"Technically It can be done as the compressor has 6 separate compressors. 3 on the left and 3 on the right. So the right compression will not interfere with the left."
@richpowers But one one control for both sides!
It doesn't matter as I am not doing it, I don't think anyone else has or will do this and I don't think you are going to do this either so whether it can work or not is irrelevant.
!It doesn't matter as I am not doing it, I don't think anyone else has or will do this and I don't think you are going to do this either so whether it can work or not is irrelevant.
Fine, I'm not trying to get you to do it, but you keep implying the suggestion is ridiculous, which is why I keep insisting that it is not. The fact is numerous - here on this forum even, in the past back when everyone was also streaming their station because it was still basically free to do so, they were talking about how they used their left channel for their transmitter and the right channel for their online stream - it was a talked about practice, and it is not uncommon to do so, and I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to find some who are doing it right now. I did it, and I got the idea from the forums long ago.
Even if you or I or anyone else doesn't do it does not make the subject of this method irrelevant.
I'm not trying to get you to do anything, I'm just telling you its a real thing. That's the only point I am trying to make.
I was just thinking back 20 years ago when I had the Rangemaster in 24/7 operation atop the city pier and pavilion. Never did determine just how far the signal traveled, but it consistently came in clear as day - clear and clean - at the Wilmington island dump about 7 miles away as the crow flies, but a longer drive I think.. anyway, you know, the ground lead thing and all... But anyway, this was back when I was fresh into the hobby and the forums were still strong. There were 3 of them, part15.us, radiodiscussions.com, and communityradiousa.com (now defunct, it was a branch of Radio-Info.com). I spent most of my time at communityradiousa until I think it got took down or something, there was a lot of commotion going on over Richard Fry's postings and if I remember right they just shut down the whole forum, and I think that's when I drifted back over to part 15.us and eventually hobbybroadcaster.net came into existence and I spent extensive time there for a few years till he kicked me out.
ANYWAY.. I've totally drifted the point, but my first few years I was buying processors left and right following every review about this one or that one, and armed with those reviews I would hit eBay to get one.. I experimented with at least 3 or 4 different units before I settled on the Aphex Compellor/Dominator pair, I was really impressed (although I got lucky, buying vintage gear is risky and I don't know squat about repairing or servicing one), I really loved them, but this time around I had already decided to get a Schlockwood, it was a done deal, in my mind it would be ridiculous not to, considering the history behind it and the man manufacturing them, these are built not only specifically for AM, but specifically for part 15 AM, and the only thing I was waiting for was for him to release the next run of them.. but as you know, in the end I opted instead for the Culbert solely because of the Schlockwood's floating ground. Reconsidering it now I figure that was a stupid reason not get a Schlockwood, adding an inverter to the mix wouldn't really amount to much difference in energy efficiency, but it just kind of irked me that it was the only thing that needed AC in the entire station setup.
Which finally brings me to the point. I got to wondering which is the norm in pro-audio compressors and limiters? In other words, are floating grounds common in processors? It turns out it's not, so I ask the not so trustworthy Google AI, and it provided some interesting info, which I'll excerpt some of it here, because it sounds accurate, and I'm simply presuming this time that it is. First, what is the reason for having a floating ground at all....
Why Floating Grounds Exist
Noise Isolation: It isolates the circuit's reference point from the actual earth ground, which is a primary method for eliminating ground loops (the hum/buzz you often hear in audio).
Measurement Sensitivity: Floating the entire device allows it to measure tiny voltage differences without having to reference them against a massive 100V+ potential difference from the earth.
Power Stability: In off-grid or marine environments where ground faults are common, floating systems can continue to operate even after a single fault, preventing a total loss of service.
Wikipedia +4
Common Challenges
Voltage Potential: Floating gear can sometimes "drift" in potential. You might feel a slight "tingle" or shock if you touch the chassis of a floating device while also touching a grounded one, often due to small capacitors inside the power supply.
Complex Wiring: If you connect a floating processor to a grounded transmitter via standard RCA or XLR cables, the shield of the cable may accidentally ground the processor, defeating the purpose and potentially causing noise.
