Punch --was-- Re: [BC] Digital Intgerference (was AM Interference)

[Cowboy]

On Sunday 18 December 2005 04:24 pm, Robert Orban wrote:

>I think that punch is a huge positive and I can't understand the mentality 
>of anyone who thinks that making their radio station sound punchier is 
>going to risk their position. Punchy sound (i.e., sound that has lots of 
>transients and a high peak-to-average ratio) makes a listener want to turn 
>up the radio when a favorite song comes along. 

 THANK YOU !

 I thought so, too.

 Back when I became ( forceably ) the GM of a small, local 1kw AM,
 and being an injuneer of sorts, I very carefully tweeked the processing
 for minimal compression, but a whole lot of ( relatively ) slow AGC.
 ( something like 40db slow gain riding, and about 2db compress, maybe
 1db hard limit. About 2db high end boost, 'cause I like a little sparkle )
 Did it that way to preserve as much dynamic range as possible, without
 low stuff disappearing into the noise completely.
 "Average" mod level around 60-80 percent, peaks to 115.

 Got MANY calls about how GREAT my station sounded, even in the
 fringe, where I KNOW it was noisy ! It was a nice ego-kick.
 When I got tired of playing GM, and refused to do it anymore, I was replaced
 with Old Golden Ears who immediately scrapped my processing chain, and
 replaced it with an Optimod AM, set pretty standard.
 "Average" mod around 98% and peaks to 126%

 Got calls about what was *I* doing, and why ? Sounds like sh*&^ !
 Made me feel good, but isn't worth much, I suppose.
 It seems conventional wisdom is that "punch" dynamics, clarity, don't
 matter. Only a battery-powered mod monitor meter movement will
 draw listeners.

 What do I know ? I'm "just" an engineer, with poor hearing !

 ( but I really do appreciate the likes of Bob Orban saying something
 that I've thought true for a few decades now )

-- 
Cowboy

http://cowboys.homeip.net

A lack of leadership is no substitute for inaction.