A Fix For Widely Varying Police Scanner Audio Levels Using a Free Windows Program (Also Linux and macOS)

wtburton

Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2015
Messages
18
Location
Central Ohio
By: wtburton
1/17/2024

* I am using Windows 11 with a Uniden Bearcat BCD536HP. I mostly monitor the Ohio MARCS-IP System for Public Safety broadcasts.

I use a great program as a plugin for Musicbee on my Windows 11 PC to play my music files. It's called Thimeo Stereo Tool. It’s used by thousands of radio stations around the world to enhance audio. It’s basically like having a LARGE rack of processors with compression, AGC, stereo expansion, limiters, etc. I recently remembered that there is also a standalone version for Windows and wondered if it would ease my frustration with my scanners volume issue. I installed it and was amazed at how well it worked and how much better it sounded. And no widely fluctuating audio levels.

Here is how to set it up :

The 1st thing you need is a 3.5mm audio cable long enough to go from your scanner to your PC (aka a mini plug. Amazon has many of them in varying lengths). Plug it into the AUX input (Line In) on the back of your desktop, usually colored BLUE. It should also work with the Mic input on the back or front of the PC but Aux/Line In is preferred . Plug the other end into your scanner's audio output. Go into Windows Sound Settings (Settings/System/Sound) and make sure the correct input is selected. Also select the speaker you will be using in the Output section. I set my Input Volume Level to 55 and the scanner volume at 10 (straight up). Just watch your levels in Stereo Tool and adjust the scanner volume if in the red.

HGqhNTONQ9PPxsDnvss_OAvySFUpXalkRyriE0JyVWfzpwjirjGppa6bLBGmjJhJgQEwdgfsdURMGMZbita7KPe1jw8wUXsMYvjDczZ51ZcwctsMcnk0CSYvx1Yc1cLYKaQxgnGj35bRJUeAzx_OUuo


Next, go to Stereo Tool - Thimeo . Click download, and click Windows Stand Alone, download it and install it. Windows 11 is 64 bits, but Windows 10 can either be 32 or 64 so check your system info. Windows may warn you not to install it but I’ve been using their programs for over 10 years and never had an issue. Click “More Info” and “Run Anyway” if you choose to continue.

Once installed, reboot, then open Stereo Tool (Start Menu/All Apps/Stereo Tool). Click on the Preset at the top left. I suggest using “Dutch Chocolate Moose”. Hans van Zutphen is the creator of this program and he co-wrote this preset. I believe that this is the default preset. If not click it, then click “Load Selected Settings”. You can try other presets of course but this one seems to work well with voice. There are some voice specific presets at the bottom of the list that sound good but to me they don’t seem to boost very low volume audio as well.

Nest click on Application Settings/License/Turn all unlicensed features off. You have to click it twice. Just make sure the RED warning message at the top goes away. This will stop it from warning you occasionally that you are using paid features, and for this setup you really don’t need any of them.

FW4-Us2tZfRbUuyOImgAnRpd7K8Ch80Hq2W6e_s_CtfeLQW-nxD9wHale_cCkDkOsQmrD-Ct1T6jzNqp2n09UXEChsqVD-y2buUjOhm2t3UmlihdFhFmB2mMxeauMeZ8vXFC8VVLTs32wFlrj761qv0


Next click the arrow at the top then the round “level meter” icon next to it and you will have a nice graphical representation of your settings working.

