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Checking processing with a spectrum analyzer
- Thread starter whit979
- Start date
The ears are the best test instruments. Be certain that the headphones or speakers you use give you a real representation of what is actually on the air. I usually listen on headphones and with my eyes closed, adjust each setting to what my ears tell me is the "sweet spot". I repeat this several times & leave it at the average of the several.
It would take a very gross mis-adjustment of processing for it to be apparent on a spectrum analyzer IMHO...
It would take a very gross mis-adjustment of processing for it to be apparent on a spectrum analyzer IMHO...
A spectrum analyzer might be very useful for looking at yours and your competition's signal and modulation but will be of absolutely no use in adjusting your processing. Take the advice of the many experienced pros in this forum and use your ears or someone else's who might have experience.
Just curious, wouldn't a SA help with diagnosing technical problems with the signal, such as phase errors?
R
R
Robert Bass said:
Not all phase errors show up on a spectrum analyzer. There's a lot of 'range' aspects to SA units, and it would be very easy to goof something up. (Been there, done that!)
Take the advice of those who have already mentioned the use of your ears to adjust the processing.
-Frank Foti
FFoti1 said:
Ahh, thanks for that info, Frank.
I concur, and that is the very same advice I would give.
R
About all the swept analyzer is going to show you is occupied bandwidth from a modulation point of view. If you've an HD system running, they're essential for setting it up.
As far as using one to see 'what it sounds like' which is, after all, what you're trying to do, I'd go with the suggestions of the gurus here: Mark 1 Mod 1 earball. That is, after all, probably what your listeners are using.
When the RF plant and studios were co-located, I always covered the mod meters, or turned them off when the program types were doing the 'processing setup' listening. I used to tell them, when you can find me a listener who has a mod monitor and a diary, we'll readdress that technique; but until then, let's set it up by listening to it. The good ones understand, and the bad ones don't last anyway.
As far as using one to see 'what it sounds like' which is, after all, what you're trying to do, I'd go with the suggestions of the gurus here: Mark 1 Mod 1 earball. That is, after all, probably what your listeners are using.
When the RF plant and studios were co-located, I always covered the mod meters, or turned them off when the program types were doing the 'processing setup' listening. I used to tell them, when you can find me a listener who has a mod monitor and a diary, we'll readdress that technique; but until then, let's set it up by listening to it. The good ones understand, and the bad ones don't last anyway.
I have been involved with a few friends (engineers) that had a great trick.......take an old processor (Stereo Volumemax worked great for this) clean it up and mount it in a rack in the studio or close by, and put a BIG label on it marked as "Main FM Processor".
Hook an audio feed to it so the meters move and check it every once in a while to see how far the controls have been moved.
Its amazing to see which "jock" will brag about how he/she made the station sound better, and it keeps their hands off of the "real stuff" in the transmitter room. Its great fun for us spark chasers.
Hook an audio feed to it so the meters move and check it every once in a while to see how far the controls have been moved.
Its amazing to see which "jock" will brag about how he/she made the station sound better, and it keeps their hands off of the "real stuff" in the transmitter room. Its great fun for us spark chasers.
It used to be fun to go to the conventions and sell Optimod keys to the program types from other markets, too.
littlejohn said:
Ha! reminds me of when I was having lunch with some engineers from across town and their PD came by the table. He was complaining that they wouldn't let him have the keys to the Optimod.
I said, "You don't need a key. Just use an allen wrench and take out the 3 screws on the front!"
Those guys coulda killed me.
Who'd worry? If the guy knew what an Allen wrench was, and how to us it, he probably has enough mental moxie to not screw things up too badly.
And while you can make an 8100A sound bad, it takes all of 20 seconds to correct the mess. The Optimod 8400 is another story...unless you jump back to a 'safe" preset, better pull up a chair...that one has a lot of stuff that can be screwed up.
Haven't played with the Orbans newer than the 8200. On the Omnias, simply SAVE to the memory card. Easy to get it back. The true paranoiacs have two memory cards, and save to both. One goes in your pocket for off site storage.
Sgeirk said:
As a suggestion which goes back to my days as a Chief Engineer, have a tour/picnic at the transmitter site for the staff of the station. You'll be amazed at how much the rest of the staff can learn about your station. I took the jocks from Z-100 up to the room at the Empire State Building, and they were blown away. Just about every one of them told me how much it gave them even more incentive to "kiss butt on the air." All from seeing this little corner room on the 83rd floor of the Gorilla Building.
Also, it's a great way to bond with fellow workers, and provides a fresh perspective into the life of a radio engineer.
-Frank Foti
We did an afternoon doubledecker bus ride out to the plant, some 35 miles. (The ride being aniother story entirely) And had barbecue catered in. All but the ride, folks enjoyed it.
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