[WXBH-Discuss] Our Audio Quality
John Hicks
johnlist at gulfbridge.net
Sat Jul 7 14:33:05 EDT 2007
Paul--
If not a studio, what do you propose we do to get more local programming?
--John
topdog at woofer.com wrote:
> Hi John,
>
> Are people out there screaming because they can't record a show? I
> know that Aron has opened up his kitchen studio to more people than
> himself. My question is, if we get a LIVE studio going, how many
> people are going to take advantage of that?
>
>
> You have proved that we can be "on the air" with a PIII 800 Mhz PC and
> a $5 microphone. How many people don't have that?
>
> People that are not trained in communication often have poor
> communication skills. Dead air. A lot of "ummms" and stuff. Also,
> no way that we can edit their content. The last thing that I heard
> was the obscenity charge was $310,000.00 /per occurance/ - charged not
> to the station, but to the person that uttered the obscenity. I don't
> think that anyone I've met through this project makes that much in a
> year. Not a lot of Beamer's and Caddy's in our parking lot. A
> simple "oh shit" because your shirt got snagged on the CD player could
> cost you your retirement. People are listening - especially those FHS
> people who are petioning the FCC to keep us off of the air.
>
> To err on the side of caution is always a good thing. You at least
> will live to make errors another day.
>
> Paul
>
>
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: Re: [WXBH-Discuss] Our Audio Quality
> From: John Hicks <johnlist at gulfbridge.net>
> Date: Sat, July 07, 2007 1:27 pm
> To: "WXBH General Discussion List (Open to all to subscribe and
> post.)"
> <wxbh-discuss at wxbh.org>
>
> topdog at woofer.com <#Compose> wrote:
> > Hi Mark,
> >
> > I only wish that I had the time. I think I've got one or two in me -
> > but not a whole series. One or two would help - from anyone! Can't
> > we replay those when we are in the middle of a "dead air" period?
>
> I agree. I've been promising to publish a schedule framework that will
> let us start sketching in our local program schedule, but have let that
> slide on my list. I'll try to get it done (and published) today (but
> right now am on my way to the EarXtacy independent music day to
> evangelize a bit).
> >
> > I've approached a numer of people that were "gung ho" at first but
> > when it came came to "put up or shut up" ... they shut up. I hope
> > that the "voiceless" have a voice or it will cost us our license. Any
> > fool can have a streaming website - and many do.
>
> Agreed. That's why we need a studio. It was asking too much to get
> groups to record, edit, upload, etc. And most of that work wound up
> falling on Mark's shoulders anyway. With a studio, people just need to
> show up and get 'er done.
> >
> > Paul
> >
> >
> > -------- Original Message --------
> > Subject: RE: [WXBH-Discuss] Our Audio Quality
> > From: "Mark McKinley" <markmck48 at hotmail.com <#Compose>>
> > Date: Fri, July 06, 2007 6:53 pm
> > To: wxbh-discuss at wxbh.org <#Compose>
> >
> > Paul - re local programming:
> >
> > 1. Right now I'm listening to a local press conference
> organized by
> > health
> > care activsts; Healthcare for All is a locally produced
> grassroots
> > program
> > promoting universal single payer healthcare;
> >
> > 2. we've had samples of programming around local opposition to
> the
> > invasion/occupation in Iraq;
> >
> > 3. we have a locally produced show on media reform/justice issues
> >
> > 4. Kim Sorice has produced a couple music shows; Aron has
> produced a
> > show;
> >
> > we've been clamoring for folks to step up to the mic - how about
> a show
> > Paul?
> >
> > -
> >
> > Mark
> > >From: topdog at woofer.com <#Compose> <#Compose>
> > >Reply-To: "WXBH General Discussion List (Open to all to subscribe
> > >andpost.)" <wxbh-discuss at wxbh.org <#Compose> <#Compose>>
> > >To: "WXBH General Discussion List (Open to all to subscribe and
> > >post.)"<wxbh-discuss at wxbh.org <#Compose> <#Compose>>
> > >Subject: RE: [WXBH-Discuss] Our Audio Quality
> > >Date: Fri, 06 Jul 2007 15:27:59 -0700
> > >
> > >Bad quality - that's the major problem of getting audio off of
> the web
> > >(besides being able to be hacked).
> > >
> > >The audio level should be adjusted automatically by the Optimod
> at the
> > >transmitter (which is post-board).
> > >
> > >The reason that we have to go through the WFHS board (which
> further
> > reduces
> > >quality and leaves us open to tampering) is because the cheap,
> Ensoniq
> > >sound card is neither balanced or professional line level (both
> > points that
> > >I addressed in early May). Certain RME Audio cards may work,
> but the
> > >majority of pro sound cards will only work in a Windows
> environment.
> > >
> > >We are not on the air to be a Pacifica affiliate. We have a
> license to
> > >give "a voice to the voiceless". Where are our locally produced
> > shows? We
> > >have been on the air 1 month. I haven't heard one yet. When does
> > the FCC
> > >decide that we are not meeting our license criteria of 32 hours of
> > locally
> > >produced programming per week?
> > >
> > >Just points to be addressed - and sooner rather than later.
> > >
> > >Paul Nevitt
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >-------- Original Message --------
> > >Subject: [WXBH-Discuss] Our Audio Quality
> > >From: John Hicks <johnhicks at wxbh.org <#Compose> <#Compose>>
> > >Date: Thu, July 05, 2007 9:59 pm
> > >To: "WXBH General Discussion List (Open to all to subscribe and
> post.)"
> > ><wxbh-discuss at wxbh.org <#Compose> <#Compose>>
> > >
> > >
> > >A few more notes about the audio quality:
> > >
> > >Right now we are broadcasting the Internet stream, which
> theoretically
> > >is 128kbps, quite sufficient for good quality audio.
> > >
> > >However most of our sources are less than 128kbps. Pacifica
> feeds us at
> > >64kbps and WRFN streams at only 48kbps. On top of that, the
> quality of
> > >audio coming from these sources varies (even for Pacifica).
> Remember
> > >that WRFN relies on volunteer programmers and some of them are
> better
> > >than others.
> > >
> > >If the stream sounds good but the broadcast sounds worse, there
> are a
> > >few more factors invloved:
> > >
> > >--We currently don't have a way to monitor the broadcast over
> the air in
> > >order to adjust the audio signal level.
> > >
> > >--The sound is coming out of an onboard Ensoniq sound card and
> going
> > >into the Fern Creek sound board (not directly into the
> transmitter).
> > >
> > >--Since we have limited access to FCHS, we can't just drop by
> and work
> > >on the problem. We have to make an appointment to go in and
> work while
> > >our Fern Creek chaperone waits. (It would help if we had an extra
> > >computer or two so we could simply swap out the old box and
> swap in a
> > >newly configured one that has been thoroughly tested.)
> > >
> > >--John
> > >
>
>
--
John Hicks
When replying to me personally, please use "johnhicks" instead of
"johnlist" in the email address.
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