OGa9CI-zuyO-cgGOWOMIikRFdbHhQ5pasv4hHYlMXsYJE2b3s-a0ARJ3uOExkdiA44YYjYCaJ1RrM-Zq5yOYauhhEq7apYAdauO0_KYm0eT9fltJor8rSKq3FEgh-dY6g6qR4LPiL4XJxQzLddZ15xc


P5D26-3-WTtE2798Khwe5-aH499Xq5qz3zK5A2Kf-q2eQNW1JM084bxfx3MFbtlORBv6ZVd4UCzEHwVxWxNrWLbXHS9XjBVztfH2-8SGB7pB3-DZhBx8wdEcKRV1oKG82yu6wV5kIq2K1ncJoAEPqvc


Turn on the scanner with the volume to straight up (½ Volume) and your speaker volume where you want it. If you don’t have much traffic on the scanner at the moment just set the scanner to an analog channel and turn the squelch down so at least you will get some static to make sure it’s working. Note that there will be about a ½ second delay in the audio with this setup.

You will get some warning boxes after you start processing some audio but all the ones I’ve seen pop up (about 5 so far) are related to the fact that this program is pretty much made for constant and fairly clean audio. Just click “Don’t Show This Warning Again” and ignore the warnings.

Now that you are all set up and hopefully getting the scanner audio, you can go to the upper right and click “Bypass Processing '' to hear the difference.

*The output on most scanners is mono, so a mono bluetooth speaker works well with this setup. You can also use a mono adapter or set your audio output on windows to mono if you want. Stereo Tool will put a little audio on the right side, but it’s primarily on the left on stereo speakers and actually sounds fine that way.

gzFNXithiVHvEChU8yNulouP4tCUI2WSwiFHl7cu4YoM9WlY2MdJYEL5deS9pg-_PXCBjQO_3Nm6gvA6BDBJD4hugx9EI4AK-vLQNBiSlA1akGa2UPFdbnfuPvFbIj0lXgfBhKXRivoDpxoLU3XlOrc




Notes: I’m using Windows 11 on an Alienware R7 Desktop. To set this up on a Mini PC or a Laptop that only has a dual Mic/Headphone jack you’ll probably need a USB External Sound Card with an Aux-In port. I tried using a 3.5mm Headphone/Mic Splitter (Y Adapter) but ran into a few issues.

*Stereo Tool Standalone only works with external inputs, not with media player apps for instance. That’s what the plugin version is for.

This is the first time I have written anything like this. I have over 30 years of experience but am certainly no computer expert. I hope it works for you. Enjoy!
 

wtburton

Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2015
Messages
18
Location
Central Ohio
If you want to really get anal like I am about audio, get this as well. Equalizer APO with the PEACE Graphical Interface as a voice enhancer for the scanner. There is a bit of a learning curve with it and just about every time there is a Windows update you have to go back into the configurator and re-add some of your playback devices.

RJN1y2ETQRf2NSUQB-kN0HJikJ6CSurNKeDx1g1JWKEqEwvypkTuyB242aLPTWV727npGD36P8zIbYoAnCkBbaithfMZsk8a1ElNS9_ELfP0UdA7UvXLOvGf-s93rvt-b2IRpdRnQMtR4hDCW56diY8


With Lower Bass:

MVMxMdwZse0dvH4mSOzwgwaChnBDeA494neuDWuERqVLjOi80tdaKVplzecHWCBgPKter5MAHJQAyyWlDUdVYDWs9p6pMuIOVvRwo5EgrXxb8N1vO64BHr7eVwJdDacY69pqd8lD3qIaVe7XJizmQZ8


Equalizer APO
Peace Equalizer, interface Equalizer APO


k8Ox7hdIYeLq_xeu5GdMdpq_SGAdg_rYAGhSsQYUokLMmEPepxZ-T6opKdA9AUYZOgHZLCtQRlbQDyh76f-pgs5S0-EvRiwoNeI59RgLS6XVUPgFc5owHmmOgqW9PwdS6S1gYKC16QDFZyGkdfy290E
 

wtburton

Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2015
Messages
18
Location
Central Ohio
Be nice if it could some how work with Proscan. In any case, my audio from the BCT15X sounds much better than with this app.
I just tried this and it worked for me with other apps, not specifically Proscan because I don’t have it, but it should work the same way.

