Digital sound processor (DSP) is a type of computer hardware that is designed to process digital signals. DSPs are used in a wide range of applications and electronic devices, from car infotainment systems and cell phones to MP3 players, digital TVs and satellite radios.

 

DSPs can be used to process both audio and video signals. They are often used to improve the quality of digital audio signals by removing noise and other artifacts. DSPs can also be used to improve the quality of digital video signals by reducing video noise and correcting for other defects.

 

DSPs are typically designed to work with a specific type of data. For example, there are DSPs designed specifically for audio signals and DSPs designed specifically for video signals.

 

Well, the crux of the matter is that Digital Sound Processor is that device, which will make your music and audio input sound superbly amazing!

 

When you play a song inside a building, it sounds different than a song playing in your car. This is because the acoustics are different, so the music is heard differently. A DSP can be used to smooth out differences in acoustics so your music will sound like you are hearing it in person instead of through a speaker.

 

Essentially, the Digital Signal Processor (or the Digital Sound Processor in Automotive parlance) technology enables manipulation of signals received from various inputs and there-by empowers the car speakers to play in a way such that the distortion and external disturbances were cut out and the overall volume as well as the fidelity of music was increased.

 

A DSP might just be the coolest thing you can upgrade in your car to not only increase its value but also amp up your driving enjoyment.

 

So, how, actually does the DSP Technology improve your In-Car Audio?

No one speaker is capable of putting out a full range of frequencies, so most car audio systems are made up of tweeters (for high frequencies), midrange (for vocals), and woofers/subwoofers (for bass frequencies). It is typically required to dedicate an amplifier channel to each of the speakers. And, here DSP has the charge of accurately dividing the audio signals and allocating it appropriately to each of the speakers.

 

Each speaker is also placed in very different places in a car, and, therefore distance between each listener as well as each speaker varies from car to car. Here, the Digital Sound Processor will be instrumental to balance out these uneven distances in such a manner that the music and sounds will seem like occupying the whole soundstage of the dashboard !

 

Most DSPs allow you to save multiple settings, so you can adjust the sound on the fly. This can be useful if you want to have a different sound setup when you have passengers or when you have the car all by yourself, for example.

 

Are Digital Sound Processors a DIY option?

For some folks, performing an installation inside their car might be an easy Sunday afternoon project but for a significant proportion of car owners or car users, this isn’t something that they would want to do by themselves. If you have an understanding of car wiring and the electronic components in your vehicle you might be able to install the DSP yourself.

 

However, once you begin rerouting wires from the car stereo, the car speakers and the amplifiers you are more than likely to run into unexpected troubles. Some vehicles have fuses for other things running through a factory-issued stereo such as controls for turn signals or voice activated Bluetooth features. If you aren’t aware of them and you accidentally cut or bypass something you could run into serious wiring issues down the road.