simulating FM radio DJ at DVinfo.net

Brian Luce · April 18th, 2011, 02:26 AM

How do you do it? Would you even use a filter? Is it something you merely suggest with the camera? FM is so clear -- and yet not quite life like, or is it?, is there something you should process it with in Vegas?

Greg Miller · April 18th, 2011, 03:17 PM

FM stereo stations in the US are sharply bandpassed at 50Hz and 15kHz, because of the 19kHz pilot tone and the PLL servo loops on the carrier frequency..

Aside from that, they're all over the place. Pop format stations might use an RE20, a lot of mic EQ and compression; classical stations might use a condensor mic, little or no processing. And everywhere in between.

Because of the 75uSec pre-emphasis curve, most FM stations tend to have some very specialized processing, to avoid overmodulation when the audio has a lot of high frequency content. However, this might be working very lightly or very heavily, depending on how the EQ and overall levels are set.

And now some stations are using digital STLs with bitrates that I consider inadequate (perhaps as low as 96kbps) so you have the additional distortions from the codecs.

Basically you need some educated guesswork depending on which station you want to mimic.

Jim Andrada · April 18th, 2011, 05:13 PM

Phase-locked loop - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Just in case some were wondering...

Bill Davis · April 18th, 2011, 10:49 PM

Also never forget that the people who typically end up on the radio - have fully developed RADIO VOICES.

That starts with being singled out from the mass of humanity for some natural vocal abilities and then the industry rapidly filters out those who can't manage stuff like the enunciation and diction required.

Then out of THAT group, the industry skims the best of the crop who have BOTH the sound and the chops.

That's part of what you're trying to re-create.

Seriously, the easiest way to get a "radio announcer" sound - is simply to to hire someone who has a "radio announcer" voice to begin with.

If they do, a recording with an SM-57 will sound worlds better than a Neumann recording someone with an ordinary voice.

Just saying.

Gary Nattrass · April 19th, 2011, 04:01 AM

To get an authentic FM radio sound limit the frequency bandwidth to suit the type of radio in shot, compress it to oblivion and then add some small room ambience to simulate the speaker in the room.

That is how I used to do it now I have pro tools and TL Space so I have a small/med/large radio pre-set that does it straight away.

Rick Reineke · April 19th, 2011, 03:21 PM

All main stream stations use specific processors like the Eventide Opimod to get their 'signature' sound. (usually to be louder and get more usable distance than the competition) These processors have a number of stages: EQ, single and multi-band compressors, multi-band exciters, peak limiter volume maximizes and even sophisticated auto levelers. Of coarse as was already stated, without a good voice, it ain't gonna help much.

Andrew Smith · April 19th, 2011, 04:17 PM

Brian,

Do you have a script for what you want the FM announcer to say?

Andrew

Brian Luce · April 19th, 2011, 04:55 PM

Wow guys, my head is spinning. Okay, so there IS a sound specific to FM. So, I have the script, the actor with the voice, I also have an Oktava 012 from Soundroom, Senn k6/me66 and Rode NT3 and Sony Vegas and limited edition of Soundforge. What I want is THE most cliche FM rock station processing.

Can I make it work?

Andrew Smith · April 20th, 2011, 05:28 PM

An extra set of testicles on the talent helps. Over here the really good VO guys are referred to as "four balls" out of respect.

Andrew

Brian Luce · April 21st, 2011, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Smith

An extra set of testicles on the talent helps. Over here the really good VO guys are referred to as "four balls" out of respect.

Andrew

Okay, just ordered a set from B&H. Can any of the processing be done in Vegas 10?

Andrew Smith · April 21st, 2011, 11:36 PM

For Vegas you'll need to use them as a plug-in.

Andrew

April 18th, 2011, 02:26 AM	#1
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	simulating FM radio DJ How do you do it? Would you even use a filter? Is it something you merely suggest with the camera? FM is so clear -- and yet not quite life like, or is it?, is there something you should process it with in Vegas?