Install VB-Cable as Administrator VB-Audio Virtual Apps
Under I/O->Audio I/O in Stereo Tool set Input to “Cable Output VB-Audio Virtual…” and leave HD Output on Microsoft Sound Mapper

Set Proscan Output to “Cable Input VB-Audio Virtual”

If Proscan doesn’t have an output setting you can set in in Windows under Settings/System/Sound/Volume Mixer/Apps/Proscan/Drop Down Menu/Output Device/Cable Input VB-Audio Virtual

You may have to fiddle around with some volume settings.
 

weyforthr

Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2023
Messages
59
Location
Stafford Virginia
It might... with a virtual audio cable or a 2nd sound card looped back. Maybe something to check out.
OK, I got Thimeo Stereo Tool to work with Virtual Audio Cable, but Stereo Tool, even with just the non licensed features, seems to be overkill for my situation. I will try Equalizer APO to see how that works. Thanks.
 

wtburton

Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2015
Messages
18
Location
Central Ohio
OK, I got Thimeo Stereo Tool to work with Virtual Audio Cable, but Stereo Tool, even with just the non licensed features, seems to be overkill for my situation. I will try Equalizer APO to see how that works. Thanks.
I’m not sure if my area is unique, but listening to the P25 system here in central Ohio is frustrating without using this, at least to me. I just got back into scanners after 20 years away from it and don’t have much else to compare it to. Some units are barely audible because they are so low and some come blasting through like a 1980’s CB Radio with an over modulating power mic. The Fire/EMS Pager channel is so loud it distorts the tone and volume offset doesn’t help. It actually would startle the crap out of me at times. Anyway, I hope you find the fix you need for your situation. One of the voice only presets at the bottom of the list might be better for you. Much less processing.
 

wtburton

Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2015
Messages
18
Location
Central Ohio
By: wtburton
1/17/2024

* I am using Windows 11 with a Uniden Bearcat BCD536HP. I mostly monitor the Ohio MARCS-IP System for Public Safety broadcasts.

I use a great program as a plugin for Musicbee on my Windows 11 PC to play my music files. It's called Thimeo Stereo Tool. It’s used by thousands of radio stations around the world to enhance audio. It’s basically like having a LARGE rack of processors with compression, AGC, stereo expansion, limiters, etc. I recently remembered that there is also a standalone version for Windows and wondered if it would ease my frustration with my scanners volume issue. I installed it and was amazed at how well it worked and how much better it sounded. And no widely fluctuating audio levels.

Here is how to set it up :

The 1st thing you need is a 3.5mm audio cable long enough to go from your scanner to your PC (aka a mini plug. Amazon has many of them in varying lengths). Plug it into the AUX input (Line In) on the back of your desktop, usually colored BLUE. It should also work with the Mic input on the back or front of the PC but Aux/Line In is preferred . Plug the other end into your scanner's audio output. Go into Windows Sound Settings (Settings/System/Sound) and make sure the correct input is selected. Also select the speaker you will be using in the Output section. I set my Input Volume Level to 55 and the scanner volume at 10 (straight up). Just watch your levels in Stereo Tool and adjust the scanner volume if in the red.

HGqhNTONQ9PPxsDnvss_OAvySFUpXalkRyriE0JyVWfzpwjirjGppa6bLBGmjJhJgQEwdgfsdURMGMZbita7KPe1jw8wUXsMYvjDczZ51ZcwctsMcnk0CSYvx1Yc1cLYKaQxgnGj35bRJUeAzx_OUuo


Next, go to Stereo Tool - Thimeo . Click download, and click Windows Stand Alone, download it and install it. Windows 11 is 64 bits, but Windows 10 can either be 32 or 64 so check your system info. Windows may warn you not to install it but I’ve been using their programs for over 10 years and never had an issue. Click “More Info” and “Run Anyway” if you choose to continue.

