Motorola ASTRO25 - Optimize your audio settings

[Bud]

Very good explanation...

 

[snapple4th]

Hi, great thread. I have a further question about these settings. This thread covers optimizing an entire system that uses one voice format, and doesn't seem to cover both. I've used the settings above on full digital systems, and I like the results. I have a system, however, that uses analog and digital channels, although each channel is dedicated either analog or digital and does not use both. The problem I have is not necessarily the user's noise level, but rather the overall noise level of the channel its self. What I mean is, the digital "response" channels sound great, but the analog "events" channels are way too loud. I need to find settings that compensate for both and meet in the middle. Anyone have a similar problem and can post the setting they use? Thanks

I had the opposite problem in analog. The radios were way too quiet and the static in weaker coverage areas totally killed any voice. The settings I have in analog are below.... I got a ton of complaints for using AGC in analog. I have not yet had a chance to test it digital.

+3 gain On all levels Advanced Noise Suppression, Digital analog balance enabled. -24 on the treble with concurrent rx enabled. The radio is louder, and does have more sensitivity for feedback due to the increased gain but voice carries much better over analog narrowband audio and my departments are happy with it.

 

[snapple4th]

For the XTL5000.....

Does anyone have a good audio template for a motorcyle radio that does NOT use a helmet mic. Ie the officer uses a regular handheld mic on the bike.


I am having issues with wind and backround noise in P25 from the bike engine. Its a harley so super loud.

But I also don't want to make the user too quiet.

Any thoughts?

 

[Mars]

You'll definitely want to engage the advanced noise suppression attenuation for the motorcycle environment.

As for the wind noise, there's nothing you can do. What is wind? Wind is air pressure. You need to shield the mic element from the pressure waves or you'll always be dealing with it. The XTL hand mic is **** for that application. (Which is why a helmet boom mic is a good idea, as it has a wind shield as part of the design).

You'll have to play with the total and output gain settings. I recommend something like -6dB or even -9dB on total gain, and possibly 0 or +3dB for output gain. You'll have to experiment in the field.

Do not use AGC for this application.

If you opt to continue using the hand mic, encourage the user to speak close and directly into it. No soft talking. The louder the user speaks (not shouting), the sooner the Noise Suppression attenuation will kick in. It's triggered by amplitude.

 

[snapple4th]

You'll definitely want to engage the advanced noise suppression attenuation for the motorcycle environment.

As for the wind noise, there's nothing you can do. What is wind? Wind is air pressure. You need to shield the mic element from the pressure waves or you'll always be dealing with it. The XTL hand mic is **** for that application. (Which is why a helmet boom mic is a good idea, as it has a wind shield as part of the design).

You'll have to play with the total and output gain settings. I recommend something like -6dB or even -9dB on total gain, and possibly 0 or +3dB for output gain. You'll have to experiment in the field.

Do not use AGC for this application.

If you opt to continue using the hand mic, encourage the user to speak close and directly into it. No soft talking. The louder the user speaks (not shouting), the sooner the Noise Suppression attenuation will kick in. It's triggered by amplitude.

Thanks Mars,

The question I have, if I turn off AGC I cannot edit the total and output I have to set a fixed gain. Any idea what the gain should be at?

 

[Mars]

Sorry, ignore what I said about not using a AGC. Obviously, it's been a while since I've touched one of these radios. If AGC does not work properly, disable it and try the linear gain settings. Start at -3dB.

 

[com501]

You might want to consider a noise cancelling mike option like the Shure 577b. Motorola doesn't make a NC mike for the XTL that I know of, anymore.

 

[snapple4th]

Thanks guys.

Ill be posting some clips of the testing I am doing regarding the motorcycle mic, we are ordering a helmet mic.

I also want to hammer down my portable subscriber audio a little better. I have some issues with muffling on portables especially with fast-talkers or natural mumblers/soft-talkers. My loud talkers sound awesome and AGC turns it down. This is all on P25 Phase 1 conventional. My coverage is great but I want to "clean up" the clarity of the audio a little better. I plan on doing the following tests with AGC on, AGC OFF no gain and AGC off +3 gain. Noise suppression standard and digital/analog balance enabled. Ill post the results.

Anyone have difficult time with mumblers and soft-talkers on your system?