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99 Rock WWW simulcast conundrum

N

nhradiochild

I've listened to quite a few webcasts of FM stations, but this is the first I've heard with the music sometimes low, and the liners and live-announcer really hot.

Is this a problem due to the way WFRD has their Optimod configured do you think? When I used to broadcast there, they had it pegged pretty good so the songs didn't really fade too easily. (WPNH was much the same way, btw.) I mean, could this problem be more easily rectified if the jock was listening to the PGM feed vs. On-Air? Or would a tweak of the Optimod make it easier to identify wack levels for the benefit of the webcast while monitoring off-air?

Also, I'm listening off the WDCR webfeed so I wonder if there's a difference between the 2 sources? WDCR-AM obviously would not want to stream air product, so they must use PGM feed direct off the board.

Finally, is there some software that might equalize the levels just like an Optimod would for webcasts, and would the college be interested in investing in such?

Just wondering aloud. :D
 
well it all depends how the music/spots were recorded onto the hard-drive. yes it can be something as simple as a d.j./board-op leaving the slider up WAY too high. also depends on what is feeding the web-stream. a program/audition feed, or a processed 99-3 FM/1340-AM air signal feed.
but when we used to record spots/music onto out hard drive (using) Cool Edit 2000 at a station i used to work for, there is an option to "normalize" the levels. meaning, all music/commercials would "move the needle" at about the same level. Still if you have a spot that was recorded was too hot and distorted, it would still sound like garbage, but not PEG the needle on the board.
99-Rock over the air is louder since last week, but still not as booming as the Nassau cluster. Q-106 has it cranked, and Oldies 104.3 makes my ears throb after about two songs. Try listening to "Lyin' Eyes" by the Eagles on 104.3, it seems like you can't even recognize the rythm guitar. love the oldies and classic rock, but after awhile it's not easy on the ears.

On the other hand, 93-9 and 101-7 are a lot "lower" than the rest of the stations on the dial.
 
Can't be off-air processing. It has to be direct PGM feed. I can't imagine it being an AUD feed, that would be terribly awkward and very prone to college-jock snafus. (Though I think I know why you brought it up... for possible agency ad blackouts. However, I don't think FRD is worried about that much.)

No, it's pretty apparent that the live mic is just super-hot and it's not noticed cuz the Optimod handles it.

Listening now, and what a trippy song playing... I like it, but I can't imagine anyone but 99 Rock and EQX playing it in that region. Maybe PNH but never been able to listen to those ratbags online lol.
 
It's unlikely they're pulling the audio for their stream after it hits the Optimod. Usually engineers like to split the signal at a DA almost as soon as it roles off the board. Signal processing is adjusted for the FM listener--because of stream compression (which I rattle on about below) and some other issues it's a bad idea to give online listeners the EXACT same thing your FM radio is pulling down.

There is processing for web streams--but it's expensive (as expensive as a new Optimod--in fact, Optimod makes a great web processor that one of my engineering comrades was drooling over the other day). Some issues you're hearing are because of double compression--the MP3 being played has already been compressed once (if not more) to be an MP3--and now it's getting compressed again to be an MP3 stream--and some are probably caused by bad board operations, limited bandwidth and a cheap codec. Most streaming software allows the input stream to be normalized or limited, but it's possible someone just didn't set it properly (or that it's cheap-o).

I'd drop the station a line and let them know your concerns. I'm sure they have an engineer, contract or on staff, who could probably adjust things.
 
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