Processor location

[HadYourPhil]

I know I've seen this discussed here, but what is the hot set-up? Processor at TX, or before the STL with composite to the exciter? I'd think at the site would be best, but I'm open to any suggestions.

[stacker]

I was going to say, AM or FM, but re-read your post.  Sorry.

[Lazy J]

I know I've seen this discussed here, but what is the hot set-up? Processor at TX, or before the STL with composite to the exciter? I'd think at the site would be best, but I'm open to any suggestions.

Nobody ever agrees with me, but I prefer my processor at the studio. It's a cleaner environment and it's more temperature controlled, plus I can adjust it in a nice quiet room. I try to keep very little equipment at the transmitter site because of lightning damage, extreme temperatures, etc. Plus, I honestly can't hear a difference and if I can't hear a difference, 99% of the listeners won't either. IMHO

[WNTIRadio]

If you have a nice air conditioned transmitter shack, there's no reason to not keep the processing at the studio.  I can adjust any one of the processors in a quiet room, or at home.  Or the car.  Or on a boat.  If it is a modern unit and has some form of IP connectivity then you can remote in from anywhere and take advantage of the short composite connection and/or the composite processing if your market conditions warrant it.

If you're using a Harris Digit, then you definitely want to go composite in. 

Going AES to the exciter can work and sounds good as well.  I have a couple of sites that are set up that way with a Starlink and AES for the main and UDP for the HD.

[OKCRadioGuy]

I agree with Lazy J IF the STL hop is good and the equipment is good.  It's hard to beat old-fashioned composite if it's working right.  Simple, cheap and it just works!

[RadeoEngineer]

I always prefrred the processing to be in the shop where I could put my hands on it and where I knew the environment was always going to be friendly.  I've had situations where the processing was located at the transmitter site with no dial up or internet connection and that was a bit of a pain.

[wgliradio]

I've always thought the best place for a processor is right at the site.  Interfacing directly from the processor to the exciter is the path of least resistance.

While there are many many many high quality composite STL devices on the market, you're introducing at least two pieces of gear between the rubber and the road.   With the IP connectivity of processors nowadays, it's easy to adjust a processor at a site with a computer and a good known stereo at the office or even in the car.

[OKCRadioGuy]

Yup.  I've set processing via laptop in my car in front of the local IHOP LOL!  I of course checked other radios, but being in the mobile enviroment where I could get a excellent signal on what most people will be listing to the station on anyway seemed like the best idea to me.