• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

FM Processing Question from a non-engineer

B

B Lewis

Guest
Hi All:

I run an LPFM with an 80's CHR format. We have been using an old Optimod FM 8100 for the past four years. With that, we sounded great...good, crisp hi-end, with plenty thump. We are trying to sound like the CHR stations of the 80's, that generally were 'loud', but with good quality. Recently, we purchased an Omnia FM One. I am having to do much of the studio engineering myself...I know what sounds good, but I am not an engineer. Could anyone offer suggestions for settings. I am having a real problem with 'splashing' on the hi-end (with percussion, such as cymbals in songs) or the letter 's' in speech. What can I do to get rid of that? Any help you guys can provide will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
 
B Lewis said:
Hi All:

I run an LPFM with an 80's CHR format. We have been using an old Optimod FM 8100 for the past four years. With that, we sounded great...good, crisp hi-end, with plenty thump. We are trying to sound like the CHR stations of the 80's, that generally were 'loud', but with good quality. Recently, we purchased an Omnia FM One. I am having a real problem with 'splashing' on the hi-end (with percussion, such as cymbals in songs) or the letter 's' in speech. What can I do to get rid of that? Any help you guys can provide will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Click to expand...

sounds like double pre-emphasis....what exciter are you using...Not sure about that particular Omnia box, since i never used that one. choose a preset, then look for the pre-emphasis, turn it off, and see how it sounds... if it gets real muddy , it's probably not that...
 
B Lewis said:
Hi All:

I run an LPFM with an 80's CHR format. We have been using an old Optimod FM 8100 for the past four years. With that, we sounded great...good, crisp hi-end, with plenty thump. We are trying to sound like the CHR stations of the 80's, that generally were 'loud', but with good quality. Recently, we purchased an Omnia FM One. I am having to do much of the studio engineering myself...I know what sounds good, but I am not an engineer. Could anyone offer suggestions for settings. I am having a real problem with 'splashing' on the hi-end (with percussion, such as cymbals in songs) or the letter 's' in speech. What can I do to get rid of that? Any help you guys can provide will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Please contact our Support Engineering group, as they can assist you. (216) 241-7225

-Frank Foti
 
Frank, since you bring them up, what's the chances you guys could pick up that Group? They do a good job, and if there were twice as many of them, they'd do a good job in a timely manner. The answers are still good, but the response time has slipped badly over the past few years.

thanks
 
littlejohn said:
Frank, since you bring them up, what's the chances you guys could pick up that Group? They do a good job, and if there were twice as many of them, they'd do a good job in a timely manner. The answers are still good, but the response time has slipped badly over the past few years.

thanks
Click to expand...

This is news to me, as the Support Group works hard to return calls, eMail inquiries within a timely manner. Usually within a few hours, or that day.

-Frank Foti
 
When I've called Telos-Omnia I've had pretty good luck getting someone with a brain. It does usually take a few hours for someone to call back which isn't ideal, but tolorable. The thing that I've ran into a few times in the past is that the gal answering the phones at first wasn't too great. (a bit snippy and sometimes I've called and got no answer for quite some time.. stuff like that) Once I got to the smart guys everything was fine.
I haven't needed to call in about 6 months or more though, so who knows at this point.
 
As I said, I've no problem with the information, it's accurate and to the point. Getting someone quickly who has the information can be a problem. I'd suggest the buyer might be better served by having a tech drinking coffee now and again than by having all the techs with three calls apiece lined up in the queue.
There are two approaches to Field Service. One is the comment from a supplier - NOT a manufacturer - "All the builders' service has slipped over the past few years, some more so than others." The other was from (I believe, it's been a while) David Chenoweth when my call to Field Service woke him late one night when he was the call guy and I said "Gee I'm sorry to wake you, but I got this problem...". His immediate response was "You paid for my time when you bought the transmitter. What can I do for you?"
One must decide which reputation one wishes to have.
 
FFoti1 said:
This is news to me, as the Support Group works hard to return calls, eMail inquiries within a timely manner. Usually within a few hours, or that day.

-Frank Foti
Click to expand...

If we are voting, I would have to vote that support needs to be improved...I have never gotten any response faster than 4 hours, (cept for the time I was in your office! <grin>)
 
Well, i've had great service from Omnia.Last 6 update i did, i got a call back within 15 minutes from Mark and good email service to go with it.Turns out it was something i was doing regarding IP addresses that was incorrect.2 companies i'v received great support from Omnia and Prophet.
 
knowbetter said:
If we are voting, I would have to vote that support needs to be improved...I have never gotten any response faster than 4 hours, (cept for the time I was in your office! <grin>)
Click to expand...

I'm seeing comments that span a broad range. Some say, our response is OK, and others claim otherwise. So, if I can ask, what is an acceptable response time for Customer Support?

