Free reliable EQ And AGC software for Windows computer that works.

[MrBruce]

Hello all, I am not sure exactly what the best forum is for posting this quesion, but since my question relates to my broadcasting a terrestrial type radio station, I figured I would ask here in this forum.

 

For the most part, one of the broadcast softwares that I have used is Zara Radio. The only thing about Zara Radio is it does not come with any type of EQ or AGC abilities built into it.

 

I have used an evaluation copy of SAM Broadcaster and like the built in audio settings. It has a 10 band EQ and an AGC which allows Gated AGC and COMPRESSOR, EXPANDER and LIMITER and I like the idea of having that, even if the one included in SAM is not perfect.

 

Is there a piece of software that is free, that functions on a Windows XP OS system, that actually works as it is supposed to?

 

I have tried Stephan Hotto's Audio Compressor & Limiter V0.6 from WWW.HOTTO.DE however I do not feel the software is really working even though it may visually appear to be doing so.

 

My major problem is my MP3 collection was recorded at various levels or at various equalizer settings and some songs are either too loud, too soft, too much bass or too much treble. The extreme treble issue causes severe distortion issues with my audio feed and low audio makes my station sound serveral db below the other radio stations, or a peak creates a loud distorted audio feed that causes severe saturation and possible bleed over 400 KHz either way from my assigned frequency.

 

Since 90% of my stations broadcast programming schedule is from a computer in the form of music played by automated software, I would like to use software that works with Zara Radio that works and does not cost an outrageous price.

 

Does anyone know of any such audio processing software that is free to use without limitations or restrictions? I would prefer it not to be a trial version as to me those are more trouble to use and they are worth.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Bruce.

[GKIye]

Hi Bruce,

 

It looks that you live in the aria of Burlington

I know somebody over there

 

First of all ... check my project ... and offcourse the sound of it

If You like what You hear ... PM Me

 

I'm gonna point You into the right direction

 

The panel who is part of SAM itself ain't that perfect ... For a paid software = sad but true

However its a fact that a lot of dsp plugins can be used to achieve almost any sound

the place to load them is "audio mixer pipeline" > mixer > dsp

You gonna find all of them into that spot after You added them into the SAM plugin folder

BUT You have to install them also into the plugin directory of WinAmp (shoutcast)

 

Anyway, PM Me if You like my sound

Please be patient for an answer to Your message

[MrBruce]

@ GKIye

 

Yeah a lot of plugins I have been stuck with require VST or SQL server and my current interest is not to stream on line, but to use the software for terrestrial broadcasting. It appears every piece of software on the web is solely for web streaming, which is a field I am not currently wanting to venture into. Besides my current Internet bandwidth is not suitable enough for streaming to any kind of reasonable audience.

 

I have even tried using Blue Cat's triple EQ and that requires VST--to which I have seen is not free to use.

 

I also have this plugin installed on one of my systems-- McDSP 6030 Ultimate Compressor Plug-in its an DSP type though.

 

I guess Zara Radio is not capable of using any type of plugins, DSP or otherwise.

 

I have listened to your station and I am sure your using WinAmp Pro. Again, I am not willing to purchase anything on impulse, which is why I have not purchased SAM Broadcaster Studio as of yet. Software coding is a time consuming task I realize, but some authors charge way too much for their unstable software.

 

I'll PM you just the same.

 

I am still open to suggestions.

 

Bruce.

[GKIye]

Thanks Bruce,

 

If You need any details about terrestrial broadcasting contact Johny at New Zealand

This is his profile : http://forums.broadcastingworld.net/member.php?9812-johny-c

He has a FM station and streams also his content online at a low bitrate

 

Johny knows all about "quality" of sound

 

Thanks for Your reply and all the best !

[MrBruce]

Okay I believe what you are referring to is that I need something along the lines such as Behringer audio processing equipment correct?

 

 

Bruce.

[johny c]

Hi Bruce, yes I do use a hardware compressor, I use a Behringer Ultramizer which you can only pickup secondhand , but there are others you can use. I have the Ultramizer on the output of my mixer before it feeds into the pc for streaming and the input of my transmitter.

I have never really been a fan of software agc as some of the plugins use a bit of cpu power to work. I use 1 pc for the automation and encoding for the stream. I use a second pc when Im doing live shows. Another advantage of using the hardware comp is you can have you music set a little bit lower and your mic a little higher so when you speak the compressor comes on harder to knock your voice down and at the same time lowers the music so you can talk over. Hope this has been of some help.

[andhow]

Stereo Tool has been quite reliable for us and it does all of our FM broadcast processing. (a PC is dedicated to just our FM signal) All of our broadcasts are at equal or superior quality to the other FM commercial broadcast stations. You can trial it for free. http://www.stereotool.com/

[andhow]

Additionally, we have been using SAM Broadcaster installed on a W2K8 Standard server (dedicated) and it has been quite stable for over 5 years. We use the built-in EQ & AGC in SAM for our internet stream. It sounds fantastic, our listeners think so as well.