Once installed, reboot, then open Stereo Tool (Start Menu/All Apps/Stereo Tool). Click on the Preset at the top left. I suggest using “Dutch Chocolate Moose”. Hans van Zutphen is the creator of this program and he co-wrote this preset. I believe that this is the default preset. If not click it, then click “Load Selected Settings”. You can try other presets of course but this one seems to work well with voice. There are some voice specific presets at the bottom of the list that sound good but to me they don’t seem to boost very low volume audio as well.

Nest click on Application Settings/License/Turn all unlicensed features off. You have to click it twice. Just make sure the RED warning message at the top goes away. This will stop it from warning you occasionally that you are using paid features, and for this setup you really don’t need any of them.

FW4-Us2tZfRbUuyOImgAnRpd7K8Ch80Hq2W6e_s_CtfeLQW-nxD9wHale_cCkDkOsQmrD-Ct1T6jzNqp2n09UXEChsqVD-y2buUjOhm2t3UmlihdFhFmB2mMxeauMeZ8vXFC8VVLTs32wFlrj761qv0


Next click the arrow at the top then the round “level meter” icon next to it and you will have a nice graphical representation of your settings working.

OGa9CI-zuyO-cgGOWOMIikRFdbHhQ5pasv4hHYlMXsYJE2b3s-a0ARJ3uOExkdiA44YYjYCaJ1RrM-Zq5yOYauhhEq7apYAdauO0_KYm0eT9fltJor8rSKq3FEgh-dY6g6qR4LPiL4XJxQzLddZ15xc


P5D26-3-WTtE2798Khwe5-aH499Xq5qz3zK5A2Kf-q2eQNW1JM084bxfx3MFbtlORBv6ZVd4UCzEHwVxWxNrWLbXHS9XjBVztfH2-8SGB7pB3-DZhBx8wdEcKRV1oKG82yu6wV5kIq2K1ncJoAEPqvc


Turn on the scanner with the volume to straight up (½ Volume) and your speaker volume where you want it. If you don’t have much traffic on the scanner at the moment just set the scanner to an analog channel and turn the squelch down so at least you will get some static to make sure it’s working. Note that there will be about a ½ second delay in the audio with this setup.

You will get some warning boxes after you start processing some audio but all the ones I’ve seen pop up (about 5 so far) are related to the fact that this program is pretty much made for constant and fairly clean audio. Just click “Don’t Show This Warning Again” and ignore the warnings.

Now that you are all set up and hopefully getting the scanner audio, you can go to the upper right and click “Bypass Processing '' to hear the difference.

*The output on most scanners is mono, so a mono bluetooth speaker works well with this setup. You can also use a mono adapter or set your audio output on windows to mono if you want. Stereo Tool will put a little audio on the right side, but it’s primarily on the left on stereo speakers and actually sounds fine that way.

gzFNXithiVHvEChU8yNulouP4tCUI2WSwiFHl7cu4YoM9WlY2MdJYEL5deS9pg-_PXCBjQO_3Nm6gvA6BDBJD4hugx9EI4AK-vLQNBiSlA1akGa2UPFdbnfuPvFbIj0lXgfBhKXRivoDpxoLU3XlOrc




Notes: I’m using Windows 11 on an Alienware R7 Desktop. To set this up on a Mini PC or a Laptop that only has a dual Mic/Headphone jack you’ll probably need a USB External Sound Card with an Aux-In port. I tried using a 3.5mm Headphone/Mic Splitter (Y Adapter) but ran into a few issues.

*Stereo Tool Standalone only works with external inputs, not with media player apps for instance. That’s what the plugin version is for.