Wikipedia +3
💡 Key Takeaway: While the concept is common in electronics, requiring it for a mains-powered audio processor like the Schlockwood is a specific design choice that demands careful power planning, which is why the Culbert is often the "plug-and-play" alternative for DC setups
_____________________
Ok, how common are floating grounds specifically in similar audio processors, and if rare, then what other audio processors do use floating ground?
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16 sites
In the world of high-end and broadcast audio processors, a floating ground (or isolated ground) is a deliberate design choice that is relatively rare in general studio gear but can be found in flagship broadcast units.
Astrodyne TDI +1
While most common rack equipment ties the internal signal ground directly to the metal chassis and the 3rd prong of the AC plug, "floating" designs isolate these paths to prevent noise.
Ikonix USA +2
How Common is it?
In standard consumer and "prosumer" audio, it is uncommon. Most manufacturers assume a grounded environment for safety and ease of use. However, in the radio broadcast industry, it is a recognized "pro" feature used to combat the extreme electrical noise found at transmitter sites.
YouTube +1
Other Processors with Floating Designs
Many high-end broadcast processors use floating architectures, but often only for specific ports (like the Composite/MPX output) rather than the entire internal power rail.
Orban Optimod Series: Modern flagship models like the Optimod 8600 and 8700i feature composite outputs that are "floating over chassis ground". This prevents ground loops between the processor and the transmitter.
Omnia (Telos Alliance): The Omnia.11 and Omnia VOLT also utilize BNC connectors for composite signals that are specifically designed to float over the chassis ground.
Inovonics: Some older or utility-grade models, like the Inovonics 261, are noted for not being truly floating, which is why they often require external ground-lifting adapters in problematic environments.
Stetsom (Mobile/12V Audio): In the car audio world, the STX2448 Floating DSP explicitly advertises a "Float Mode" to handle different audio streams and grounding challenges unique to 12V mobile systems.
Telos Alliance +6
📌 The Bottom Line: The Schlockwood is unique because it often requires the entire unit to be floated, whereas more modern digital units (like the Omnia or Optimod) achieve similar results by isolating only the specific inputs and outputs that are prone to loops.
Telos Alliance +1
A "like new": Schlockwood 200 $500obo
Oh, there's a Iovonics 222 for $300 too https://ebay.us/m/A6K5sI
Also some carrier current Radio Systems TRS transmitter up there too
Another Iovonics 222 for $330 https://ebay.us/m/1a39ei
You know, I don't know, but I've heard other hobbyist say a few times before in years past that they didn't particularly like how it made their part 15AM station sounds, yet at the same time it has a kind of golden grail of AM proccessor reputation. I heard that option a few times and at some point I lost all interest in them. ... Well, actually what I lost interest in is 30+ year old equipment! Still, it's not often you see them turn up and currently there's two of them on eBay.
Out of curiosity I look what else the Schlockwood seller had for sale.. I wondered why he would be selling it, its obviously not a surplus sales item, anyway he only has 4 other items for sale, they are model train hobby items - a seller selling their AM proccessor and some model train stuff... that made me think of Carl.
@richpowers I would have said get the Schlockwood from Ebay but when I went to the listing he wants $500? What? A rip off. That is more than it was new!
These people are nothing but greedy. Now I say don't pay that. If you want it offer $300 and even that's too much. Crazy.
OK it was his own as I saw he got it from the factory but why is he selling it? You don't know and just because it is out of production you are ripped off with price.
@mark he does say " or best offer", but yeah I was thinking the same thing. But since they aren't made anymore and as far as I know the budget option 205 board with no cabinet still hasn't come out yet, but the pro 210 unit is out for $580. So if I were to get either, it would be spending an extra $80 for a brand new advance Schlockwood model pro 210 over a used model 200.
That said, I really doubt I'd ever pay $500+ for any proccessor
Heh, I've got an Aphex Dominator in my watchlist, wasn't really contemplating buying it, I got all kinds of stuff in my watch list. I just received an alert 15% discount or something to buy it for $100.. I'm almost tempted but it makes a lot more sense to wait until I'm actually back in operation and know what the gear I have now first! But it is a good price. Fortunately I'm about broke till the first of the month anyway. They are nice, I really like them, but damn they're getting pretty old, seems to much of a gamble.. doesn't the electronics deteriorate? I'm not interested in learning to service them.
