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Click here to see how to correctly set up your audio from the source to the transmitter.

Click here to see how to connect the Innovonics 222.

Important: If you are using an Inovonics 222 or other processor capable of driving the AM1000 beyond 100% positive peaks be sure to get the polarity of the output balanced audio right, otherwise the processor will be trying to drive the peaks negative which will result in distortion.

Customers report that there are surplus units like the CBS Volumemax available that will produce great results with our unit.

Here is how to tell if your polarity is right:
1. Turn the positive peaks all the way down.
2. Turn the output level up until you get distortion, then back off a little (hair) for good sound.
3. Then turn the positive peaks all the way up, if you get distortion then the (output) terminals + and - are probably reversed.

The polarity of the input terminals doesn’t matter.

Audio Processing:

The Innovonics 222, 235, Optimod, and other radio station type audio processors are different from a standard audio processor intended for general audio applications. A standard audio processor like a Autocom Pro MDX 1400 can add compression and limiting can improve your sound, but it can’t approach the what a audio processor designed to drive a AM transmitter can do. The reason is an old AM trick developed in the late 70’s called asymmetrical modulation. A big word, but all that means is that instead of the wave form being balanced, or equal around the ground, it is more positive. The waveform is not symmetrical, it is asymmetrical. This has the effect of making your sound louder (punch trough static) and makes it possible to modulate the transmitter to a higher peak power legally. If you can find an Audiomax or Volumnmax am transmitter type audio processor it can work well for you, they were popular in the 70's and 80's.

RangeMaster is the only certified AM transmitter capable of asymmetrical modulation.

See this document to set your modulation level with a scope.

See www.radioassociates.com for an inexpensive modulation monitor, (will monitor your radio waveform output) the unit can work with Part 15 transmitters.

Radio station DJ software for the PC:

See http://www.zararadio.com for a great program scheduler system. (free)

Also see http://www.otsav.com/ (not free)

There are many ways to put audio on your station, depending in your goals. From a radio DJ scheduling software, to as simple as a $20 MP3 stick player.

The iPod shuffle is a great choice for your MP3 player audio source, just load your MP3 files, and set it to repeat. Be sure to buy the "on the go" power supply with it, you can get 110v AC or 12VDC adapters.(Amazon)

http://premtech.com/usb1100.html Premier Technologies has an easy to use high quality MP3 player designed for the "music on hold, store music" industry.
New! RangeMaster is now a dealer for the quality Premier Digital player Line
USB 1100 – The only available Premier unit that downloads MP3 files directly from a USB flash drive (thumb drive) for Music on Hold
•    Downloads standard MP3 files directly from the removable USB drive to the internal memory or:
•    Plays standard MP3 files directly from the removable USB drive
•    No special software needed to record new audio on the drive
•    USB drive comes loaded with 6 licensed audio tracks
•    Easy install for the smallest of locations
•    Aluminum casing with external wall mounts
•    Price is $249 with a 256 MB drive
For information sheet click here
We have tested this unit here and it works great! Balanced audio out can drive the transmitter directly or the 8 ohm out can drive the studio interface, your choice.

You can use one of the many MP3 stick players out there to provide your on air program material. Just load your MP3 files onto it, set it for repeat all, and you are ready to go. We can supply a USB power supply for a MP3 stick or if yours is battery powered, call us for a power supply. We recommend using an MP3 player that has a power supply, or an USB MP3 player with an internal rechargeable battery. We have USB power supplies in stock that will keep your USB rechargeable MP3 player powered 24/7, just let us know you need one when ordering.

The transmitter will sound good without and processing, but will sound GREAT with the right equipment!

This is from Bill in California:

I have been on the air now for just over 2 years and I have certainly spent allot of time in quest of the perfect on air EQ. What I have discovered is that in order to have good sounding audio you need a minimum of the following:

1) Proper drive level to your audio chain.
2) Pre-Processing (AGC Leveler/Gain Rider).
3) Main Broadcast Processor.
4) A good transmitter (AM1000 of course)

I got a pretty good sound out of the following:

1) Symetrix 422 (AGC Leveler)
2) DBX 160a (Compressor/Limiter)
3) Inovonics 222 (Low Band Analog Broadcast Processor)(NRSC Compliant)

The best sound that I have got yet was with my current set up:

1) Symetrix 422 (No Leveling, No AGC, being used as a preamp).
2) Aphex Compellor (AGC Gain Riding / Compressor / Limiter).
3) Omnia 3AM (5 Band Digital Broadcast Audio Processor).

The Symetrix 422 costs about $275.00, the Aphex Compellor costs about 1K, and the Omnia 3AM costs about 4K.

The audio coming out of my Sound Blaster Live card on the automation computer is just too low to successfully drive the Aphex Compellor. Also the output of the sound card is HiZ unbalanced. I use a couple of those Radio Shack matching transformers (HiZ Unbalanced <> LoZ Unbalanced XLR) to get the audio signal into the Symetrix 422. I use the Symetrix 422 to boost up the drive audio to around -15 to -12dB (as I said, ACG and LEVELING Bypassed). I then feed the output of the Symetrix 422 into the Aphex Compellor > then into the Omnia 3am > then out to the TX.

I still haven't achieved the PERFECT EQ but I am at least WELL ON MY WAY (>: