicle will sound good. Since you’ll be paying for the calibration process, you should know how long it’s going to take before work begins.

Speaking from experience, configuring basic settings like crossovers, signal delay and output levels within a DSP is easy. The process of equalizing each speaker in the vehicle and knowing how to deal with the anomalies that pop up can be much more challenging. It’s crucial that the technician you choose to calibrate your system understands what he or she is doing. They should have experience tuning many systems in the past. While tuning isn’t an art form, it is a complex process that requires formal training and hours of practice. It’s not something that can be figured out on the fly or that can be done by ear.

Upgrade Your Car Audio System with a Digital Signal Processor

If you’re interested in having your car audio system upgraded with a digital signal processor, start your shopping process by auditioning systems that have been tuned by the technician who will be working on your vehicle. You want to know that your audio investment in an audio system upgrade will yield similar results. Not everyone is well-versed in calibrating digital signal processors – even some technicians who are great fabricators.

As always, we suggest you start with a local specialty mobile enhancement retailer. In this case, it might be beneficial to shop around a bit. Listen to as many demo vehicles as are available. Listen to the same music in each one. Learn what you like, then talk to the Product Specialist you are dealing with about those criteria so they can be recreated in your vehicle.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Filed Under: Car Audio, Resource Library

About BestCarAudio.com

BestCarAudio.com is a showcase for the very best mobile electronics retailers in the world and a place to educate and inform interested consumers about existing and emerging technologies.

Porsche Stereo Upgrades Are a Specialty at Ralph’s Radio

Porsche

Whether you own a mint Porsche 911 993, a 5-year-old Boxster or a brand-new Cayman, the car audio upgrade veterans at … [Read More...]

Vancouver Client Upgrades 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Audio System

Sprinter Upgrade

A client from Vancouver recently visited Ralph’s Radio to inquire about options for upgrading the audio system in his … [Read More...]

Product Spotlight: Helix M Six DSP Car Audio Amplifier

Helix M Six DSP

It should come as no surprise that the Ralph’s Radio staff is fond of digital signal processors. A DSP’s ability to … [Read More...]

Your Car Audio Budget Deserves a Solid Plan

Planning Your Car Audio Purchasing Budget

A significant car audio system upgrade takes four items: a budget, great gear, expert installation and proper … [Read More...]

Chevrolet Camaros Get a Boost from Audio, Accessory Upgrades

Audio and Accessory Upgrades for the Chevy Camaro

Just as we’ve looked at the Mustang in the past, it’s now time to check out the car audio and convenience upgrades … [Read More...]

More About Car Audio

Search our site with any combination of CATEGORIES, TAGS, or KEYWORDS

  • Category

  • Tags

  • Sort Order

  • Keyword

  • » Reset

Proud to Be A

Living Wage Employer

About Us

Ralph’s Radio Ltd traces its roots back to 1949, when it had its beginnings installing and repairing AM car radios. Our … [Read More...]

Why Choose Ralph’s Radio?

Why Choose Us

Ralph’s Radio is a very different kind of company. Many times our clients want to know, "Why choose Ralph's Radio?" We … [Read More...]

Subscribe to Website

Enter your email address to subscribe to this website and receive notifications of new posts by email.

TV

  • TELUS TV

Location

Get directions to...

Vancouver Store Victoria Store

Vancouver Hours

SundayClosed
Monday9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday9:30 AM - 5:30 PM

Victoria Hours

SundayClosed
Monday9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
SaturdayClosed

Copyright © 2025 Ralph's Radio · Privacy Policy · Website by 1sixty8 media, inc. · Log in