radio station signal processing

Will my CD sound much different on a typical pop/rock radio station after the processing they typically apply to their signal?  How much change should i expect?  Does it vary greatly depending on the radio station?

Does anyone know some CEP/AA settings that would approximate a typical pop radio station's processing?  

TIA.  [oops i thought i was in the RADIO forum!]

[good]

Every station sets up their processing somewhat differently. Pop/rock stations want to be louder than anyone else on the dial, obviously.

I think the very best thing you could do is concentrate solely on getting a good mix, and don't loudness-maximize it very much, if at all!

Attaining something akin to modern radio processing/limiting would likely be a multistep process via software, and it's probably not worth the hassle other than as a learning excercise... you can find articles on the net about such processors and processing - A good start would be to  try a search for "Orban".  

Best... -Jon

Ya the ORBAN DIGITAL AUDIO PROCESSOR looks like a good starting point.  Thanks.  I'm thinking of setting up a CEP/AA 'rack' to approximate that in order to get a feel for how a mix will air.  

For example, i know from experience that without enough compression on a recording the radio processing can cause obvious pumping.    But then maybe this kind of thing isn't a problem anymore with newer radio products...

[oops i thought i was in the RADIO forum!]

Well, you are now!  

Well, I guess I just wanted to emphasize the importance of getting a good, balanced mix that translates fairly well to any system you have access to try it out on - And with that, you should do just fine.

The on-air processing-chain is going do whatever the station's engineer has set it to do. So, once again, don't go to any trouble loudness-maximizing your mix. The station's processing will most certainly be doing a bang-up job of that, already!

Consider this - An old Beatles tune is very likely going to end up about as loud as a Megadeth tune does, over-the-air.

If you can appreciate that, then you should begin to see the wisdom in leaving well-enough alone... But if you decide to "punch it", the station's processing can actually make a much worse mess of things.

I can understand your wanting to try to emulate this sort of thing locally, and yes, there are people who do "mix things particularly for radio", but... all things considered, it's probably not worth losing too much sleep over.

After all, a good mix should stand up just fine over-the-air.

Best of luck with this,  D-man!       -Jon

DeluXMan Posted:
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Will my CD sound much different on a typical pop/rock radio station after the processing they typically apply to their signal?

Definitely!

How much change should i expect?  Does it vary greatly depending on the radio station?

Yes, there will be varying degrees contengent on the amount of processing (as well as the quality of the hardware used) the particular station utilizes.  Also, the staffing ability to get what they want out of the gear in the first place.  I have heard broadcast that would lead me to fire the entire staff!  For a general idea of what type processing goes on in a "typical" radio broadcasting setup, have a look at this....  http://www.euphonicmasters.com/orban_article.html