This is the first time I have written anything like this. I have over 30 years of experience but am certainly no computer expert. I hope it works for you. Enjoy!
I’ve changed the Preset I use to be more voice friendly and bring up low volume transmissions. It’s Broadcast Voice Heavy (bottom of list) with 2 added settings to it; Stereo Image (Processing/Stereo/Stereo Image) With Image Phase Amplifier and Image Width Amplifier set to Zero, which makes the output stereo, and added Low Level Boost (Processing/Dynamics/Low Level Boost). Of all the setups I have tried so far (there is always more to learn) this sounds best to me with my scanner. To Add Go To Presets/Import Preset From File. Broadcast Voice Heavy-Image Mono-Low Level Boost.sts
 

wtburton

Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2015
Messages
18
Location
Central Ohio
I’ve changed the Preset I use to be more voice friendly and bring up low volume transmissions. It’s Broadcast Voice Heavy (bottom of list) with 2 added settings to it; Stereo Image (Processing/Stereo/Stereo Image) With Image Phase Amplifier and Image Width Amplifier set to Zero, which makes the output stereo, and added Low Level Boost (Processing/Dynamics/Low Level Boost). Of all the setups I have tried so far (there is always more to learn) this sounds best to me with my scanner. To Add Go To Presets/Import Preset From File. Broadcast Voice Heavy-Image Mono-Low Level Boost.sts
With Noise Gate Added and Post Amplifier -1.5 , much better Stereo Tool Presets - Google Drive
 

wtburton

Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2015
Messages
18
Location
Central Ohio
By: wtburton
1/17/2024

* I am using Windows 11 with a Uniden Bearcat BCD536HP. I mostly monitor the Ohio MARCS-IP System for Public Safety broadcasts.

I use a great program as a plugin for Musicbee on my Windows 11 PC to play my music files. It's called Thimeo Stereo Tool. It’s used by thousands of radio stations around the world to enhance audio. It’s basically like having a LARGE rack of processors with compression, AGC, stereo expansion, limiters, etc. I recently remembered that there is also a standalone version for Windows and wondered if it would ease my frustration with my scanners volume issue. I installed it and was amazed at how well it worked and how much better it sounded. And no widely fluctuating audio levels.

Here is how to set it up :

The 1st thing you need is a 3.5mm audio cable long enough to go from your scanner to your PC (aka a mini plug. Amazon has many of them in varying lengths). Plug it into the AUX input (Line In) on the back of your desktop, usually colored BLUE. It should also work with the Mic input on the back or front of the PC but Aux/Line In is preferred . Plug the other end into your scanner's audio output. Go into Windows Sound Settings (Settings/System/Sound) and make sure the correct input is selected. Also select the speaker you will be using in the Output section. I set my Input Volume Level to 55 and the scanner volume at 10 (straight up). Just watch your levels in Stereo Tool and adjust the scanner volume if in the red.

HGqhNTONQ9PPxsDnvss_OAvySFUpXalkRyriE0JyVWfzpwjirjGppa6bLBGmjJhJgQEwdgfsdURMGMZbita7KPe1jw8wUXsMYvjDczZ51ZcwctsMcnk0CSYvx1Yc1cLYKaQxgnGj35bRJUeAzx_OUuo


Next, go to Stereo Tool - Thimeo . Click download, and click Windows Stand Alone, download it and install it. Windows 11 is 64 bits, but Windows 10 can either be 32 or 64 so check your system info. Windows may warn you not to install it but I’ve been using their programs for over 10 years and never had an issue. Click “More Info” and “Run Anyway” if you choose to continue.

Once installed, reboot, then open Stereo Tool (Start Menu/All Apps/Stereo Tool). Click on the Preset at the top left. I suggest using “Dutch Chocolate Moose”. Hans van Zutphen is the creator of this program and he co-wrote this preset. I believe that this is the default preset. If not click it, then click “Load Selected Settings”. You can try other presets of course but this one seems to work well with voice. There are some voice specific presets at the bottom of the list that sound good but to me they don’t seem to boost very low volume audio as well.

Nest click on Application Settings/License/Turn all unlicensed features off. You have to click it twice. Just make sure the RED warning message at the top goes away. This will stop it from warning you occasionally that you are using paid features, and for this setup you really don’t need any of them.

