Processing can get very complicated when a station streams stereo and/or mono, and transmits AM and FM stereo and/or mono.

Mine is even more tricky because I have a shortwave mono AM transmitter.

The only processing I have at the present time is not a "one method serves all" solution, as it is set for the AM medium wave transmitter feed.

Don't forget bandwidth. AM medium wave radio can be set for 5kHz up to 10kHz bandwidth, with narrower bandwidth allowing farther distance, and wide bandwidth requiring a closer stronger reception.

Streams have very critical bandwidth limitations, if we exceed the kilobyte-per-second rate (I'm at 56kbps right now) the sound will be terrible for the listener.

Anyway, I use the Stereotools Plugin by Hans van Zutphen, and it does a super job of limiting, compressing, AND setting the bandwidth!

But I am only able to run one-instance of Stereotools in the chain, so it is set for about a 10kHz bandwidth (for AM).

I sometimes try to think of ways of solving my need for several separate processors to solve each need, but I don't know.

Maybe this thread will provide solutions?

My automation of choice is ZaraRadio v1.4 which allows plugins.  As such, I'm using SoundSolution which provides a variety of processing; multi-band compression, expansion, gate - all fully configurable.

The ZaraRadio output from the PC runs into a Tascam GA-30 eq set for the NRSC mask.  The eq provides a little bump from 1 kHz to 4 kHz and then rolls off above 5 kHz.

The eq output goes into a DBX-118 compressor to set an absolute maximum level for the Talking House.  The DBX can be set to either provide a linear rate of change or brickwall.

The webcast audio is only processed by the SoundSolution plugin.

I mentioned this in the midst of another thread but it was probally missed..

"Broadcast" plugin - This plugin proccessor doesn't cost a dime, so it can't hurt to give it a try. The creator is Jeroen Breebaart and he's quite well known (my previous plugin post for info), I'm not familiar with any plugins, but I'm always looking around at stuff, and this plugin has been praised for years in numerous forums and such. I've come across it several times..

I've seen two different screenshots for it, not sure if it's two versions or two faces of the same version, I'm inclined to think the correct screenshot for the free one is the second one shown below ...

JB Broadcast Processor is a free multi-band dynamics processor (comprising automatic gain control, gate, compressor and limiter), combined with sub-band 'stereo width' processing. A very nice little freebie multiband comp!.

Broadcast combines the dynamics processing from the PC-2 compressor, spatial processing from OmniSone, and brickwall limiting from Barricade in a multi-band fashion.

Never seen a bad user comment, or anything less than a great review.. here are just a few user comments from various sources..

Joroen Breebaart plugs - good experience with jb_broadcast

Hey guys. I recently tried (developer) Jeroen Breebaart's "jb_broadcast" (free vst) plug on the master bus of a tune I was working on. I was very favorably impressed. Try the "Smooth" preset and turn off the AGC (box-button on right side) and see what you think. This dude is an awesome audio developer, read his bio (on his main page). You can adjust this puppy to do all kinds of tricks, subtle to outrageous - you decide.

Anyway, a link to his free vts plugs (including the jb_broadcast one) can be found here -> https://web.archive.org/web/20130404130819/http://www.jeroenbreebaart.com/audio_vst_jb.htm. (Note: I changed that link to point to the still active archived bundled download, alternatively if you want only the Broadcast, there's a single download here: http://www.vst4free.com/free_vst.php?id=548 but you ought to take a look at the archived page)

Nice bit of kit... I work for a radio station and it works amazingly for producing Music CD's that need that 'on-air' sound. Take's some tweaking but when you've got it right it's the nuts...

Excellent clarity with on vocals. Will try this on next mastering job too.

Fantastic work, took a few moments to figure it out, then hit me with just how much it can do! Best part for me,... it loads inside Canopus/Grass Valley Edius 6.01 !!

I use DarkWave, which seems to have linear volume controls everywhere, making it difficult to make everything audible but not too loud. This helps tremendously.

this is by far the best, competing with sa stereo tool. without the "this sound has been processed by stereo tool.com" fuckup (what's that means??)

used this plugin loads of times-best plugin yet!

these are really great things; but what i was asking was this:

Can you post your transmitter + preocessing gear and you experience with it.  No speculation, just "Here is what I have."

