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Hi,
I am running a webradio from an online service, basically all my tracks are stored on their servers. The overall result is fine except for the fact I am lacking some serious sound processing. All there is is some basic limiting.
So here’s my question: would you guys have any suggestions on how to best prep my tracks and files to improve my sound. I have normalized everything but obviously have not found a way to give them that amazing BBP sound.
Any idea is welcome 🙂
Thanks in advance,
Zeb
The only other solutions that will get you into the ballpark of Breakaway (but still not as clean) cost in the range of 2-3 grand minimum. To get into the range (still not as clean) as BBP, you’re talking over 10 grand. Partly because BBP is essentially a $10,000+ processor (it still beats processors in the 13-15 grand range), it just costs less. 🙂
So if you have BBP, you shouldn’t have to prep your tracks before hand at all. As long as the input levels are reasonable, depending on the preset. Many of the presets offer a huge amount of variability in the input levels they work great with – that is to say you can sometimes input a -30dBLKFS or -10dBLKFS level signal and get the same exact sound from both. Just depends on the preset. 🙂 Some are not meant to be as aggressive in the long term.
Hi Jesse,
Thank you for your reply, I have indeed been through a couple of 2 – 3K boxes and have never looked back since I got the BBP license, it is clearly superior to big brand name boxes at a portion of the cost!
My problem is that I have opted, for now and due to my constant traveling, for an online hosted webradio service, a la live 365. Everything is online so I have no ways to process the sound at the end of the chain. That’s why I have been wondering how to upload my mp3 files already "processed" in some ways. I figure that if all files are processed on an equivallent basis that might work?
Would there be any ways to run these files through BBP, save it and upload this online?
I doubt it but if you guys have any ideas, I’d love to hear them, otherwise it sounds like I’ll have to broadcast the regular way.
Thanks!
Zeb
Hi Zeb!
Breakaway Broadcast is a realtime processor only, not a file processor. Functionality wise it’s equivalent to a hardware box, so the only way to do this would be to dub each and every track through it manually, at 1x realtime speed. Maybe there’s a software product to automate the task? How would you have done it with a hardware box?
///Leif
Hi Leif,
Thanks for the answer, I think to run all my songs through a box and record them would have been tricky. Playing everything through BBP at 1x speed and record it via soundtab should work, It sounds like quite a task without any automation though, I will look into it and let you know how that works for me.
Thanks,
Zeb
By the way, Leif, what "signal settings" would you recommend I use for the cleanest result? My stream is an MP3 @128 & 44.1. Pre-emphasis, de-emphasis, PEQ, etc.?
Thanks for your help,
Zeb
For MP3 @128, try pre-emph 15us, de-emph on, peq off, and output level -1.0 for a relaxed format, 0.0 for a higher energy format.
Output level 0.0 may cause decoder clipping in certain cases, but it will only be a smidgeon, so for a higher energy format it’s worth it for the loudness. Make sure you use a good encoder, such as lame 3.90.3. Check the recommended mp3 settings thread.
///Leif
Hi Leif,
Thanks for the settings, I shall try these.
Pardon my amateurism but upon reading your mp3 settings thread a doubt comes to mind: do I really need to install a copy of Edcast for "ripping" (recording) in mp3 format the audio coming out of BBP? Or would a copy of winamp and Lame’s dlls in BBP’s folder be sufficient in my case? Or are you saying I should "rip" my audio at the end of the chain through Edcast?
My apologies for the lack of technical knowledge underlying my questions 🙁
Thanks a lot once again!
Happy Sunday!
Zeb
Hi Zeb!
No worries. BBP itself does not use an MP3 encoder. The MP3 guide is written from the point of view of encoding to send to a shoutcast/icecast server. If you’re trying to encode files, that’s a different story altogether, although the Lame 3.90.3 recommendation remains, as it’s the best sounding encoder.
///Leif
Although v3.93.1 is no slouch either. In fact it’s my current encoder of choice for CBR or streaming of CBR.
Since the only time I ever save CBR now is for 320kbps DJ masters, I just use v3.98b anyways, or mainly -V 0 -q 0 😉 But yeah, for streaming I’m using v3.93.1.
Would you recommend using Audacity to record the sound coming out of BBP, that is after having set it up with the Lame encoder?
Thanks!
Zeb
I’ve used Absolute Sound Recorder before (http://www.iaudiosoft.com/videoconverter.htm), and works great, but for mp3’s I’m not sure if it allows you to use VBR to record, other than the CBR presets. As already mentioned before, you have to record in real time, which is a real pain in the neck. Start recording, play song, stop rec, trim unwanted spaces, tag track and repeat process again. I would gladly pay for a BA product that did only this in batch and faster. (tip… Leif
)[quote author=”Zeb”]Would you recommend using Audacity to record the sound coming out of BBP, that is after having set it up with the Lame encoder?
Thanks!
Zeb[/quote]
I use Audacity and I have never had any problems with it. Works great with the Lame encoder.[quote author=”livelike321″]I’ve used Absolute Sound Recorder before (http://www.iaudiosoft.com/videoconverter.htm), and works great, but for mp3’s I’m not sure if it allows you to use VBR to record, other than the CBR presets. As already mentioned before, you have to record in real time, which is a real pain in the neck. Start recording, play song, stop rec, trim unwanted spaces, tag track and repeat process again. I would gladly pay for a BA product that did only this in batch and faster. (tip… Leif
)[/quote]That would clearly be the best! 🙂 Would you consider such a product Leif? Meaning should I start my project or will you have something similar (file processor) out soon?
🙂
Thanks for your replies!
Zeb
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