DRC? Is That..... YOU!?!?!

[wgliradio]

Are those... highs I hear? It sounds, good... and not just one record good... like... for an hour and a half today?

At first I thought I had the wrong station (using an analog radio) until I heard the ID (which didn't sound right.. but then again, I heard stuff in the ID I had never heard before).

The station actually sounds good! The mics sound pretty good, there are esses and t's and cymbals and all sorts of things now!

 

[RadioMan203]

I'm gonna have to take a listen tomorrow on my way to work. It's hard to believe that they actually did something. Either their engineer was finally given the lattitude to make things sound better or some ghost tweaked things in the middle of the night!

 

[Turntable]

Methinks WGLI is onto something here. It's not perfect, but it is definitely improved by a large margin. As said above, there are highs now. Also better stereo separation; the station no longer sounds mono. I've heard three tracks and 4 spots so far. Right now, as of 9:34pm, Sam & Dave's Soul Man sounds fantastic.

Right now, as a preliminary, I'm still noticing some quality differences in the various tracks and production elements. The processing is clean and clear with just a tad too much compression in the mid-upper midrange. Time will tell, I'll post more observations after more extensive listening.

Here's what I'm monitoring with:

Pioneer TX-9100 Analog Tuner
Mackie Big Knob as Preamp (Balanced Out)
Hafler P3000 TransNova Power Amplifier (Balanced In)
Klipsch C-1 Epic Series Towers

I think they're definitely, FINALLY making headway!

-A

 

[wgliradio]

I was told there would be changes. The old engineer was retiring and I think corporate was going to have more of a say in it.

 

[michaelradio]

sounds excellent. much better. what did they do?

 

[Tom_Ray]

I'm gonna have to take a listen tomorrow on my way to work. It's hard to believe that they actually did something. Either their engineer was finally given the lattitude to make things sound better or some ghost tweaked things in the middle of the night!

Yes, we've done something. And yes, Corporate is making changes. I am now responsible for the Engineering in Hartford, as well as our NYC operation (WOR), and our Syracuse stations. Thanks, Bill, for your kind words in reference to WOR. As I'm sure you know, WOR is my baby, having moved both studios and transmitter over the past 3 years.

We went through the system one end to the other - cleaned up the mic processors, ripped apart the audio path to the transmitter, and installed new processing that correctly handles both the analog and HD signals.

I'm presently in Syracuse working on issues and processing up here. Hartford still needs some fine tuning, but I think on the drive home Thursday night that the FM sounded a million times better - and is now competitive with the other stations in the market.

More to come - one step at a time.

Tom Ray
VP/Corp. Director of Engineering
Buckley Broadcasting

 

[Turntable]

Tom, I'm really curious about what the previous processing was. I recall speaking to a certain fellow ham and local engineer here in the Fairfield County Market some years back. He was telling me about some audio work he was doing at DRC involving a Unity 2000i that was behaving badly (i.e. letting the magic smoke out and having logic problems). I wonder if Frank and company resolved that problem and if they had stuck with that box all these years?

I'm glad you're in charge now. It was always a mystery to me why it took so long with all the hate threads regarding DRC-FM's audio, to finally see changes. I had surmised things were only roughed out at this point-- and yes, it does finally sound competitive! As you said, one day at a time... I'm sure it will only get better!

Excellent work Tom, both with WOR and now, FINALLY with DRC-FM!

-A

 

[Turntable]

Ok, more listening observations...

This is going to focus on processing concerns only, and is in recognition of the fact that everything is still in the initial stages of tweakism. Should Tom Ray and crew decide to take heed of my observations, this may help them make the proper adjustments. This is by no means intended to imply that I 'know better'. It is simply a guideline, and a way for me to share my observations.

The Disclaimer: Almost everything you read that is technically related here is an ASSUMPTION based on what I hear. I make no pretense here, I have NO IDEA exactly what they have going on over there.

To start with, my signal here is S9 +20dB. The multipath ratio on the scope is approximately +/- 1.5dB (yes, it's audible, but of little consequence). This could be improved by pointing the antenna towards West Peak in Meriden, but as of now it is pointed somewhere between Long Island and NYC.

First, it is obvious that as I write this (12:35am, Tuesday, Feb 12) the station is voicetracked. The levels are all over the place, and the announce mic sounds ridiculously distorted and thin. I won't comment on the talent. It sounds like someone just flicked the fader on the automation up to... well wherever it landed... Note, there may be further tweaks going on as I write, this is the time for tweaking....

At 12:32 I heard Happy Together by The Turtles. I haven't heard audio pump like that since the late 1970's.

At 12:35 I heard Dirty Water by the Standells. Again nasty pumping but the levels seemed low and the processor seemed to be trying to compensate. Not really a good specimen for judging audio processing.