FW4-Us2tZfRbUuyOImgAnRpd7K8Ch80Hq2W6e_s_CtfeLQW-nxD9wHale_cCkDkOsQmrD-Ct1T6jzNqp2n09UXEChsqVD-y2buUjOhm2t3UmlihdFhFmB2mMxeauMeZ8vXFC8VVLTs32wFlrj761qv0


Next click the arrow at the top then the round “level meter” icon next to it and you will have a nice graphical representation of your settings working.

OGa9CI-zuyO-cgGOWOMIikRFdbHhQ5pasv4hHYlMXsYJE2b3s-a0ARJ3uOExkdiA44YYjYCaJ1RrM-Zq5yOYauhhEq7apYAdauO0_KYm0eT9fltJor8rSKq3FEgh-dY6g6qR4LPiL4XJxQzLddZ15xc


P5D26-3-WTtE2798Khwe5-aH499Xq5qz3zK5A2Kf-q2eQNW1JM084bxfx3MFbtlORBv6ZVd4UCzEHwVxWxNrWLbXHS9XjBVztfH2-8SGB7pB3-DZhBx8wdEcKRV1oKG82yu6wV5kIq2K1ncJoAEPqvc


Turn on the scanner with the volume to straight up (½ Volume) and your speaker volume where you want it. If you don’t have much traffic on the scanner at the moment just set the scanner to an analog channel and turn the squelch down so at least you will get some static to make sure it’s working. Note that there will be about a ½ second delay in the audio with this setup.

You will get some warning boxes after you start processing some audio but all the ones I’ve seen pop up (about 5 so far) are related to the fact that this program is pretty much made for constant and fairly clean audio. Just click “Don’t Show This Warning Again” and ignore the warnings.

Now that you are all set up and hopefully getting the scanner audio, you can go to the upper right and click “Bypass Processing '' to hear the difference.

*The output on most scanners is mono, so a mono bluetooth speaker works well with this setup. You can also use a mono adapter or set your audio output on windows to mono if you want. Stereo Tool will put a little audio on the right side, but it’s primarily on the left on stereo speakers and actually sounds fine that way.

gzFNXithiVHvEChU8yNulouP4tCUI2WSwiFHl7cu4YoM9WlY2MdJYEL5deS9pg-_PXCBjQO_3Nm6gvA6BDBJD4hugx9EI4AK-vLQNBiSlA1akGa2UPFdbnfuPvFbIj0lXgfBhKXRivoDpxoLU3XlOrc




Notes: I’m using Windows 11 on an Alienware R7 Desktop. To set this up on a Mini PC or a Laptop that only has a dual Mic/Headphone jack you’ll probably need a USB External Sound Card with an Aux-In port. I tried using a 3.5mm Headphone/Mic Splitter (Y Adapter) but ran into a few issues.

*Stereo Tool Standalone only works with external inputs, not with media player apps for instance. That’s what the plugin version is for.

This is the first time I have written anything like this. I have over 30 years of experience but am certainly no computer expert. I hope it works for you. Enjoy!

After months of experimenting with Stereo Tool’s standalone version , I think I’ve created a good preset for scanner audio that FINALLY eliminates the low volume issue with some units in my area's OHIO MARCS-IP System.

I used the onboard preset “Bright Male Voice Light” and added “Image Mono” to give it 2 channel output, “Voice Tracking Pre-AGC'' to help handle overly loud audio and “Low Level Boost” (-12db/+12db) to crank up low volume transmissions. Every setting I had tried previously worked well but there were a few units in this area that were still ridiculously low at times. This seems to fix that finally by adding Low Level Boost. I am no audio engineer but have tinkered with this for a while. My main goal is only to keep audio levels fairly constant, and this setup seems to do it.

To install the preset:
Click on the current preset at the top of the application. At the top left click “Import Preset From File”. Find where you downloaded the preset and click it. Then “Load Selected Settings”.

