Stereo Tool

Here a discussion about the quality of these Orban files:
http://www.claessonedwards.com/forum/vi ... 01&start=0

Interesting. They describe most of the same things that I've heard also. For Stereo Tool I've been using much of the same tracks for testing, and I've had the same issues in earlier versions (see Stereo Tool 3.x versions for REALLY horrible distortion on some of these tracks, if you turn on Loudness).

But I'm surprised that they didn't manage to fix the issues. And that they are actually proud of this sound and post it on their site...

I haven't listened to the 8500 tracks yet, but after reading this, I will (I thought the 8600 was terrible already, so now I'm really curious..)


Edit: Hm, difference between 8500 and 8600 is actually pretty small. I can't really say the 8600 is a lot better - both distort a lot. The 8600 does sound a bit more open though. But that could just as well be a matter of configuring it properly - there are a lot more differences between the two.

Ow, and given the fact that they specify an output volume of -2.8 dB, you can set Stereo Tool's output to 0.72 instead of 0.70 when you do comparisons, which means that Loudness can be lowered from 3.10 to 3.00 (which will sound slightly better)

Any comments on this? I think I should keep the non-FM presets as they are (nearly unnoticeable for recent tracks, and moving other tracks towards that sound).

For FM I want to increase the highs using the settings described above. This will probably not work very well for the very loud presets though.

Also, I have a choice between:
- Doing what I described above: First processing based on 'modern processing' frequency strengths, then boosting the highs. This keeps the highs at a constant high level.
- Increasing the 'soft limit' values instead, without using the equalizer. This will ONLY give loud highs if there are already a lot of highs in the song, if not, there will be less highs.

Basically the choice is between making everything flat - with boosted highs - or giving the highs more headroom.

Intermediate solutions are of course also possible...

Update in settings for same frequency content as Orban 8600:

- Start with FM Europe (Stereo)
- Turn STEREO processing OFF!
- Increase Lowpass filter to 15900 Hz
- Increase Loudness to 3.00
- Reduce 'Allow louder highs' to -16000
- Reduce Post Amp to 0.72
- Turn multiband equalizer on, before off (Edit)
- Set equalizer bands to: 1.00, 1.00, 1.00, 1.00, 0.96, .96, 0.96, 1.32, 1.50, 1.40

(.96, .96, .96 was actually measured to be .92, 1.00, .96 - but since the Orban has less bands so it cannot change them this way, so all should be slightly reduced.)

I'm again confused.
I wonder why you wrote "AFTER" (as if this would be a special option), because there is this "Before" option inside multiband ?
In second quote there is no more "AFTER" ?
I guess it should be still "AFTER", though some might think now, that this time we switch "Before" on (because "AFTER" is missing).

Wouldn't it be easier (less confusing) to write "EQ post multiband" (instead of "AFTER") or "EQ pre multiband" (for "Before" on) ?

Hans,
I am testing this settings for AGC

..and it seems that it's not linear anymore (?) .. there is differences in level (same track) when input is higher or lower

And now confusion is complete !

Because loading "FM Europe (Stereo)" preset the "Before" option in multiband is on.
And now ?
"Before" (EQ pre) on or off ("AFTER" again or EQ post) ?

How big is the difference? And is it with the input volume set such that the bars stay close to the top? Because then I can explain it... If you increase the input volume, the output volume will be slightly higher too - the effect is the biggest when the volume is such that the AGC has little effect on the volume (= the bars stay near the top).

i am using stereoTool on my radio too, with Stereo and rds and i want to improve my sound. So i just saw the adjustments and i want to try it but what about Multiband Comp adjustments?

Sorry, please turn 'BEFORE' off - the sound is corrected AFTER the processing is finished.