Subject:Preparing audio for radio broadcasts

Posted by: pup

Date:3/8/2002 7:29:16 AM

Hello, all.

I'm working on projects that are ultimately broadcast on radio - 60 sec spots and 30 minute infomercials. Is there anything I should be paying special attention to when processing my final projects? (EQ, compression, bit rate, stereo vs. mono, etc.) I'd like to provide the best possible sound for the airwaves out there. I have Sound Forge 5.0 and Vegas 3.0. Thanks.

- pup

Subject:RE: Preparing audio for radio broadcasts

Reply by: rraud

Date:3/8/2002 11:26:00 AM

We could help you more if you specify; AM or FM.
If your doing spots for FM in stereo, check the phase with a good scope, meters or software, if you don't have these.. mix in mono which more fool-proof.
Roll off some of the high and low frequecies, 100 and 10Khz. for AM.
Some compression and peak limiting is good.
Do not bury the narration. I know you kids out there do this and everbody hates it, including the ad agencies.
Get a hold of some currently airing good sounding pre-aired spots to hear how the broadcast chain will affect your work. i.e.: transmitter, compessors, exiters, optimizers.

Subject:RE: Preparing audio for radio broadcasts

Reply by: Rednroll

Date:3/10/2002 1:29:44 AM

I've assembled many aired TV and Radio commercials, there's no magic in it. Just use good equipment (ie good condenser mic and pre-amp/compressor). Make sure your voice is much louder than everything else by at least 10dB, because that's how the ad agencies like it, the music and sound FX's are secondary. I've spent more than 8 hours editing a comericial together, but don't think I've ever spent more that a 1/2 hour mixing one. EQ,blend, add compression, rinse and repeat. No frills no fluries.

rednroll

P.S. The most important thing is to "Slate" the comercial and give it a code number, before you ship it to a radio station for air.

P.S.S. Oh and BTW, don't worry so much, you are the only one who will be critical about the mix on your precious comericial or infomercial, the rest of the listeners will be busy reaching for the dial to turn the station. The whole time I made advertisements, I never had anyone say "That is the best mixed commercial I ever heard." There's not even an honorable mention at the Advertisement awards for "The best mixed Ad". Oh actually!! the best thing you can do is buy a cheap small pair of monitors (kind of like a alarm clock radio speaker) and run your final mix through them, because chances are if it sounds good on those speakers it will sound good on any speakers.

Subject:RE: Preparing audio for radio broadcasts

Reply by: pup

Date:3/11/2002 7:40:14 AM

Good info (and quite a relief!) I think I think too much. After I mix stuff here in the studio and then take it home for a listen, it sounds completely different (and not in a good way.) I'm quite the treblewhore - I like my mixes crisp, and I wondered if that was bad for the airwaves. I suppose they would want it as flat as possible, no? By the way, both AM and FM are subjected to my disasterpieces. :)

Some quick questions:

1) Is a stereo music bed in a 60 second spot or radio infomercial necessary? Stereo music beds seem to be distracting to the dialogue. Is mono prefered?

2) Any advice on the MP3 conversion of these things? What's preferred? Sound Forge 5.0 lists FM Radio Quality (64 Kbps), Near CD Quality (96 Kbps), and CD Quality (128 Kbps)...among others. I've just been using CD Quality. Bad or good?

Thanks for the help so far.

- pup

Subject:RE: Preparing audio for radio broadcasts

Reply by: rraud

Date:3/11/2002 8:08:34 PM

That's normal to have something sound different the next day.. on even the same equipment. Your ears and your brain get fried. Monitor at low levels as much as posible. Red is correct about checking a mix on crappy speakers cause thats what most of your audience is going to using. I would go easy on the hi-end, most stations use some kind of exciter which can do a number on an already hi-end-y piece. If you really want to do a stereo piece don't hard pan. Supply the station with 1K test tones @0-VU (Or -16 to -20fs if it's digital depending on your machine)for line-up if it's going to transfered in an analog domain.
64kbs MP3 files really suck. So does 96 for that matter. I wounln't use them for anything but casual listening.