[BC] Digital Intgerference (was AM Interference)

[cldube]

Bob Orban wrote:
"I would set the HD loudness about 1 dB higher than the analog -- it's the 
old "speaker salesman's trick" to make something sound bigger, and in this 
case, it will complement the HD's inherent punch compared to analog because 
of the 5 dB gain difference in the radio between them. Also, it's important 
to use the entire peak dynamic range available on the digital channel. Let 
the peaks go to 0 dBfs and adjust the digital channel loudness via the 
final limiter drive control in the audio processor."


With the 8400 HD, and using a 2 band classical setting (with pre-proc) with a slight bit of dynamics reduction,
I have found it difficult for the HD to actually "keep up" with the analog. I have had to run the HD slightly hotter than I would really like
to (it runs into the yellow, sometimes very close to 0, during peaks on the Dexstar's metering). This results in a transparent blend, but with a noticeable expansion of soundstage in HD (sometimes this can be dramatic!), along with the negation of spitting and sputtering of multipath.
But I don't feel I'm getting the "best" out of the HD side of things having to do this. I could soften the analog
(which is pretty open as it is, with often less than 6-8 dB of gain reduction), but then we start to get complaints from listeners.
I guess it's a matter of finding that magic compromise? Are you saying it's "safe" to run this hot on the HD side?



Chuck Dube
WFCR, Amherst