I need to look at its technical specs, but I'm wondering if anyone has yet come up with a small portable DC- or bus- powered package, or else a software package (latency not withstanding) that includes modulation leveling, asymmetrical limiting, noise reduction.
There are several other threads on the subject, but they're from awhile back ... so maybe someone has come up with something since then. Mentioning the Inovonics 222, as good as it is, is inappropriate for this discussion because it's essentially a piece of studio rack-mount gear.
TIA ...
RadioBOSS software includes up to 5 streams within its own program which makes it ultra simple to use one machine,one soundcard. It can play a live stream at the same time. It also allows plugins for killer processing. My P4 runs all this plus ddownload manager to get news,weather,archived shows.
I'm seriously considered RadioBoss, but I don't like that yearly payment to use it.
As far as sound cards go I bought one of these, originally posted by scwis.. http://ikey-audio.com/iconnex for about $30 from ebay (new with warranty, he has a bunch of them).
* PC and MAC compatible
* Connect and capture the audio output of any source
* Record to your PC/Laptop or MAC
* Plug and play device, no drivers required
* Power supplied via USB
* 2 analogue inputs/outputs, switchable between line and phono
* Built-in pre-amp and ground connection for turntables
* ABS molded plastic
Manual:
http://ikey-audio.com/uploads/manuals/iCONNEX-USERMANUAL-ALL.pdf
By the way.. I don't need no amplifier feeding into the proccesing equipment do I? It doesn't seem I used one last time, but now I'm not absolutely certain
The answer to your question is in the spec's of your sound card. Most "broadcast" processing equipment requires a +4db audio feed; consumer gear is -10db. If your sound card cannot supply the processing equipment with the input level it requires, you need to add at least a line amp that will boost the level to that of the acceptable input of the processor.
Most consumer grade sound cards have a line level output of -10db into a 10k Ohm load. The headphone output is usually a higher level with less quality and a higher incumbent noise level.
I just checked the website Iconnex usb sound card for specs.. It gives no specifics, but does say it has a built-in pre-amp.
I really don't think I had one last time, but I could wrong.. My sound source was a cd player
Virtually all audio gear which is connected to the computer through a D/A converter and a digital connection, such as USB or Firewire, sound card (there are some very good installed sound cards with outboard dongle boxes), etc., will require a preamp of some sort. As Marshall said, it may have inputs matched to consumer or professional line-level gear, but the end result is dependent on the quality of the digital signal, which has to do with things like sample rates, s/n ratios, clock sync'ing, etc.. You can spend $30 or $6000.
It's not specifically broadcast gear, but if I could afford a Metric Halo ULN-8, it's what I'd have. Arguably one of the best, if not the best, FW interface ... but I record in here, too.
The point is, the better your gear, the better shot you have at making good radio sound. But there are also broadcast considerations. E.g., FCC agents know Inovonics ... if they see one in your studio, it at least shows you're attempting to do things professionally. Unless I can resolve my sound with software, it will be my next big investment ... if I can get more support to stay on the air.