Interetsing article from the Boston Globe
What's next on airwaves? Expanding radio's reach.By Clea Simon, Globe Correspondent | June 22, 2006
It's been a few years since radio was only AM and FM. Satellite and Internet options have expanded the medium's reach, and podcasting and high definition digital radio are pushing the boundaries further. But while these options are giving stations greater reach, they're also creating competition: Why tune into the local DJ when you can get stations from around the globe?
With all the changes in the industry, Entercom Boston, which owns "Mike" WMKK-FM (93.7), WEEI-AM (850), WRKO-AM (680), and WAAF-FM (107.3), was in need of a new media expert. Over the past few months, Bill Alfano, Entercom Boston's director of marketing since January, has been gradually assuming that role.
"Basically, everywhere I've gone," says Alfano, who formerly worked for rival group Clear Channel Communications, ``the big question is: `What's next?' "
The answer, as he sees it, comes in several parts. HD radio, he says, is one promising option, particularly as a response to satellite radio. Like satellite radio, HD radio can only be heard with a special receiver. But unlike satellite radio, HD radio is free -- provided by ``terrestrial" stations.
Although receivers are expensive, the prices are coming down (originally around $500, they can now be found for less than $300). Auto manufacturers are beginning to add them to new models. To pique consumer interest, a few months ago several of the major radio groups (including Entercom) formed the HD Digital Radio Alliance. This alliance divvied up formats in different markets to increase options -- and win back listeners. For example, two competing rock stations will make sure their HD stations don't overlap in terms of format.
Other advances are coming through computers and cell phones. Stations are working to make their websites more interactive by streaming shows, podcasting programs to let listeners tune in when it's convenient, and offering message boards. Look for station sites to get even more active, Alfano says, reaching out to listeners with text messages to their cell phones.
"If it's concert listings, reminders of your anniversary, [radio] will be that resource," Alfano says. Already, WMKK offers a text message service that alerts listeners when a favorite song or request is coming up. "It's an extension of radio," he says.
AXIA
This is a new and revolutionary approach to studio design and audio management within a modern broadcast facility. The following PDF file is a reprint of an article which appeared in Radio World July 2005. This article gives a first end-user perspective and description of this amazing system.
Axia Radio World Article
What is a Decibel?
We are often asked to explain what a decibel is. This is a description from an excellent book titled "Sound reinforcement handbook" produced for Yamaha by Gary Davis and Ralph Jones. While you are getting your heads around this, we will try to come up with more of a layman’s description.
The Decibel, Sound Level, And Related Items
What Is A Decibel?
Numerous attempts have been made to explain one of the most common, yet confusing terms in audio, the “dB.” “dB” is an abbreviation for “decibel,” and it need not be all that difficult to grasp, if properly presented. If you’re one of the many people who is “a little fuzzy” about decibels, the following explanations should clear things up for you.
A Mathematical Definition of the dB
The dB always describes a ratio of two quantities... quantities that are most often related to power. The reason that the dB is used is that it is logarithmic*, and therefore smaller numbers can be used to express values that otherwise would require more digits. Also, since our ears’ sensitivity is “logarithmic,” dB values relate to how we hear better than do absolute numbers or simple ratios. Thus, the dB was intended to simplify things, not to complicate them.
The decibel is actual 1/10 of a Bel (a unit named after Alexander Graham Bell, which is why the “B” of dB is upper case).
What’s a Bel?
A Bel is defined as the logarithm of an electrical, acoustic, or other power ratio. (We are describing the ratio of watts — this ratio does not refer to raising numbers to a power, although that, too, is part of log math.) To express the relationship of two power values, P0watts and P1watts, in Bels:
Bel = log (P1÷ P0)
The decibel is more convenient to use in sound systems, primarily because the number scaling is more natural. Since a decibel (dB) is 1/10 of a Bel, it can be mathematically expressed by the equation:
dB = 10 log (P1÷ P2)
To make it clear that the above is 10 times the log of P1/P2, we may sometimes add a dot (.) to indicate multiplication... i.e.:
dB = 10 log (P1÷ P2) (This is the same as the previous equation)
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