Setting gain correctly?

[Earnhardt132000]

I know the best way is with a multimeter, but until I get/find one, I'm left with listening. I have 2 L5s (600WRMS) running off a Viper D1200.1 (1200WRMS @ 1ohm). So I'm running the amp to its full potention. I know its pretty much impossible to tell me where to set it, but would 3/4 be safe. The subs don't seem to distort when its set that high, and I can't see if my amp is going into protection mode since its below my box (t-top box, amp is down in original t-top storing area).

Also, I have a nasty rattle coming from the passenger side bumber/rear quarter. I think it might be the spare tire, but I'm not sure. Whats the best way to get rid of rattles? Just tighten everything down? I can't hear the rattle inside the car, but outside its quite obvious. I expected this, since a car with 180,000 miles on it should have a few rattles. Now its a matter of fixing it.

[CAMAROWIDBASS]

1) the gain is not a volume control it is used to match the voltage that the HU puts out.

2) any 1200 watt amp is going to get hot if it doesnt have proper air circulation. See if you can mount it somewhere else or stick about 2 crossflow fans under the box to give it some ventilation.

3) You will never get rid of all the rattles on your car, tighten everything down and your going to have to rethighten about once a month.

[Kidcamaro98]

first put all the settings on your deck to Zero. Including treb, loudness, take equalizers off etc. Just like when the deck was brand new and nothing was preset....next turn the gain ALL the way down on the amp however turn the power all the way up on the amp. Next turn your music volume up to what you mostly listen to it at...(maybe even a little louder) then put on a CD that has a good amount of bass...if possible a bass tester CD if you can get ahold of one, it makes it much easier with bass. Then when the cd is playing go back to the amp (with the volume still at where you left it) and slowly turn the gain up as the music is playing. keep turning the gain up untill the bass of your subs start to overcome your speakers and the music loses its clarity. When it gets to that point, turn the gain Back a tiny bit. when you turn up the volume to whatever level you want, the bass should gradually get louder with the music but will not overcome the clarity. It should sound real nice with deep bass. then if you want a little more clarity or a little more bass without messing with the amp you can mess around with the settings on your deck to your likings. Hope this helped