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Small mixer with AGC feature for PEG cable channel feed
I run a small PEG Govt channel that feeds our provider (Charter). It’s an analog audio/video feed that gets converted to a fiber feed via a Phillips & Siecor converter unit.
My issue is that the audio range i have is limited before clipping occurs and distortion ensues. Other issue is that our channel’s audio levels are low so i try to push the levels as high as possible without having the clip, but invariably they do due to variations in audio levels from different source programs. I’ve brought this up with Charter and they say everything is square on their end.I run everything out of a Rushworks A-list media server, XLR to a Mackie 402VLZ4 mixer, where it outputs 1/4″ to RCA in to the fiber converter. Is there a mixer out there that offers Auto Gain Control or has some other feature that would allow me to have the audio levels peak at a certain point but not exceed it? I assume it would have to be a digital mixer. I have a budget of up to $1,000, but would think i would not need that much to get what i need. Any help appreciated.
Alternatively, is there a software option for the A-list, which uses a Matrox card? -
11 Replies
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Hello David and welcome to the Cow Audio Forum,
Is it a case of greatly varying levels or is it just that you can’t get loudness and the levels are relatively consistent? You may just need a good comp/limiter. You may need a lot more.
We have seen the levels in local broadcast go wildly off from spot to spot. That’s different than normal audio processing.
The local stations have solved the wildly varying elves with hardware from Linear Acoustics in Lancaster, PA.
Otherwise, it’s usually a compressor followed by a limiter. AGC alone is seldom good enough.
If it were me, I’d be looking at an Aphex Compellor followed by an Aphex Studio Dominator.
https://www.aphex.com/products/320d-compellor/
I’m not even sure if they make the Studio Dominator anymore, but you could iron out a lot of bumps in your road with a Compellor. It has both analog and digital I/Os.
Regards,
Ty Ford
Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford’s Blog -
Thanks for reply.
The levels aren’t that consistent but more importantly the loudness is not what i would expect or want it to be, compared to the other channels.
I checked out the Compellor, thanks for link. The input on the fiber converter/transmitter is a dinky RCA audio, so i would have to stick the Compellor between the Rushworks A-List audio XLR out and the Mackie XLR in, which would be fine, correct?
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then a compressor followed by a limiter should work.
Regards,
Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum Leader
Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford’s Blog -
If both those go BEFORE the Mackie i’m still good as far as preserving effect/enhancements, correct? I need to get to RCA unbalanced to feed the fiber transmitter.
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yeah, not finding that Aphex Limiter available anymore…any other suggestions to pair it with the Compellor?
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David,
A dbx limiter somewhere in the middle of their line or above should work just fine.
Do you need mono or stereo?
Regards,
Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum LeaderWant better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford’s Blog -
mono
So if the Compellor calls itself a compressor & limiter and a DBX unit calls itself the same does the same that doesn’t mean i don’t need both units?
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The original 320 Compellor had a limiter in addition to its main function as a compressor.
Limiter didn’t sound very good (I suppose because they also sold the Studio Dominator)
What you want is a compressor followed by a limiter. The compressor allows you to raise the level and reduce the dynamic range of the signal. The limiter puts a cap on the level to keep it from distorting and further deceases dynamic range. The end result is LOUDER AUDIO without clipping.
You are, in fact, technically distorting the audio with each step, but that’s how it works. Poorly designed circuits reveal their shortcomings by producing audible audio artifacts. The Compellor is very transparent.
Regards,
Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum LeaderWant better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford’s Blog -
Hi David,
I operate a PEG channel in Washington and have the same problem. My workaround was to run the rca output of the playback unit into an Alesus 3632 Compressor/Limiter which raised the level and stops it from clipping. There’s an XLR output from the Alesus, and I screw down the positive and negative wires to the fiber transmitter input and the channel is louder. However not as loud as the surrounding channels. Our cable company uses only the left channel for it’s PEG, if we were stereo I think we’d be on par with the other channels. -
i got a DBX 1066 that seems to have fixed problem once i dialed it in correctly.
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