I recently acquired an Alesis Nanocompressor to run between my mixer output and my Ramsey FM10. I like to tweak by ear, but can anyone give me some basic guidelines for broadcast settings? I'm used to using compressors for live sound and recording
Any help is highly appreciated.
EJ
Shores96
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Low power PCS-0210 Single Circular Dipole - no-tune operation makes this omni-directional antenna a good match for low power transmitters - circular, omni-directional broadcast pattern! |
First and foremost an audio compressor is a slow acting amplitude leveling automatic gain controller (AGC).
Second, most FM broadcast transmitter audio is below 12 KHz, even the filters in the stereo generator are good to about 15 KHz. So, equalizing all that high frequency audio is counter productive. Remember, the transmitter is supposed to have 75usec preemphasis on the audio already. Make sure the audio response to the compressor is "flat".
Adjustments to consider:
Compression ratio: 2:1 to 3:5 is a good range depending on music format.
Attack timing: should be as fast as you can get without being zero.
release timing: should be between .5 sec to 1 sec depending on density of audio in music.
Threshold: this setting is very subjective depending on how deep you want the agc action to begin. Try around 2.5 to 6.0 db
Shape: this adjustment is really another name for compression ratio.
Drive: once again this another name for the baseline input audio to the agc.
The adjustments that "color" the audio the least and yet give a more consistent audio level is what your after. The caviat: if the compressor is improperly adjusted it will sound like its "PUMPING" and punching holes in the audio or possibly the high frequency audio has disappeared. If so, decrease threshold/drive, increase release, decrease attack and decrease threshold.
These are only very basic adjustments. Good luck.
Marshall Johnson, Sr.
Rhema Radio - The Word In Worship
http://www.rhemaradio.org
-broadcast engineer
Much appreciated...I plan on tweaking soon and enjoying every second!
"Very good, that!"
EJ
Shores96
EJ,
I love the kid sticking the butter knife in the AC socket. I think that's how man discovered amplitude modulation; or maybe, knock-you-on-your-butt rock 'n roll.
Marshall Johnson, Sr.
Rhema Radio - The Word In Worship
http://www.rhemaradio.org
Thanks....Probably not the best idea for an antenna, but takes me back to my expeimental youth....
"Very good, that!"
EJ
Shores96