@richpowers The only things that deteriate are controls that can be fixed with Deoxit contact cleaner and capacitors...namely electrolytics, not the others and mostly when something has been sitting unused for a long time(ten years or more). If used sort of regularly or if in storage turned on once in a while and left on for an hour or so preserves the capacitors. The Aphex Dominator you have your sites on if it hasn't been abused, tampered with, dropped, connected to a wrong power supply, would need recapping only if it has been sitting unused for over a Decade. All other components chips whatever stay good. But you know there's always a bit of a gamble with used stuff, especially when the seller got it from somewhere else like an estate sale, or wherever. Like the seller on Ebay with 50 or more Decades.
@mark Good to know, but if I buy one it will be later, after the station is in operation. The Cuthbert should be fine on its own, but after it's been running awhile would like to follow the Cuthbert with a Dominator and see if I notice as much of a difference as I did when I got my first used one about 15-20 years ago.
Dominator is just something I'm keeping in the back of my mind, but when one comes up for $100 it nudges it to the front of my mind!
I'm not getting one right now.
For my future reference:
While the Aphex Dominator series (Models 720 and 722) is not designed to run on direct DC input out of the box, it is technically possible with internal modifications to the power supply.
The standard unit is built to run on AC power (typically switchable between 100, 120, 220, and 240 VAC) using an internal linear power supply that converts that AC into the specific DC voltages the circuitry requires.
Power Requirements for DC Operation
To run a Dominator on DC, you would need to bypass the internal transformer and bridge rectifier to feed DC power directly to the internal voltage rails.
Internal Voltage Rails: The Dominator's internal analog circuitry typically operates on a bipolar +/- 15V DC supply.
Current Draw: You would need a stable, regulated DC source capable of providing at least 500mA per rail to ensure stable operation under load.
Voltage Regulation: Feeding the unit raw battery power (like 12V) will not work without a DC-to-DC converter to step it up to the required +/- 15V.
Challenges and Considerations
No Native DC Input: Unlike some modern broadcast gear or specific "off-grid" processors, the Dominator lacks a rear-panel DC jack.
Modification Required: Implementing DC power requires opening the chassis and soldering wires directly to the power supply board. This will void any warranties and requires technical expertise to avoid damaging the sensitive Aphex VCA 1001 chips.
Filtering: The internal AC supply includes filtering capacitors to reduce noise. If you switch to an external DC source, you must ensure it is exceptionally "clean" to avoid introducing hum or interference into the audio path.
⚡ Key Point: For mobile or off-grid use, it is often safer and easier to use a high-quality pure sine wave inverter to provide the standard 120V/240V AC power the unit expects.
If you are planning to use this in a specific mobile rig, I can help you:
Identify a suitable DC-to-DC converter for +/- 15V rails.
Find the test points on the PCB for power injection.
Recommend inverters that won't add noise to your audio.
Which application (e.g., remote broadcast, car audio, portable rack) are you building this for?
I just checked the Schlockwood site, it no longer has any mention of the budget 205 model that was supposed to come out in the first months of the year. I guess he changed his mind.
Oh.. concerning the Schlockwood 200, Dave, who's a member here has reviewed it before, but I always thought his page reviewing the Schlockwood Modulation Monitor always struck me as particularly notable, because it's actually a damn good look at the Schlockwood 200 and the Rangemaster too and how they work together and so forth. It's just a great read on it's own, and it's the first time I really understood what makes a modulation monitor valuable to a part 15 station, prior to reading that article I just considered it to me nothing more than a glorified meter reading, that they didn't really do anything for the broadcast itself, that article changed my mind.
Anyway, besides his primary review of the 200, he also has an interesting mini-review of it here too within this other review.
@richpowers Last I saw the budget Schlockwood was to come out around the summer some time. As for used electronics one way to tell if likely good barring the other things I mentioned is physical condition which tells how it has been looked after. If dents, scrapes, in cabinet, you already know it has been banged around and maybe dropped, not a good sign.
Good to see pictures all around and that tells you a lot.
Also an indepth write up on the Decade MS-100 by Dave.
https://aa7ee.wordpress.com/2025/01/29/the-decade-ms-100-a-certified-part-15-fm-transmitter/