Congrats... you've found an inexpensive and functional work-around, and if it sounds good it is. A more "pro" approach that might float your boat can be found by googling "level matching interfaces" which are capable of converting -10 sound card output to the +4 level your transmitter input expects. Cheap ones new can be found for around $60 usd.
Another option would be to peruse eBay and look for this type of interface by Aphex or Matchbox.
Thank you! I found the Aphex devices on ebay. Just want I need!
I ended up having to run the computer audio into an input of a stereo receiver, then running the headphone audio out on the receiver into the transmitter; using the receiver's volume as gain control. I'm sure there's better ways to accomplish this.
I purchased a new FM transmitter and was naive enough to believe that I could connect the audio from the 1/4th sound card jack to the XLR inputs on the transmitter, however the audio level is too low. When I try to turn up the volume on the PC, it overdrives the output and the sound card will shut down.
The transmitter I have has dip switches on the back for 600 ohms and 10k ohms. Just curious what the best way is to convert the audio?
I see these on ebay, but need the 600 ohm side to be XLR, so I'm not sure if this will work. Would a mixer do the trick?
I'm running an internet radio / music stream. I'm using a free domain given by DNS exit and have it streaming on a private port in the 49152 through 65535 range. Just wondering if anyone can comment on how safe this is. I don't want to attract unwanted attention from record companies or the RIAA. I'd imagine search engines like Shodan can pick up the URL with the port, but doubt anyone would know it's a music stream.
How difficult would it be to build this transmtter? Could I built it into the chasis of the CZE T501 transmitter and use the existing LCD screen, push button knob and transformer? How difficult would it be to solder on the connections for the MPX input, etc. Thanks
The problems with this transmitter stem from pre-emphasis not being set up correctly. After getting it disabled on the main board, I have to apply 125 microseconds. Now the sound is OK.
I'm only peaking at about 55-60% on a VU meter or Oscilloscope (compared to other radio stations that peak at about 90%) but I can't turn the gain up anymore without overmodulating. It has been suggested to have pre-emphasis disabled at the transmitter, which I have, but I still can't quite get there. Is there something I can do to correct this? Are the highs still too loud?
I figured out that my issues were coming from running RDS and having a faint 19 KHz pilot tone present in the audio. This would create a ringing effect and cause havoc with the transmitter's limiter. I believe i can drive my sound louder now with out RDS. I don't understand why I'm able to hear the tone with this transmitter but not the other one.
Unfortunately this transmitter continues to be a piece of junk. It simply won't compete with commercial radio audio levels and I'm not sure why. I can achieve better results using an HLLY transmitter (set at 50 microseconds pre-emphasis) and just adding 25 in the audio. Plus, the HLLY allows RDS without affecting the sound. I wouldn't recommend the CZE-T501 to anyone. I would do some research and purchase something that's high quality.
One last thing I need to mess with is the adjustment (ADJ) on the back of the transmitter. Hopefully it's for adjusting the audio input levels.
Once I get the Harrison Labs attenuators and have them installed I'll post back with results (hopefully POSITIVE!!)... Good ol' USPS!!! They sent my package 50 miles NORTH of me --- it now has to return to the sort/distro station 50 miles SOUTH of me..then sent BACK to my (the CORRECT!!) local PO. Probably arrive Monday.....we'll see.....!!
Do you think the overdrive is causing distortion even if you turn your input down to compensate? It seems like this transmitter just isn't as loud as it should be. I'm not sure how good processing is with reference levels turned way down like that.
I look forward to your results. I may do the same thing with the attenuators.
Agree on the NOISY fans!!! Makes it REALLY hard to run live mic (I'd LOVE to remote the transmitter....but space REQUIRES it to be about 3 feet from the board!!) I, like many others, am bothered with audio over-drive issues with the CZE-T501.....I can only push my Yamaha board to about 50% level before severe distortion occurs..even with the LINE LEVEL in the transmitter set at "1".. I've ordered a pair of Harrison Labs 6db RCA line attenuators....for $20 I figure it's worth a shot!!
I agree, I'm not sure why a so-called professional transmitter is set up this way. The input has to be turned WAY down otherwise you have severe over modulation. I too run the transmitter on volume level 1. It adds a lot of guess-work, which I don't like. I believe the input should be standardized to how other electronics are set up.
FYI, BBP 0.9.0.95 works in Windows 10 and I was able to find a hack for it.
I received my board back (2 months after the fact) with pre-emphasis disabled and the metal shielding plate installed. The sound is noticeably different using pre-emphasis at the audio processing level rather than the transmitter itself. I can achieve much more loudness. I'm still not quite at commercial quality regarding sound. I'm using stereo tool and it's a shame that Breakaway Broadcast Processor doesn't work in Windows 10 as I believe this is a better out of the box product that doesn't require as much tweaking.
A word of caution shipping to China: Customs held my board for about 45 days. They have tough restrictions on what can enter the country. See the below URL. I'm lucky this board made it back to me.
The next upgrade on the list is to replace those cheap loud-ass fans. With the right modifications this has the potential to be a really great transmitter.