Here is a link to that preset: Stereo Tool Presets - Google Drive

Any comments, tweaks or suggestions would be appreciated.
 

sonm10

Central MN Monitor
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Nov 19, 2016
Messages
1,030
Location
Sauk Centre, Minnesota
Have you tried a compressor or a limiter? A limiter is considered a fast acting compressor. Dial down the compression on the really loud voice, then add make-up gain.
 

WR9A

Member
Feed Provider
Joined
Oct 20, 2003
Messages
26
Location
Lafayette, IN
I've been using a couple of these for 10+ years. Each has 4 separate circuits and each can doing gating/expansion/compression and vary input and output levels. I use these between the scanners and the computer and provide 8 separate feeds to Broadcastify this way.
 

wtburton

Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2015
Messages
18
Location
Central Ohio
Have you tried a compressor or a limiter? A limiter is considered a fast acting compressor. Dial down the compression on the really loud voice, then add make-up gain.
Yes, they are both built into Stereo Tool along with a host of other rack-type settings. It actually has 2 Multiband Compressors and a simple limiter that are both non-license features. Unfortunately, adjusting them is way over my head. They are all active in this preset. The settings in the new preset seem to work great though. I've been monitoring for days and now with it and not 1 transmission has sounded overly loud or low. Thanks for the input! I will tinker with it I'm sure ;-)
 

wtburton

Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2015
Messages
18
Location
Central Ohio
I've been using a couple of these for 10+ years. Each has 4 separate circuits and each can doing gating/expansion/compression and vary input and output levels. I use these between the scanners and the computer and provide 8 separate feeds to Broadcastify this way.
Cool.. I'll look into it. I have a Behringer mic and audio interface. Good stuff at a good price.
 

dispatchgeek

Control channel goes "brrrrr"
Joined
Feb 29, 2004
Messages
323
Location
Between the cornfields and the pastures, Michigan.
After months of experimenting with Stereo Tool’s standalone version , I think I’ve created a good preset for scanner audio that FINALLY eliminates the low volume issue with some units in my area's OHIO MARCS-IP System.

I used the onboard preset “Bright Male Voice Light” and added “Image Mono” to give it 2 channel output, “Voice Tracking Pre-AGC'' to help handle overly loud audio and “Low Level Boost” (-12db/+12db) to crank up low volume transmissions. Every setting I had tried previously worked well but there were a few units in this area that were still ridiculously low at times. This seems to fix that finally by adding Low Level Boost. I am no audio engineer but have tinkered with this for a while. My main goal is only to keep audio levels fairly constant, and this setup seems to do it.

To install the preset:
Click on the current preset at the top of the application. At the top left click “Import Preset From File”. Find where you downloaded the preset and click it. Then “Load Selected Settings”.

Here is a link to that preset: Stereo Tool Presets - Google Drive

Any comments, tweaks or suggestions would be appreciated.
I’ve poked around a bit with this preset, but where do I disable Image mono? I use a stereo input that feeds two separate streams (one scanner on L, one on R.) I believe image mono is mixing them into one. I thought I shut it off, but no such luck.
 

sonm10

Central MN Monitor
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Nov 19, 2016
Messages
1,030
Location
Sauk Centre, Minnesota
Yes, they are both built into Stereo Tool along with a host of other rack-type settings. It actually has 2 Multiband Compressors and a simple limiter that are both non-license features. Unfortunately, adjusting them is way over my head. They are all active in this preset. The settings in the new preset seem to work great though. I've been monitoring for days and now with it and not 1 transmission has sounded overly loud or low. Thanks for the input! I will tinker with it I'm sure ;-)
For this type of application, I would suggest using RATIO = 2:1, adjust threshold for -3db gain reduction, make-up gain +3db. The attack and release settings don't really matter for this type of application, but you could try 1ms attack, 3-10ms release.
 
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