At 12:40 I heard Twist and Shout by the Beatles. Again... Nasty pumping that sounds like hard limiting. It's punching gargantuan holes in the mix at every peak and giving me vertigo because of the difference between the channels. Almost sounds like the dropouts in a cassette that went through the wash, or, more like listening to a PA system from 20 yards away on a hot, windy day. At this point I'm wondering if they threw a DBX 166 or other single-band processor before the main box just to control modulation until the final tweaks are in place?

Enuff for now, I'll wait for some live programming and give the guys some time to 'work it on out'.

One final comment, Even this ridiculous pumping audio sounds a thousand times better than it did before!

I can't wait to hear the final product!

-A

 

[4dude]

They were the best as BIG-D 103 (Which they were many years)

 

[wgliradio]

To me it sounds like an 8500 or a Vorsis that needs more tweaking.

 

[Turntable]

They were the best as BIG-D 103 (Which they were many years)

Will the real 'Dude' Please Shut Up, Please Shut Up, Please Shut Up.

Dude, we all know you love the Big D moniker. This is about audio processing not about programming or station monikers. Please start a new thread if you want to banter about what the station calls itself.

Anyway, I can hear changes being made and I am recording various clips directly into audition. It's getting alot better by the minute... Listen in the morning, when they go live I'll bet it will be close to right.

-A

 

[Turntable]

To me it sounds like an 8500 or a Vorsis that needs more tweaking.

Vorsis?? You really think so? That's doubtful, but it would be interesting. Maybe Tom will chime in and give us a clue? They are tweaking right now, and I can hear the changes. Artfully done and very subtle-- barely detectable. 8500 is plausible, but it sounds like there's something in front of whatever it is. Right now it's really dense but at least it doesn't sound like it's coming from underwater anymore... Whoever is playing around with the knobs (buttons) is well on the way to getting it right...

Key Words right now: Too Dense.

Bedtime now, I'll leave it on and listen close in the morning.. good work so far...

-A

 

[RadioMan203]

I'm gonna have to take a listen tomorrow on my way to work. It's hard to believe that they actually did something. Either their engineer was finally given the lattitude to make things sound better or some ghost tweaked things in the middle of the night!

Yes, we've done something. And yes, Corporate is making changes. I am now responsible for the Engineering in Hartford, as well as our NYC operation (WOR), and our Syracuse stations. Thanks, Bill, for your kind words in reference to WOR. As I'm sure you know, WOR is my baby, having moved both studios and transmitter over the past 3 years.

We went through the system one end to the other - cleaned up the mic processors, ripped apart the audio path to the transmitter, and installed new processing that correctly handles both the analog and HD signals.

I'm presently in Syracuse working on issues and processing up here. Hartford still needs some fine tuning, but I think on the drive home Thursday night that the FM sounded a million times better - and is now competitive with the other stations in the market.

More to come - one step at a time.

Tom Ray
VP/Corp. Director of Engineering
Buckley Broadcasting

Kudos, Tom! As a former member and newsletter coordinator and secretary of of SBE Chapter 15 I still keep an eye out on NYC radio. I've followed your work from studio to transmitter as covered in Radio World and you have the reputation of "getting it done" - it's nice to see (hear?) your handiwork up at DRC-FM.

I took a listen while on the way in to work. I was a bit too far down (Fairfield) County to give it a real good listen, but the improvement in outstanding and noticeable. I did notice a little edge on Jerry's mic when compared to Maryann's, but it's hard to say with the signal conditions where I was at the time.

I'd be interested in hearing if you're still running the 2020 or not. I used one on a web station and it was ok. I have an older MK I that I have on my personal webstream as I recently sold my Optimod and I'm not all that happy - the MKIII sounded better.

All and all, great job Tom. I'm looking forward to your further "tweaks" and improvements.

 

[radiotech101]

Thank you, Mr. Ray. The station sounds excellent. Got a chance during a local break to listen in Master Control. Chicago's "Make Me Smile" and Paul Revere and the Raider's "Hungry" sounded great. It sounds like JK may be working the mic a little closer than Mary Ann, pushing into the mic processor, which may be the "edge" that Mr. DeFelice is hearing.

Monitoring equipment, if it matters...

TFT 887 receiver
1959 General Electric console as pre-amp
Altec Lansing 9442 amp
Altec Lansing 1010 2-ways.

All in Glorious Mono.

PS- Nice to see the needle move on the monitor!

[email protected]

 

[Turntable]

Ok folks,

Here is a preliminary direct comparison I compiled this morning. The first part of the clip was recorded In December, 2006. The second part (where you hear the Top Hour ID was recorded today, about a half hour from the time of this post.

