Stereo Tool

Hi there,
We run a Internet radio station www.singalongradio.de All soundfiles are compressed to mp3 - 320 and we stream in 320 too. There are 70% pop, 20 % EDM and 10 % rock.

At the moment, we’re using this audio interface (M-Audio Fast Track Ultra USB Audio Interface) while waiting for a more powerful one that’s being delivered in a few days. We’re experiencing strong growth right now and want to prioritize our content and audio. See specifications further down.

The input volume is perfect — it sits just below 0 dB.

We like our current setting in Stereo Tool, but something causes a bit of pumping when there are heavy drum hits or rapid shifts between low and high volume. Some more "screamy" vocalists make the audio sound slightly distorted. During those moments, the sound also lacks a bit of soft body or warmth.

Our goal with our processing is to achieve a consistent, high, and clean output level. It should sound wide but not boomy in modern cars like Teslas or Volvos. In those cars, it sometimes sounds boomy because many people crank up the loudness and bass in their sound systems.

We have three reference stations and would like our sound to be similar to these:

www.z108.net

www.bigfm.de

www.nrj.fr

We're using the free version of Stereo Tool.

Feel free to use our current settings. I would really like your feedback on how to improve them towards our goals. Just keep in mind that we’re currently using the free version.

For the setup we used this songs:

Michael Schulte - Beautiful Reason
Fast Boy feat ClockClock - Born Again
Avicii - Levels
Lady Gaga - Abracadabra
Dr Alban - It's my life
Backstreet Boys - I wan't it that way
Rachel Plattern - Fight Song
The Killers - Human
Gavin DeGraw - I don't wanna be

------- M-Audio Fast Track Ultra USB -------
General Specifications:
Type: USB 2.0 Audio Interface

Sample Rates: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz (24-bit)
Compatibility: Windows (ASIO, WDM) & macOS (Core Audio)

Inputs:
4 x Analog inputs (XLR/TRS combo with preamps)
Mic/instrument/line (each channel has separate gain control)
2 x TRS line inputs (balanced)
1 x S/PDIF digital input (coaxial, 24-bit/96 kHz)
MIDI input (1x 5-pin DIN)

Outputs:
6 x Analog outputs (TRS, balanced)
1 x S/PDIF digital output (coaxial, 24-bit/96 kHz)
MIDI output (1x 5-pin DIN)
Main output (1/4" TRS for monitors/headphones)
Headphone output (with separate volume control)

Performance:
Mic preamps: +48V phantom power (switchable per channel pair)
ADC/DAC resolution: 24-bit
Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (±0.5 dB)
THD+N: <0.002% (at -1 dBFS, 22 Hz–22 kHz)
Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): >100 dB (A-weighted)

Connectivity & Controls:
USB 2.0 (Type B)
Separate volume controls for outputs/headphones
LED metering for inputs/outputs
Direct Monitoring (ability to blend input and output without latency)

NRJ sounds like an IDT DBP or DVP. I have a simulation for that here: https://forums.stereotool.com/viewtopic.php?t=34577

Z108 might be a newer Omnia 11. Some pop-oriented Cumulus stations in the next cities over from me sound like this, and I know Cumulus uses Omnia a lot. I have a simulation for that, but I am not releasing it to the public.

Bigfm... I have no clue.

Hello. Zip your settings and then you will be able to upload them here. Based on that, the experts will be able to tell you what needs to be fixed.

Of course. Unbelievable that I missed the simple one Now it's uploaded. What do you think? What is our "big" mistake in our settings?

Nice, I'll take a look at your settings (compare = learn