In article , Jim Lesurf jcgl@st-
and.demon.co.uk writes
In article , harrogate3
wrote:

Forgive me Jim but I thought it was the other way around? Optimod and
whatever during rushhour (0730-0930 and 1700-1900 weekdays) but
uncompressed at other times. Que?

Well, the measurements I've made show clear level compression on R3 FM
during the day. e.g. during the lunchtime and afternoon programmes. It was
also quite audible when I listened to/recorded the afternoon repeat of the
'First Night' that went out between 2-4 the Monday following the First
Night.

I have not checked, and I don't listen at all times of day. However my
impression is that R3 use automated level compression on FM essentially all
day, and only remove it (perhaps) during the evening. It may be used to a
greater degree during 'drivetimes', though.

I have also had the impression that even in the evenings, they level
compress to some extent, but this may be more skill-controlled and hence
not so noticable or distracting.


I reckon that this is a bit of a difficult one for a broadcaster as they in
order to serve their audience have to take into account typical listening
conditions for the majority of people during the day and I'd bet that there
aren't that many serious listeners who sit down and listen to the audio
systems during the daytime hours, but there are a whole lot more who are in
car and have the tranny on for background stuff in the day, so who should they
serve for best effect?.

Of course what they ought do is make a very high bitrate and un-processed
source available on satellite for such serious users, and use compression on
DABble which doesn't matter anymore as its no longer a serious audio medium.

Even a small broadcaster like Radio Jackie in south London is capable of doing
this, they have a processed output and their "finesse" stream which is
directly off the desk!.

If they can manage that,, I'm sure auntie BBC can......

--
Tony Sayer