CBS-FM Audio Tweaks?

[Turnpike Tuner]

Went to a local coffee shop today that usually has 101 on and has for years, and they switched to Lite. I joked with the person behind the counter about it, and they said the station sounded like it was playing music underwater and sounded crappy over the store speakers recently.

If non radio people are noticing, Hudson Street, we have a problem...

Sweet lord....that is a bad sign. Especially in a PPM market when in business listening like that helps boost ratings, even if passive listening.

[erwin33]

Went to a local coffee shop today that usually has 101 on and has for years, and they switched to Lite. I joked with the person behind the counter about it, and they said the station sounded like it was playing music underwater and sounded crappy over the store speakers recently.

If non radio people are noticing, Hudson Street, we have a problem...

No kidding! Really? From a worsed tweaked optimod 8500 station to a perfectly tweaked Omnia.11 station. It's a better choice indeed.

[Turnpike Tuner]

No kidding! Really? From a worsed tweaked optimod 8500 station to a perfectly tweaked Omnia.11 station. It's a better choice indeed.

I heard CBS-FM has a 8600 - I doubt anyone will buy one after hearing the audio on 101.1!

Lite FM has a Omnia 11? I haven't heard any improvement in the audio :/

[RichardOShea]

I don't think the improvements in these new boxes are dramatic. They're just excuses to turn it up louder. At this point the improvement seems to be new hardware. I've heard the new stuff and there may be a small improvement but one worth 12k? 

[erwin33]

No kidding! Really? From a worsed tweaked optimod 8500 station to a perfectly tweaked Omnia.11 station. It's a better choice indeed.

I heard CBS-FM has a 8600 - I doubt anyone will buy one after hearing the audio on 101.1!

Lite FM has a Omnia 11? I haven't heard any improvement in the audio :/

It's still a guess it's an Omnia.11 because Z100 use one, maybe all Clear Channel stations in NYC change to this new box.

[Jay Walker]

I don't think the improvements in these new boxes are dramatic. They're just excuses to turn it up louder. At this point the improvement seems to be new hardware. I've heard the new stuff and there may be a small improvement but one worth 12k? 

It's not the "tool" it's the "hand" on the tool that makes a difference.

With any of my clients, the first step is checking the quality of the source material, next it's level management through the total system. Once these items are correct, then and only then are you ready to tweak. I pride myself on maximizing a stations sonic signature no matter the box. Out of the shipping box settings are always great points to start from, but the sonic signature is only achieved with lots of ear-time on a variety of devices over a lot of time.

On 12k boxes...
The new DSP processors are wonderful in their ability to micro-tweak to a degree we were never able to achieve with the previous attack/recovery Gain Reduction controls. Volumax/Audimax through the Orban 8100 were simple to set up yes, but again the tweak-ability is not as good as the new toys. I am a big fan of both Omnia and Orban, and depending on the format both have their strengths.

I'm certain that the rough patch posters are describing in NYC will be resolved as CBS has the best around in my humble opinion. It's probably several layers of issues we are not aware of, differences in direction, equipment changes etc.

I have total confidence that the audio issues will be corrected...

[Turnpike Tuner]

It's not the "tool" it's the "hand" on the tool that makes a difference[/b].

I think there are so many controls that people end up intimidated or don't realize what they are tweaking and end up driving into a ditch.  Your comments about minutia controls exemplify that.  Processors have multiple layers of control but most people want the complex controls and then can't pilot the ship.  As for CBS, the audio has now been bad for well over a year. I would think they would have gotten it by now.

[Jay Walker]

It's not the "tool" it's the "hand" on the tool that makes a difference[/b].

I think there are so many controls that people end up intimidated or don't realize what they are tweaking and end up driving into a ditch.  Your comments about minutia controls exemplify that.  Processors have multiple layers of control but most people want the complex controls and then can't pilot the ship.  As for CBS, the audio has now been bad for well over a year. I would think they would have gotten it by now.

The beauty of the DSP box is IF you drive it into the wall there is a "reverse" by simply going back to a factory pre-set. However I did come across an early DSP box where someone blew out the factory presets (WTF?) That took more effort.

Knowing the quality of CBS I'm sure there are multi-layer issues involved as they are not ones to sit around wringing hands...

[LenoxAve]

If CBS does have "the best around," then they sure aren't showing it. These issues have plagued the station for months. No competent engineering staff would allow the station to sound like this for months on end. There never were issues this obvious before recently. Sister station 92.3 also sounds terrible compared with KTU and Z. Similarly, the mediocre sounding Lite even blows CBS-FM or of the water. There are songs where you can't even hear the high end. The station may be on AM with the way it sounds.

Sounds like they could use some new ears in the department. Or someone who will actually fix these issues in a timely fashion. It's market #1, people. Let's start acting like it.

I can no longer listen to the station for long periods of time.

[Turnpike Tuner]

The beauty of the DSP box is IF you drive it into the wall there is a "reverse" by simply going back to a factory pre-set.[/b] However I did come across an early DSP box where someone blew out the factory presets (WTF?) That took more effort.

Knowing the quality of CBS I'm sure there are multi-layer issues involved as they are not ones to sit around wringing hands...

In that case, just find the preset(s) from Mike Erickson on the 8500 and walk away. Of course, from what I remember Mike had a few boxes in front of the Optimod - hopefully they are still in line.

CBS Radio does have great engineers - the sound of K-Earth 101 & KOOL 94.5 is proof of that. But the longer this goes on, the more it seems the "multi layered" issues are people related rather than equipment.