FAQ: Connecting your soundcard to a Volkswagen Monsoon Amp

**visenri** · 01-17-2010, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by Karjan

Im in the process of building my carpc. I have the monsoon amp with my 07 Golf GTI.

I have everything working thanks to this thread and a few others I found. But Im currently trying to work out how to get the amp going properly. I have tested it works by isolating the LR- channel and putting +5V into it manually.

This is what Im thinking of making to do it. Anyone see any problems with this?
Im going to get the +12V and ground from the M2-ATX PSU.

That schematic is not valid, you can't put a diode in a audio signal wire, it will strongly distort the audio.

You should build the circuit as posted in first page, the one with the GLI, you can get the 12V from the power supply, but you must use the GLI and use a 6V regulator.

If you've got only a 5V regulator (7805), you can get 6.2V by putting two diodes in series with the regulator negative pin. Any silicon diode will do the job (1n4148, 1n100X ...), just check you get the right voltage with a voltmeter.

**svaq** · 09-12-2011, 08:45 PM

I have an 03 GTI with a monsoon amp system. I know this thread is for connecting your system to a pc of some sort, but I can't find the right info anywhere else to connect my monsoon amp to my aftermarket headunit. I read through the thread, but I am still having trouble figuring out which wires i should splice my 6v regulator into. I am simply using a 12v lead from the fuse box (to control the on and off of the amp with the ignition) to the 6v regulator. Now, which speaker wires should i be sending the 6v's into? The OP says the left negative audio; would that mean just one left negative wire, say the front left -? Or is there more.

Help would be greatly appreciated, this is the last step in getting my headunit to work, and it has been quite frustrating.

**svaq** · 09-12-2011, 08:59 PM

I have an 03 GTI with a monsoon amp system. I know this thread is for connecting your system to a pc of some sort, but I can't find the right info anywhere else to connect my monsoon amp to my aftermarket headunit. I read through the thread, but I am still having trouble figuring out which wires i should splice my 6v regulator into. I am simply using a 12v lead from the fuse box (to control the on and off of the amp with the ignition) to the 6v regulator. Now, which speaker wires should i be sending the 6v's into? The OP says the left negative audio; would that mean just one left negative wire, say the front left -? Or is there more.

Help would be greatly appreciated, this is the last step in getting my headunit to work, and it has been quite frustrating.

**svaq** · 09-13-2011, 05:57 PM

I actually got it working finally, didnt need the 6v regulator at all.. turns out I blew a fuse after I had checked them, haha XD

**svaq** · 09-13-2011, 05:59 PM

Finally got it working, didn't need the 6v regulator at all..turns out I blew a fuse after I had checked them. Figures, ha. And sorry for the double post

**cazzz** · 05-31-2012, 10:54 AM

Great thread!

I drive a 2004 Jetta GLI and I'm installing a Mac Mini to replace the head unit.

What about volume control. Wouldn't it be prudent to install controls to limit the signal to the amp and give some fader capability?

Is there any problem splitting the output from the computer for front, rear, and sub? I am adding a powered sub and need inputs. Any signal degradation from splitting three ways?

**cazzz** · 07-11-2012, 07:10 AM

If there is anybody around in the know about the monsoon system here is a question.

How is the front to rear fader controlled?

The head unit has the control and there are two channels (4 wires) that run to the amp.

I see the biggest challenge as maintaining fade and balance controls when integrating the carpc to the car audio system.

**cazzz** · 03-10-2013, 05:28 PM

I successfully used the stock Monsoon amp with a Mac Mini.

I put 5v on all negative leads into the amp.

Came out of the mac mini with an RCA splitter and through a ground loop isolator, split to 4 channels, and to the amp.

Works better than with the original head unit.