Hardware vs Software Processing (revived)

[tybee]

A real interesting thread from back when the Schlockwood SW200 first came out that talks about it, as well as pro's and cons of using a PC with StereoTool or  plugins to accomplish the same thing. It's a hardware vs software processing debate.

https://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php?topic=49947.0

 Most interesting I think is where a guy named Kage announced he was scratch building his own processor "loosely designed after the Dorrough DAP 310 from 1973", and then later came back and revived the thread with the completed schematics and video demonstration.

Something that jumped out at me is where chantino said:

Best bang for your buck using hardware, if in fact you want it to sound loud and clean, is the Aphex Compellor/Dominator combo. ... ... .. This is not going to give you a heavily. noticeably processed sound, but it will be quite, again, LOUD, but still pleasing compared to the typical flatlined mid/highs and overbearing bass commercial station...

I used that pair for years with my station  and loved them, wish I still had them. I had sought them out because it was specifically advised in an article on the Rangemaster site about processing (It wasn't written by Hamilton, and he doesn't remember who wrote it). So I found one, then the other on eBay, and was immediately impressed, they made a noticeable difference, definitely better than the 421 and an equalizer I had previously used. -- But anyway, later there were numerous times that Bill over at HB had advised me to get rid of the Dominator and replace it with something else, because the Dominator was not designed for AM. I kind of figured he knew what he was talking about, but I just couldn't bring myself to change something which seemed to be performing so well.. I don't mean range really, I really don't know if it improved range or not l, but the sound quality was great, full. I really liked the Aphex Compellor/Dominator pair and am considering trying to find another set, even thought the Dominator was evidently actually designed for FM. But I'm also still considering the Schlockwood.

Incidentally, in case you haven't heard, the original Schlockwood SW200 has now been discontinued. It is being replaced within the next few months by two different models; one is a $500 professional rack mount version with more bells and whistles, but the other model, the SW210, which apparently is a SW200 with just a faceplate but no encloser,  it's  only going to cost about $300, and that sounds like a very inviting price to me.
https://www.schlockwood.com

But I haven't totally abandoned the idea of just using free plugins either. So I'm curious.. actually I think I know the answer already ..

How many part 15 AM stations use only software based processing?

[ThaDood]

Boomer, of AM Carrier-Current station, WAG AM690, AM Stereo, does all software based processing, before feeding audio to his C-QUAM board & LPB 5W transmitter. He's pretty happy with it. Me??? I still prefer actual components to quickly swap IN & OUT. But, that's just me. I like computer aided, than computer dependent. Working in TV & radio broadcasting, and going from manually done on-air studios & processors, to all software based automation, and even processing, and seeing the horrors of those transitions, just put a bad taste in my mouth to be 100% software dependent. Even today, albeit I have used later versions of NexGen, Zara Radio, and dabble a little with Radio DJ, automation, and they work. However, for processing, give me actual, physical, components anytime.     

[tybee]

You say you "like computer aided, not computer dependent". Amen to that. I doubt there are many part 15 stations that operate without a computer, but suspect only for music automation and prep. The general preference always appears to have been hardware processing, and that's all I've used in the past.

But on the flip side, software processing can be a lot cheaper or even free. But that also further taxes your computer which as you point out can lead to problems. Yes, I agree, hardware is the way to go

However, are not most of not all hardware processors today simply all-in-one dedicated software computers anyway? - Yeah I know it's different because it's dedicated, but still, just saying.

Curious if Boomer pre-processes everything with software prior to air, or actually processes in real time during air? Pre-processing it seems wouldn't be a problem... unless of course the programing is actually live.

Well bottom line, I agree. Right now I'm debating between what I'm already familiar with (a used Compellor/Dominator pair), or a brand new Schlockwood SW210.
- Either way you're looking at about $300, but there's always a risk with used equipment, so I'll most likely go with one of the new budget Schlockwoods as soon as they come out. It just seems the most prudent.

But then again, I could pre-proccess everything with free software and save $300. --- But I think that would get old real quick.

[ThaDood]

To answer ya what WAG AM690 does in his processing. Does he process before, or while, on-air? He told me that he does both. And BTW, he's now using AMP 1.0, the upgrade from Sonos.   http://burnill.co.uk/    That said, he recommends Sonos more for those starting out in software processing first, and recommends watching this Youtube VID.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0pV90N-8ZA     I may try it, some day. As you said, the problem with getting older, discarded, stations' processors, like from Orban, Inovonics, or CBS Volumax, is to try and find one that doesn't look like they've been through a war zone. Or, even worst, weren't ZZZZZZZZZZZZZAP'ed by lightning. (I've seen more than my share of those.) I certainly run on the cheap here, with an original TERK VR-1 audio AGC 'DPS' unit, (Bought in 2005.), to an early 1990's ART CS2 Compressor / Limiter, (Set at 4:1 COMP.), followed by a 32 Band EQ, an Audio Reflex EQ-1 from the late 70's, then to the STL link to my stations. Hey... They work, albeit it's taken a lot of fine-tweaking time to find the sweet-spots where they all work together to give me that commercial processed sound quality. And, again, the pre / post audio processing that I've done has been with Audacity. Setting shows & podcasts with just 1.5:1 COMP is a sweet-spot there, and on EQ, I'll do a sharp dive at 8kHz and above, since many podcasts don't use a de-essing unit, and have very harsh S's & T's in their speech audio. Hey... I'm still learning... 

[tybee]

Well I've now pretty much made the decision to get the SW205 as soon as they're released, had few brief correspondence with Jim Wood in the last few days. As much as I loved my old Aphex pair, they had been manufactured, what, 40 years ago? and I have no experience in servicing electronics if it needs it, so it flat out makes the most sense to buy a brand new Schlockwood that's designed by a reputable (and legendary) manufactured specifically for the purpose - and the price is right.

The more I think about it, not doing so would be just wrong! I look forward to getting a Schlockwood! Maybe I'll find I like it even more than my beloved lost Compellor/Dominator.

Schlockwood it'll be.