can any of yall recommend a good processor (compressor/limiter) for the IAM transmitter, i think im going to get one but if i do i need to get a compressor limiter for it and would have to do several other things with my station.
I use an Alesis Nanocompressor for limiting the modulation for my AM transmitter. They are available on web auction sites for $30 or so. The do not do any processing other than compressing/limiting so if you are looking for something to put "punch" in your signal this may not be the best solution.
Neil
a aphex compellor or CRL SPP 800 feeding a inovonics 222 feeding a balun/matchbox into your iAM
the new iAM's are capable of asymmetrical modulation and can take full advantage of modern processing. you just need a match box to match the levels of pro gear to the levels of the iAM.
this will give your signal punch. change the 222 to a 235 if you want multiband compression.
As an alternative, I use a SIMA brand SVS-4; this is a video and audio switcher designed for audio and video but I use only the audio ports. This unit has a built in variable audio expander/compressor setting. I don’t use the expander setting but do use the variable audio compressor which is really a variable audio AGC and works for music with little "pumping”. You won’t hear any pumping unless your audio going into the SVS-4 is higher than normal. You have to hit the right balance between the input level and compressor setting to avoid noticeable pumping.
This really is not a problem but I have noticed it if the input signal is too high. I control the input signal with an external volume control when needed, but normally you won’t need it.
I also have tried the stand alone SIMA volume stabilizer boxes and they work well too but don’t have the variable setting adjustment which is nice to have. The stand alone volume stabilizer boxes by SIMA have a set 10:1 or 2:1 volume compression/expansion button, which work well also depending on personal preference.
The best stand alone "volume stabilizer" (I prefer to call them AGC units) I have found were made by Brook line Technologies, they have fast attack times and never noticed any pumping regardless of input level.
Older cassette decks which had built in audio limiters will work well too, if the electronics are “pass through” types which will allow the audio to go through the electronics. This way you can just use the deck for the audio limiter with the audio limiter switched to on and you don’t have to be actually recording a cassette to use the limiter electronics. You may have to have the record button engaged and a cassette in the deck to use the limiter electronics but you don’t have to actually be recording a cassette.
You can get the SIMA SVS-4 on eBay for a reasonable price.
Breakaway Broadcast Processor is an impressive software based processor that will blow away even the best older analog processors.
It does multi-band equalizing, 10 kHz brick wall filtering, AM preemphasis and asymmetrical limiting.
You can crank up the audio "density". This produces a higher apparent volume than even asymmetric limiting. It's all done in DSP so there are no artifacts from circuit time constants. Everything is instantaneous (unless you choose otherwise).
Want to duplicate the "hyper compression" that's all the rage in modern radio (yuck!) and CD's (yuck!)? You can do it in spades. Or, you can back off and introduce some pleasant dynamic range.
They have available, and recommend you download, the fully functional forever evaluation version free to try it. The free version is the same except it has a 30 second promo injected every 30 minutes. The paid version is $199. A lot cheaper than the collection of old used rack mounted stuff you would need to get the equievalent.
It even provides a full FM stereo generator which requires a high performance sound card, but for AM, your standard sound card will work fine.
Web site: http://www.claessonedwards.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47&Itemid=1090
Jamin is a free audio processor for Linux - it does all kinds of cool stuff.
Also - it can make a talking house sound great.