Urei 1176 Question

[AMRadioGuy]

The station I'm associated with recently got an FM translator, so the chain out to the transmitter site was re-worked for stereo. We had a Urei 1176 on the studio side of the STL. However, it being a mono unit means it can no longer be incorporated into the chain on the studio side of the STL if we want stereo out at the transmitter site for the FM. We'd like to keep the Urei on the AM because it pairs so well with the Orban processor. They sound real swell together!

However, when we hooked the Urei up at the transmitter site, we seemed to be getting RF through it. Are these units typically shielded well enough that this shouldn't be happening, or would that be expected to happen? Would using shielded leads to and from it make a difference?

The Urei sounds so doggone good in the chain and we would like to keep it in if possible! The Aphex Compellor that's now in the studio side of the chain just doesn't sound right no matter how I've set it (been playing around with it for a couple of months). Ideally, it'd just be used as a leveler to keep the STL from distorting and we'd put the Urei on the AM signal before the Orban and just run the STL direct into the FM processor like usual. Format is 50s/60s/70s with a couple of local talk shows and local sports.

Thanks!

 

[Kelly A]

However, when we hooked the Urei up at the transmitter site, we seemed to be getting RF through it. Are these units typically shielded well enough that this shouldn't be happening, or would that be expected to happen? Would using shielded leads to and from it make a difference?

Chances are the RF is getting into the limiter either through the power cord, or the audio in/out wiring. I'd get a couple J-Type torroids and wrap as much of the audio cable around and through the torriod right before the connections in and out of the limiter. Amidon sells a variety of the J-type torriod doughnuts. That should eliminate the audio cabling from being an antenna. They even make the torroids large enough to snake the power cord through a torroid a few times. More the better.

The Urei sounds so doggone good in the chain and we would like to keep it in if possible! The Aphex Compellor that's now in the studio side of the chain just doesn't sound right no matter how I've set it (been playing around with it for a couple of months). Ideally, it'd just be used as a leveler to keep the STL from distorting and we'd put the Urei on the AM signal before the Orban and just run the STL direct into the FM processor like usual. Format is 50s/60s/70s with a couple of local talk shows and local sports.

The UREI 1176's are still very sought after by recording studios for their unique VCA sound. The only issue I've ever had using them for broadcast, is they're still a wideband limiter. As with any single limiter, unless you run the attack times slow enough, they will pump and breathe during certain drum beats or low frequencies. Of course if you run the attack times too slow, it will be less effective at catching peaks.

 

[Greg Strickland]

AMRadioGuy- Is the owner aware of the market value of a UREI 1176 in good condition? If you are inclined to do right by the owner, I think you should inform them. Then the owner can determine how to proceed, hopefully in consultation with you. If they sell the 1176 at a high price, the funds could contribute to buying an Orban XPN-AM, or other improvements to the on-air sound.

I don't recommend placing the 1176 in a dusty, hot, possibly unsecured transmitter site, or in a studio environment that is not secure.

If you keep the 1176, cherish and protect it as a fine piece of audio gear. You might use it as a microphone compressor (following a pre-amp) if your station has a prime microphone position. I'd put it behind a security panel or in a secure engineering area with air space above and below. It is true that many pieces of broadcast gear are very expensive. The difference is the 1176 is known to a much wider group of people as something very valuable.