Sound processor without volume control

If I understand this right, JL Audio CleanSweep(and some other similar brands) override the factory head unit volume control and steering wheel controls and replaces it with a cheap looking volume control knob that looks like it came off a 1950's toaster oven. Is there a decent sound processor out there that allows you full use of your factory controls? Thanks in advance!

 

Part of the factory headunit processing is "volume dependent" so any processor that overrides it will need an external volume control (you can read more about it in the FAQ's at the top of the page).
If you have tuning experience with an equalizer and an RTA you could use the MTX REQ processor on the sub with an EQ on the front end to accomplish the same thing however that would require lot's of devices in the signal chain (you would still need a line out converter). An electrical engineer friend of mine is working on a servomechanism device that will be controlled by the steering wheel volume button for these applications where people want to keep the factory headunit yet want the benefits of the aftermarket interfaces processing without seeing/using the external volume knob. The drag is it looks like it's gonna be a bit complicated to install as well as expensive.

 

Thanks for clearing that up, Mr Marv. I wish your friend the best of luck, it would really be something if he could do that!

 

I was reading the cleansweep faq at the jl site and it said this....

Q: Is it necessary to install the CleanSweep® CL441dsp’s
master volume control knob?
If you are using the CL441dsp’s auxiliary input, you will need to install the master volume control in order to control the volume of the auxiliary source unit. If you are not using the auxiliary input, it is possible to operate the system with the OEM volume control and without installing the CleanSweep’s master volume control knob. Please see the CL441dsp’s owner’s manual for full details.

So if I use the cd player instead of the aux source the volume knob will work?

 

I'm sure Mr Marv will be chiming in very soon about this one. If fact, I just got off the phone with him and he said he'll be responding ASAP.

 

The volume knob on the headunit will work (even if you have the external knob connected) however you will negate the benefits of flattening the response if you used the software enclosed with the Cleansweep (the biggest benefit IMO). If flattening the response of the factory headunit is not important to you I would suggest saving some dough and using another type of interface.

 

BTW, a few post up I mentioned using another method of getting around the use of an external volume knob however I failed to mention that you will not gain the full benefit of a device such as the Cleansweep if the headunit has "volume dependent" processing.