kirkiefan said:
wilson1000 said:
When I get up that, I usually take a listen. And I mustsay, It sounds really good. Whoever engineers the station knows how to get a clean sound!
Willy - Dublin
I have noticed (on those occasions that I can receive it in my car) WRPO does have a natural sound...however I do notice from time to time...some high frequency "hissing" when a singer or announcer utters words with C or S consonants or when a singer reaches a high note or even when a cymbal crashes. This problem can be troubleshooted by using a better quality audioprocessor like Orban's Optmod FM....the only drawback is the pricetag...some still go as high as $3K on Ebay for a 1980s era Optimod. There are some other processors available from Behringer that are comparatively more affordable ...some that run less than $200 depending on one's budget...and since WRPO has switched to oldies..processing with compression (not just limiting) is a given as many Top 40 formatted stations in the 1960s and 70s used audio processing chains that gave it a constant sound and loudness without overmodulating. Behringer's products have also been used in churches,micropower FM stations,internet-only stations and DJ services similar to Gene's Audio Sensations.
http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/Signal_Processing_and_Audio_Tools/Sound_Enhancement_Processors/
I wish Gene and everyone at WRPO the best of success in its new format..and since he also produces his Big Band program for WSWO-LP "Ultimate Oldies" I'm sure the folks at that station along with Kevin's offer to do some free consulting for WRPO can make that station sound even better. I have also noticed since the format change, I'm starting to hear more underwriting announcements from within the Indian Lake buisiness community..so that's an indicator that Gene made the right decision to switch to oldies since summer is now upon us and more families will be visiting the lake. I sincerely hope this will increase support for this unique little LPFM and that I hope it can evenutally raise it's antenna to 100 feet,broadcast in stereo and offer an audiostream from its website for the rest of us. The potential is there..it just needs some good solid support from the Indian Lake and surrounding communities.
Again my best wishes go out to Gene Kirby for making WRPO the definitive non-commercial community radio station that is truly is.
Gene has an Innovonics audio processor on the station (I'm not sure I spelled that right, but those of you who know the product know what I'm talking about). I certainly agree compression is necessary to give the station that "loud and proud" sound. (If someone has a cheap reverb unit, let me know...)
The antenna is actually in good shape, and I'm not sure I would even bother with stereo...by staying mono, you get more coverage, and besides, most of the music was recorded in mono anyway! Remember, Gene also runs the 100 watt Class A in DeGraff. We'll see over time how that can be utilized to its fullest potential. There's a lot of it there. But it takes time, and community support.
I have been to the station and I am impressed. Gene has done a great job at putting a community station together. All I hope to help with is simply help "organizing" what he has to create a product that is what an oldies station should be - fun to listen to, playing the hits, offering some "oh wow" titles some may have forgotten about, and, more than anything, help get the community behind the station. It is a unique property. It does not have to be run with the "rigidness" of a commercial station. It does, however, need to serve 2 audiences: the locals who make the area their home, and those who choose to make that area their playground every spring and summer. It will take a little time to put it all together. Gene has shown me his computer system and I have to learn more about it. But, I will be endeavoring to help Gene bring it to it's full potential.
Gene has selected the right format for a resort area. He has researched his audience and they have spoken. And you gotta love a guy with the guts to put his studio in a window where the community can watch the "magic" of radio. I have offered to slip into character and do some oldies shows over the summer...and I intend to keep that promise.
Gene's station has stayed true to the real definition of what the FCC intended by authorizing low power FM. It serves a community that is unique in and of itself, one commercial radio would probably consider too small to focus on. There's a lot of potential there. If I can help in a small way to make this station realize it's potential, it is only my pleasure.
But, give Gene the credit - he had the vision to begin with.