-Frank Foti
 
If it's an off-air emergency, I'd say immediately. If it's anything else, I'd say within 24 hours.

That said, I agree with an earlier poster about the "terse-ness" of the ladies I've heard answering your phone...but as far as getting help and getting answers that I need in a timely fashion...you guys bat 1.000 in my book!

I'm a fan.
 
One thing i like about Prophet is when you call in they ask if it's an off air emergency and they direct you to a prompt and that call is answered very quickly.Maybe Omnia might wish to try that and route the call to a special Q.Just an idea, but, like i posted, i've been very pleased with the support.i have never had an off air emergency with a processor,but always have a back up on standby,just in case.
 
Frank..

Since you're here I'd like to ask a question. I've heard from several engineering friends that the newer Omnia processors get popped from time to time when there's storms in the area, etc. From what you've heard, is this a AC powerline problem or audio connection issue? I want to make sure if I install one of these units I don't have to worry about popping it. Naturally I wouldn't think of just plugging it into the wall outlet of course.. It would be on UPS power.

What's a bit touchy on the Omnia these days?

Thanks for the info!


Just as a point of reference Telos Omnia tech support I'd have to rate them about a 8 in the 1-10 scale. Prophet would definatley be a 10. Continental about a 9. Wheatstone/Audio Arts a 10. Nautel would have to rate about an 8. BE would be an 8.

My all-time favorite company Harris would be about a 1 since many times their 24 hr "support" answers the phone.They may be rude or clueless but since they answer they score a 1. So far they don't charge for that great service, just the preditory parts, etc. For a company that charges so much before and after the sale they are just a pure "joy" to deal with sorta like getting a root canal. "(BZZZZZZZZZZZZ) 4000 dollars and 400 to get it there tomarrow. You want to be on the air don't ya? Call us back tomarrow when the regular parts guy is in. Hell I don't know about this particular transmitter. I've never seen one..."

TFT would be the bottom of the dunghill as far as I'm concerned at a 0. Their products and support set the standard on how NOT to do it. At least the price follows the service and product in TFT's case.

:)
 
OKCRadioGuy said:
Frank..

Since you're here I'd like to ask a question. I've heard from several engineering friends that the newer Omnia processors get popped from time to time when there's storms in the area, etc. From what you've heard, is this a AC powerline problem or audio connection issue? I want to make sure if I install one of these units I don't have to worry about popping it. Naturally I wouldn't think of just plugging it into the wall outlet of course.. It would be on UPS power.

What's a bit touchy on the Omnia these days?
Click to expand...

Nothing touchy about Omnia as this is news to us. Omnia meets all the criteria for input/output transient suppression. If there was a rash of units in the repair dept due to lightning hits, I would have known about it...or...if we saw a trend of this problem happening.

We have found installations where the facilities were not the best in regards to lightning hits. Meaning the plant was not grounded properly.

-Frank Foti
 
I'd like to see support in a fashion where whomever answers the phone - or the person to whom I'm referred without a callback - is at least basically knowledgeable about the product. I'd figure mor than half the calls would be covered at this desk. If necesary, bump it to someone who is a deep frioed specialist in whatever product I have a problem with.
Consider this from another angle though if you will. In the days of the 1a2 systems, Cl;assic Zephyrs, and Unity 2000s, I don't remember ever waiting for a callback, or failing to get someone with knowledge on the line. Your operation has increased greatly, your product line has increased greatly, and the complexity of the equipment has increased immeasureably. What is todays ratio of support personnel: dollar value sold; or support personnel: boxes in the field?
Go back to your days in the trenches in New Yark. What would your PD consider a 'reasonable time' to get his request lines back to working? Do I have a guru for my 2101 system available in that time frame?
The stuff is incredibly reliable, considering. But, even so, I have - unless they've changed them recently - Rolf's cell and Jablonski's home numbers squirrelled away 'just in case'. I shouldn't have to, should I?
 
littlejohn said:
I'd like to see support in a fashion where whomever answers the phone - or the person to whom I'm referred without a callback - is at least basically knowledgeable about the product. I'd figure mor than half the calls would be covered at this desk. If necesary, bump it to someone who is a deep frioed specialist in whatever product I have a problem with.
Click to expand...

Thank you to all whom have responded. We are in the process of evaluating our efforts in the area of Support. We recognize that the industry has changed, along with the added complexity of broadcast products, and desire to raise the bar for ourselves in this area. (This applies to Omnia, Telos, Zephyr, and Axia!)

Add to that, we are growing the company, with the addition of Linear Acoustic, and this adds to our Support needs. I will pass along all of these comments to our Managing Director, who is heading up this effort. In the meantime, I welcome your feedback.

-Frank Foti
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom