15th episode of Free Thinker Radio is up!

The third selection was not "Tommy James and the Shondells- Crystal Blue Persuasion". It was a poor quality cover version.  I know you are doing this to circumvent rights, but this wasn't even close and wasn't listenable for me.

This brings up the question about whether listensrs will settle for poor copycat versions of popular songs. I don't know the answer. To me it is an instant turnoff. Maybe others aren't so critical. I would like to hear opinions from others. Providing a media source for a part 15 or streaming station requires a high quality mix of original artist recordings. Otherwise, the listener base will dwindle down to zero.

In addition to what I said in the last post, I would like to add that it seems your equaliziton is off a bit.  Most of the content, including your voice is week. My first impression is that you need to change equalization to boost the mid and high frequencies and reduce the bass boost, Also, your ALC function or limiting is pumping on the bass frequencies. ALC may be set too high because when you speak with pauses, background hum and noise rises up to an annoying level. Back off on the ALC.

Phil, that was not a cover version. I would never play cover versions.

Listen to this-

My version, and this one from youtube are the same. So it was not a cover you heard. It is from their Best hits album from the vinyl. Sorry if you found it unlistenable but it was the original. Also, what is the ALC?

Playing a cover version would not circumvent any rights issues.  If you're broadcasting on the air, the rights for the SONG still need to be paid no matter WHO is performing it. If you're sitting there playing the song on a guitar and singing it in the studio on the air, the rights to the song itself still need to be paid.  Even if you change a lyric or two and throw in an extra chord, if it's that song BMI, ASCAP or SESAC legally needs some $$. They pay the composers of the song. The only time the artist gets paid (if they're not the writer) is for STREAMING royalties.  And even if you were playing a cover version the band who recorded it would still be due royalties if you're streaming it,as well as the writers.

People often ask me where the hell I get my rights information, as they want to believe differently than the reality.  Two more months and I mark 42 years in broadcasting. Everything from DJ to Program Director to Chief Engineer. I've deal with the PRO's (performing rights organizations) for decades. I own a small record label, a music publishing company, am a member of ASCAP, actually every now and then receive teeny tiny royalty checks, and have a copyright attorney on retainer.  I don't make this stuff up, I KNOW.  What you might get caught at is a whole different discussion from what you're supposed to be doing.

Other than that I can vouch for his broadcast indeed containing the original version of Tommy James and the Shondells "Crystal Blue Persuasion". There's no doubt. I've been collecting records since 1961 and I have well over 20,000 in the collection now.  I've been playing that song on the oldies station I work for for 27 years. Believe me. that's it. although it does sound a bit weird with the eq off, but that's it. 

Tim in Bovey

Worth noting that many many huge hit records are NOT the original versions. My work station is presently giving away a CD called "Before They Were Famous" which includes 23 tunes as recorded by the original artists or writers, NONE of them are the "hit" versions. 

Also worth noting -- the song we discussed above was written by Tommy James, however his big hit "Hanky Panky" was NOT written by him, or originally recorded by him, but by a girl group "The Raindrops"  So don't always claim the hit is the original!

Tim in Bovey

I wish there were a way to retract a post.

I just listened again to your show with headphones. I discovered that I had some goofy custom setup in my audio player that was still set from some experimenting I was doing a few days ago and forgot about. Your audio sounds excellent and I agree the song is the original.

Please accept my apologies.

To answer your question Atrainradio, ALC is "automatic level control".  ALC generates a control signal based on the loudness of your audio which automatically adjusts your volume, trying to keep it more or less constant.

Loud passages are quieted by the control signal which reduces the stage gain.  When a quiet passage occurs the control signal allows the gain to increase.  Any "noise" in the background sounds louder.

ALC, AVC, compression, limiter; all somewhat different but controlling your volume.

An annoying artifact of these is called "pumping" where the control signal is making abrupt changes to the output in time with periodic loud sounds like a kick drum or a sudden blast.

Phil, it's fine haha. I don't mind if people complain about it. I would gladly make corrections if I screwed up something. And mram, thanks for telling me about! I think Audacity has alc on it. I shall check it out.