How to make audio sound like from a FM radio?

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JackyBorderCollie
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How to make audio sound like from a FM radio?

I have been using Audacity for 1 year, and today I wanted to make my song sound like from FM radio. I have been playing around with many effects, but I just can't find what I'm looking for. I am on Windows 10, and I use Audacity version 2.4.2.

Paul2
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Re: How to make audio sound like from a FM radio?

Post by Paul2 » Tue Jun 01, 2021 3:56 pm

FM or AM radio?

FM has pretty good frequency response, up to about 15KHz.
AM on the other hand is limited to around 5KHz.

EFFECT ---> EQUALIZATION
(Then select AM Radio).

Screen Shot 2021-06-01 at 6.28.55 PM.png
Screen Shot 2021-06-01 at 6.28.55 PM.png (53.68 KiB) Viewed 587 times

Last edited by Paul2 on Tue Jun 01, 2021 4:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Paul2
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Re: How to make audio sound like from a FM radio?

Post by Paul2 » Tue Jun 01, 2021 4:08 pm

So you want just to cut some of the high end or also make the bass less punchy?
As if it's being played from a small speaker?

You can modify the AM Radio profile.
Click and drag on the small points to move them.
On the low end, move them to start cutting from about 100Hz and at the high end, move them to about 8-9KHz.

Last edited by Paul2 on Tue Jun 01, 2021 4:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.

waxcylinder
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Re: How to make audio sound like from a FM radio?

Post by waxcylinder » Tue Jun 01, 2021 4:10 pm

Just add a small amount of FM carrier hiss

WC

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kozikowski
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Re: How to make audio sound like from a FM radio?

Post by kozikowski » Tue Jun 01, 2021 4:12 pm

I just can't find what I'm looking for.

Do you have an example? Links?

FM sounds like a live performance.

Are you after what happens to an FM radio in your car when you drive too far away? That's a distinctive crashing sound as the radio loses its mind.

As above, AM sound channel is 5KHz, so they have a muffled, low fidelity quality and between that and the compression, it's a good theatrical effect, and not that hard.

Even more effective if the hero of the song gets into his car and switches between live and radio. Or changes historical eras, or does a flashback.

Koz

Paul2
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Re: How to make audio sound like from a FM radio?

Post by Paul2 » Tue Jun 01, 2021 4:14 pm

Just add a small amount of FM carrier hiss

True and some switching from stereo to mono and back again as the 19KHz stereo pilot tone is temporarily lost due to weak signal. ;)

DVDdoug
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Re: How to make audio sound like from a FM radio?

Post by DVDdoug » Tue Jun 01, 2021 4:27 pm

I wanted to make my song sound like from FM radio.

What do you think it sounds like, and compared to what? And, I assume you're starting with a good-modern, digital, recording?

FM itself is pretty good so it doesn't have much of a particular "sound". It's low distortion and has wide frequency range with just a touch of background hiss, depending on how far you are from the broadcast station.

If you're looking for the sound of a small desktop radio, equalization is what you're looking for. You can just experiment (with the "preview") to see what you can get. IMO - the Graphic Equalizer is easier to experiment with than the Filter Curve. With equalization you can simulate the sound (frequency response) of a tiny speaker or a larger speaker in a resonant wood box, with or without a tweeter, etc.

If you want to add some hiss, we can help you with that.

JackyBorderCollie
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Re: How to make audio sound like from a FM radio?

Post by JackyBorderCollie » Tue Jun 01, 2021 4:28 pm

waxcylinder wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 01, 2021 4:10 pm

Just add a small amount of FM carrier hiss

WC

But how? Also, I am looking to make a FM effect when it is good signal.

DVDdoug
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Re: How to make audio sound like from a FM radio?

Post by DVDdoug » Tue Jun 01, 2021 4:37 pm

To add noise -

With the existing track open...

Track -> New (stereo if that's what you have).

Click in the new-silent track and put the cursor at the beginning.

Generate -> Noise -> White with a duration to match the original file (you can also try pink noise). Try an amplitude of 0.01 to start (that's -40dB).

When you play or export the noise and original track will be mixed.