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Mobile Cumulus Mobile Audio Processing

A

A_b_m_90

Had a quick question regarding audio processing for stations in Mobile and Pensacola.

I've noticed both WBLX, WMEZ and WABD have their audio processing volumes higher than Jet 100.7 and WBXM....Can this get fixed? Is this an engineering issue that needs to be addressed? I've turned down my bass to normal settings but it's still loud. Both Jet and WXBM have normal sounding quality.
 
Just because stations are co-owned doesn't necessarily mean they'll all use the same audio processing. It depends on the equipment they're using, the format, and the competition.
 
Unless something has changed the processer "settings" for each format and the manufacturer of processor are dictated by someone at the "Corporate" level for Cumulus.

Processer settings are very subjective. Ask a program director and an engineer what the settings should be and wait for the argument.
 
I'm surprised at the question but only because WXBM seems insanely loud compared to the other Cumulus stations here. I feel like there's a night and day difference between it and Jet.

It doesn't help that WXBM's HD2 is super quiet unprocessed talk radio audio.

I think the processing changed on the two WZEW translators after they started feeding better audio to them, for the worse, too. The Crab and Soul both sound as bad as Sunny 105.7 now, with awful crushed audio.
 
tomservo said:
I'm surprised at the question but only because WXBM seems insanely loud compared to the other Cumulus stations here. I feel like there's a night and day difference between it and Jet.

It doesn't help that WXBM's HD2 is super quiet unprocessed talk radio audio.

I think the processing changed on the two WZEW translators after they started feeding better audio to them, for the worse, too. The Crab and Soul both sound as bad as Sunny 105.7 now, with awful crushed audio.
Click to expand...
It could be the processor OR the modulation levels. Most modern FM exciters have modulation meters built in but it doesn’t mean that the meters are truly accurate (and most exciter meters don’t allow for peak weighting that is allowed). Many stations don’t have modulation monitors anymore or, if they do, most likely they weren’t recently calibrated (and may also have the limitations on peak weighting). Of course, anyone can adjust the output of the processor so that it over modulates the exciter.

The HD level is a whole different thing with, perhaps, an older processor in use or perhaps none at all.
 
On the Atlanta board, it was discussed a few years ago that the head of Cumulus engineering did all processing settings from Atlanta. It was talked about local engineers not having the passwords to make adjustments. Not sure if that is still true.
 
A_b_m_90 said:
Had a quick question regarding audio processing for stations in Mobile and Pensacola.

I've noticed both WBLX, WMEZ and WABD have their audio processing volumes higher than Jet 100.7 and WBXM....Can this get fixed? Is this an engineering issue that needs to be addressed? I've turned down my bass to normal settings but it's still loud. Both Jet and WXBM have normal sounding quality.
Click to expand...
Urban/Top40/Rhythmic stations usually have louder and denser processing to try to be louder than other stations with similar formats. However AC/Classic Hits/etc usually focus on dynamics and quality rather than loudness to prevent listener fatigue. I heard some of Cumulus’ urban stations when I was over there and they sounded fine.
 
BarryATL said:
On the Atlanta board, it was discussed a few years ago that the head of Cumulus engineering did all processing settings from Atlanta. It was talked about local engineers not having the passwords to make adjustments. Not sure if that is still true.
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That "engineer" is long gone since the new owners took over something like 8 years ago?
(In fact he's departed this earth.)
He did that to mic processors too.
 
boiseengineer said:
That "engineer" is long gone since the new owners took over something like 8 years ago?
(In fact he's departed this earth.)
He did that to mic processors too.
Click to expand...
I have worked for "cash started" business. Unless something is broke they usually don't make changes. Several of the CEO's in companies I have worked at trend to be control freaks and long as they don't have to take any blame. With the trend to gut local staffing I doubt that that function is even questioned on a local level. I do know every Cumulus FM music station I have heard (on a 1 to 10 scale) is at least an 8+. This is purely subjective right now my part.

In Atlanta, Cox's 97.1 is best but I question the lack of a windscreen on English Nick, followed by the the other Cox stations. iHeart and Cumulus are very similar. Atlanta's 92.9 OTA is the sloppiest audio processing and production of any Top 100 market station I have ever heard.
 
secondchoice said:
I have worked for "cash started" business. Unless something is broke they usually don't make changes. Several of the CEO's in companies I have worked at trend to be control freaks and long as they don't have to take any blame. With the trend to gut local staffing I doubt that that function is even questioned on a local level. I do know every Cumulus FM music station I have heard (on a 1 to 10 scale) is at least an 8+. This is purely subjective right now my part.

In Atlanta, Cox's 97.1 is best but I question the lack of a windscreen on English Nick, followed by the the other Cox stations. iHeart and Cumulus are very similar. Atlanta's 92.9 OTA is the sloppiest audio processing and production of any Top 100 market station I have ever heard.
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I wasnt ALLOWED to use a windscreen on my RE27 at one station.. no pop filter, windscreen... nothing.. just the mic. I learned VERY quickly how to use it without popping any of my Ps, etc
 
SomeRadioGuy said:
I wasnt ALLOWED to use a windscreen on my RE27 at one station.. no pop filter, windscreen... nothing.. just the mic. I learned VERY quickly how to use it without popping any of my Ps, etc
Click to expand...

I learned that too but I worked before 80 90 and actually took the FCC tests in person and worked with experienced people who actually cared about the on air product. Like cueing vinyl records, rewinding a cart, taking meter reading and switching power on an old tube transmitter: Lost skills. I don't expect everyone to have that experience.

But how in the (insert word favorite word) do you get into a top 10 market without the ability to work a mic or slap on a windscreen. IIRC when he worked at 96 Rock they had really nice looking windscreens built into their microphones. Even most of the TV folks use windscreens on their report's mics.


My experience was different, every station after 1980 had windscreens. Some of them smelled funky so I brought my own. With COVID if you actually worked in a studio, I would assume either they sprayed a disinfect (really bad Idea) or everyone use his / hers headset with mice or had their own mice or windscreen.
 
I went ahead and emailed the PD/Operations guy at WABD and let them know. My car is premium audio and it doesn't sound good. But Mr. Engineer up there, don't get mad at me.
 
Back in the day, the on air monitor in the stations I work at was as "flat" as possible. If you had a graffic equalizer on your stereo at home you could really screw up the audio. I would suggest you set your radio with the least (or equal) amount of bass, treble, and mid range possible. If it has "presets" for the type of station turn off or find one that sounds the best. Then adjust until it sounds "right". Your smart radio should remember the settings for each station. The rental cars I use sometimes require 5 or 10 minutes to adjust the sound because some partially deaf person "adjusted" the radio with too much base or treble..
 
A_b_m_90 said:
WBLX, WMEZ and WABD have their audio processing volumes higher than Jet 100.7 and WBXM
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That's because those 3 stations have their web streams processed to 0 dBFS while 2 latter ones are at -6 dBFS and sound unprocessed. Also Iheart web radio is total garbage making me endure 1 minute of commercials every time I switch a station. Imagine if your FM radio in your car did that. I'd rip mine out.
 
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