Compressor/Limiter settings for Broadcast

Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 12:26 am

Howdy,

I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to pro audio, but ive been given the task of looking after the techincal aspects of a small community radio station.

I understand the basics, but im after some advice on what would be an ideal overall setting for a compressor/limiter which sits behind the transmitter.

Basically the station plays a pretty broad range of music from easier stuff during the day like jazz, rock, etc. right through to R&B, dance, hard dance and drum & bass, etc. at nights.

As said I know the basics about setting up compressor/limiters but im looking for what would be the best setting as to not drive the input of the transmitter too hard. The compressor we have is just a basic unit, so its not possible to change the unit for night/day, etc.

Thanks,
Nic.

Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 4:20 pm

big subject here
too much for a simple reply on a forum

there are legal aspects to over-driving a transmitter
and there is the audio quality issues of being a radio programmer

a community radio station will have a pretty broad range of music and talk
and
small budgets

there is a manual for the TC electronics DBmax
http://www.tcelectronic.com/Default.asp?Id=12295

not to recomend one ...
errr
not to NOT recommend it either

but from memory the manual had some easy to understand concepts and presets for various broadcast jobs
other TC gear does too

Also Junger have some stuff on the net that deal with this
see - level magic

the cheapest concepte I could give is
...
hard limiter at the transmitter for legals
and
an RNC in super nice mode
or
perhaps two RNC's
one at the transmitter and one at the output of the studio/presentation

Aphex was an industry standard in the past, at the budget end
there may be info at there site
dominators and compellers

if you are using software
the simple stuff like Waves L1 and L2
and Maxim
any broad band limiter/compressor could keep you safe and legal

there probably isn't a one size fits all
the Junger is one of the best I have seen and heard

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