You can download it Here: http://www.mediafire.com/?ezwgmlj4ods

I have made no modifications to these recordings whatsoever, other than editing and mp3 compression at 320k/sec.

Enjoy...

-A

 

[Tom_Ray]

Kudos, Tom! As a former member and newsletter coordinator and secretary of of SBE Chapter 15 I still keep an eye out on NYC radio. I've followed your work from studio to transmitter as covered in Radio World and you have the reputation of "getting it done" - it's nice to see (hear?) your handiwork up at DRC-FM.

I took a listen while on the way in to work. I was a bit too far down (Fairfield) County to give it a real good listen, but the improvement in outstanding and noticeable. I did notice a little edge on Jerry's mic when compared to Maryann's, but it's hard to say with the signal conditions where I was at the time.

I'd be interested in hearing if you're still running the 2020 or not. I used one on a web station and it was ok. I have an older MK I that I have on my personal webstream as I recently sold my Optimod and I'm not all that happy - the MKIII sounded better.

All and all, great job Tom. I'm looking forward to your further "tweaks" and improvements.

Thanks, Bill and everyone.

We have an Omnia 6EXi on the air - being fed by an Aphex compellor at the studio to protect the STL (very light, barely doing anything...just there to keep from htting digital zero on the STL input).

The Aphex 2020 was moved to the HD2 channel.

By midnight last Thursday, my ears were shot from listening, so we left well enough alone. That also gave me time to listen on the way home.

As I said, it's stll a work in progress. I'm hoping to be back in Hartford tomorrow or Friday - presently in Syracuse - and will listen with fresh hearing. I do know that the 2020 on the HD2 needs to be tweeked a bit - it was somewhat midrangy, but cleaner than it was.

Oh. And you can simply call me Tom. Mr. Ray is my kid's father......

TR

 

[Turntable]

Thanks Tom.

I wanted to say 6ex or ex-i, but I bit my tongue. I was pretty sure it wasn't Vorsis as WGLIradio suggested early this morning, but as I said THAT would be INTERESTING!

In any case, it's definitely getting there, and FAST. For the first time since I can remember, I'm enjoying the station immensely. A great listen.

I hope my 'shot in the dark' running critique wasn't too harsh. Just like the file I posted, it's for entertainment purposes only. I know I had fun!

Keep up the good work and again thanks for fixing what used to be and is now once again, one of my favorite stations!!!

-A

 

[wgliradio]

The bass had that bouncy feel which is why I originally thougt it may have been an Orban...

As for the Vorsis... SBE 15 had Vorsis as a program in November at WOR and I thought it was possible a demo was at DRC-FM. I have heard the Vorsis box and actually had a chance to get very into it at the SBE meeting and after. I can tell you it is quite powerful, to the point where I left the second time with my jaw open. Jeff Kieth has done an outstanding job.

 

[CTListener]

I can't wait to hear how songs like "Dancing Queen," "I Saw Her Again" and "Sweet Cherry Wine" sound -- they didn't sound good at all with the old processing.

 

[Turntable]

The bass had that bouncy feel which is why I originally thougt it may have been an Orban...

As for the Vorsis... SBE 15 had Vorsis as a program in November at WOR and I thought it was possible a demo was at DRC-FM. I have heard the Vorsis box and actually had a chance to get very into it at the SBE meeting and after. I can tell you it is quite powerful, to the point where I left the second time with my jaw open. Jeff Kieth has done an outstanding job.

During my first auditions the whole thing had a bouncy, shaky, pumpy left-right shifty feel. It almost sounded like a DBX 166 on the hard knee setting with the thresholds cranked all the way up. When I first started listening after I read the first post in this thread, I knew there was a change and I definitely heard potential... I knew there was something in the works...

Unfortunately although I airchecked the changes, I didn't get the worst of it. I've been out of the game for a while and I somehow forgot that these modern digital boxes can be adjusted remotely... that dawned on me after my head hit the pillow. I just know I heard changes at around 1-2am, but then again I was so tired I could barely keep my eyes open. I'm waiting to stand corrected on that, as I can only guess.

WGLI, You seem to have a handle on things and know what you are listening to. I have never heard the Vorsis but I've done some reading on it. It looks like a fantastic box-- although a bit esoteric to be adopted by the status quo. Your suggestion of an 8500 sounded more plausible to me as was a 6ex or ex-i, which turns out to be the case thanks to Tom's gracious post filling us in. I wanted to say the 'O' word but reserved judgement. I still think it's a little (ok WAAAY) too dense in the upper mid regions, but as Tom said, it's a work in progress.

Gawd I love this stuff!

'Hey, 102.9 it's good to have you back again...'

-A