Hey folks - just picked up a new server rack and am finally getting my Rangemaster installed and running. I have a Behringer MDX-1600 that worked well with a Talking House, and I recently picked up an Inovonics 222 for some extra modulation.
I'm thinking:
Azuracast computer -> USB audio interface out -> MDX-1600 (compression/peak limiting) -> 222 (extra AM modulation)
Is there anywhere I might leave a space or two in my rack for future updates? I remember Keith recommending a dedicated leveller at the front of the chain, but he seems to have scrubbed a lot of the documentation on his new website design.
Not sure what to suggest as a dedicated leveler, don't think I ever had a stand alone unit, but the Aphex Compellor serves all three purposes, leveler/compressor/limiter, so it would be a complete replacement of your MDX unit.
Really, I think your very best option would be to sell both the MDX and the 222 and replace it with the all-in-one Schlockwood processor, as it was specifically designed for part 15 AM stations manufactured by the same man who designed all the Inovonics gear (Jim Wood)... He has new models coming out in a few months, the budget option being about $300 or the deluxe for around $500 but either serves as a complete AM processing chain in a single box.
One of our members here, Rugster provides an excellent indepth review of the Schlockwood 200
I had intended to get a Schlockwood in the coming months (it really is the best choice), but it basically requires a standard 120v power source, but I'm off-grid, so I opted instead for the Culbert processor ($200) - which like those above also serve all three purposes of leveler/compressor/limiter.
I have no idea what to suggest as a stand-alone leveler - but any of the above (Sholckwood, Culbert or Compellor) provides the levelling your looking for.
Bottom line, in my opinion, best choice would be to get a Schlockwood to replace the entire chain you have.
I posted the wrong link above, that's the HB review of it. Rugsters review is what I meant to post: https://aa7ee.wordpress.com/2018/03/13/the-sw200-a-budget-am-broadcast-processor-for-lpam-and-hams-too/
I think there's a review of it in Radio World too.
If your interested in the $200 Culbert, Radio Jay Allen provides a good review of it: https://radiojayallen.com/cuthbert-6-channel-3-band-stereo-audio-compressor/ The only thing that kind of turns me off is that it doesn't provide balanced outputs - but that's not really a big deal because the Rangemaster came with a separate audio-adapter (which you probably got) that takes care of it. @Mark has experience with both the Schlockwood and the Culbert, I'm sure he'll be piping in, but he seems to actually like the Culbert better... I donno.. I tend to suspect the Schlockwood is probably the better quality option (and it does have built-in balanced output), but that's just what my gut says.
I agree with Rich that it's better to do all the processing with less as opposed to more pieces of gear. The Schlockwood also has the pos-peaks modulation adjust on the output. But like mentioned has been discontinued for new products coming in the new year. But the $300 one doesn't come in a finished case. So the circuit board is unenclosed for protection.
I have both the Sean Cuthbert and the Schlockwood. Both do a nice job of processing in one compact box. Also for a "one does all" take a look at this.... https://www.inovonicsbroadcast.com/product/223#
No need for many expensive pieces of gear in my opinion but it makes a studio impressive looking to have racks of many pieces of gear but not necessary. There is a selection of all in one processors to choose from.
... Also for a "one does all" take a look at this.... https://www.inovonicsbroadcast.com/product/223#
What the hell?... Not sure what happened there..
What I was going to mention is that untill today I always thought the Inovonics 222 (which originally came out in 1987) had built-in leveller but apparently not until their 235 model which came out about 10 years ago ,coinciding with becoming software based processors. Both the 222 and 235 are discontinued replaced with their curiously numbered 223 that Mark mentioned above..
Which brings up another point.. shopping used AM processing gear is a risk and probably isn't saving you any money anyway, especially when you consider you can buy all-in-one units designed specifically for Part 15 AM for as low as $200 - $300 for brand new.
I do all my audio processing via software - VST plugins, specifically. You can get just about any type of processing, and you can always find good, free ones. It's perfect for FM.
If you're going AM, then outboard processing may make some sense, particularly if you want to introduce >100% positive peaks (i.e., distortion). The two processors mentioned, as well as the Inovonics 222, can do that. I'd probably go with the Cuthbert, just because it's a lot cheaper (and you can't get the Schlockwood any more). While new products are supposedly coming, I suspect that they're going to be a lot pricier than anticipated.
I do all my audio processing via software - VST plugins, specifically. You can get just about any type of processing, and you can always find good, free ones. It's perfect for FM...
Yeah I meant to mention several use software, with particular focus on Stereo Tool which can do it all. The late Carl Blare was a big proponent of it, as well as many others. I never really messed with it much myself as it can be taxing on a computer, so I preferred outboard (even though now days gear are essentially computers themselves). There's also the option of pre-processing everything on the computer before broadcast, thus eliminating the need of any outboard gear at all.
If you're going AM, then outboard processing may make some sense, particularly if you want to introduce >100% positive peaks (i.e., distortion). The two processors mentioned, as well as the Inovonics 222, can do that. I'd probably go with the Cuthbert, just because it's a lot cheaper (and you can't get the Schlockwood any more). While new products are supposedly coming, I suspect that they're going to be a lot pricier than anticipated.
Not sure, but my understanding is that most any processor can produce 100% peaks, or close to it. What made the 222 so popular was that it was the first that could achieve 125% positive peaks with minimal distortion. As for the Schlockwoods, as Mark pointed out last month, and on Schlockwoods website, the new Schlockwood processors are coming out sometime around February or March of 2026, so I would say you can't get them anymore, also though it's rare, I have seen them on eBay before
That said, I agree the Culbert is an excellent option, particularly considering it's only $200 bucks, turn-key, ready to go and highly rated.
... .. I have a Behringer MDX-1600 that worked well with a Talking House, and I recently picked up an Inovonics 222 for some extra modulation.
I'm thinking:
Azuracast computer -> USB audio interface out -> MDX-1600 (compression/peak limiting) -> 222 (extra AM modulation) ... ...
Just to clarify something; there's nothing wrong or anything with what you've got! You can just add a VST plugin in your computer as Artisan suggested to take care of the levelling. It's that simple.
Didn't mean to imply there was somehow something wrong with your present chain, because there's not.
Forget about what I said your best option would be, because neither I or anyone else knows what your best option might be.
The truth is your present chain is a good one.
@nosoapradio What you using as a USB interface? I'm still trying to decide what I'm going to get, don't have my old gear anymore. Idon't know if I'll chance buying used for higher quality at a budget price, or buy a new budget priced one, like maybe $50 range max.
All excellent advice! @RichPowers no offense taken at all - I agree with Artisan that by far the simplest and least fragile chain would be totally in-software, but part of the fun of Part 15 is fussing with knobs and wires and obscure gear 🙂
I didn't realize the Cuthbert or Schlockwood also could push 125% peaks like the 222, those are pretty compelling options for streamlining the system. Curious how expensive the new model will be, I also assume it's going to be pricier than other alternatives.
@richpowers I use a Focusrite solo (gen 4, I think?). It's plug and play and gives me everything I need (balanced stereo out, phantom power for mic, headphone monitoring) in a tiny package that runs on USB power. Very affordable for how flexible it is, and Focusrite has a lot of options if you need more input or output.
@theloniousdunk Cool. Those red Focusrites is the ones I'd been eyeing. They've been around awhile now, and have progressed through several different models through the years. There are claims found online saying in reality there is no difference from one Focusrite model to the next, which may or not be true, but I've not seen any negative reviews.