increased volume #2

[infundibulum]

Thank you mibn2cweus, so if I was a heavy rock station owner , could I broadcast the signal at ear assault levels? [ Zarquon forbid ] If there is no authorised set transmission level then the old jungle law 's/he with the loudest voice gets heard first' would seem to apply?

[mibn2cweus]

OK, now that I know what your on about I will focus on factors that maximized volume and how this affects the quality of the final product, dynamic compression of the signal and overloading stages in the signal chain.

Dynamic range is the extent of the difference in loudness between the barely audible and the loudest possible sound in a given context. Compression of the amplitude of a signal makes it possible to skew quieter passages in the program material so that all signal levels fall within the upper portion of the dynamic range. Although at first this may sound agreeable to your purpose, processing the audio signal in this way has some drawbacks. Excessive compression of dynamic range leaves program material sounding unnatural and less interesting leading to listener fatigue. Also, signal compression does not extend the upper limit of the dynamic range, (does not in itself make the loudest passages substantially louder).

Compressing the dynamic range of an audio signal can increase the intelligibility of program material where there is a significant level of background noise (such as in a moving automobile) with which the program material must compete, but this is a poor substitute for a wide dynamic range against a quite background. A recording artist may elect to �take advantage of� the volume maximizing effect of compression in some of there productions, but adding to this by the consumer will not typically contribute to the overall quality of the final product, (any advantages have been subsumed by the artist).

cont . . .

[mibn2cweus]

Another trick sometimes used is to drive the top end into the wall. You may have noticed the results of this in some of those obnoxious commercials (or DJ�s) that tend to blast you between song sessions. Most broadcasts studios use some degree of audio compression to maximize delivery and this can contribute to the apparent difference in loudness you witness when tuning to various radio stations.

As for the transmission itself the main advantage gained from greater broadcast power is simply coverage, reaching a wider audience. There are however, usually restrictions of the carrier wave power, otherwise interference with other stations using the same broadcast frequency in an adjacent region would result. We want to refrain from inciting conflicts that are resolved with brute force. Although actual signal strength from stations you receive clearly vary considerably, since the tuner sections of receivers typically compensate for variations in signal strength, more broadcast power does not necessarily translate into greater volume levels from a �more powerful� station. I apologize if I did not make this clear in my other response.

As for an owner/operator of a radio station there best option may be to play program material which begs for end user modification of the volume level on their own equipment.

There is no need to post a new question if you seek further details on this subject as I will be checking back to this post occasionally when I can. I may have more to add later.

[mibn2cweus]

My apologies: What I meant is, you need not start a new thread if you have further questions relating to this subject. I welcome any other questions you have related to or regarding what I have said or any new aspects of this subject you wish to consider.

I also personally welcome any one else who wishes to contribute, not that this is necessary, as this is an open forum.