Maybe a format would help:

Transmitter: (AM1000, AMT3K, TH-II + ATU, TH-II + Wire, etc)

Processing: (mixer output goes to X which connects to Y which goes to Z and then to Transmitter)

Content: (Talk radio, 80's pop, Bluegrass, Mixed Format, etc)

Overall Impression: (This is where personal stuff comes in) - (I think it sounds great, but a little bassy, or maybe the sound is tinny, etc.)

Most of my programs are produced by other radio stations and podcasters who give me permission to air, via mp3 files that come in many variants: 128kbps, 40kbps, CBR or VBR, 22.05kHz or 44.1kHz.

Most of the programs get put into the Winamp Playlist as they are, but a few need tweaking by upgrading their condition using Audacity.

The Winamp Playlist has a DSP Plugin side-chain containing Stereotools, which evens out and refines the presence and quality of the sound so that it projects forward, clearly toward the listener.

Next is the Sam Encoder which routes to Icecast Server and Shoutcast Server, both running at 56kbps.

Winamp has a DirectSound Output which feeds the AMT5000 and AMT5000.

Actually the AMT5000 gets its audio from a Wi-Fi Audio Transmitter/Receiver but it is the same quality as a direct wire.

For home-produced programs like the Low Power Hour I have a Radio Shack 4-channel mixer which feeds into the computer audio card for recording.

I monitor 100% on radios with no loudspeakers connected to the computer.

I use a Wholehouse 2.0 FM transmitter for audio editing.

Simple and minimal is my game.

I like to keep it simple.  My audio chain is thus:  Output of iMac into input of the studio module of my Procaster. I use nothing but the built in processing provided by Procaster. My on air audio is easily as good as any commercial AM in the area, and better than at least one. 

On the rare occasion when I decide to diddle with the computer -- software update, etc -- I plug the record output of my Yamaha mixer into the Procaster input.  That's it.

When I was transmitter shopping one reason I chose the Procaster was the built in and tweakable processing.  I have not felt the urge to add any outboard gear.  Personally (and I really hate to admit this) I think my little station sounds better than the commercial AM I work for, where we just installed a new $53,000 dollar transmitter and a $4000 orban processor. 

I am a fan of simplicity and reliability.

Tim in Bovey

Transmitter:  Talking House II 

Processing:  ZaraRadio > SoundSolution Plugin > Mother Board Sound Card > Tascam GA-30 Eq > DBX-118 compressor > Talking House II with ATU

Content:  Oldies and Indie Music, Various Syndicated Talk Shows - Newscast - NOAA Wx

Overall Impression:  After minor mod to audio chain of Talking House II on-air sounds great.  Talking House II modulates to 95% without negative clipping.  Occasionally pickup AC buzz from unknown device on power grid, probably a switching supply plugged in somewhere out there.

Transmitter: Not part 15 compliant (Netherlands)

Audio: 

ZaraRadio 1.4 with AGC, Inkel MX991, Behringer Multicom Pro XL, Teac EQA 3, transmitter (solid-state)

I'm happy with it. There are a lot of stations on Medium Wave in the Netherlands who do not better! 

But am I satisfied? No I'm working on a new tube transmitter with screengrid modulation wich sounds better! 

Hello Rob Veld. I am in the Homeland, formerly the USA.

If you want to, I hope you share the schematic for your screen modulated transmitter, it might be good here as a carrier current transmitter, hoping that you have a variable power output control.... it takes from 2 to 20 Watts to do carrier current.

What is your range?

Mac running mixxx

Using m-audio mobilePRE for mic in, and line out to the transmitter.

Also using an m-audio x-session pro to control the mixxx.

----

I am working on a total linux solution right now, *may* go with mixxx, or something else...

@Carl: The solid state DCC TX I use for now can make about 12 Wats PEP. It's build by a HAM and I have no schematic. The tube TX can make about 7 a 8 Watt PEP (that where we work for and when we're ready with it ....... so have a little patience).

The screengrid modulation is based on the way Continental Electronics once did, but is scaled to low power.

 Rob Veld

Screen modulation.  Now thats a blast from the past.  What kind of transmitter?

My first example was de CE 317B, one of the best transmitters CE ever made. Searching for more I found the CE 3141 and .................. Heathkit! with a lot of discussion about G2 modulation and of course modifications.

Now we're experiment with a 6V6 modulated by a ECC85.

On topic. My experience with processing is that one transmitter is not the other.

I had a heathkit transmitter that used the same modulation technique.