April 18th, 2011, 03:17 PM	#2
Greg Miller Trustee Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,792	Re: simulating FM radio DJ FM stereo stations in the US are sharply bandpassed at 50Hz and 15kHz, because of the 19kHz pilot tone and the PLL servo loops on the carrier frequency.. Aside from that, they're all over the place. Pop format stations might use an RE20, a lot of mic EQ and compression; classical stations might use a condensor mic, little or no processing. And everywhere in between. Because of the 75uSec pre-emphasis curve, most FM stations tend to have some very specialized processing, to avoid overmodulation when the audio has a lot of high frequency content. However, this might be working very lightly or very heavily, depending on how the EQ and overall levels are set. And now some stations are using digital STLs with bitrates that I consider inadequate (perhaps as low as 96kbps) so you have the additional distortions from the codecs. Basically you need some educated guesswork depending on which station you want to mimic.

April 18th, 2011, 05:13 PM	#3
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	Re: simulating FM radio DJ Phase-locked loop - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Just in case some were wondering...

April 18th, 2011, 10:49 PM	#4
Bill Davis Trustee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Posts: 1,538	Re: simulating FM radio DJ Also never forget that the people who typically end up on the radio - have fully developed RADIO VOICES. That starts with being singled out from the mass of humanity for some natural vocal abilities and then the industry rapidly filters out those who can't manage stuff like the enunciation and diction required. Then out of THAT group, the industry skims the best of the crop who have BOTH the sound and the chops. That's part of what you're trying to re-create. Seriously, the easiest way to get a "radio announcer" sound - is simply to to hire someone who has a "radio announcer" voice to begin with. If they do, a recording with an SM-57 will sound worlds better than a Neumann recording someone with an ordinary voice. Just saying. __________________ Classroom editing instructor? Check out www.starteditingnow.com Turnkey editor training content including licensed training footage for classroom use.

April 19th, 2011, 04:01 AM	#5
Gary Nattrass Trustee Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cornsay Durham UK Posts: 1,992	Re: simulating FM radio DJ To get an authentic FM radio sound limit the frequency bandwidth to suit the type of radio in shot, compress it to oblivion and then add some small room ambience to simulate the speaker in the room. That is how I used to do it now I have pro tools and TL Space so I have a small/med/large radio pre-set that does it straight away. __________________ Over 15 minutes in Broadcast Film and TV production: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1044352/

April 19th, 2011, 03:21 PM	#6
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,039	Re: simulating FM radio DJ All main stream stations use specific processors like the Eventide Opimod to get their 'signature' sound. (usually to be louder and get more usable distance than the competition) These processors have a number of stages: EQ, single and multi-band compressors, multi-band exciters, peak limiter volume maximizes and even sophisticated auto levelers. Of coarse as was already stated, without a good voice, it ain't gonna help much.

April 19th, 2011, 04:17 PM	#7
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,068	Re: simulating FM radio DJ Brian, Do you have a script for what you want the FM announcer to say? Andrew

April 19th, 2011, 04:55 PM	#8
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	Re: simulating FM radio DJ Wow guys, my head is spinning. Okay, so there IS a sound specific to FM. So, I have the script, the actor with the voice, I also have an Oktava 012 from Soundroom, Senn k6/me66 and Rode NT3 and Sony Vegas and limited edition of Soundforge. What I want is THE most cliche FM rock station processing. Can I make it work?

April 20th, 2011, 05:28 PM	#9
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,068	Re: simulating FM radio DJ An extra set of testicles on the talent helps. Over here the really good VO guys are referred to as "four balls" out of respect. Andrew

April 21st, 2011, 11:36 PM	#11
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,068	Re: simulating FM radio DJ For Vegas you'll need to use them as a plug-in. Andrew Last edited by Andrew Smith; April 22nd, 2011 at 12:24 AM.